First Bristol's Hampton Inn & Suites receives best conversion award from Hilton

First Bristol Corp.'s historic Hampton Inn & Suites Providence Downtown has been honored with the Best Conversion Award nationally by Hilton Worldwide. This national award recognizes the historical preservation and rehabilitation by First Bristol in transforming the original home of the Old Colony Bank into a 110-room boutique hotel. The $20 million historic rehabilitation and new construction of the Hampton Inn & Suites Providence Downtown was a joint-venture between First Bristol and Granoff Associates, and opened in April 2009. This marks the second time in three years that First Bristol has been honored nationally by Hilton Worldwide with its prestigious Best Conversion Award. "We are thrilled to be recognized by Hilton Worldwide for preserving one of the city's historical landmarks and refurbishing it as a new Hampton Inn & Suites Providence," said James Karam, president, First Bristol. The Hampton Inn & Suite Providence Downtown building was built in 1926. Located at 58 Weybosset St. in the city's financial district, the hotel features 110 rooms including 37 suites, 32 king rooms, 40 standard rooms, fitness center, business center and conference facilities. Designed by the Newport Collaborative Architects, Inc., the Hampton Inn & Suites Providence provides views of the Providence skyline reaching down over Narragansett Bay. Upon entrance to the hotel, guests are greeted by a two-story, atrium lobby, created by Parker-Torres Designs from Boston. Mass., that incorporates the classic lines and design features of the original 20th century architecture. The notable former owners are honored on the mezzanine level (second floor) both in name and style. The 500 s/f Old Colony Board Room has the original ornately-framed mirror above the decadent wood fireplace with traditional crown molding and wood paneling throughout. The 440 s/f St. Francis Meeting Room features the antique chandeliers from the former church and has been upgraded with a wet bar area for intimate gatherings. And, while the hotel keeps much of the building's traditions alive, it also meets the demands of an ever-changing economy by providing over-sized rooms upgraded with wireless and hard wired high-speed internet access, a fitness center, free breakfast buffet and all inclusive business center at no additional charge. Meeting rooms also offer audio/visual connection and technology. In addition, the building has undergone a series of "Green Initiatives" to reduce the amount of energy used to provide heating, air conditioning and electricity throughout the hotel. Hampton Inn & Suites Providence sits adjacent to nearby corporate neighbors, including Bank of America, Textron, and Citizens Bank, and universities such as Brown University, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), and Johnson & Wales. First Bristol Corp. is a 30-year old real estate development firm that has developed over 3 million s/f of office, shopping centers, and hotels throughout southern New England.