Hotel at a Glance: The Dean Hotel

The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Condé Nast Traveler have all taken note of the Dean Hotel’s unique aesthetic, which manages to suggest old-fashioned clubroom elegance without getting stuffy about it. Part of that has to do with how the hotel fosters a casual community environment; guests are encouraged to mingle in the onsite coffee lounge or over cocktails in the Magdalenae Room. Another point in the hotel’s favor: many of Providence’s best attractions are within walking distance.

• Classic decor: Guests rooms feature custom and vintage furnishings and original artwork. Kick back in a bed dressed in local Matouk linens and enjoy gourmet snacks provided by the hotel.
• Prost!: Dig into bratwurst, bavarian pretzels, or pork schnitzel, and wash it down with a cold one at Faust, the onsite German beer garden.
• The Boombox: Belt out tunes at the hotel’s karaoke bar while sipping sake and craft cocktails.
• What to do: Explore the campus of nearby Brown University, take in a show at an art-house theater, and check out avant-garde exhibits at the RISD Museum.
• A colorful past: The hotel’s century-old building was built by the Episcopal Diocese as a homeless shelter, but was later used as a strip club and brothel.

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 delis downtown. Local chefs often draw from the regional farms bordering the city for their culinary creations; many gather downtown on Fridays to shop at the farmers’ market. About 10 minutes south of downtown, the Culinary Arts Museum celebrates Providence’s love of food with more than 250,000 artifacts ranging from antique cooking gadgets to elaborate wedding cakes.

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