Providence Marriott Downtown

Providence Marriott Downtown is within walking distance of Brown University and the city’s other attractions, but the hotel is a universe all its own. Upstairs, beds are piled with fluffy pillows and angled toward large-screen TVs. Downstairs, you can fuel up for the morning at the onsite Starbucks, or visit the spa. In the evening, sip cocktails poolside at AQUA lounge (open May-September), or eat locally-sourced meals at the Bluefin Grille, or take a dip in the connecting indoor and outdoor (seasonal) pools that got the Providence Marriott Downtown praised by Yankee magazine as the “Best Hotel for Pool Lovers” in 2014.

• In-room amenities: 37” LCD HDTV, work area with an ergonomic chair, and THANN toiletries.
• Treat yourself to a massage or facial at the onsite G Salon and Spa.
• Certifications and accolades: TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, green-certified, and TAG-approved.
• Bring Fido: The hotel is pet-friendly (extra fees apply).
• Brown University is just a mile to the southeast, which makes the hotel especially convenient for prospective students or visiting parents.
• Shuttle service and parking is complimentary; shuttles are available by reservation at the front desk, traveling within one and a half miles of the hotel.

Providence, Rhode Island: Historical Haven for Foodies and Arts Enthusiasts

Home to Brown University, Johnson & Wales University, and Rhode Island School of Design (or “RISD”) among other schools, Providence is known as an educational hub. But with an active arts scene, the city has more recently been called “The Creative Capital.” Downtown, you’ll find the arts-and-theater district, where galleries and vibrant storefront displays line the streets. Stagecraft thrives at the Tony Award–winning Trinity Repertory Company, and nearby, the Providence Performing Arts Center hosts touring Broadway shows.

The city’s restaurant scene rivals the arts scene in its creativity and local enthusiasm, from the enclave of Italian eateries on Federal Hill to the eclectic restaurant scene downtown, partly the reason why Travel + Leisure magazine ranked the city the second-best spot for foodies in the U.S. Local chefs often draw from the regional farms bordering the city for their culinary creations; many gather downtown on Saturdays to shop at the farmers’ market.

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