The Bridgewater Hotel’s most obvious attraction is its location. It’s just one block from the downtown Marriott but it’s usually $50 less expensive. What’s less obvious, until you stay there, is the remarkable care bestowed on each guest by the unusually friendly and gracious staff here. They set out punch and cookies in the lobby, man a breakfast buffet and generally do their utmost to make sure guests are comfortable. As for the physical property, it’s an older, five-story building overlooking the Chena River, which somehow has the feel of a small European hotel (we’d call it an air of casual refinement). Rooms are on the smaller side, as in Europe and don’t have full baths, only cramped showers. Next door is the Italian restaurant Gambardella’s (also reviewed on this site), which lets guests charge their meals to their rooms.