The highlights of traveling are always the moments of resting. Isn’t it funny that all the hype to get to a destination can leave you exhausted as the day is long? While I love to travel, I heart lavish upscale lodging, with comfortably impeccable accommodations, after all is there really any other way to style travel?
My most recent media experience, allowed me to push the boundaries of lavishness and indulge in the comforts of the Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel. A truly boutique styled hotel with a wonderful historical background.
The Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel is situated in the heart of Providence, making the very walk-able city, just steps away for true adventurers and of course along the way you can find the best of cocktails and food experiences.
Get set to experience travel with lavish standards and lavishly live travel out loud in the Renaissance Providence Hotel Downtown.
Location Location Location
You are within footsteps of downtown, a massive mall, and so many delicious eateries you will pinch yourself with delight, I did! I was so happy because I was only 10 minutes from the T. F. Green Airport, making it a very easy deal to get to and from. Ubers are easy to call upon, taxis are right by the hotel (train station too) so you can get anywhere you delight!
You are super close to amazing river boat rides, gondola excursions, the Providence State House is directly across the street from this beautiful hotel, and it is perfect for a stroll and photo opportunities.
History Of The Renaissance Providence
I was lucky enough to be part of a media team and we were invited behind the scenes for an exclusive, insider’s look at this massively intense architecture known as the Renaissance Providence.
My personal thanks to Kimberley Greene for taking time out of her busy schedule to provide such an informative and personal tour. This is the foyer of the Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel.
Here’s the quick and skinny on the history of the building. On the eve of the depression, in 1920 what was to be a Masonic Temple was left abandoned. As we were walking on the one level of the hotel, in plain view for anyone to see, are these: the original blueprints of what was to be The Masonic Temple, even though it was never finally created.
Don’t walk too fast through your hallways or you might miss out on this part of the history of the hotel.
From 1929-2003 the building stood vacated, walls, room, and framing. Restoration of the building began with challenges in 2003, which would conclude in 2007. Somewhere between 1992-1994, the building became part of the National Historic Register and that meant that no exterior changes could be made to 3 walls of the building.
The challenge became, building the hotel inside of a frame, without making any structural outside changes. What could be changed were the roof and the 4th wall. This created a boutique hotel with 46 versions of queens and double king rooms totaling 272 total rooms, but none are quite the same.
Want a quick look around my room?
Interesting Information
So as some of the renovations came about, and as Kimberley showed us around, we saw something most don’t get to see. In the depths of the Renaissance Providence are walls still coated with graffiti from years gone by and abandonment?
It was really amazing to be able to see the graffiti that was left intact as so much of the hotel had been. Rather than tearing down, they build around, inside of a frame and the graffiti is there, but you have to know where to look:)
The fitness room solved the situation of an area in the hotel that simply had no windows. Those creating the structure knew that they had no way to change the structure of the walls, and therefore could not put in some windows, so what could they do that would create a usable space where windows were not required?
The Renaissance Providence created a very well appointed fitness center. You don’t need windows when you are working out, so space works well.
You can see the symbolism of the once Masonic Temple in the entrance as you are walking into the foyer of the hotel, in the chairs, and in the Elevators, when you choose your floor.
Check out this amazing fountain, on the level where the Public Restaurant and Bar are located. On the lower level of the hotel, you will find a great place to dine, you can take the staircase down or the elevator! If you get out of the elevator to be sure to use the mirrors for a selfie motivator.
Finally, this lovely fountain is also on the Temple Level, so make sure to seek it out.
The Adventure Begins
Entering through these doors brings you into a wealth of history, unknown to most, and as each of your footsteps mark their way across the marble floors, to the check-in desk, you are suddenly about to experience a comfortable nights’ stay in an exclusive Providence Hotel. A 2 minute walk away is a lovely mall, with so many stores you can shop the day away, or if you prefer a downtown loaded with adventure. Are you ready to lavishly live travel out loud in the Renaissance Providence Hotel Downtown?
I experienced the Best Of Providence as a member of the media. While the trip was hosted by Go Providence my stories, opinions and images are my way of communicating honestly how I feel about a destination.