docjames
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2007
- Posts
- 9,419
- Qantas
- Platinum
Had a 4 night stay whilst in BOS for a conference (not on site). Standard room booked through the conference. I'm an SPG nothing so no chance of free upgrades etc.
Cab fare ~ US$35 from BOS, slightly less on the return. Includes tunnel toll.
Checkin fairly brief (checkin agent was Australian - from Geelong!) and to the point.
As this is a hotel with large conference facilities, no surprises it's a huge hotel and you never really feel "at home" but merely "passing though". There is constant activity in the lobby at all hours. Internet workstations in the lobby with free access for guests by logging in with name and room number (caps at 45mins per session).
There are two towers - I was in the smaller "tower". Room was of average size, comfortable bed. Reasonable TV selection. Bathroom small with very few amenities / wash products. Drain "button" broke (unclipped underneath sink) and was never fixed during my stay. Mind you, I never reported it so presumably cleaners didnt notice. Shower over bath only. Poor water pressure. Also, the major issue was quite loud water noise (particularly bad on the Saturday night when the hotel was at 100% capacity) which kept waking me up during the night. Noticably better on the Sunday, Monday, Tuesday nights, presumably as less people up during the night!
Cleaning of room was good with extra towels provided after I had used them all the previous day. Used the laundry service - pricing average for this style of hotel, but not delivered before 6pm for the "routine service" as per noting. First one delivered 650pm and second time 620pm. Didnt matter to me but if you needed by 6pm it could be a problem. Note there is a $2.50 service fee that was not clearly stated in the paperwork so that was a bit of a surprise when the checkout bill came.
Ice machine on floor but softdrink vening machine not working. No free newspapers delivered to room or available in lobby. No fridge or mini-bar in room.
Extensive movie selection and TV channel selection on Plasma TV.
Didnt have time to use pool or gym, sorry cannot report on them.
Checkout efficient. Bill placed under door overnight, and multiple checkout options (usual at front desk; call extension and notify of departure; drop keys in box in lobby).
There is a starbucks in the lobby for those wanting breakfast "on the run".
A major pro is that this hotel is well located with a mall entry with extensive shopping options, plus straight through the mall to Boylston St (shopping, dining etc). Short walk to Fenway park.
Major con is mainly the size of the hotel, lack of a few basic amenities (toiletries and fridge), and lack of attention to detail (probably as a result of the size!)
Would I stay there again? Would depend on price i suppose. I had a good rate with the conference, but all being equal, at the same price i'd be tempted to try elsewhere, but in the same part of Boston. They just seemed to do the bare minimum, without the basic "extras" like newspapers etc that make a generic hotel stay just that little bit nicer. I'd spent two days in NYC at the Grand Hyatt, again not a hotel i'm in love with (it sure has it's issues too), but the overall experience is that little bit better for the little things (newspapers, food options, executive floor etc).
Note that across the road was a Hilton that (from the outside) looked fairly new, plus a Marriott just down the road, also well located. I'd be tempted to try either of them just to see the difference given price similarity. The Sheraton was certainly adequate given I was at conference 7-7 each day, then out for dinner, but by no means was I enamoured. I probably expected a little more based on some of the better Sheraton's I've stayed at in Australia / elsewhere. If you've got status with SPG it would probably be worth it provided you get a room upgrade.
Happy to try and answer any other specific questions!
Cab fare ~ US$35 from BOS, slightly less on the return. Includes tunnel toll.
Checkin fairly brief (checkin agent was Australian - from Geelong!) and to the point.
As this is a hotel with large conference facilities, no surprises it's a huge hotel and you never really feel "at home" but merely "passing though". There is constant activity in the lobby at all hours. Internet workstations in the lobby with free access for guests by logging in with name and room number (caps at 45mins per session).
There are two towers - I was in the smaller "tower". Room was of average size, comfortable bed. Reasonable TV selection. Bathroom small with very few amenities / wash products. Drain "button" broke (unclipped underneath sink) and was never fixed during my stay. Mind you, I never reported it so presumably cleaners didnt notice. Shower over bath only. Poor water pressure. Also, the major issue was quite loud water noise (particularly bad on the Saturday night when the hotel was at 100% capacity) which kept waking me up during the night. Noticably better on the Sunday, Monday, Tuesday nights, presumably as less people up during the night!
Cleaning of room was good with extra towels provided after I had used them all the previous day. Used the laundry service - pricing average for this style of hotel, but not delivered before 6pm for the "routine service" as per noting. First one delivered 650pm and second time 620pm. Didnt matter to me but if you needed by 6pm it could be a problem. Note there is a $2.50 service fee that was not clearly stated in the paperwork so that was a bit of a surprise when the checkout bill came.
Ice machine on floor but softdrink vening machine not working. No free newspapers delivered to room or available in lobby. No fridge or mini-bar in room.
Extensive movie selection and TV channel selection on Plasma TV.
Didnt have time to use pool or gym, sorry cannot report on them.
Checkout efficient. Bill placed under door overnight, and multiple checkout options (usual at front desk; call extension and notify of departure; drop keys in box in lobby).
There is a starbucks in the lobby for those wanting breakfast "on the run".
A major pro is that this hotel is well located with a mall entry with extensive shopping options, plus straight through the mall to Boylston St (shopping, dining etc). Short walk to Fenway park.
Major con is mainly the size of the hotel, lack of a few basic amenities (toiletries and fridge), and lack of attention to detail (probably as a result of the size!)
Would I stay there again? Would depend on price i suppose. I had a good rate with the conference, but all being equal, at the same price i'd be tempted to try elsewhere, but in the same part of Boston. They just seemed to do the bare minimum, without the basic "extras" like newspapers etc that make a generic hotel stay just that little bit nicer. I'd spent two days in NYC at the Grand Hyatt, again not a hotel i'm in love with (it sure has it's issues too), but the overall experience is that little bit better for the little things (newspapers, food options, executive floor etc).
Note that across the road was a Hilton that (from the outside) looked fairly new, plus a Marriott just down the road, also well located. I'd be tempted to try either of them just to see the difference given price similarity. The Sheraton was certainly adequate given I was at conference 7-7 each day, then out for dinner, but by no means was I enamoured. I probably expected a little more based on some of the better Sheraton's I've stayed at in Australia / elsewhere. If you've got status with SPG it would probably be worth it provided you get a room upgrade.
Happy to try and answer any other specific questions!
