Originally Posted by
drthunder
I'm hesitant between the Long Wharf, the Envoy, and the W for a 5 night stay in May. I booked them all early with points at similar rates before the recent change. I know it's a bit ridiculous to be this hesitant, but they all look great. I have 5 Suite Night Awards to use before the end of the year and uncertain of future possibilities of using them, so also looking at suite options and using that as a consideration. I also have Titanium status. I have a lot of points so I would like to splurge, and we've never been to Boston so might as well stay somewhere central.
Is the lounge at the Long Wharf open? Not sure if any of the others have a lounge. Although sometimes the lounge is a con if it means having a basic breakfast there versus a nice breakfast in restaurant. Last hotel I've been to with a lounge, a Renaissance, they didn't even have coffee or snacks throughout the day. A lounge that is only for breakfast is not really a significant benefit in my opinion when breakfast is already included no matter what.
Basically trying to go for the most unique experience and getting the most out of my status.
Side note, the cash rates in Boston are really insane. That Long Wharf room I booked for 229k pts + 145.57 usd would be 4,057.55 USD with taxes and fees. Basically 2.2 cents CAD per point. They're now asking for 265k pts. The Envoy is even more expensive, 4137 USD. Holding it for 240k, no extra fees.
May in Boston is always expensive due to college graduations.
If the lounge at Long Wharf is closed, you won't get breakfast as the property is on the breakfast-exempt list (they wouldn't give me breakfast last year - unlike the Copley Marriott (also on the exempt list) that did give breakfast even though the lounge is closed).
W is no-lounge, breakfast in restaurant.
I haven't stayed at the Envoy, but there isn't a lounge.
Boston is a very walkable city, but the W is the most central between the shopping in Back Bay and the dining in the North End (just past the Financial District). Long Wharf is much closer to the North End but further from Back Bay. The Envoy is in Seaport, which is growing but rather corporate.
Frankly, the W is pretty "meh" for a W - beds could be so much better, and there are no views.
I would have recommended the Liberty - potential for beautiful views (as well as potential for views of the wall of a hospital - bit of a bet) and great architecture (lobby and some rooms are an old jail). Delicious in-restaurant breakfast. Property is a tad dated in certain areas, but this is the most unique of the properties.