swissotel boston
May 4th, 2001, 11:42 AM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
I haven't stayed there recently, but I did go there about 5 years ago. I think it was over-priced. Nice lobby, standard rooms. No, it's not the best area, but it's convenient. You just have to walk a couple of blocks to get into a better area. Not too bad. How about the Marriott Longwharf or the Omni Parker House?
May 4th, 2001, 12:22 PM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Dan,
The Swissotel is nice enough, geared toward business travelers, but is located smack in the middle of the old "combat zone." In its heyday, the Zone was a haven of porn shops, prostitutes, theaters and book stores, but is now pretty much almost gone. The neighborhood remains a little shady, however. The Omni Parker House, which is located on School Street, at the other end of Washington Street, is nicer. May I also suggest the Wyndham, which is located on Batterymarch Street right in the Financial District, but walking distance to Downtown.
Hope this helps.
The Swissotel is nice enough, geared toward business travelers, but is located smack in the middle of the old "combat zone." In its heyday, the Zone was a haven of porn shops, prostitutes, theaters and book stores, but is now pretty much almost gone. The neighborhood remains a little shady, however. The Omni Parker House, which is located on School Street, at the other end of Washington Street, is nicer. May I also suggest the Wyndham, which is located on Batterymarch Street right in the Financial District, but walking distance to Downtown.
Hope this helps.
May 4th, 2001, 12:33 PM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Dan,
My wife and I stayed recently at the Swissotel in Boston. We thought the rooms were great, and the hotel was very nice. Staff was exceptionally friendly. The area, however, is a little bit run down. I never really felt unsafe, but we certainly didn't waste any time walking back from the subway (about 1/4 mile away)at night. Lots of shopping (Bloomingdales, Filine's Basement, I think) w/i 1/4 as well. We used www.priceline.com and got rooms there for about $80 per night, so I really can't complain. The hotel is very close to both Chinatown and the Boston Common. Hopes this help some.
Duane
My wife and I stayed recently at the Swissotel in Boston. We thought the rooms were great, and the hotel was very nice. Staff was exceptionally friendly. The area, however, is a little bit run down. I never really felt unsafe, but we certainly didn't waste any time walking back from the subway (about 1/4 mile away)at night. Lots of shopping (Bloomingdales, Filine's Basement, I think) w/i 1/4 as well. We used www.priceline.com and got rooms there for about $80 per night, so I really can't complain. The hotel is very close to both Chinatown and the Boston Common. Hopes this help some.
Duane
May 8th, 2001, 07:44 AM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
We stayed at the Swissotel in April when we were there for the Boston Marathon. Although the hotel is not in the best area of town, we loved the hotel and the staff and would stay there again if we go back to Boston. The concierge's desk was especially helpful and the whole staff was very friendly. It is a comfortable walking distance to many sites.
May 24th, 2001, 08:31 AM
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
will be arriving in boston by plane and do not plan to rent a car. is swiss hotel near attractions. if not, is transportation available? approx how much would a cab cost? all the questions because i'm undecided whether to stay in a more expensive hotel near attractions, or save the money, stay in a less fancy hotel and pay for a cab to where what we want to see.
May 24th, 2001, 08:45 AM
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Joe, the Swisshotel is centrally located, and Boston is a very compact walkable city. You definitely won't need a car. The problem with this hotel is that it is on the fringe of the 'combat zone', Boston's seedy porno area. The combat zone is much smaller and less dangerous than it used to be, but still not the most pleasant area. However, just a few blocks from the hotel is the Boston Common, and some very nice areas. If it were me, I would stay somewhere else, but I know others who were very happy with the Swisshotel.
May 25th, 2001, 06:14 PM
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
I will go one further - DO NOT EVER rent a car if you are coming to Boston as a tourist. First, Boston's streets were laid out in the early 1600s (long before cars were even a glimmer in Henry Ford's ancestors' eyes) and you will get hopelessly frustrated trying to drive here. Second, Boston is really small and compact and it's easy to walk from end to end - so much so that a car is somewhat of a liability. Third, Boston has excellent (and cheap) public transportation which will satisfy all your tourist needs. Unless part of your stay involves leaving town (outlying parts of the metro area, or visits to places like Plymouth), I wouldn't even consider a car.
NOW, about the Swissotel. I cannot attest to the quality of the hotel (being a local I have no need to stay at a hotel one mile from my apartment), however, the location is not the best nor the worst. In a few years, its location will be awesome (a new Ritz Carlton is going up across the street, The Boston Opera House seems to be on the verge of a much needed renovation, and there are shopping, theatres and the T are all nearby). The hotel is near what used to be called the Combat Zone which other posters have described with some accuracy. There are some (maybe 2 or 3) seedy establishments left, but more "legit" businesses are starting to go into the area. Regardless, even at the Zone's worst, Boston is so small that it you turned right outside your hotel door (as opposed to left) and walked one block, you wouldn't even know that the Combat Zone existed.
Boston isn't like anyplace else I have ever lived (in a good way); there's a lot of street activity, so regardless of your hotel's location you will feel and (more importantly) be safe.
Have a great visit!!
NOW, about the Swissotel. I cannot attest to the quality of the hotel (being a local I have no need to stay at a hotel one mile from my apartment), however, the location is not the best nor the worst. In a few years, its location will be awesome (a new Ritz Carlton is going up across the street, The Boston Opera House seems to be on the verge of a much needed renovation, and there are shopping, theatres and the T are all nearby). The hotel is near what used to be called the Combat Zone which other posters have described with some accuracy. There are some (maybe 2 or 3) seedy establishments left, but more "legit" businesses are starting to go into the area. Regardless, even at the Zone's worst, Boston is so small that it you turned right outside your hotel door (as opposed to left) and walked one block, you wouldn't even know that the Combat Zone existed.
Boston isn't like anyplace else I have ever lived (in a good way); there's a lot of street activity, so regardless of your hotel's location you will feel and (more importantly) be safe.
Have a great visit!!
