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Jasmine
Birtles
loves the Colonnade
Hotel in Boston, USA
I’m definitely going
back to the Colonnade hotel. I love the area it’s
in – Boston’s posh Back Bay area where all the
best shops are (including, now, the new Apple store which
has opened at nearby Newbury Street) and the hotel is so
comfortable and convenient.
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The
37-year-old hotel has been a Boston landmark for years
but its reputation started to slide a few years ago.
However, after an $20 million renovation it has made
a fantastic comeback. It’s a hotel that has
been designed with the comfort of guests in mind (not
all hotels seem to have that aim) and it has even
been redesigned with environmentally-friendly aspects. |
The
lobby is impressive, the Brasserie serves fantastic
breakfasts (I’d go back just for the enormous
breakfast pancakes!) and the rooms are very comfortable.
I was particularly impressed by the bed in my room
– apparently they’re custom pillow-top
beds and if I could get one in Britain I would like
a shot. |
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The
rooms have some thoughtful touches too: a nice dining-table
that doubles up as a worktable (those hotel room desks
are usually so uncomfortable), Japanes-sounding mood
music which is very relaxing and there are plugs everywhere.
The coffee-maker took a moment to get used to. It’s
one of those high-tec things that creates the coffee
or tea in its own magical way – don’t
ask me how but it did it well. |
The
hotel manager is also committed to environmentally-friendly
practices. Part of the remodel included installing energy-saving
climate-controlled heating and ventilating systems in
the rooms. Also, the cleaners use a cleaning system that
is non-toxic.
But the really big reason I want to go back to the hotel
is that I missed out on trying out the new rooftop pool.
From the end of May to the 1st September the pool is open
to guests and visitors (visitors have to pay $30 a day
to be there) and sadly I visited outside of that time.
The pool has just opened and, as well as the chance to
swim in the open air, it offers guests fantastic views
over an historic part of the city, alfresco dining and
a poolside bar. I can’t wait to try it out!
If you would like the facilities of a hotel but prefer
apartment living they have Colonnade Residences next to
the hotel, connected to the hotel by a skywalk. Residents
can use the hotel sports facilities (including its fitness
centre), its lounge and brasserie.
The Colonnade is perfect for anyone interested in making
the most out of the US dollar in the many upmarket and
bargain basement shops in the area. For businesspeople
it’s not the closest hotel to the financial district
but it’s just a few stops on the T (there’s
one right outside the hotel) or a £5 dollar taxi
ride. The only major drawback of the place to my mind
was the paid-for WiFi. It always annoys me when I have
to pay for WiFi and at the Colonnade it is a fairly standard
$13.95 for 24 hours. Otherwise, though, a definite ‘must-visit’
for anyone serious about doing business in Boston.
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