When planning to go to a writer’s convention in Boston, I started scouring places online to find the best deal, being the tight wad that I am. This time it turned out that Orbitz had a very nice rate for the AmeriSuites in the Medford area of Boston. This room was listed at $140 and up everywhere else, but I got it for $94 plus tax. Score!
The first thing that impressed me about this AmeriSuites was the night clerk (night auditor perhaps?) Steve. I drove up from Richmond, VA and had planned to get a cheapo hotel about half way then continue into Boston Saturday night. Well, there were no rooms available anywhere for under $150 on the way due to Prince and a few other big name concerts that weekend. About 4:00 AM I gave up and decided to just go on in to Boston, so I called AmeriSuites to see if they would be able to accommodate me. Steve answered and I can’t emphasize enough how impressed I am with his customer service skills. He told me to come on in and he’d take care it. I arrived at 6AM and he called it an early check-in rather than jack me for an extra night. Steve needs a raise.
The lobby is huge. There is a little sitting area with a couch and two comfy chairs in a U shape with a coffee table for chit chatting or waiting for your guests, and then a nice big area with numerous tables for their free breakfast buffet each morning. I didn’t eat it, being the type that just can’t face food until I’ve been awake at least 3 hours, but my daughter took full advantage and loved it once she arrived. They had a very nice variety of egg dishes, breakfast meats, rolls, etc… but what she liked the best was the make-your-own Belgian Waffles.
There is a heated pool just down the hall from the lobby, which we didn’t have a chance to check out, but our friend Mary also chose this hotel for the conference and she says the pool is very nice indeed. No lifeguard, but clean and heated to a comfortable temperature.
Parking is free and ample. Having a Handicap thingy, I parked right outside the front doors, but there is a parking lot out back, and a covered garage underneath which requires a room key to get into, so it’s fairly secure.
Now to the room…nice. I booked a suite with two double beds. These were together in the bedroom, which was separated from the living room by a wall that had an opening rather than a door. This made it semi-private, but not totally. There was only one nightstand situated in between the two beds, but we made due.
The living room had a pullout sofa and two chairs with a coffee table and an end table on either side of the couch. Another writer used the pull out that night and had no complaints… but he was slightly inebriated so you better take Mary’s word that this pull out is lumpy.
Off the living room is a nice sized desk with two chairs for either eating or, as in our case, setting up your laptop. They offer free high-speed Internet access either via modem or wireless so no matter what your set up is, you’re in business. We used it to death and had no lag issues whatsoever. Logging into their system couldn’t be easier.
Next to that is the kitchenette with a microwave, sink, and refrigerator. While the fridge is not full size, it is large enough to hold quite a bit. The cupboards have plates, cups, etc. The coffee maker is your standard small 4-cup size and coffee is provided. If you run out of cream, sugar, whatever there is a ton more in the lobby so grab as much as you like. You can also grab various teas and hot chocolate packets to take back up to your room.
The bathroom is small but adequate, with the vanity area being separate which is how it should be everywhere. My one gripe is that the water pressure was a bit low for my liking, but there was plenty of hot water. They do provide a blow dryer in the vanity area. They also had two bars of soap and a bottle of shampoo in the room. There is a sign on the dresser saying that they have pretty much anything you might need at the front desk though as far as toiletry items like toothpaste and what have you.
What have I missed here… they do have an exercise room that I did not seek out. The soda machines are on all odd-numbered floors. They are handicap-accessible. They do offer a fax service. Local calls… see now here it was confusing. In the guest packet in the room it stated these were free, but on a card by the phone it said they were 50 cents each. I meant to ask about this discrepancy but forgot. DOH!
Oh yes, this AmeriSuites does have a shuttle service which is on-demand to the local T station. When you need a ride back to the hotel you need to call them and let them know. This shuttle will take you anywhere within a 5 mile radius so if you want to go shop or dine out, there is no need to fight traffic. This is about 15 minutes out of downtown Boston but we could see the skyline quite clearly from our room and it’s easily accessible via the T (Boston’s subway system).
Also, right outside the hotel is a quaint little area full of restaurants and shops, which we strolled down in search of an ATM (there isn’t one at the hotel). We found 2 banks within about 3 blocks along with tons of shops I was dying to go into. Heh. There’s also a Korean BBQ place right there that smelled heavenly.
While Mary had trouble with the day staff knowing directions, Steve is a fountain of info and you just cannot stump that guy… I tried. So get your directions at night while he’s there and you’ll be ok. I must say that all the staff was very friendly the whole stay, always smiling and eager to try to help out. I never once felt like I was putting them out at all.
So, AmeriSuites Boston Medford gets a full 5 stars from me and I will check out their hotels on my future trips to see if I can finagle a good deal. I am very pleased with this hotel.
116 Riverside Avenue, NE
Medford, MA 02155
Tel: (781) 395-8500
Fax: (781) 395-0077
