The Beatrice Hotel is a jewel. The boutique hotel that opened in downtown Providence on September 1st is the kind of hostelry that our historic city deserves, but rarely gets. Realized in a restored 19th-century bank, the Beatrice is in triumphant contrast to the recent uninspiring new chain hotels, such as the Residence Inn, Aloft, and Homewood Suites. Developer and former mayor Joseph Paolino, Jr. rescued and revitalized the Exchange Bank, a handsome, five-story commercial block. This hotel shows how we can create desirable business spaces that enrich the cultural landscape of the city.
