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.
The Envoy is a unique experience. If you're looking for something that isn't right out of the Marriott design book, it's worth consideration. No lounge, as noted above. It's been many years since I last stayed there, so I can't confirm any breakfast benefit. The Envoy is a bit off the beaten track requiring you to walk more than to other properties. The only issue I had when staying there (pre-pandemic BTW) was with the line of partiers waiting their turn to get on the roof deck. Evenings in the lobby can be a bit of a to do.
The Long Wharf is also interesting in that the rooms are more of a Cape Cod summer cottage theme design as interpreted by a large corporate design group that has never been to Cape Cod. The building is unique in that it was originally a dockside warehouse. It's quirky for a hotel. The advantage here is that it's close to the tourist areas (Faneuil Hall and the North End). Some rooms have good views. If the lounge is closed, you're close enough to places in the North End where you can get your pastry and coffee.
I've never stayed at the Liberty, but it regularly gets mentioned on websites for it's unique origin. I began it's life as the Charles Street Jail. The entry, dining, and bar in the original building. I believe most rooms are actually in an annex building that was constructed as part of the conversion from jail to hotel. I bet the pricing there is exceptional this close to your travel dates. My experience has always been that it priced out as the most expensive Bonvoy option in Boston, outside the RC.
The W is in the theatre district. Never stayed there. Nothing about it has inspired me to consider a stay.
The Copley Place hotels are standard urban high rise business hotels. Some will find the service to be the reason to stay. High floors will give you the good views. They won't give you the unique experience you mention.
There are hotels in Cambridge (Sheraton Commander - near Harvard & Cambridge Marriott - near MIT), but at this point I'd hardly bother. They'll be exceptionally expensive if any availability exists. Plus, they're not all that exciting from a property experience perspective. The only thing going here is if one were able to get a good rate for a high floor, river view room at the Cambridge Marriott. It was once stunning, but may now be blocked by new buildings on the MIT campus.