Ocean State Getaway- Providence delivers

Bellini restarunt and bar inside The Beatrice is a perfect spot for a nightcap

Sometimes you really need a getaway.

Thankfully, my oldest daughter was racing at The Head of The Charles in Boston last month. She encouraged us to fly up to Providence, watch her race and enjoy a great visit of her grad school. We’ve been to Rhode Island many times and stayed in posh Newport and once even took the game day train to Foxborough for a Patriots game during the Tom Brady era.

Luckily for us, A new posh little boutique hotel, The Beatrice, had just opened and that is where we made our home for a few blissful nights.

Now typically, when I review a hotel I chat about the bar, the bed and how well I slept.

But… can I tell you something?

Come closer.

Shh… Let’s talk about… the loo.

The exterior of the Beatrice

The Beatrice has one of the most luxurious baths (especially considering the size) of any hotel I have ever stayed. There is a heated towel bar- a must for Providence’s biting cold winters. A fantastic shower with full size Bee Kind soaps and shampoos and the best hotel toilet ever. Ever!

It was a heated bidet toilet with every possible function you could imagine from water pressure controls to water temperature . Even the fan had adjustable speeds. Now I know it is not particularly ladylike to discuss a water closet, but rest assured, your tush will be taken care of at The Beatrice.

Rounding our our sweet suite was a fantastic Dyson hair dryer, laundry streamer, instead of a clunky ironing board, boxed water (thank you for the green practices) and a Keurig coffe maker.

Don’t forget the plush and insanely comfy king bed with thoughtfully placed lighting and outlets. Rooms are quiet and we rested quite comfortably.

The room was very small- it felt almost like we were in a New York City hotel. The Beatrice itself is small- about 45 rooms.

I have also stayed at The Omni and the Dean Hotel- both of which are right downtown and are great places to stay as well.

The Dean is a bit more funky and austere. RISD students and their families will love it.

The Omni is a solid traditional business hotel.

For dining we enjoyed margaritas, fish tacos and fantastic street corn guacamole at Diego’s Eastside . Great dining space and lots of fun when visiting Brown University or RISD.

Breakfast was fantasic pumpkin pancakes, omelettes and great coffee at Brickway on Wickenden.

We also love Al Forno’s which now thankfully takes reservations.

For a great brunch spot, look no futrther than eating at one of the many restaurants around the fountain square on Federal Hill. I enjoyed a fantastic fungi pizza and my husband said he had one of the best chicken parms of his life. Providence has a rich history of Italian immagrants, so a stop to one of the markets or restaurants on Federal Hill should be on any foodies to do list.

Need a sweet treat?

On Federal Hill expect to wait in line for Pastiche– fine cakes and desserts. Worth the wait. We split a slice of carrot cake and hot apple cider.

Try the newly opened European bakery- Madrid or Feed the Cheeks on trendy Wayland Ave in between shopping at the chic boutiques and clothing stores.

A look down the Providence River from the newly completely Pedestrian bridge

Providence is a very pedestrian friendly city. The newly completed Providence River pedestrian bridge links two sides of the city and parks together.

Be sure to schedule a visit during one of the spectacular WaterFire events on the river.

Click here to find a self guided walking tour of the city or contact Brown University HERE to schedule a tour while visitng campus with your prospective student.

The beautiful arched Gothic doors at St. Stephen’s Episcopal church built in 1839 borders Brown University

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