Arcadian Hotel — Hotel in Brookline

Horrible experience. Checked in and was given a room that reeked of cigarettes. Asked the front desk for a new room and was told they were at capacity. After a two hour wait (in the hallway outside the room) they sent a maintenance person to the room who proceeded to spray some sort of industrial lysol-like cleaner all over the room. This initially covered up the scent of smoke but at the cost of introducing a nauseating smell which was somehow even than the original.

I am not exaggerating when I say that opening the door to the room caused my eyes to burn. I went to the front desk and complained and was told essentially that it was "all they could do" and that they would put an air purifier in the room (one of those very small ~$40 pod ones... not that even a large one would really fix the problem). I told them that I was not going to stay, especially after they sprayed god knows what chemicals into the room and that I wanted a refund. They said they'd need to wait for their colleague to actually help me with that and that it would be about 15 minutes before they'd be back. I was already late for dinner so I asked if there would be someone who could handle this afterwards. The front desk employee then responded without a wit of irony "We're open 24 hours."

When I returned I met the "colleague" (Matt) and asked for my refund at least for the night (I had already made plans to couch surf instead that evening). Matt seemed a little put off and said he needed to wait for his "colleague" to get back so that he could help (I think because he wanted to see the room for himself?). I waited another 15 minutes before his "colleague" (you guessed it, the original guy) to return. I took Matt to the room and the moment we opened the door his shoulders dropped. The smoke smell was back a mere two hours after the chemical attack, though with a "tasteful" top layer of industrial perfume.

He immediately conceded that the room was uninhabitable for ~$160/night and began to talk about how the cleaning people (who appear to basically be the equivalent of DoorDash employees/temps) are supposed to inform them. He then started to tell me about how this "really screws them" (obviously, it's a hotel...). I commented that it is even worse for them since they have a bunch of disconnected buildings that are encased in glass, (the design of this hotel could fill a whole different post: think vault from Fallout meets a rat maze with liminal space theming), and thus can't use an ozone generator. Matt seemed relieved I understood the difficulty of his situation and cheerfully added, "and no external windows. Even the rooms with outside facing windows don't have windows that open." He then proceeded to say that they would get me a room for the next night and that they would refund me the entirety of my trip.

We went to the front desk where he repeated this statement to his colleague and expressed statements to the effect of that it was "wrong" and that they "had to do right", given i was literally staying somewhere else for a night. You can guess what happened next, he went onto the computer and tried to give me a room but found himself unable to actually do so. He was clearly trying but failed and then very gracefully tried to slip by me "so I'll get you the cheapest room but the best I can do with all the discounts is $205 for tomorrow." Obviously I was not fooled that the deal was now, "pay more per night than you originally did and sleep on a couch tonight", but at this point I was just so fed up with the whole situation that I just said whatever (I wanted to actually do the things I was in town to do!) Matt seemed relieved when I said yes, likely because he had basically no ability to do anything outside of set of rigidly defined actions available to him through Sonder's management system (the whole hotel had huge Uber Eats customer support energy).

The room for Saturday night was nice (if a bit dark), but I was amused that during check-in the concierge informed me verbatim that "the 24 hour gym would be open starting at...

Before booking The Arcadian, I did my due diligence and did what I thought was a very thorough examination of all the reviews posted on Google and other sites. I would consider my efforts a "foul ball down the right field line". Lol Pros!

1. Location, Location, Location! Within walking distance to some really good restaurants in Brookline. It's a few stops to Fenway on the Boston Transit Gov'T Circle Green Line train that runs along Beacon Street into Boston.
2. Price. Price was competitive compared to other hotels in the area. Price was a factor when I booked this hotel. Tbh, that's about all I can think of. Staff at "check-in" were helpful. But, after sending my picture in via the Sonder App, they still wanted more ID when I arrived at the hotel. Makes the whole sending a picture in of yourself just redundant on the Sonder App. Also, where does that information get stored and how secure is it? No one knows.

Oh the Cons, there are many. Here we go.

1. Rooms are small. We had a room with two Queen beds and it was tight with our group. Bathrooms are small. Water pressure was non-existent in the shower with the restrictor that was on it. It actually forces you to take a longer shower, but that's a different argument.
2. Parking here is a complete rip-off. I had to go on Hero App and find a parking spot about 15 mins away otherwise the 3rd party that operates the parking garage was charging you $42 U.S. per day with zero in and out privileges. Save your money, look on the Hero App for parking elsewhere. During the day, you can park on the street for about $6 U.S. for 3 hours. I had to do that a few times, just out of necessity. If you are only staying one night and are completely parking your car, it's up to you, but $42 U.S. is way too steep.
3. Breakfast. Ugh. Meh! People shouldnt get their hopes up with a "Continental Breakfast". It's cheap and loaded with carbs. Yes, depending on the time, you may get some fruit, or hard boiled eggs or bagels. But its mainly pastries, cereal and bread. There is butter, jam and peanut butter packs. They have some sliced deli meats and sometimes a bowl of tomatoes. Seating is chaotic. Especially if you are looking for a larger group. Coffee is pretty good, when it's not completely out. Happened more than a few times.
4. Cleanliness. This is a pet peeve of mine. Carpets in the hallways leading to the rooms are not very well maintained. I never heard a vacuum once in the hallway. Seems to be a cost-cutting measure.
5. Empty Lobby Bar. There is the remnants of what once was a full service bar. But again, probably due to cost cutting they got rid of it. It's kinda sad tbh. If you want a "nightcap" don't look here during week nights. On the weekends they have a selection of Craft beers in a can that you can purchase. But you'd be better off walking 10 mins and hitting up one of the pubs in town and getting a draft beer for the same price as their cans.
6. Lobby TV's. Frustrating experience as the staff at the front that is "Powered by Sonder" can't change a channel to put on a large Lobby tv for COPA America! I was told on weekends as they have "no access" to the tv controls? I've never heard of a more ridiculous excuse in my life. Staff wasnt that interested in finding a solution to the issue, which was a complete turn off. Ughh.
7. The Arcadian, "Powered by Sonder" is really just a 3rd party that is running the hotel. Front desk has no phone. Think about that? What hotel has no phone to call the front desk to request something? It's done on purpose to save money and to limit "guest requests". It's complete nonsense and totally a turn off. Also, room cleaning is done on random days. There is no consistency. You need to request towels or toiletries at the front desk. They'll tell you that you can pick it up from a cabinet in hallway, but it's empty most of the time I ever had to look for something. Also, why would I need to pick it up in the hallway? Like, c'mon? Lol.

At the end of the day, it was a so-so stay. I...

We booked this hotel via VRBO. Got a good rate. I was worried, however, AFTER I started reading reviews here. But we stayed at the Arcadian and I want to share my HONEST review.

Let's start with good....the location is awesome. a little over a mile to Fenway. The Green Line C train is just outside the front door of the hotel on Beacon. Can't beat that. Trader Joe's, CVS all about 1/2 a mile away. A beautiful area...lots of people...lovely apartment buildings. The hotel itself was clean and well appointed. The room was also clean, nice beds, nice bathroom, nice TV.

As others have noted, there's no hot breakfast. BUT...there were nice pastries, good coffee, bagels, oatmeal, fresh apples and oranges. It was decent. Fresh. But no protein of any kind. If you want just a little something to get you going, it's fine.

They did NOT clean the room each day but this is NOT unusual any more. LOTS of hotels don't. and not just low-end hotels. I've been in Marriotts where I have to REQUEST daily service. So having them NOT service the room was not a big deal to us.

In the end, our stay was worth the money we paid. I never felt unsafe or uncomfortable.

Now...the bad. Nothing that TO ME was horrendous. A few eyebrow raisers but nothing that made me think "worst hotel ever." Oh no....I've BEEN in THAT hotel...and it was NOT the Arcadian. BUT....a few odd things.

Our room did have a smell. Nothing disgusting...just....."there." but, we became "nose blind" after 10 minutes if that. The pillows...ugh. I'm old so I need my pillow but these were just tooooo soft. I do NOT know why hotels don't provide at least ONE harder pillow.

Our check in was fine but CLEARLY something is changing at the hotel. They had really fancy check in equipment but none of it was being used. It seemed almost like they management decided that "high tech" check in was a bad idea. Not sure. Took a LITTLE while to check in but nothing I'd complain about.

the hotel has two sections...a 6 story area and then a very long one story area. It seems like this was a factory at one time maybe? We were in the office section of that building while there were rooms in the factory floor section. The room was nice. But one thing they did not have was any place to put or set clothing. There IS an "alcove" where they suitcase stand is....and there are hangers there...but no hanger rod. Which is weird. Hangers but no hanger rod? But there's also no chest of drawers or even a night stand with drawers. So....my son and I basically put our clothes in a pile on a small shelf or on the floor. It's just a weird deal. And a bad decision by the designers. People need a place to put their stuff. There IS a desk....but you're not going to use it to put your clothes. The room has a fridge so that's nice.

One thing I did NOT care for was that the hotel had no mini-mart of any kind. And no soda machines. So...if you wanted a late night snack or a cold drink.....you had to walk to get it. So THAT was a little annoying. I mean...you can't sell sodas and chips? Heck, even Econolodge has a soda machine.

Last thing....there is a LOVELY HUGE space where there WAS a bar. It looked like it could have been pretty cool. But it was NOT operational. when did they stop? I don't know. Couldn't have been too long ago because there's a sign saying "24 Hour Marketplace and Espresso Bar." Nope. This does NOT exist.

So.....it APPEARS that the hotel is undergoing some changes. TO ME, it felt like the owners had a cool vision but now they are backing off. Which is unfortunate, it's a nice hotel in a great location with terrific opportunities....but....the execution is wanting.

If you want a nice room at a good price AND you can keep your expectations in-check, I think it's an ok hotel. I gave it 3 out of 5 stars. Give me a firmer pillow, a market, and a place to put my stuff and...