InterContinental Hotels Group Stay Forum - HIX Boston Garden

Arrived last night so this is only a 1 night review thus far. I will update it if there is significant change. As of this posting, scheduled opening is 9 Oct.

I can't comment on the arrival experience since I am not really a "guest". Sorry!

The building is actually about 100 years old, but most of that has been well refurb'd and is hardly noticeable. One place that this is glaringly obvious is the elevators. They hold a max of 5 people per elevator. Other than that, the building has been beautifully done and is (in my opinion) a very nice addition to the HIE chain.

The hotel has 72 rooms on 4 floors (ground level having no rooms) and has 12 different room layouts. While it is listed as having "20 suites" it actually has 12 true suites, and has 8 other larger rooms that have a half wall dividing it into a "2-room suite". The view out of my room is no good (interior), but quite a few of the rooms will have a nice view of Boston Garden. If you’re a Bruins/Celtics fan, this is an amazing place to stay.

As noted, the Garden is across the street, which also means that the hotel is across the street from a large public transit station. Being is South End Boston also makes a TON of great sights within walking distance. Also, the vaunted North End and all of its wonderful Italian food is just 2 blocks away.

The standard room (mine) is somewhat small but efficient. I think that it is comparable to most hotel rooms in major cities. The closet has no bar to hang clothes on, but does have a metal rack that you can use instead. My room does have a nice kitchenette area with a fridge of decent size and a microwave with a few cabinets and drawers. The molding on the bathroom door frame has a damaged end, and I highly doubt that this will be fixed before official opening. My bed is a little stiff (but then again, I'm the first person to sleep on it), but I slept well last night. Obviously all of the fixtures are new since this is a new hotel. Also, randomly, the chairs in my room are amazingly comfortable. The chairs in the lobby OTOH, are amazingly uncomfortable.


I'm sure I will write more later.

Has anybody stayed here recently? I am looking for a less expensive downtown hotel for 3 nights.

This is a report for a stay I had 7/3-7/4

Location: The hotel is literally across the street from the Boston Garden and a two block walk from the North Station T Stop (another block and you'll get to the Commuter Rail/Amtrak part of NS). The area it's in is up and coming and there are numerous restaurants and bars nearby as well as a CVS which can be very convenient. The hotel is on a side street just off Causeway and can be hard to notice as it's a small building tucked between other larger buildings and has a small sign.

Hotel: The building was obviously not designed as a hotel and does have its flaws. The lobby is small as is the breakfast area and the fitness center and business center are in the basement giving both a crowded feel. There are two sets of elevators and the corridors are narrow and rambling. Still, the lighting was good in the common areas and it didn't feel dingy.

Check-In: Check in time is at 3 and when I showed up at 1:30, my room wasn't ready. The agent offered to hold my bag for me and was nice enough to give me a card to the business center. When I came back to check in again he was on his cell phone on a personal call so I had to wait, rather annoying. Once he was finished he checked me in quickly then went back to his phone.

Room: My room was on the second floor with windows facing an interior courtyard. The room was small and sadly, had bad lighting and felt dark and dreary during the day (being in said courtyard didn't help). The bathroom was tiny and had too few towels. Luckily, there was a large, newer style television and the bed was really comfortable. The kitchenette area was also a nice touch.

Breakfast/Check-Out: Breakfast ended at 10 and when I came down at 9:30, almost nothing was left. No biscuits, cinnamon rolls or yogurt, just cold eggs and cold sausage and scattered bread for toast. No staff in sight to ask for a restock. Made me wish I'd come down earlier. Check out was quick and I was on my way.

I paid 10,000 points and $40 for this room and was happy to have the location. Being so close to the T was great though I'd never want to park here ($39/day). I'd stay again if I got a cash/points deal but never pay the $209 they wanted for the room.

We've booked this hotel for the next weekend and looking for some advice on parking/ The $39 is crazy indeed though all downtown parkings appear to be very expensive. Maybe parking outside Boston and taking the T to this HIE?

Any suggestions?

Logan Airport parking starts at $18.00 in the economy lot and $23.00 in the regular lot. A shuttle bus should be able to take you to the T and all you would have is subway fare for each person to the HIE.
Out of curiosity, are you arriving from the Netherlands to Boston or coming from another city and driving into Boston? In either case, ditch the car because Boston has great transportation and is a wonderful walking city.
Here is the Logan Parking page.... http://www.massport.com/logan-airport/parking-information/Pages/Default.aspx

We've booked this hotel for the next weekend and looking for some advice on parking/ The $39 is crazy indeed though all downtown parkings appear to be very expensive. Maybe parking outside Boston and taking the T to this HIE?

Any suggestions?

Is the car essential? If not, take the T or walk everywhere. Boston is one of the best walking cities in the country. You DO NOT need a car here. In fact, you are much, much better off without one.

Mike

Thanks guys. We're on a roadtrip through the North East and planned Boston for Friday and Saturday. We do not need the car in Boston but there is some luggage we're dragging around. I'm a bit in doubt to either take the $80 for 2 days for granted or find a cheap alternative and come in with the T.

Thanks guys. We're on a roadtrip through the North East and planned Boston for Friday and Saturday. We do not need the car in Boston but there is some luggage we're dragging around. I'm a bit in doubt to either take the $80 for 2 days for granted or find a cheap alternative and come in with the T.

Not sure if your roadtrip makes the airport your entry point into Boston, but if it is...

Very easy on the T. There is a shuttle from the airport that will take you to the Blue Line airport stop. Go inbound to State Street (three stops). Transfer to the Orange Line and go two stops to North Station.

Alternative: Take a cab. $23-27 to your hotel.

It's not just the $80 for the rental car. Driving in Boston is just a major, major PITA. You are a ten minute walk from the most historic section of Boston and it's a very pretty walk, particularly if you go by way of the Rose Kennedy Greenway.

Note: The best bargain in Boston is the free tour of the Freedom Trail offered by the National Park Service. The tour will trace virtually all of the important spots where Boston played a role in the American Revolution.

Mike

thnx Mike!

A quick update on how we went so other might/can benefit: I Googled the downtown parkings and came upon the Post Office Square garage. They offer a weekend rate of $27 when you enter after Friday 4.00 PM. That's what we did and it worked out fine! It's a 20-25 min walk and it saved us $50 so I would say it's worth it!

As an extra remark: walking through Boston I came across several parkings offering weekend rates so there might be even better deals out there!

Just to update this hotel, I stay here somewhat frequently for personal and usually on points. They treat platinums well even on point stays.

Most recent two stays:
1) Reserved 1 King and was upgraded to 1 King suite before arrival (reservation was modified by them). It was room 309. You walked in and the bed was immediately on the right with a flat screen on the wall. Then continued down hall and microwave, frig, sink and coffee maker. Then a room with a pullout sofa and tv, desk, chair, etc. Overall a very nice room with two distinct spaces - a true suite in my mind (though no doors separate the bed from the hallway).

2) Reserved 2 doubles and was upgraded to Suite before arrival. It was room 315 and is the "corner" room overlooking Causeway St / Friend St / TD Garden. It immediately had the microwave, frig, sink and coffee maker then the 2 beds. There were two small half walls sort of separating it from the desk area but was essentially 1 big room. The closest was huge and walk-in style. This room does not have any privacy as you will get all the noise from the street and at least 4 huge windows. I immediately had to draw all the draps.

The only thing bad about this hotel is the old, small, slow elevators. The breakfast area is small, but I usually dont eat. They also give all platinums a bottled water and a choice of chips/candy from a tray they have. All the rooms have new tv's, furniture and bedding.

Thanks.