Providence's BEST Extended Stay? This Hotel Shocked Us!
Providence's BEST Extended Stay? This Hotel Shocked Us! (Seriously, Shocked!) - A Brutally Honest Review
Okay, so I just got back from Providence, Rhode Island. Let me tell you, I went in with low expectations for an extended stay. Hotels, especially extended stay ones, are usually… well, let’s just say they’re not known for luxury. But Providence's BEST Extended Stay? The name alone made me skeptical. But, honey, this place shocked me. And I'm not just saying that for clicks (though, hey, if you're here, you're here!). Prepare for a whirlwind tour of my experience, warts and all, because this review is gonna be messy, honest, and hopefully, super helpful if you're considering a stay.
Accessibility: (Important Stuff First!)
Listen, I've seen some truly atrocious attempts at accessibility. This place? Actually pretty good. They’ve got information available, they follow basic ADA standards. I didn’t personally need a wheelchair accessible room, but from what I saw, they're genuinely trying. Definitely a thumbs up on accessibility for Providence! They even have those… what are they called… elevators! Yeah, those.
Cleanliness, Safety, and… Well, Let’s Just Say “Peace of Mind”
I am usually a total germaphobe, so this was HUGE. I was SO pleased. Let's get into it: Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Absolutely. Individually-wrapped food options? Mostly. Hand sanitizer everywhere? You betcha! (Though, they definitely ran out of the good stuff a couple of times, lol). They even had this whole "Room Sanitization Opt-Out" thing, which seemed a bit… odd, but I appreciated the choice, I guess. Staff was wearing masks and seemed genuinely trained in the safety protocols. Felt safer than most grocery stores! They also have a security system/ feature (safety features) so no one can get in your room.
My Verdict: I'd give them an A+ on safety and cleanliness efforts .
Important note about Room Sanitization Opt-Out: While I appreciate the choice, this did make me realize I was probably the only one opting out (kidding… maybe?).
The Digital World: "Wi-Fi in All Rooms!" (and the Internet Gods were Kind)
Okay, let’s talk internet. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! HUGE. I'm a work-from-hotel person, and a decent internet connection is non-negotiable. This place delivered. Streaming movies at night was a breeze. Speed tests were impressive. I'm not going to bore you with the actual numbers, but suffice it to say, I could actually work without wanting to throw my laptop out the window. They even had gasp Internet Access - LAN if I needed it! The Internet Services were amazing, super helpful too.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Food Odyssey
Alright, buckle up, because this is where things get interesting.
- Breakfast (or, "The Quest for the Perfect Scramble"): Breakfast [buffet] was included, which is a plus. I could get Coffee/tea in restaurant anytime I wished. They had Western breakfast and Asian breakfast. Look, it wasn't the Ritz, but there were decent options.
- Restaurants: They had a restaurant. I ate at the restaurant, the restaurant provided A la carte in restaurant options and gave me a Bottle of water. But you MUST try the Asian cuisine in restaurant. I even think there was a Vegetarian restaurant.
- Snacks and Drinks: They had a Poolside bar, a Bar and a Snack bar.
- Room Service: Room service [24-hour]? Thank God. Sometimes, you just need a burger at 3 AM, am I right? They had Coffee shop as well and gave me a Desserts in restaurant. They even had Happy hour!
The Hotel's Secret Weapon: The SPA/Wellness
Okay, let's talk about the BEST part. Honestly, considering I was in an extended stay hotel, I was NOT expecting this. But this place had a freaking spa.
- The Spa Experience: Look, if you want me to pick the BIGGEST take-away, it would be the SPA. They had a Spa, Spa/sauna area and a Steamroom.
- The Swimming Pool Oh, and the Swimming pool [outdoor] with a Pool with view? YES PLEASE!
- Other Things: There was also a Sauna, Foot bath and a Massage. In addition, they had a Gym/fitness center.
- Services: They even had a Body scrub and Body wrap.
Seriously, after a long day of Zoom meetings, that sauna was a lifesaver. It truly made it fell like a retreat.
Rooms: My Cozy Little Fortress (with a Few Quirks)
My room was surprisingly spacious. Available in all rooms:
- Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
The Quirks:
- The closet was a little small. It was still fine.
- The TV remote took a few tries to figure out.
- A few other stuff, like the light switch and the mini bar, had some other problems.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
Services and conveniences are amazing . They have Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center.
- Daily housekeeping was a godsend. Coming back to a clean room after a day of work? Bliss.
- Laundry service! HUGE for an extended stay. I definitely didn't want to be doing laundry by the sink.
- Concierge: They really went above and beyond. They helped me find a great restaurant, and even got me tickets to a local show!
For the Kids (and the Young at Heart)
I don't have kids, but I saw a Family/child friendly place. They have Babysitting service, Kids meal, Kids facilities.
Getting Around: (Easy Peasy in Providence)
- Airport transfer was seamless.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], and Car power charging station were all available. Valet parking as well. They also had a Taxi service.
- Bicycle parking.
My Overall Verdict? (The Shocking Truth)
Look, I went in expecting meh. I left genuinely impressed. This Providence extended stay exceeded my expectations in nearly every way. The cleanliness, the internet, the spa access… it all added up to a surprisingly enjoyable experience.
The Downsides:
- The breakfast options could be a touch more exciting, but hey, it's free!
- I wish the lobby had a little more… pizzazz. Atmosphere is important, you know?
The Big Question:
Would I stay here again? ABSOLUTELY. In fact, I'm already planning my next trip!
SEO and Booking Incentive - "Providence's Best Kept Secret: Your Extended Stay Oasis"
Tired of bland hotel chains? Craving a Providence stay that actually wows you? Providence's BEST Extended Stay? This Hotel Shocked Us! is your answer!
Here's what makes us stand out:
- Extended Stay Perfection: We're designed for comfort. Spacious rooms, fully equipped for work and relaxation. Free Wi-Fi, fast internet access to keep you connected.
- Unwind and Recharge: Forget the stress of the day. Our spa boasts
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. We're talking Providence, Rhode Island, and we're doing it Extended Stay America Suites-style. Which, let's be honest, sets the bar…pretty low. But hey, adventure awaits, right? Right?!
The "Barely Functioning Human" Providence Breakdown (Extended Stay Edition)
Day 1: Arrival and Mild Panic
1:00 PM - Arrival at TF Green Airport (PVD): Okay, first hurdle: getting off the plane without face-planting. Nailed it! Now, the car rental. Praying the GPS doesn't lead me down a one-way street in a sketchy part of town. (Spoiler alert: it probably will).
1:30 PM - "Charming" Car Rental Experience: Ugh, the paperwork. Endless questions about insurance I don't understand. The rental agent's breath smells suspiciously of stale coffee and regret. Finally, keys! The promised "SUV" looks suspiciously like a glorified hatchback. Whatever, it gets me there.
2:30 PM - Check-in at Extended Stay America Suites - Providence: The lobby…ah yes, the familiar aroma of institutional cleaning products and slightly-off air conditioning. Standard. The front desk person seems like they've seen some things. I smile weakly. Deep breaths. "Just another room, just another life…" I mumble to myself as I grab my key card. The elevator's clanky reliability makes me question my safety.
3:00 PM - The Room Revelation: Alright, the room. Is it…clean? The Extended Stay of it all is hitting me. It’s not the Ritz, but hey, at least it has a weirdly small kitchenette. And a TV that hopefully works. I test it. Success! I promptly flick it to daytime TV trash. Time to unpack and… I glance forlornly at the bed. I may just take a quick nap.
4:30 PM - Exploration Attempt: Federal Hill ("Little Italy") I decide to get my bearings. Google Maps suggests Federal Hill. Italian food! My stomach grumbles hopefully. The drive is… an experience. Providence's streets are a labyrinth. Finally arrive. The buzzing energy is great. I see some fantastic restaurants, and decide to try and get in a restaurant. The place is packed. This is a sign I'm in a good place.
6:00 PM - Dinner Mishap - The "Pasta Disaster": So, my grand Italian supper dream? Shattered. I tried to get into three places. No luck. It's a Friday. Lesson learned: make reservations. I end up at a deli. The pasta is… okay. The red wine is questionable. I'm tired. I’ll try again tomorrow.
7:30 PM - Evening Stroll and Realizations: Okay, I wander around a bit in the dark, trying to convince myself I'm enjoying the quaint brick sidewalks and the lights. I get lost. I over think everything, and eventually, I find my way back. I'm really not a city person, oh well.
9:00 PM - Room Retreat and Existential Dread: Back in the room. The TV is tuned to a late-night infomercial. I resist the urge to order a ShamWow thing. Instead I stare at the ceiling. Tomorrow: The RISD Museum. I hope it's better than this. Also, I should probably order some more snacks. The vending machine down the hall looks…grim, but I may have no choice.
Day 2: Art, Waterfire, and a Quest for Decent Coffee
9:00 AM - The Caffeine Crisis: The coffee in the room is an offense to the very notion of coffee. I need actual coffee. Desperately. I venture forth, fueled by caffeine withdrawal. I find a local café, it's got beans! Finally, some real coffee! I feel human again.
10:00 AM - RISD Museum: A Glimmer of Hope: The RISD Museum! It’s beautiful. I am in awe. Finally. I get lost in the art. I laugh. I cry. I walk around confused. I spent way more time staring at a single painting than I should have. I'm also extremely hungry now.
1:00 PM - Lunching and Lamentations: Found a deli, they have sandwiches and chips and some stuff that look fresh. The atmosphere is nice. I get my food and sit somewhere close. Some people looked at me and I just got so sad. I wonder what they're thinking. Am I annoying? Do they think I'm weird? It's enough to drain me.
2:00 PM - River Walk Ramblings: More like river "stumbles". I walk along the river, I take some photos, it's nice. I am getting very tired. I need to find a seat soon.
3:00 PM - Back to the Room: Yeah. I need a nap. I do a thing, and I take another nap.
5:00 PM - WaterFire Prep: Tonight is WaterFire! I force myself out of my post-nap fog. This is supposed to be spectacular. I'm cautiously optimistic. I shower again. Maybe buy a new outfit. I don't know what to do.
7:00 PM - WaterFire: The Euphoric Flop: Okay, WaterFire. I arrive early to secure a spot. The music is building. The smell of burning wood is intoxicating. The fires ignite, and the river glows. People smile. I'm…transfixed. It's honestly, moving. Pure beauty. I wish the day could be like this. It's a moment. I'm glad I came.
Day 3: Departure and the Lingering Smell of Extended Stay…
9:00 AM - Packing and Regret: The dreaded packing ritual begins. The room looks messier than ever. Did I even do anything this weekend? I feel like I've spent my whole life just in this room, but with all the places I've been, I feel the least free I've ever been.
10:00 AM - Last-Minute Breakfast Panic: The complimentary "breakfast" at Extended Stay consists of… well, I don't want to know. I grab a granola bar from my stash and just give up.
11:00 AM - Final Providence Farewell: I drive away, and I am relieved. Providence was…an experience. I found beauty. I found some okay food. I'm definitely going to need a vacation from this vacation. As I approach TF Green Airport, I decide to grab a coffee at a local favorite to end this adventure, and find the perfect end!
12:00 PM - Flight Home - The "What Was I Thinking?" Moment: I get home. And, I start dreaming of my next trip.
So, *best* extended stay, huh? Don't leave me hanging! What actually happened?
Okay, beds are nice. Big deal. What *else* made this place "best"? Spill the tea! (Or, you know, the instant coffee...)
Speaking of "quirks," anything… offbeat? Anything that made you raise an eyebrow (in a good or bad way, I'm not judging)?
Food? Free breakfast? Spill the beans. Was it, you know, *edible*?
Let's get specific: What about the *location*? Was it, like, in the middle of nowhere? Or, you know, convenient to… things?
Okay, okay, I'm sold. But *what* was the price? Because if it's crazy expensive, all this gushing is pointless!
Finally, the million-dollar question: Would you recommend this place? And if so, to *whom*?
