Lifehack: add trips to your work trips. On the way back from PAX East in Boston, I decided to tack on a night in Providence, which turned out to be a great decision.
TLDR
The Dean is the coolest hotel in Providence, the most dog-friendly, and perfectly located. Come for the minimalism, stay for the coffee, the speakeasy, and the karaoke.
How I Ended Up Here
I had to book a last minute room in Providence, and it had to be dog-friendly. There were no Starwood properties (my go-to hotel chain), and of the Marriots available, only one allowed dogs, and came with a stack of restrictions and a $75 “non-refundable deposit”, which doesn’t mean what they apparently think it means. The Hotel Providence demanded the same.
While the Dean’s rates were around the same ~$200 range, it was actually the cheapest option because at The Dean, dogs stay free. I quickly booked their last available room.
Rooms
The Dean’s rooms are wonderfully minimalist. The 1911 brothel turned dormitory-inspired hotel is devoid of extraneous decor, save for the progression of neon on each floor, which is never extraneous. Linen quality is above and beyond, and who doesn’t love a bathroom with a window? This is a damn sexy hotel.
Dining and Amenities
A lot of hotels have bars, but having a speakeasy, the only karaoke lounge in town, and the best coffee in the city available in your hotel is next level.
Maximizing Points
The Dean is an independent hotel, so you’ll want to use your Chase Sapphire Reserve for the best return here.