What to Expect at the Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common:
Opened in 2001, the the Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common property is half a block from the Boston Garden and even closer to a T station. Sleek and modern, the Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common reflects the parent company's world-renowned service, luxury, and furnishings. A gas-powered fireplace in the lobby fills nearly an entire wall and generates enough heat to ward off Boston's winter chill.
Guest Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common:
Refuges from the city, rooms at Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common are soothing oases. Beds sheathed in luxury linens are sturdy and comfortable, the marble bathroom is spacious (although the tub is only sized for one), and a tabletop arrangement of fresh calla lilies added a touch of elegance. The view, though, is a little disappointing. Despite having Boston Common in the hotel's name, the park wasn't visible from our big windows. The hotel is located half a block away from the greensward.
Dining at the Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common:
Have drinks at JER-NE (pronounced journey) in the lobby, then head down to Chinatown for some authentic Cantonese fare. Boston reviewers tout Grand Chao Chow and East Ocean City as tops in that neighborhood. In the hotel, it's worth upgrading to the club level for delectables such as mushroom soup with truffles and chef-made potato chips at lunch alone. There are similarly pleasing breakfast items, an elegant tea service, and cordials served at night.
Weddings at Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common:
The hotel contains eight function rooms on the second floor. Its Washington and Hamilton ballrooms hold up to 150 persons. Smaller weddings may take place in the luxurious Presidential Suite, which can accommodate 20 guests. Couples who marry at the hotel receive a complimentary suite on their wedding night.
Honeymoon Concierge at Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common:
Couples can avail themselves of one of the Ritz-Carlton's three honeymoon packages or arrange to have honeymoon amenities custom-tailored to their particular desires. There is also a central Ritz-Carlton Honeymoon Concierge who can suggest vacation spots to travel to after a city wedding and secure the arrangements.
Fitness at Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common:
Guests at the hotel have privileges at and direct access to The Sports Club/LA next-door, a 100,000 square foot spa, sports, and fitness center with a junior Olympic pool and Salon Fontana.
Nearby the Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common :
Boston's Chinatown, its theater district, Newbury Street, and the Hancock Tower all are close to the hotel. The rest of Boston's treasures — Fanueuil Hall, Fenway Park, the Old North Church, the Museum of Fine Arts, the sophisticated Isabella Stewart Gardner museum, and the crawling-with-kids New England Aquarium — are an inexpensive T ride away. The Boylston Street Station is just half a block up from the Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common.
Is the Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common Right for You?:
The ambiance of the Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common is more like that of a business hotel than a honeymoon one (in the club lounge we overheard a visiting group of bankers one day and Harvard-bound medical scientists the next). Still, once you close the door to your room it's a fine place for a romantic urban getaway weekend or to spend a night or two before you catch a flight at Logan airport.
What Could Be Improved at the Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common?:
The hotel, guest rooms, and staff are all lovely. JER-NE, the lobby bar-restaurant is not up to Ritz-Carlton standards. Hosts stand around, waiters are sparse and overworked, and food is not as fresh as it should be. Fortunately, there are many other restaurants nearby, so sate your appetite in one of them or the Club Lounge, then repair to your private, classy, and contemporary sanctuary in the Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common.
Where to Find More Information About the Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common:
Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common
10 Avery Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111
617-574-7100
Official Hotel Web Site
As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary accommodation and meals for the purpose of reviewing those services. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.
