Providence Hotels

One of the largest holes in Providence's tourism infrastructure is the city's inadequate quantity of hotel rooms. To make matters worse, the short supply means rooms are not only scarce, but expensive. While there are 2,500 hotel rooms in the greater Providence area, there are only 1,200 within walking distance of the Rhode Island Convention Center, which is smack dab in the middle of downtown. Fortunately, most of the downtown hotels are high-quality establishments, making their generally high prices easier to swallow.

Chief among these properties is the AAA four-diamond Hotel Providence, a relatively new hotel (opened in February 2005) with a convenient "downcity" location. The Hotel Providence is on the expensive side, with an average nightly rate of $249, but it offers a wide variety of value packages.

Providence's biggest hotels are the Westin and the Marriott. Though each is less expensive than the Hotel Providence, you should still expect to pay around $200 per night, likely more, though last-minute deals may yield lower rates. The Westin has the added feature of being connected to the Providence Place Mall and the Rhode Island Convention Center.

For those seeking a historical experience, check out the Providence Biltmore. Known as the "Grand Dame of Providence," the Biltmore has been Providence's claim to fame (at least in the hotel industry) since 1922. The hotel has undergone $10 million of renovations during the past three years, adding updated amenities and restoring the lavish decor.

The Providence CVB has a thorough list of area hotels, both within and outside the downcity area. There are several B&Bs in the area, though very few are actually in Providence itself. If finding a budget option is your primary concern, check out hotels in nearby Warwick, about 15 to 20 minutes south of Providence, where rates tend to be significantly cheaper.