Residence Inn by Marriott Boston Back Bay/Fenway — Hotel in Boston

PROS: -Excellent location when you want to come in for the weekend and hit a Fenway game (we stayed weekend of 8/16), go to dinner, etc. Location is 10/10. -Clean, big, nice looking rooms. Modern furnishings, big TV. -Room darkening curtains. These worked exceptionally well (provided you shut them all the way) and were definitely needed! -Our room had a full kitchen (full size fridge, counters, high top bar w/ stools, stove, microwave, etc) we didn't get to utilize unfortunately but it was nice that it was an option! -Bathroom had walk-in shower and was clean, modern, and large. -Breakfast was really good for it being 'free', and I liked that it was open til 10am sunday! The kitchen staff were also helpful and very kind. -You can check in your luggage before room is ready. -Valet/parking on site. -Top floor (where our room was) had a nice terrace with a bar. Clean, pretty good size. -Check out was noon which is really nice and not rushed, even though the cleaning crew still came in AM. (If we are checking out that day, why would you come that morning while we are still there?)

CONS: -The room looked clean, spacious, and modern - however a HUGE letdown. I paid extra for "king bed studio high floor room" (which wasn't cheap), and I thought would be special for my husband's birthday. The great big window? Overlooked concrete ONLY with ZERO view of anything. How disappointing. Why would I pay extra for a high rise room if I wanted to look at concrete? Extremely misleading. -The bed was so STIFF. Mine and my husband's backs were TRASH the next day. (We are also in our thirties.) -The bathroom door in our room (which is right next to bed) creaked so loud when opening / shutting / touching the door at all ; that when someone had to pee and someone else was sleeping, you were woken up every time. -I was pretty shocked when there was ZERO toiletries, and I mean ZERO. One extremely tiny bar of soap that was as big as a matchbook. That was it. Besides the shower wall shampoo/conditioner provided, no shower caps/extra soap bars/cotton swabs/lotion/floss/other little amenities that hotels usually provide - nothing. Bare bones. -Shower-head barely any pressure.. thankfully I didn't have to wash my hair as I washed it right before we left, but I wouldn't of been able to get shampoo out of my hair with that water pressure. Barely got soap off my body. -For a room that ended up being over $600 a night, I expect a toilet that flushes. -Outlets. So one side of the bed (near window) had a little strip of three outlets. Awesome! Other side of bed, none! Just an outlet behind nightstand near the floor that was being used for the lamp. No outlets? It's 2025, I expect some outlets on each side of the bed as we all have phones, watches, and whatever else we are charging. -We opted (three days earlier) for an early check in time of 1:00pm. When we arrived a little after 1, I was surprised to hear this wasn't an option, but even more surprised to hear it probably wouldn't be early at all, and we'd not only be checking in at regular check in time, but we would now have no room before the Fenway game which was at 4:10pm. I'm a Bonvoy member and long-time Marriott lover, and have never had this happen. If this is the case, it should be very clear when choosing early check in that it may not happen, and it does not say that. -The valet/front desk watched us struggle with luggage and bags, offered no help to carry anything and just joked amongst themselves. I travel frequently and have never experienced this. I am more than capable of handling luggage, but it is the principle of offering, especially as young men. -The only kind/helpful person was the woman in late afternoon/early evening. The others lacked warmth, personality, and were dismissive. -No text when room was ready as promised. -Parking/valet is $80 to park on site per day which is INSANE being I am staying there.

Five...

I've been in Boston quite a bit lately. Last month, I stayed at a much more expensive place and I'm not sure it was superior to this conveniently-located Residence Inn.

I'm guessing that this newer Residence Inn by Marriott is a hit with baseball fans. Why? Well, it's not much further away from historic Fenway Park than a strong Dwight Evans' outfield throw. Seriously! My seventh floor room offered views of one of MLB's oldest and revered diamonds, as well as the iconic Citgo sign.

For me, in town to see a band from my mid-1990s post-punk heyday, it was about a mile walk to see the show at the Paradise Rock Club and I could hop on the Green Line back, afterwards. The Kenmore T station is about a 1/2 mile away.

There was a time when the Kenmore Square area and streets near baseball's most revered older ballpark was a bit seedy and mainly parking lots, older places to stay, and bars. Since the park's makeover, the neighborhood's become a place that has way more than baseball for guests.

I liked it that there was a by Chloe (I ate there) across the street, as well as a Sweetgreen, both great options if you are looking for plant-based vegan takeout food, or simply want healthier fare while traveling. Or, you could grab some groceries at Whole Foods and prepare a meal in your small kitchen in your room. That's right. Residence Inns have a small kitchenette that's not too shabby at all.

I'll admit, I'm a fan of these Marriott-style properties. For an extended stay, they'd be even better (I was just there overnight). Having a full fridge and a coffeemaker, I'd be totally self-sufficient and would definitely do some in-house food prep.

I looked at all my options, including AirBnb (expensive for a one-night stay with all their fees) and this very clean and convenient property was a deal for a city like Boston. I didn't have a car, so I'm not sure about the parking situation. The valet staff (as well as all the hotel staff) were outgoing and helpful.

Bobby, who was at the desk overnight, hooked me up with Marriott's tech staff, as I was having problems connecting with their free Wi-Fi. Problem-solved in five minutes. Bobby even checked with me to make sure I was taken care of. A nice touch, indeed!

I read a few people critical of the breakfast. It's free folks! I had oatmeal, there was plenty of fruit and if you like eggs or other animal-based foods, there are those, also. They have Starbucks' coffee and soy milk, so I was happy.

Count...

We stayed here 6 nights during regarding Boston University. The people working there were very kind. Everyone seemed to get along well. Valet only parking- can't get out of it in Boston! Kenmore T stop about a 3-block walk- near Hotel Commonwealth. Hotel had snacks and drinks for sale in lobby. Had good coffee for breakfast, but runny eggs (as was in another review). Ended up buying breakfast items at the nearby Target, and using our kitchenette, made eggs. Nuked sausages in the impressive microwave too. They even supplied a great toaster for use. Room had Keurig coffee/tea machine which came in handy. Due to COVID, housekeeping was limited, but if we needed something we always got it. Be patient. They are doing their best! Water is extremely hot- be careful. Nice shower, lower bathtub- do the shower! Hairdryer, toiletries provided. Nice tv. Comfortable bed. Pillows soft, but we slept fine. Temp control was in room and was adjustable to comfort level. A block away from Fenway. Take the T to a Bruins game (we did) or Celtics game! Whatever you do limit your driving in Boston. Roads are horrible, and I am from Los Angeles! Was fun to see a bit of the area around the campus- amazing old brick/brownstones- it doesn't even look real sometimes. Take the T to the Prudential Tower- Cheesecake Factory there- If you drive, get it validated, cause it will cost you. Take the T! Nice Barnes and Noble there too. Hotel did not have a computer room for research or boarding passes. Not everyone brings a laptop with them or wants to squint on their phones to check things out. A lot of places were closed due to COVID (Eastern Standard Restaurant was one of them). All in all a very nice hotel, great personnel, comfortable beds and thick walls. Yes, you hear a little kid running sometimes upstairs, but it didn't last long. Need your electronic key for elevator and room. Wheelchair friendly, it appeared. They had a rooftop indoor pool (small), a small bar, and a workout area (did not go). Nice experience in a stressful time for us. Work on computer room and that breakfast and it would be an even higher rating. Great job considering the times we are in, and the wonderful people working there, including Mr. Gomes who helped print out 2 boarding passes via the hotel's own...