There isn't too much of a difference as far as location goes. One is on one side of the Convention/Dunkin Donuts Center....the other one is on the other side of it. I'd probably give the nod location wise to the Westin if I hadd to pick one. It's connected to the Providence Place Mall (Shopping, restaaurants,etc) with a sky-bridge.

The Hilton is the re-furbished Holiday Inn and is a little bit closer to Federal Hill and all the restaurants up there.

thanks for the info. if you had one night/day in providence, what would you do? And so which hotel would u stay at? the one near the hill or attached to the mall. Also, which hotel is nicer instead?

Thanks. again.

What time of year are you coming? Mid Week or Weekend? What are some of your interests...bars/restaurants, sports, history, sightseeing? That might give me an idea of things to do. Are you only there for a night?

I have not stayed in the Hilton since it was renamed/re-done from the Holiday Inn (other than Shula's Steak House) but I would probably pick the Westin, just slightly closer to most things that a visitor would want to see...although it's really a toss-up from there.

Hi, I am arriving Friday night and leaving Sunday. I have a car and am interested in checking out a walking area with restaurants/shops. If there is a historical site I can visit during the day that would be good. Otherwise, no indoor shopping mall, we have plenty in LA. I am going April 18-21. Is it cold?

thanks.

By the middle of April the weather should be nice for walking. The best areas to walk are Waterplace Park and the Riverwalk, and Benefit St. our"mile of history" If price is an issue stay at the Hilton. You will also pay for parking at both the Westin and Hilton. If you want a reasonable, closeby place to stay where parking is free check out the Providence Marriott on Orms St.and Hotel Dolce Villa on Federal Hill

For a day trip, I'd head south down to Newport ....lots of little shops (no malls), the cliff walk (walking path right along the ocean), ocean drive, the mansions, lots of restaurants, etc....

If you get a good map, you could drive down some back roads to get there and see some nice little towns like Bristol on the "East Bay" or Wickford on the "West Bay"

The weather could be anywhere from mid 40's to 70's...bring layers.

Check out:

www.gonewport.com

www.cliffwalk.com

www.oceandrive.org

www.oceandrivenewport.com

Should I stay in Newport instead of Providence. I am actually there to be in Boston but dont have to be there until the following Monday so I thought I would spend the weekend in Providence, but is Newport better? How far is Newport from Providence and from Boston?

I would stay in Newport....just more to do as far as walking around, sightseeing, restaurants (well Providence has more restaurants), etc....it's about 45 miutes from Providence, 35 if you come from PVD airport.

1 1/2 hours to Boston from Newport, very simple drive.

1 Hour from Providence.

I meant BOSTON is 1 hour from Providence.