Looking to go to Boston for R & R towards the end of september. Wanted some feedback on the two hotels.
Overall, it seems like the general opinion points to the FS as being the top choice. I did hear recently that the French restaurant in the FS closed, what a shame. Is the FS outdated? Do the bathrooms have a separate shower from the tub?
Any dining options I shouldn't miss out on? I'm not interested in staying on the harbor, prefer the central location of the RC & FS.
Looking to go to Boston for R & R towards the end of september. Wanted some feedback on the two hotels.
Overall, it seems like the general opinion points to the FS as being the top choice. I did hear recently that the French restaurant in the FS closed, what a shame. Is the FS outdated? Do the bathrooms have a separate shower from the tub?
Any dining options I shouldn't miss out on? I'm not interested in staying on the harbor, prefer the central location of the RC & FS.
Your insight is appreciated.
In a hotel if you place a high value on a world class gym with a wide range of complimentary classes and a club floor, you will likely prefer the Ritz. The Ritz also has seperate showers and baths in every room. The Four Seasons has combined showers and tubs in all but the very top suite categories.
The decor of the hotels is also very different. The Ritz is very modern and the Four Seasons is traditional with a few modern touches.
I have stayed at both and thought the service was excellent at both. If money was no object I would choose a suite at the Ritz on the club floor.
You might also consider the new Mandarin Oriental. The decor is visually stunning and from the meals and spa treatments I've enjoyed there, the service is excellent. I have not stayed there.
In a hotel if you place a high value on a world class gym with a wide range of complimentary classes and a club floor, you will likely prefer the Ritz. The Ritz also has seperate showers and baths in every room. The Four Seasons has combined showers and tubs in all but the very top suite categories.
The decor of the hotels is also very different. The Ritz is very modern and the Four Seasons is traditional with a few modern touches.
I have stayed at both and thought the service was excellent at both. If money was no object I would choose a suite at the Ritz on the club floor.
You might also consider the new Mandarin Oriental. The decor is visually stunning and from the meals and spa treatments I've enjoyed there, the service is excellent. I have not stayed there.
Thank you for responding and suggesting the Mandarin Oriental.
From looking at the MO website, it appears to be similar in style to the RC, a nice but somewhat corporate feel. I would guess that the MO is in better shape than the RC since it's a fairly new hotel for Boston? Less worn? Its frustrating that the FS hasn't really been updated (bathroom,etc,) and has that rich grandma look. I guess business at the FS is that good.
Thank you for responding and suggesting the Mandarin Oriental.
From looking at the MO website, it appears to be similar in style to the RC, a nice but somewhat corporate feel. I would guess that the MO is in better shape than the RC since it's a fairly new hotel for Boston? Less worn? Its frustrating that the FS hasn't really been updated (bathroom,etc,) and has that rich grandma look. I guess business at the FS is that good.
The RC had a soft upgrade recently, adding art and choosing warmer colors, beige and golds as opposed to the greys and silvers they had previously. They already had large flat screens. Regarding condition I don't think there is much of a difference.
The MO does have a similar corporate style to the RC except that the quality of the decoration and furnishings is higher. The gym is not nearly as good at the MO as at the RC and the MO spa is far superior to that offered by the RC. It really does depend on what you are looking for in a hotel.
I haven't stayed in any of the hotels mentioned, but I spent most of my life in Boston. I agree with PHLBuddy about the location of the Ritz being a bit iffy - apparently it is worlds better than it was 20-30 years ago, but it can still be a bit shady. My wife saw the only drug deal she has seen in her life (and she grew up in Oakland) half a block away. I wouldn't say its dangerous (I used to walk by all the time), but it can be a bit unsavory. The gym at the Ritz is great (it's a big Sports Club LA) - I remember someone telling me that a lot of sports teams that stay at the FS still use the gym at the ritz.
I believe that they did renovations to the FS a few years ago, not sure if that included the rooms. The main restaurant did close, but the Bristol is still around - great burger, but the rest of the food is merely OK.
If you are looking for good food at the hotel, L'Espalier recently moved to the MO. It is one of the best (and most expensive) places in town, and is pretty classic French. The lobby of the MO is very nice, but I don't know much about the rooms.
As far as location, I would MUCH rather be at the FS or the MO (or the Taj - used to be the Ritz) to the Ritz - especially if you are going to be walking around as a tourist. Boston is small enough that you can walk everywhere, and those two places would make it much easier.
H
What kind of food are you interested in? I can give you plenty of dining options if you are interested ...
