We will be in Boston in August and have been pricing hotels for days. Have narrowed the field to the Westin or Eliot. The internet pictures of the Eliot look wonderful, but reviews from Trip Advisor are pretty harsh. They have a great special going, tho, which includes parking and breakfast. Our other choice is the Westin, which looks good and I like the location. Prices are similar, but Westin does not include parking or breakfast. Any advice on quality of each hotel?

I can't comment on the Eliot, but have stayed at the Westin and loved it. Great room and the location can't be beat. The parking is a little pricey, but that didn't deter me from staying there. Once in Boston I seldom use a car as the T is so convenient. The gym and pool were very nice and being connected to Copley Place and the Prudential Center was great.

We have stayed at the Eliot a few times and have always been pleased. Their breakfast and parking package is difficult to beat.

We like the location very much and it has that boutique hotel feel but I would not at all compare it to the Ritz. Some complaints on Tripadvisor include city noise -- really never an issue for us but it is a city and the occasional siren can be heard. I don't believe this is exclusive to the Eliot, however.

You say prices are similar to the Westin (which we have never stayed at) but the parking would run you around $30 per night. Since the breakfast at the Eliot is Continental (in Clio), I would put a value of $30 for two on it. So it roughly a $60 savings (granted you could eat breakfast for much less).

Do me a favor...If you decide to stay at the Westin, let me know how you liked it. Have a great trip

The Westin has a pool and is my prefered choice. Some friends stayed in the Eliot last year. They chose it for the bigger rooms (suite) as there were 4 of them (inc 2 teenagers)and they specifically wanted a 'boutique' hotel.

They thought it was OK overall.

The restaurant in the Elliot has high ratings and the Westin hotel is more of a convention crowd. Both are excellent locations. From the Elliot you can stroll along the beautiful Charles River and the Public Garden and the Common. If you like malls, the Westin is a better choice nearer to Copley Place and Prudential Center. Market day should be on Fridays in Copley Square.

Something about those "Heavenly Beds" otherwise I'd be intrigued enough to stay at Eliot. If you go with Westin, do call ahead and ask for a high room with north view of river.

Thanks to everyone for the quick replies. Anyone else have anything else to add?

ttt

Babs, I can tell you about the suite. In fact, each time our package special was in a suite (is yours?).

The bedroom is separated with french doors. A tv in both the bedroom and sitting room - which has a sofa(bed), chairs, tables, desk, etc. The decor is traditional English. The bathroom is a bit small but soaps and shampoos are top notch. There is a separate wet bar area by the entrance to the room.

The front desk has always been helpful. And as I said, we really love the area.

Elliot is almost across from Virgin's music store and the Berkee School of Music is on the Street with the performance center there. I recently went to Jane Birkin's wonderful show.
A few blocks down Boylston is the off street of Summer shack.(Dalton)

The Eliot is also right next door to the Harvard Club.

Thanks again. The reasons this has been such a difficult decision is based on the fact that our son and his(serious)girlfriend (we have not met) will be joining us for this weekend. Most of my decisions are based on providing a lovely weekend for all of us as we get acquainted.

Babs, the nice thing about the Eliot then, would be the ability to sit in the "living room" area of the suite. You can close off the bedroom and have a comfortable place to sit together. The lounge, which is connected to Clio, is also small and intimate.

Whatever you chose, have a lovely time. Good luck

I'd go with the Westin for the location (best, it's connected to Copley Place and the Prudential Center, so if it's swealtering outdoors, you can dine, shop, etc., without having to go outside) and those beds.

As for parking, you can likely park your car yourself for significantly less per night that valet parking (in the very same garage) - call and ask about that, they'll tell you.

If you'll be there over a weekend, head for any garage in the financial district (the one at Post Office Square, for example), where you can park for the entire weekend for much less than one night at the Westin (because the financial district is nearly deserted weekends). If there are others with you, drop them and your bags at the Westin, then go park the car, then take the "T" or a taxi back to the Westin.

I, personally, highly regard reviews on TripAdvisor in the overall. And, I've heard wildly mixed reviews about the restaurant within the Eliot as well. For example, when they refused to serve a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert to a large party with several children, when according to the dessert menu several offerings were accompanied by "home-made vanilla ice cream". Go figure.

I doubt that happened. They are very accommadating.

Cig, maybe yes, maybe no. I only believe my first hand experience. Never as I read or as told to.

Thanks again, everyone. I've gone ahead and made reservations at the Westin, but I continue to want to hear comments, as I can always change. The wonderful Windsor Court in New Orleans is one of our favorite hotels and the suite/rooms look very similar at the Eliot. I guess that is the reason I'm drawn to the Eliot. I have noticed that the reviews here on Fodors are also pretty severe when it comes to the Eliot. Has anyone read those? I sometimes think the fantastic reviews may be a 'plant', but for someone to take the time to write a harsh review makes me very cautious.

Gee Babs, I not really sure how to respond to your post! I have read many positive reviews about the Eliot not only on Fodors but on TripAdvisor (has it ever occured to you that some of the same people post on both?).

After people have spent time giving you feedback on the Eliot, you have decided to label those who have helped you as "plants" -- well, thanks a bunch. I can assure you I have no vested interest in the Eliot.

You asked about the hotel -- not about dining at Clio (other than breakfast).

I could give a rats a** where you stay -- if you prefer a cookie cutter hotel such as the Westin, that's your right. I can tell you this, I have stayed at the Marriott many times (attached to the same mall as the Westin) and could continue to stay there for free on rewards points, but I much prefer the feel of the Eliot or Lenox. To each their own, fine. But something is seriously off if you believe that people who take the time to share their positive experiences with you are anything other than sincere.

seetheworld: I certainly didn't mean to ruffle your feathers. I appreciated your comments. However, I was refering to the reviews (you know - in the 'Hotel' section of Fodors, where people rate a hotel). There is a big difference between this discussion and rated reviews, whether they are on Fodors or Trip Advisor or any other site. And furthermore, I doubt that I'm the first person to ever be skeptical when someone enters a rating that is superb in every way, when several others have had problems. That goes for the Eliot, Westin or any other establishment! I certainly didn't say anything unkind to you, and I think you're just alittle out of line in your reply to me.

Yes, my feathers were ruffled. Thank you for your clarification. I'm sorry.