Meet Me At The Biltmore: 100 Years at Providence's Most Storied Hotel

by Amanda Blount

“In Meet Me At The Biltmore, Amanda Quay Blount has successfully unearthed and skillfully brought to life the colorful characters and unique stories of one of the state's most iconic landmarks. This is a well-researched and much-welcomed addition to the history of Rhode Island.” —James M. Ricci, author of The Newport Bridge

On June 6, 1922, thousands of people gathered in downtown Providence, Rhode Island to witness the grand opening of the most modern hotel of its the awe-inspiring Providence Biltmore Hotel. Since that fateful day, the Biltmore has captured the imaginations of local patrons and distant travelers alike, providing luxury accommodation to such celebrities as Babe Ruth, John F. Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn, Louis Armstrong, the Von Trapp family, Maya Angelou, the Rolling Stones, and Providence’s infamous mayor, Buddy Cianci. The story of the Biltmore is a sensational drama of scandal, secrets, and high society. With characters ranging from crooked politicians and mobsters, to bootleggers and Hollywood stars, the Biltmore has provided the backdrop for some of the the highest highs and lowest lows of Providence in the last century.

Now, for the first time in its hundred-year history, the storied past of the Providence Biltmore Hotel comes to life in this meticulously researched tale of the rise, fall, and renaissance of Rhode Island’s capital city, as seen through the eyes of one of its most iconic landmarks.

Kindle Edition

Published October 11, 2022

Reviews

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful! I was expecting a history of the building and its place in Providence, and what I got was a series of local stories, spanning a century, in which the Biltmore was a part. I will be recommending this book every chance I get to people looking for a taste of RI history.

[Kara Marziali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amanda Blount has written a compelling book about a Rhode Island icon! Even if you're not from the Ocean State, you will be drawn in by her comfortable writing style, celebrity stories, and historic references. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.

[Debbie Howarth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amanda Quay Blount does a wonderful job describing not only the history of the Providence Biltmore, but shows that it often served as the epicenter or even the stage for many of the 20th century happenings in Providence. Often casted in the shadows of New York and Boston, Blount documents Providence’s place in history.

[Jean Taczak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stayed in the Graduate Providence (formerly the Biltmore Hotel) last month. Enjoyed reading of the history of the hotel.

[Audrey Weinreich · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a lifetime Rhode Island resident, I really liked learning about the history behind this iconic hotel!

[Shari Weinberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent history of Providence through the history of the Biltmore hotel.
Not at all dry and boring. Short chapters focused on different vignettes. I loved it. To know the Biltmore is to love it.

[Lauri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before my family and I first moved to Providence, RI, we spent a few nights at the Biltmore to use it as a home base to explore the city. I was struck by the historic beauty of the hotel, even though at that time, its shine had faded somewhat. It has that old-time grandeur that makes you think of the Roaring Twenties, the gilded age of Gatsby and the Newport mansions. So, I was really excited to have the opportunity to hear the author speak at an event and, subsequently, to read this book.

And it didn't disappoint. Not only is this a book about the history of a grand old building, but also it is about the characters who visited (and lived) at this hotel over its 100+ years. You'll learn about the Bacchante Girls, a main attraction in the 1930s cocktail bar, and the fact that there was a live television breakfast show from the dining room in the 1950s. You'll read about all the famous people who stayed at the hotel - from the Kennedys to the Rolling Stones - and all about Prohibition (and the disregard for it) in Rhode Island. And peppered throughout the book are photographs and historical documents such as advertisements.

Overall, this was a super enjoyable book and a great read. If you know or love PVD, it's a must-read. If you love historic buildings or learning about how cities grow and change, you'll also really like it. Definitely worth your time.

[Courtney Harp · Rating 4 out of 5]

We stayed one night at this hotel (now called The Graduate by Hilton) in Providence, Rhode Island, a couple of years ago. There was a stand-up floor sign in the lobby advertising this book, and I'm very thankful I wrote down the title for a future read. This was an enjoyable read about the history of The Biltmore Hotel which included some local history, guests, employees and more. Well written and a nice addition to my read-for-travel shelf.

The name “Biltmore” originated from the Asheville, North Carolina estate of one of Cornelius’s heirs, George Washington Vanderbilt II. The name combined the Dutch De Bilt (Vanderbilt’s ancestors’ place of origin in the Netherlands) with more (mōr, Anglo-Saxon for “moor,” an open, rolling land).

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting read on local history, pulling both from secondary and primary sources. I liked the organization of the book — vaguely chronological (with parts defined by eras) but separated into chapters by topic. The author usually acknowledged biased and shortcomings in her work but I do wish there had been more footnotes (rather than end notes) and that there’d been more of a discussion about author decisions on what to include/highlight in this story.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

If your into history it was a good read I just wanted more story and gossip about the guests and employees

[Maureen Cronin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting true story of the Biltmore, the founders, and history of some of the people there.

[Samuel D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buddy Buddy Buddy

Lived in Providence in 70s and 80s: Buddy’s house on Blackstone Blvd was up the street. This book captures so many memories! great read!