My husband, two six-year-old daughters and I recently had a very bad experience at the Harborside Inn in Boston, MA. It was the worst, most unfair, disrespectful customer service I have ever encountered.We were provided midleading, inaccurate information about the accomodations. When we were forced to find another hotel to stay at, because they could not accomodate us, they charged us anyway. The front desk supervisor was particulary rude.

Could you give more details, please?

I'm not familiar with the Harborside Inn. Where is it located? You don't mean the Boston Harbor Hotel, do you?

Misery loves company? The Boston Park Plaza provided us with an unforgettably disgusting experience.
Our room rate was raised from the $199 quoted to us by a reservation service to $259. For that, we received a filthy, dreary room with grimy radiators complete with dead bugs, construction holes in the ceiling, hardly any water pressure in the shower.. This hotel is a tourist trap.

I think Gina is referring to the huge new hotel near the World Trade Center near Pier 4, etc. I made a weekend reservation at this hotel because it had a "special weekend rate" but cancelled it because of all the hidden costs and the fact that, in my opinion, it is out of the way unless you are attending a function at the exposition center.

D. Safran, sorry about what happened to you at the Park Plaza. I think a few of us have recommended that hotel on this site.

And that rate switcherroo has happened to me before (not at that hotel). From now on, if I can't make a reservation over the internet, I request that the reservations agent mail or fax me a confirmation. If they refuse, I stay somewhere else. There's nothing more frustrating and futile that arguing the rate with a desk clerk with no written proof.

Gina, If you haven't yet paid your credit card bill, I would immediately call the card company and challenge the hotel bill. You will not need to pay it, the card company will tell them why and hopefully, the hotel will give up. Also contact AAA if you are a member. I've done this in the past. It's a hassle, but worth teaching them that they can't charge people for what they haven't used. Good luck.

Well, let's review: The HARBORSIDE INN is a delightful small hotel (completely newly renovated) a block or so from the most touristed spot in Boston, Faneuil Hall/Quincy Marketplace. The rooms are comfortable, nicely appointed, with "bargain" rates for Boston. However, this is not a family sort of place (to the best of my knowledge, rooms accomodate only one or two persons). I'm guessing they were unable to "accomodate" two adults and two children in ONE room. The service could not be more friendly. The same folks own the NEWBURY GUEST HOUSE, which is nearly impossible to book due to its location and prices, not to mention all the raves, raves, and more raves on the travel boards... My only quible with the Harborside is that is is a few blocks from the harbor - through the terrible BIG DIG. The BOSTON HARBOR HOTEL is a luxury hotel (with prices to match), RIGHT on the harbor at gorgeous Rowe's Wharf. A top notch place to stay in every regard. Right up there with the Four Seasons and the Ritz. The new SEAPORT HOTEL is located across from the World Trade Center. Rates this summer ($139 weekends) are a real steal in Boston for accomdations of this level. The location is wonderful for its proximity to the harbor area and views, but atrocious for access to public transportation. While it's possible to walk from here to many historical sights (and the subway), you have to walk through the horrendous "BIG DIG". Hence the low rates, I suppose. The only "hidden" charge I know of is parking - and that is expensive no matter where you stay, unless you seek a cheaper lot elsewhere (with the hope that your car will actually still be there when you return) and find an alternate means of getting yourself and your belongings to the hotel. And, this is not hardly worth the effort. The PARK PLAZA is a fabulous "Grande Dame" sort of place. I am amazed that anyone had a terrible experience there. Once, they mixed up our reservation (booked at unbelievably low rate on the web) and gave us an ENORMOUS suite with two bathrooms overlooking the park. I'd bet if you wrote to them about a bad experience, you'd be comp'd a suite.