Omni Providence Hotel

The Omni Providence Hotel is the city’s tallest and one of its newest hotels featuring a bland exterior of Neo-Traditionalist architecture. The large, two-story lobby atrium is designed with an eclectic mix of contemporary accents, bold striped carpeting, and plush Modern furniture. Large Romanesque columns and polished marble flooring fill the space, lending a feel of scale and grandeur reminiscent of Newport’s famous mansions.With its direct connection to the Convention Center and Providence Place mall, the hotel is part of a large, centrally located complex that serves as the city’s unofficial hub of activity. The lobby is a popular crossway for visitors passing through the complex and the hotel’s grand staircase is often a centerpiece for wedding and event photos. The two on-site restaurant bars attract upscale travelers, locals, and businessmen at all hours of the day.

The Omni is located square in the middle of downtown Providence, immediately off highway I-95. The hotel is adjacent and connected directly via skybridge to the Providence Place Mall, Rhode Island Convention Center, and Dunkin’ Donuts Center. This interconnection means that, in the sometimes harsh New England winters, guests never need to leave the hotel if they so choose.Taxis are less frequent in Providence than in most major cities, however the entire city is easily walkable from the hotel. Guests are within a 15-minute walk of major tourist attractions, including restaurants, coffee shops, banks, Trinity Rep Theater, and the famous Federal Hill Italian neighborhood. The city’s two main transportation hubs — Kennedy Plaza bus terminal and Providence Amtrak train station — are within walking distance. Three of Rhode Island’s major universities, including Brown University, Rhode Island School of Design, and Johnson & Wales University, are all within a 20-minute walk.

Unlike the eccentric lobby, rooms at The Omni feature a more reserved decor. The collective design scheme — including the furniture, artwork, and materials — is contemporary and slightly upmarket. The desks, nightstands, and dressers are all polished oak veneer with frosted glass tops. Coupled with the crisp white linens and walls, the color palette is stark and monochromatic. Wall art and photography is modern, but generic. Overall, the rooms feel uninspiring with an “all business”, executive boardroom feel.Entry-level Deluxe Rooms at The Omni are moderately sized and appointed with upscale touches including ergonomic desk chairs, in-room mini-fridges (though no mini-bar), and work desks with built-in powerstrips. The bathrooms are clean, bright, and adequately sized with brushed nickel fixtures, handles, and accents throughout. A lighted frame around the over-sink mirror lends a modern touch that helps brighten the space.Deluxe Fitness Rooms are also available with these same features, plus private, in-room cardio fitness equipment, a pilates DVD, and views of downtown Providence. The hotel’s suites are sizable at up to 1,221 square feet and offer an additional seating area, walk-in showers, and separate bathtubs.Given the hotel’s central location, many rooms offer excellent views of the downtown skyline, some with views to Rhode Island’s beautiful statehouse. Many north- and west-facing rooms, as well as those on lower floors, offer limited views of the surrounding streets and Providence Place Mall. Even amid all the action, the rooms offer substantial soundproofing and receive high marks for little street noise. The beds are also well reviewed as universally comfortable in every room category.While not widely advertised on its website, the hotel is also pet-friendly. Each room is allowed a single cat or small dog for a nominal fee.

Two on-site restaurants and one coffee shop provide several dining options, though breakfast isn't included in the price of a room. Fleming’s (dinner only) provides all the trappings of a high-end urban steakhouse, including fresh steak, local seafood, and an extensive wine list. Centro Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with Italian cuisine in a hip, trendy atmosphere. The hotel offers 24-hour room service as well. For lighter fare, Morsel’s cafe is open daily with coffee, lattes, pastries, yogurt, and cereals. It’s a popular spot even for locals, so be prepared to wait a half-hour or more on weekdays.While there is no on-site spa, the hotel offers a whirlpool hot tub and smaller than average, heated pool all inside of a large, beautiful, glass-enclosed atrium with vaulted ceiling and excellent city views. The hotel’s wellness center includes a sauna and free access to the Capital Club Fitness Center that’s expansive even for a hotel of this caliber. The space features dozens of modern cardio and strength training machines, free weights, treadmills, and private stretch and yoga spaces. For a nominal fee, the hotel can also provide in-room workout materials and fitness kits.For business travelers, The Omni Providence offers three floors of meeting and event space. With its proximity to the Rhode Island Convention Center, these are routinely sold out. However, the business center seems like an afterthought as it’s surprisingly lacking in both size and equipment. Tucked awkwardly into the hotel gift shop, the center offers only two workstations — one out in the open and another in a tiny, windowless, closet-like room.The second floor gift shop is small, bright, and clean with all the expected essentials for hotel guests. Snacks, drinks, souvenirs, and other sundries including batteries, toiletries, and shipping services are all available.Additional paid-for extras are typical of most urban hotels. Wi-Fi is available for a fee. Valet parking is also available for a fee typical of downtown Providence; while self parking is a slightly more affordable option in the adjacent garage.