Omni Providence Hotel — Hotel in Providence

We reserved a deluxe room. The weekly rates were okay, but the weekend rate was 300+ for a room that really was not worth it.

If you can, choose a hotel that has an actual self-parking, like the Biltmore.

Upon arrival, we discovered that parking wasn’t included, and valet parking was 34 dollars. We tried self-parking, which directed you towards the Convention Center garage, which is basically a scam. The CC garage guy was mean and rude, and explained to us that the advertised daily rates weren’t working because there was an event so it would be 20 every time we got in and out. How convenient to explain this AFTER we had entered. When we complained at the front desk, they told us the garage didn’t belong to the hotel and they had no control over this. Then why advertise this as the hotel’s self-parking? The spots were clearly marked reserved for Omni. Judging on the number of cars there, we weren’t the only one who made that mistake. We were also told the only solution to be able to park and leave and come back freely is valet parking, FALSE. They clearly indicated themselves at the front door that valet parking is 34 OVERNIGHT, and that during the day you pay 12 bucks for up to 12 hours stay, leading me to think I would have been charged every time I got in and out, in addition to the 34 dollars of overnight parking. For info, there is a cheaper option: the mall’s south garage, which you can access via the sky bridge to walk into the hotel, is free for up to 2 hours, and 20 dollars overnight.

Next, check in. The woman at the desk was pleasant, but there was someone, whom I can only think was the shift manager, who spent more time there fanning herself than helping staff. There was a long line when I left, and people were trying to check in and this woman was busier trying to look regal and aloof standing in front of the fan with a constant smile that looked more like a smirk, than helping the rest of the staff. Both times I came to check in and out, she was not doing anything, the rest of the staff was doing the legwork. She is also the one who said the valet parking was the only option and she said 34 for the day and night would allow me to get out and back in however I wanted. Seems it was a lie too!

Next, the room. Deluxe package is a joke. The beds were barely big enough to fit two adults. The pods on the keurig weren’t replaced for a couple of days, there was a single roll of tp and a single paper cup, no wet bar, and the fridge was tiny. The trash cans were dirty, and one looked rusted.

My son found a dog toy under the bed, and there was a stain on the carpet. I can only imagine how rarely that carpet is cleaned under the beds, and in general. The switch in the bathroom was almost non functional. The window somehow opened, on the 22nd floor, and wasn’t bolted shut. Pleasant time with an adventurous toddler!

The pool—somehow closed on the second day of our stay because they were too unorganized to have it repaired during the winter and down season. The pool was clearly dated, with a dangerous drop when you got out by the back. The ground was covered in white stains on the side that suspiciously looked like mold. The hot tub was closed, and judging by the looks of the walls of the hot tub, which were losing big chunks, not a moment too soon. The pool was so cold, our toddler was left with blue lips after spending a half hour in. We had to get out, and warm him up.

How is breakfast NOT included in 2023? 40 bucks per day for breakfast?? Are you serious?

The room wasn’t cleaned for the first half of the stay, but kudos to whoever cleaned our sheets and replaced them. Thank you!

If there was a way to leave no stars, I would.

TL, DR: stay away. They think you are made of money, make you pay for everything, lie to you about the parking situation, the beds are tiny, everything looks like it has seen better days. Sounds like it hasn’t been renovated since they turned it into an Omni, from when it was the Westin. POOL IS CLOSED INDEFINITELY.

I...

I was booked to stay at the Omni 3 nights for work. I was judging an event that was in the convention center conveniently attached via skywalk to the hotel. That is single-handedly the best part about this hotel. It allows you to walk indoors to the convention center, Dunkin Center, and mall all technically without leaving the hotel. Had it not been for the conveniency of the skywalk, I would've preferred to stay at the Marriott down the road-- I've stayed there and it is BEAUTIFUL. The Omni, on the other hand, feels very outdated.

Upon pulling into the entrance via Uber, a bellhop in a tux rushed up to my car and grabbed my suitcase from me. He welcomed me to the Omni and made small talk while he led me to the front desk to check in. Just be aware that if you're getting dropped off at the front door, you will get rushed by a few bellhops looking for tips.

Since I was there for work, my room was pre-paid by my job. Security fees are normally waived, but the Omni didn't budge on that; work sent out an e-mail saying to have a credit card on hand for check-in, which wasn't too big of a deal. The security fee is $100 a day, so just be aware that if you're there for a week, that's an extra $700 that will be taken out of your account for the length of your stay. Every employee that I spoke with was incredibly nice and sweet. From arrival to departure, I had only great experiences with the staff. Now on to the room and look of the hotel.

When you walk in, it looks like something out of the Titanic, aka pretttttty old. A large chandelier hangs in the lobby, the lights are dimmed. While old, it feels pretty cozy. There are only 4 elevators to accommodate over 25 floors-- not a big deal on a normal day, but when the hotel is sold out to hundreds of cheerleaders and their families, you need more than 4. One elevator was broken, so there were only 3 elevators which led to HUGE backups into the lobby and 2nd floor. Lines were throughout the lobby and were almost outside between check-in and to get to your room. Your room key is also necessary to use the elevator. You have to swipe it inside to access your floor or you will literally sit in the elevator for the length of your stay.

I stayed in room 1604, which overall, wasn't terrible by any means. The king bed was incredibly comfy and I slept like a baby. The tv was super small and the picture very grainy. I kept it on as background noise and watched stuff on my laptop whenever I had downtime in my room the whole weekend. My view was horrible but you can't win them all. There were plenty of outlets in the room to charge all of your electronics. The air conditioner was a bit frustrating. You could set it as low as 67 degrees but my room never went below 72. For someone that likes it cold when I sleep, this was not fun. I like to walk into my hotel room and feel the crisp air after a long 13.5 hour work day and you don't get that here. I laughed at reviews that spoke of disgusting trash cans before I left but after staying at the Omni, I get it... The trash cans in the bathroom were metal and didn't seem like it'd been cleaned since the opening of the hotel. It was rusted all over, dirty and I didn't really want to touch it. I ended up putting a super market bag inside of it to put my trash in. The light in the bathroom made a constant whining noise when it was on but you could only hear in when you were in the bathroom. The shower was nice. The bathroom overall was pretty and they even give you a robe to wear.

Overall, I didn't hate the hotel. It was pretty nice for what it was and I enjoyed my stay. The convenience of being connected to the convention center and mall is what sells it for me-- they destroy any hotel in the area simply because of that. However, if I was staying in the area again, would I stay at the Omni? No. I would stay at the Marriott down the road because that hotel is GORGEOUS. You won't be disappointed but you won't...

I recently had the opportunity to stay at the Omni Providence Downtown in Providence, Rhode Island, and overall, it was a pleasant experience deserving of a 4-star review.

One of the notable advantages of this hotel is its convenient location, just a short fifteen-minute drive from the PVD Airport. Additionally, the pedestrian skywalk connecting to the Rhode Island Convention Center and Providence Mall provides easy access to these popular destinations.

Speaking of the mall, it's worth mentioning that it appears to be going through a transition phase with numerous stores in flux. However, you'll still find well-known establishments like Dave & Busters and Cheesecake Factory within the mall, providing convenient dining options.

If you're interested in exploring the local brewery scene, Union Station Brewery is only a 3-4 minute walk from the hotel. There are also several other restaurants within walking distance, offering a variety of culinary choices. Cafe Nero, just a minute away, provides a convenient spot for a quick coffee fix.

Proximity to Brown University and the city of Providence is another advantage of this hotel. Whether you're visiting the university or exploring the city's attractions, you'll find them easily accessible from the Omni Providence Downtown.

The hotel itself is clean and highly regarded in the area. The staff at the front desk is friendly and accommodating, although I would encourage them to champion every guest equally and strive to create a warm and welcoming family atmosphere for all.

During my stay, I did notice that there were several instances where cleaning items blocked the hallways and elevators. This could be improved to ensure smooth and unobstructed access for guests.

While the rooms were clean and comfortable, I do agree that some updates in terms of decor would be beneficial. A fresh and modern touch would enhance the overall ambiance of the rooms and create a more inviting atmosphere.

The WiFi service during my week-long stay was a bit inconsistent, which presented challenges for work-related tasks. It would be advantageous for the hotel to address this issue and ensure a reliable and stable internet connection for all guests.

I overheard an interaction at the front desk where a guest who had booked through a third-party website seemed to have a less-than-ideal experience. It's important for the hotel to treat all customers, regardless of their booking method, with the same level of attentiveness and care. Providing a consistent and excellent customer experience should be a priority for every guest.

The Omni Providence Downtown is a clean and well-regarded hotel with a convenient location near the airport, convention center, and mall. With a few improvements, such as addressing hallway and elevator obstructions, updating room decor, and ensuring a reliable WiFi connection, the hotel has the potential to become a 5-star destination. I would still consider staying here again in the future and hope to see these areas of improvement addressed for an even...