The Downtown Providence Marriott on Orms Street features the Bluefin Grille and the G Salon and Spa.
By Erika Lynde
Blocking rooms for my wedding was so much more work than I expected. After doing a little bit of research and reading a few insider tips on how to knock down prices, add extras and find the right place, I was thinking this project would actually be a piece of cake. Boy, was I wrong.
Facebook has this new fun feature for advertisement built around your Internet searches, and this week I was searching “Providence hotels wedding blocks.” Scrolling my friendly newsfeed I came across a link to a (supposedly helpful) hotel block wedding website called Jetaport. Here I am thinking I was just leisurely browsing common prices and hotel features, but what materialized from just a few keyboard clicks was more than I anticipated. Using my wedding date and the number of rooms I needed, Jetaport started calling my desired hotels. I was eyeing the Providence Courtyard by Marriott for being super close to my venue, the Renaissance Providence Downtown for being super swanky and the Downtown Providence Marriott for its convenience and spa.
I was mortified when, upon calling each location, I was told they already knew what I needed and had offered a caller from Jetaport a price for my rooms. Chatting on the phone with each sale rep, embarrassed about the miscommunication, they were all so kind and willing to help and work with all of my individual needs — some more than others but, nonetheless, they were good to their customer. As it turned out this mishap with Jetaport worked in my favor. Initially each hotel offered me higher rates than what they bid Jetaport. This was all expected since I read my handy guide by travelgroup.com, but having their original bid in my inbox, I knew they could (and would) lower my room rates.
In the end, the Downtown Providence Marriott won my business by offering so many great features and the lowest rates. With the inclusion of a transport shuttle, free parking and the fabulous spa feature, I’m positive my guests will be happy with my choice of lodging. This is where we will spend our first night as husband and wife!