Where to Stay - Boston 2009 - page 79

you don't have to be a movie star for the staff to treat you like one. The luxurious hotel
opened in 2001 and underwent $11 million in renovations in 2007. The good-size
guest rooms and huge suites feel more residential than commercial, with indulgent
amenities such as luxury linens and feather duvets. Bathrooms are large, with a sepa-
rate tub and shower. Rooms occupy the top four floors of the 12-story building; pub-
lic spaces are at street level. You'll pay more for a room with a view of the Common.
This neighborhood is convenient but not as attractive as the Back Bay, home of the
Ritz's chief rival, the Four Seasons.
10 Avery St. (between Tremont and Washington sts.), Boston, MA 02111. & 800/241-3333 or 617/574-7100. Fax
617/574-7200. www.ritzcarlton.com. 193 units. From $395 double; from $495 Club Level or suite. Weekend, family,
and other packages available. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $37. T: Green Line to Boylston. Pets accepted.
Amenities: Restaurant (contemporary American); bar; lounge; access ($20/day) to adjoining Sports Club/LA
(100,000-sq.-ft. facility w/lap pool, complete spa services, salon, regulation basketball court, 10,000-sq.-ft. weight
room, steam rooms, saunas, 5 exercise studios, and 4 squash courts); concierge; courtesy car; airport shuttle; business
center; 24-hr. room service; in-room massage; babysitting; laundry service; same-day dry cleaning; club-level rooms;
rooms for those w/limited mobility. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, high-speed and wireless Internet access ($10/day),
minibar, hair dryer, iron, safe.
EXPENSIVE
Radisson Hotel Boston Popular with business travelers, tour groups, and vaca-
tioners, this is an attractive hotel in a less-than-attractive neighborhood. The Theater
District is convenient to both the Back Bay and downtown, and this would be a prime
property anywhere. The Radisson's guest rooms are among the largest in the city, and
each has a private balcony with great views from the higher floors. Rooms hold a king
or two queen Sleep Number beds and enough space for a sitting area. The best units
are the executive-level rooms on the higher floors of the 24-story building. On the
premises are the Stuart Street Playhouse ( & 617/426-4499; www.stuartstreet
playhouse.com), a small theater that stages one-person and cabaret shows, and a sea-
sonal golf school and practice facility ( & 617/457-2699; www.healthybodies.org/
golf_school.html).
200 Stuart St. (at Charles St. S.), Boston, MA 02116. & 800/333-3333 or 617/482-1800. Fax [phone]. www.
radisson.com/bostonma. 356 units, some with shower only. $159-$359 double. Extra person $20. Cot $20. Cribs free.
Children under 18 stay free in parent's room. Weekend, theater, and other packages available. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V.
Valet parking $30; self-parking $28. T: Green Line to Boylston or Orange Line to New England Medical Center. Ameni-
ties: 2 restaurants (cafe, Mediterranean bistro); indoor pool; exercise room; concierge; business center; room service
until 11pm; in-room massage; babysitting; laundry service; same-day dry cleaning; executive-level rooms; rooms for
those w/limited mobility. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, high-speed Internet access, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.
MODERATE
Doubletree Hotel Boston Downtown The Doubletree is conveniently
located in Chinatown, within easy walking distance of both downtown and the Back
Bay, and a better deal than most competitors in either of those neighborhoods. The
six-story building is a former high school with high ceilings and compact, well-
designed rooms. Ask for one of the units facing away from busy Washington Street;
these have views of a cityscape rather than Tufts Medical Center, across the street. Nice
details include Asian touches in the contemporary decor and features such as a fish
tank in the lobby, installed in accordance with the principles of feng shui. Don't con-
fuse this hotel with its all-suite corporate sibling near Cambridge (p. 92). This Dou-
bletree adjoins the Wang YMCA of Chinatown, and room rates include access to its
extensive facilities.

Value