An Iconic Gem in the Heart of Providence

July 15, 2015
By Rachel Kapur

Summer is the best time for adventures and quick getaways. The weather is beautiful and what better time to use your vacation days. A great short getaway is a trip to one of the oldest cities in the United States- Providence, Rhode Island. This quaint city is a only three-hour ride from Manhattan by train. On our recent trip to Providence, we were invited to stay at the luxurious and historic Providence Biltmore Hotel located in downtown Providence.

Built in the neo-Federal Beaux-arts style in 1922, for over ninety years the Providence Biltmore Hotel has been a landmark in the heart of Providence. The hotel has been home to countless events, weddings, meetings and special events.

This stunning historic hotel was recently acquired by the Hilton Curio Collection in November of 2015 and has undergone an $18 Million dollar renovation. The guest rooms, carpeting, furniture and wallpaper have all been updated while still retaining the classical elegance of this historic hotel. From the Grand Lobby entrance, beautiful rooftop views and the original glass elevator- the Providence Biltmore does not fail to impress.

The hotel is home to the only on-site hotel spa in the city of Providence and the largest Starbucks coffeehouse in New England resides within its confines. The hotel has one restaurant, McCormick and Schmick's which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

 

The Providence Biltmore was originally built with over 600 rooms, but over the years many of the rooms were combined to create suites and larger guestrooms. There are now 294 elegantly appointed rooms that feature large living space. The recently renovated rooms have a sophisticated new look while maintaining the timeless elegance of the Biltmore.

Each of the hotel’s well-appointed rooms is furnished with custom-made luxurious Biltmore King Beds with triple sheeting, exclusive Biltmore Spa amenities, a refrigerator, an iHome media unit,  in-room safe , well-lit workstations, an ergonomic desk chair, 40 inch flat screen LED televisions. Complimentary Wi-Fi and on-request turndown service is also available for guests of the Biltmore. 

For additional privacy and space, the Premier King and Biltmore Suites have separate bedroom and living areas.

 

The hotel offers fourteen meeting and banquet rooms, boasting 19,000 square feet of space capable of accommodating almost any size gathering. Each room has plenty of natural light and beautiful panoramic views of the city. An extensive inventory of audio/visual and video rental services are available for important presentations. 

The rooftop level Grand Ballroom offers amazing views of the city and Kennedy Plaza. This event space can hold up to 750 guests. The Garden Room has over 3,498 Square Feet and can accommodate 250 guests in a banquet style seating arrangement, and 300 guests for receptions. The L’Apogee has 3,000 square feet and can host 300 people in banquet style seating.

Combining historic charm with modern technology, the Providence Biltmore provides a unique and memorable setting for business meetings and events.

 

Providence, Rhode Island makes the perfect weekend getaway and has plenty to see, do and eat!

We enjoyed a beautiful cruise along the Providence River via the Providence River Boat Company. We learned about the beautiful architecture and rich history of the city as we sailed along the river.

The RISD Museum of Art is a must see experience for anyone visiting Providence. The six-level museum houses Contemporary, Decorative, Asian, European, Egyptian, Renaissance, neo-Classical Art and much more. Some of the featured works of art at the museum include pieces by Rodin, Monet and Picasso. The Big Nazo Workshop is the fabrication studio for an international performance troop. It is a great place to check out, it features larger-than-life characters- the perfect spot for a fun picture. Providence is home to the first indoor shopping mall in the country, the Arcade. The structure was built in 1828 and is still in use today as a shopping center with unique boutiques on its ground level. The upper level houses a group of micro apartments.

Dining and nightlife spots we recommend include the Dorrance Restaurant for live music and great cocktails, the Providence G Rooftop for great views and drinks, the Circe Restaurant for excellent Italian food and Hemenway's for delicious steak and seafood!

We had a memorable stay in Providence, Rhode Island and a wonderful stay at the Providence Biltmore Hotel. From the courteous staff, spacious rooms and convenient location we loved our stay and are planning on visiting again soon. For more information on the Providence Biltmore and to book a room and/or event visit: http://www.providencebiltmore.com