i completely agree...although for some reason there is a separate thread for the Westin Waterfront (WW). not sure if these threads should merge or if the Westin/Sheraton Copley should continue to have one thread while the WW have it's own thread.

but, again, the WW isn't at all inconvenient. there is the Silver line as well as taxis.

Sheraton Commander versus Sheraton Boston
 

While the Sheraton Boston is fairly reasonable, I was impressed at how much bigger (and nicer) most of the rooms are at the Sheraton Commander. It's also right on the Red Line, which is very convenient.

Forced to stay at the sheraton newton tomorrow night due to full hotels in boston. Do they at least have decent rooms for upgraded plats? I haven't been there since gold.

Fully agree. I liked the certificates given on weekends when the club lounge was closed that you could use for a continental breakfast or $ off the huge/impressive brunch buffet downstairs. ^

(whew, I've been negative on some SPG issues lately, it was good to say something positive here!)

Admittedly, I haven't stayed at the Commander now in about a year, but unless I needed to be right in Cambridge, this place is almost completely off my options list. I'm in BOS several times a year -- often for pleasure since I am just 2 hours north. BOS is a great walking city and perfect for weekend jaunts. But staying in Cambridge takes me just a tad too far away from most everything I go to BOS for in the first place.

I suppose if my experiences at the Commander had been more impressive over the years, I'd be more inclined to consider it. As a Plat, I always got jr suites, but the space layouts seemed to be odd and the bathrooms were always tired. Perhaps that's all been redone in the past year or so??

It's been quite a while since I'd stayed in this hotel, so I wouldn't want to over-promise. But it did seem to be somewhat modernized.

Also, Harvard Square is a much nicer place for walking around than it used to be (the seedy parts seem to have been removed, for better or for worse). And, of course, you're just a few T-stops from Charles Street and much of the nicest parts of downtown Boston.

Boston thoughts (western burbs)
 

Trying to research western spots of Boston. Most of the thoughts are not current of this area. Newly minted PLT and looking forward using these great benefits I have reading about. We have no stays in this area with SPG. Looking at Westin Waltham, Newton Sheraton and Farmingham Sheraton. Flying in and out of BOS and do not want to stay downtown. Most of our time will be day trips to Brimfield and Providence.

Thanks All

SCA

Westin Waltham
 

I had a one night stay at the Westin Waltham last week. I was upgrade to a two-room suite as a Platinum. The bedroom was large and roomy, quite nice. The bathroom was OK, typical Westin, nothing fancy. The staff was professional and pleasant enough. The one bottle of water in the room is free for Platinum members. Just check your credit card after the stay to make sure they don't charge you for minibar because of the water. I had to call teh hotel this week after the extra charge showed up.

There is no lounge, but you can ask the host/hostess at the restaurant for coffee in the morning, free of charge. The fitness room has nice equipment. I was able to get wireless Internet free in the lobby area.

The location of Westin Waltham is actually quite good. I was able to avoid the morning traffic going toward Natick. North bound I-95 in the morning is also fine.

I would definitely return to this hotel in the future.

Of the three Sheratons you mentioned, I recommend the one in Framingham. They treat Platinums well and have a fairly good Club Lounge. However, do remember to request a room facing away from the highway.

The Westin Waltham has nothing to offer except an upgrade to a (poorly laid-out) Junior Suite. There is no Club Lounge.

The highway noise at the Sheraton Newton never stops and can even be heard on the top floors (this hotel is built on a bridge over the Massachusetts Turnpike). I would not stay there again if they paid me to do it.

I really do like the Westin Waltham. I like the location and the property is well kept. And, unlike the previous poster, I like the Jr Suites just fine. I do NOT like that this hotel has made the ridiculous decision to charge for parking in the adjacent garage. 15 years went by without any charge to park in that garage and it is owned by the hotel. Lousy decision. Regardless, it's a well run hotel.

Previous advice to avoid the Sheraton Newton is right on the money. Do a search here for that hotel and you'll see nothing but miserable reviews. It's a very old property in one of the oddest locations in the US.....straddling an interstate highway. The noise level in all guest rooms is unacceptable -- even with the a/c fan on high and earplugs. I'm a light sleeper and cannot sleep here at all. Seriously. This is a hotel that everyone needs to avoid.

Sheraton Framingham can be had for cheap prices much of the time and is a reasonable Sheraton. It's one of the old Tara Hotel's "castle" style buildings and is right in the middle of the pack when it comes to quality. Nothing over the top, but nothing terrible.

I really do not like the Westin Waltham. If you try the Search function you'll find a thread that provides some not so rave reviews by myself and others. The property typifies the poor end of the Westin spectrum. The location is good and quiet, but that's about it.

Spent last night at the Sheraton Boston on an award stay. While I appreciate them acknowledging my "high floor" request by putting me on the very top floor of the south tower, I could have done without the water stains and cracked plaster on the ceiling, especially above the bed.

I still prefer the Westin (at Copley) hands down. The Sheraton rooms don't have minibars, the pink tiles in the tub/shower stopped being attractive before I was born, and the walls are thin. The last time I had stayed at the Sheraton Boston was in May or so, but that time I was in the north tower, and the room seemed better. Were they built at different times?

Anyway, I'm sticking with my Westin Copley preference while in Boston. They're both 10,000 points/night, and it would have to be a significant (~50%) difference in price for me to consider the Sheraton over the Westin for a paid stay. Or the Westin would have to be full, as was the case last night.

Just for the record, the Westin is Cat 5 - 12k-16k points per night now. Does that change your opinion? Trying to decide for a birthday trip and am curious.

AS

Given the Sheraton has a club lounge the breakfast alone swings things in favor of the Sheraton IMHO at the same price. And since the Westin is usually more money, it is even more obvious to me to pick the Sheraton. I've gotten some wonderful suites at the Sheraton and just normal rooms at the Westin.