200 Seaport Blvd., Boston, MA, 02210, 800-440-3318,
Rates: Depends on the time of year — about $250 for a large room with two double beds when Boston is quiet. Add $100-plus a night when the city is busy with a big event or convention (yes, hotels in this part of the country can get pricey). Overnight parking is $41 with a valet, $31 if you park your car yourself.
Stay here if you: want to explore downtown but not get caught in the thick of it. The Seaport neighborhood, a former factory and fishing district where this hotel is located, is getting busier because of new construction. But it still manages to feel quiet and expansive, and those are not adjectives often used in Boston.
It’s close to: the airport and downtown. Location is this hotel’s big selling point. It’s just 3 miles from Logan International Airport and a good walk or a very short taxi ride from the city’s historic attractions. Within blocks: the newish Institute of Contemporary Art, an architectural wonder, and the trendy Legal Test Kitchen restaurant.
The rooms are: picturesque. They have great views of Boston Harbor, especially the corner rooms (ask for one). The appointments are traditional but high-end, and the amenities are in tune with the times. Bring your iPod and dock it into the special Bose radio; sounds good.
They put all of the money into: the staff. Here’s the thing about this hotel: No tipping. It’s included, and they remind you every time they pick up a bag or deliver room service. The hotel hired a seasoned staff that delivers professional service without the bribes.
The bottom line: This hotel seems like it was created for business travelers; it’s efficient and convenient. But it rises above in ways that will please tourists willing to spend the cash. The pool is slick, the restaurant is solid, and, best of all, there’s a water-taxi stop right across the street, so you can take an affordable and fun boat ride to Logan instead of a car.
