SK AAR

Take your pick from New Haven, Hartford, Mystic, Newport, Providence, and let's not forget Cape Cod (which will be great in August but accomm. will be very expensive - book now for the Cape!).

I would rent a car rather than take the train.

SK AAR

Boston > USD 300

NY > USD 200, cheap last minute rates during weekends though. Warning: NY will be full of tourists - I would stay away.

dedeson

can anyone advise how does Hilton Back Bay compare to DT Downtown and Hilton Downtown? I am Hilton Gold member traveling as a couple. Thanks.

stc

That Back Bay Hilton is in a better location for restaurants. Depending on what you want to do for touristy stuff it may be better or worse. On street parking around the Back Bay Hilton is probably better. (Not to say that it is good.) It really depends on what you want.

stc

Does anyone know if this hotel has any actual suites?

I'm asking because my group is looking to put on an event there and we would need a suite for hospitality (even if we have to pay for it). I'm being told we would be comped a suite, but I can find no reference to suites on the website, etc. Something seems fishy.

Thanks.

arlflyer

If you're putting on a group event wouldn't you be working with the sales office, and thus able to call and ask?

Chang11

The OP said, "my group is looking to put on an event there" he may not be involved in the hotel contracting and a significant requirement is being overlooked by the contracting people. I recall reading somewhere in Flyertalk that this hotel does not have suites or very few.

So maybe not the Gotcha..

stc

"It's complicated."

I'm not working with the Sales Office myself. One of my volunteer staff are. I don't even know who they are talking to. This is for a 501c3 and I'm trying not to step on toes here.

arlflyer

Ugh, got it. Fun.

FWIW I looked at the hotel materials including their weddings brochure, and it did make a reference to "hospitality suites", so maybe there is something to it...

smmrfld

This property has at least one suite...top floor. I've stayed in it.

earlyriser

Rookie question but it is standard for this hotel and other central Boston hotels to be booked out in mid July this far out from the date?

Simon Schus

Hi all,

Is the breakfast still in the lounge with a small upcharge for the full breakfast for Diamond members?

megalab

Yes, and the uncharge is still $10. However, the lounge breakfast was sufficient; eggs, bacon, sausage, hot oatmeal, cold cereals, fruits, decent breads and pastries, Starbucks coffee machine. Lounge attendant was very friendly and helpful. Evening buffet had a few hot items, chips and salsa, etc.

Was here a couple of years ago and noted a few changes. Last time my room was generic brown and green (as seen in the website photos). This time was “upgraded” to a Superior room on the 23rd floor that was a more urbane silver and black which we found sophisticated and far more appealing. The clerk checking us in said this was a “newly renovated room” FWIW, while our assigned room on the 15th floor was not. The hallways were in the same style while lower floors were not.

Agree about the comfy beds. Shower pressure is adjustable. When I moved the switch to full blast it felt like I was in a hurricane. Water could also be set to very hot.

Very nice fitness area, though the pool was way too small for lap swimming. The Jacuzzi was hot enough to be soothing. Parking was expensive but there wasn’t much around that was cheap enough to be worth the hassle of not being attached to the hotel, as easy access to the car and in/out privilege was nice.

Overall, it was a pleasant stay. I would recommend it as a fine basic Hilton option.

ptownca

Just did a 2 night stay this week and overall a really nice experience. I booked a 2 night standard points booking using the lowest category dbl/dbl and was upgraded to a high floor king on the 24th floor. The hotel is 28 stories.

I was thinking this might be a downgrade from the Fanieul Hall Hilton, but the newly renovated rooms are very nice - very quiet and far better than a std Hilton king. The beds are very comfortable and these floors have obviously had a rip to the studs complete redo.

Service staff were uniformly helpful, especially the front desk staff and concierge who is very experienced in Boston.

I've not been to the DT Boston, but both Boston Hilton options are very solid and far better than average Hilton city properties.

There is a lot of resto/bar options. One gem we found was Lucca Back Bay, which is a short walk from the hotel. They serve until 1 am nightly and its a proper Italian restaurant.

evergrn

Just stayed here. I'm Diamond. No upgrade, although the room was very nice and modern. Asked for 2pm checkout. Not granted. Had to push hard to get a 1pm. Lounge offerings are decent in the evening and in the morning. However, breakfast items were not replenished frequently enough. And disappointed that the lounge did not have espresso machine (just regular coffee or hot water for tea). $10 to upgrade to full breakfast buffet.