Sexy, supper-club atmosphere oozes from this contemporary boutique hotel a block from North Station, making it a favorite of hipsters and hoopsters alike (the Celtics and the Bruins play nearby). Sip an ice-cold martini and nibble some tapas in the intimate Ruby Room, with its flashy velvet-padded chairs and black-granite bar lighted with fiber optics. The crowd in the Ruby Room varies. If there's a concert going on at nearby TD Banknorth Garden, you might party with band members and assorted fans. If the Celtics or the Bruins are playing at home in the Garden, you'll get a lively, sports-loving crowd (unless somebody's having a terrible season). Later, head upstairs to slip into your leopard-print bathrobe and cushy socks. Rooms are done in black and taupe with checkerboard carpeting and colorful accents, including red suede chairs. All have plush linens, flat-screen TVs, DVD players, surround-sound, free Wi-Fi, and Aveda bath products. Pros: good location for catching a sporting event or concert at the Garden, near North Station commuter rail and T stop, near several inexpensive restaurants and bars. Cons: smallish rooms and bathrooms, small gym (but they do offer free passes to the Boston Sports Club).
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