1. Hotel AKA Boston Common

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    Boston, MA

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    Hotel AKA Boston Common

    3.9 (436 reviews)
    Open • Open 24 hours

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    Water in the bathroom.
    Jennifer I.

    I stayed at AKA Boston Common for 49 days (11/3-12/22, Room 808), so this review reflects a long-term experience rather than a single bad incident. On the surface, this hotel presents as polished and upscale, but over time it became clear that it is a full-on Monet--looks good at a glance, but the closer you get, the more issues appear. During my stay, I was required to move rooms three times--once voluntarily after an upgrade, and twice due to serious maintenance issues, including a sprinkler-system flood. In subsequent rooms, I experienced repeated heating failures, inconsistent hot water, and even a shower head detaching during use. The heating issues were ongoing and never fully resolved. On multiple occasions, my room dropped to 66-67 degrees despite the thermostat being set to 80. Even after maintenance visits, the room never consistently warmed beyond 75 degrees. On the morning before my departure, I woke to cold air blowing again, confirming the problem persisted through the end of my stay. Management follow-through was disappointing. Promises to check back or assist were not kept, and communication was inconsistent at best. While beverage credit was offered, it did not come close to addressing the cumulative disruption, lack of rest, and stress caused by ongoing room issues over nearly seven weeks. The saving grace of this hotel was the weekday bartender, Rebecca. Monday through Friday, she greeted my colleagues and me with genuine warmth, professionalism, and grace after very long workdays. She was consistently excellent. Unfortunately, that level of service was not present on weekends, and our group ultimately chose to avoid the hotel bar until Rebecca returned. That said, I do want to acknowledge Shirley, Wendy, James, and Nate, who were consistently kind, professional, and helpful, as well as the valet staff, who were always efficient and courteous. This hotel may work for a very short stay if expectations are modest. For long-term or extended stays, however, the operational issues, lack of follow-through, and inconsistent hospitality do not align with the image or price point the property presents.

    Wendi K.

    I quite enjoyed my stay here on a work trip. Pros: -Gorgeous Views on the high floors. I could watch the sunset over the Harvard bridge every night. -Very attentive staff. -Large and Stylish Rooms. Luxurious feel. -Incredible location - walk anywhere: Beacon Hill, Seaport, Downtown, North End you name it! Walk next door and get an original Parker House Roll or Boston Cream Cake :) It's right across from the cemetery too lol, doesn't bother me. -Nespresso machines in the room - woo! Cons: -There is sound bleed through the walls so let's hope your neighbors are quiet~! lol. 4.5 Stars from me!

    View from room # 1805
    Cynthia W.

    First day and I'm already in love! Beautiful hotel and one of the best locations one could wish for. Our room was clean and the view was STUNNING! Calvin and Shirley made us feel so welcome. Great personalities... being from the south, we are accustomed to a certain level of hospitality and they did not disappoint. Thank you for making our visit special!

    Sandy J.

    I lived in Hotel AKA Boston as part of my 5 day 4 night work trip. I was honestly really happy with my stay. In terms of location, we were very close to almost everything! The park was right outside too. The service was great and the amenities were pretty good too. One thing that stood out in particular is that they have DAILY HAPPY HOUR from 4pm-5pm. Essentially you get to mingle with other guests, or you could even just hang over yourselves over a few glasses of red or white wine. If you are to order delivery however, it can not be delivered to your door, the elevator requires your room key to access other floors, which is good for safety! That is not a big deal though, you simply pick it up in the lobby. I had a great view from my room and it really added to my overall experience here at Hotel AKA as well! Would 100% recommend and I would totally come back the next time I'm in Boston as well.

    This hotel was so perfect for our family of four. We requested the 19th floor and had an incredible view. Google Cast worked perfectly on the TV. Front desk was amazing. Complimentary wine each night and a free pass to Equinox upon request. Location can't be beat, just steps from Boston Common and Bon coffee (best hot chocolate). We'll definitely be staying here again.

    Located next to Boston Common
    Tara H.

    I have always enjoyed staying at Kimpton hotels due to their modern decor and they are dog-friendly. This hotel had a great location right next to the Boston Common park and at the start of the Freedom Trail. There are also subway stations located within a few minutes of the hotel. During my entire stay, the hotel staff were friendly and helpful to answer any of my questions. The hotel and room were very clean. I would most likely stay here again during my next stay in Boston. It was a great location and fit all my travel needs.

    The chair in the lobby.
    Amber L.

    Don't be fooled by the nice photographs. It was the worst nights sleep in a hotel I've had in years. And we are pretty easy to please. Rooms are average to small in size, but it's inner city so okay. High priority for us in a hotel stay is 1. Bed 2. Privacy and security 3. A good nights sleep. King size bed was a piece of crap with a hole sink in the middle. The door to our room #703 doesn't seal shut. You can hear people waaaay down the hall talking to each other and while hallway traffic noise is understandable, this was as if they were part of our stay. Workers were yelling and singing loudly. And SLAMMING DOORS all night long. Every time someone closed a door on our floor, ours would shake. And I don't mean vibrate, I mean shake and rattle like someone grabbed the handle and was trying to come in. When we told the front desk, they totally knew what we were talking about. This is not a new problem, this is an unaddressed problem. So they offered to return the $23 amenities fee. Nice gesture. I would rather have a peaceful nights sleep. I give the stay over 2 stars. Half the furniture is Lux, but built- ins look like they're from walmart. Maybe that's why the rooms are kept so dark. The decor is well chosen, but poorly executed. Service was nice and friendly but the whole atmosphere is unimpressive. Spend your money somewhere else.

    Dr. Richard S.

    I rate this a 3.9. The staff was very nice and welcoming. Room was very clean when arrived. Bathroom was good with big shower. The bed was huge and very comfortable. The tv on the wall is not centered with the bed, it's actually not even close and extremely to the right. Blinds don't really work as sun peaks through and heats up room in the morning. Ac at night was money. Pillows were soft, 2 was good. #2BallScrewBall

    Room decor
    Hannah S.

    This hotel is in an excellent location for exploring Boston! It's right in the heart of all the sites of the city, very near the Boston Common and the Freedom Trail. The Granary Burying Ground is right across the street! The staff go above and beyond to be welcoming and friendly! Very helpful! Everything was spotless as well. So, as far as the decor - I get what they're trying to do with the vibe, but it kinda comes off as retro 80s bachelor pad sorta lol. It's not bad - it's kinda swanky I guess - but just not my thing lol. I'd still stay here again anyway! I had a 2 queen bed room. It was very roomy for a downtown hotel! The bathroom was huge! And the toiletries were nice. The beds were very comfortable...but the sheets were torn up kinda! They definitely need to replace them and this is why I gave 4 stars instead of 5...and also bc the parking is a pain...I only parked long enough to unload my car before I took it back to the rental car return bc they're overnight parking charges are insanely exorbitant- even by my LA standards! It's $55 per day! I was shocked! So I opted to return my car and just Uber back - saved a ton lol. In order to park just to unload you still have to give it to the valet, but they didn't charge me (I was only gone for like 10-15 minutes) - so that was cool of them. The entrance to the valet parking area is kinda hidden off a side street so I ended up circling around a couple of times before I found it. Oh also be aware - they have a little "store" in the hotel lobby with drinks and candy bars and souvenirs - the prices are insane so I advise you to plan ahead and bring any snacks you want - a regular sized candy bar was $4!!

    Room

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    Easy walking to everywhere we needed to go. Thanks for showing you care! Lobby bar with Rebecca's creations was an added treat. Thanks!

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    Hotel AKA Boston Common Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Hotel AKA Boston Common

    Any cheaper parking options near by?

    You can park in the same garage the hotel valets access for $20-30 cheaper per day on average. You just have to be willing to walk two blocks or so.

    Does this have a mirror on the cieling?

    No ceiling mirrors in the rooms

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Hotel AKA Boston Common

    “. If you're going to spend some time in the Boston area then give the Nine Zero A Kimpton Hotel a second look”

    Mentioned in 74 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Canopy by Hilton Boston Downtown - View of the two bed hotel room

    Canopy by Hilton Boston Downtown

    (101 reviews)

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    This is, hands down, my new favorite hotel in Boston! I go from time-to-time for work and vacation…read moreand have stayed in many hotels. All are good but Canopy by Hilton in Boston is a step above. Service was GREAT, especially Yanelee who was working at the desk when we checked in. She is why I prefer to stay at Hilton hotels and will not stay anywhere else in Boston. She was friendly, helpful and went above-and-beyond to get us in our room!! The room itself was spacious, VERY clean, comfortable and well appointed. The location was great, very close to the historic district and a short Uber from the cruise terminal and the airport. If you want comfort in Boston, don't look anywhere else!

    Perfect location to walk to North End, Faneuil Hall, Boston Market place, etc! Part of the Rose…read moreKennedy Greenway is right across the street and it is absolutely gorgeous and peaceful. Now the area is always busy and non stop traffic, but it was centrally located for the things I wanted to do. I only did ride share for things that were outside of the downtown Boston area or too far to walk with my mom. The hotel is clean, front desk associate Wensley, was always so kind and pleasant whenever I needed something or returned from sight seeing. I was in a premium double queen and OMG, spacious room, barn door bathroom, hardwood flooring, a seating area, view of the greenway, fridge in the room, and an overall very nice and comfortable room. It was enough space for us; we weren't stepping over each other and we used the extra seating area as a changing area when we needed to change for the evening dinners. My only complaint is with housekeeping, the room was rarely cleaned prior to 4pm and we would leave around 9am every day. We only received 2 face towels despite asking for 4. After going to the front desk and asking a note be entered we finally received enough face towels. We couldn't figure out when they would take our bath towels, we put them on the floor they would take them, put them on the rack they would take them. I have always put them on the floor and if on the rack it means I'm using them again. Either way, I did appreciate fresh towels on the days the room would be cleaned prior to our return. Overall the stay was comfortable, the bed and pillows were comfortable and I slept better there than at home. I'm starting to notice a pattern with sleeping away from home....maybe I should stay away from home more often! One thing to note, each floor has an ice and filtered water machine. That was a nice touch and it kept me from having to purchase bottled water and spending extra money for delivery of water.

    No. 284 - Penthouse Suite at No. 284

    No. 284

    (26 reviews)

    Back Bay

    Good location and clean room. But only enough coffee for one day(??). And it's SUPER noisy w street…read morenoise at night. Super rude guy at the front desk. No clean towels or room cleaning. Not worth the $$$. Is not a hotel-- it's like an airbnb.

    This place is perfection. Service was friendly and impassioned. We received a little tour as soon…read moreas we checked in. We were on our way out to Fenway, so the friendly gentleman at the front desk was kind enough to give us walking directions after he showed us around the guest spaces and our room. Location: 5 : an easy 10 minute walk to Fenway, a 12 minute walk to the Commons. A wealth of eating options, safe secure and walkable in every direction. Room: 5 Our room was impeccable with impressive personal touches and attention to detail. Little things like Fiji water, fresh soft towels (and a black towel for makeup), full array of toiletries, and a welcoming comfortable firm bed. Despite having alllll the things to do in Boston, I was excited to get back to that room and that bed, and I slept like a log. I like a good bed when I'm traveling and I would never stay at another place if I had the option. My favorite aspect was having a separate bedroom and living area (with pull out couch). All things comparable, I've stayed in a thousand hotels, I've traveled Boston thoroughly. This will be my go-to forever. Whether traveling single, as a couple, or with my kids, I will look at 284 first and foremost. Kid-friendly: yes! I would definitely stay here with my kids (ages 9, 11, 13). Safe, fun, welcoming, and wallet-friendly. Special bonus and wow impression: each room is themed after a different artist. I love love love this concept and intrigued me a thousand times over. I ave a personal goal to stay in every room now.

    Four Seasons Hotel Boston - Pic of room

    Four Seasons Hotel Boston

    (173 reviews)

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    Back Bay

    This beautiful Four Seasons Hotel is truly the Gem of Boston!…read moreBoston has some wonderful Hotels but in my opinion where I was today was an absolute amazing experience! From the moment the Doorman Welcomes you and opens the doors you enter into a world of wonderful possibilities! Beautifully designed and the Staff Caters to all your wishes! Just walking around the impressive Lobby and Staircase you are transported to pleasure! Go and experience this wonderful Boston Hotel across from the Boston Public Garden and Historic Boston Common! 1985 this Hotel Graced the Boston Skyline!

    For high tea, family members and I visited the Four Seasons hotel for the second year. It's become…read morean annual tradition right around Christmas, at various locations like the Taj and one in the seaport area. This visit was exceptional in pretty much every way. The environment was beautifully decorated for Christmas, like last year, and I had to take some pictures to have as desktop wallpaper on my computer. We had a very nice time and the selections on the menu were impressive. I went with the carrot cake chai black tea, mainly because it had pumpkin pie kinds of spices and vanilla rooibos. It tasted wonderful, like an autumnal tea, and all our teas came in beautifully decorated tea pots, apparently from Australia. The Four Seasons also does this interesting thing where they give you a liquor that fits with your tea order, to be added if you wish or drank by itself. I had a sip of mine and from someone else's, a bit strong for me but a bailey's one was alright. I'm fine with just tea myself! As for the food, this year's high tea was one of the best I've had. The menu was different from last year's, which was great too but in my opinion this seemed like an upgrade. Some of the food items included pieces of salmon in a little pastry, mini lobster roll, peking duck crepe, curried chicken croissant, a beautiful deviled egg, vanilla bean and brown butter scones, an eggnog tart, and a Santa hat shaped raspberry pastry. We even got some alternate options for a lactose sensitive person, so that's a great plus as well. The atmosphere was elegant and calming, and the service was great. The Four Seasons high tea was a very special holiday event, and comes highly recommended!

    Hotel AKA Boston Common - hotels - Updated October 2026

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