THE AREA

On Saturday night my business brought me back to Boston. The week before I stayed at a Double Tree in the Theatre district. The heart of Boston is not really that large. The Four Seasons is still just a nice walk from there.

This area where the Four Seasons is, is a bit more upscale. The hotel is just across the street from the lovely Public Gardens. Do take an early morning or early evening stroll there. It is quite beautiful!

Nearby are two other fine hotels. The Park Plaza is very close by literally around the corner, and the Ritz Carlton also borders the park just a couple of blocks away. The area is filled with upscale stores in between. The lingerie in the window of LA PERLA just across the street from the hotel certainly caught my eye. No, not for me personally. I don't look good the blacks and pinks.

Just a block or two away you will also find many open air coffee shops to sit and enjoy part of the day. Unfortunately it was quite windy on Saturday. Most of the coffee business was indoors. There is also a nearby subway station. you are also just a block or so away from the Boston Common

THE HOTEL ENTRANCE

Now I was there for business. I do not know if I would otherwise be attracted to this hotel.The hotel itself on the outside is of very plain design made of red brick. It is totally unassuming. Except for a valet sign near the entrance you may not know you are in front of a grand hotel. The hotel is still rather new at less than twenty years old.

If you happen to be driving to the hotel you will find yourself on Boyleston Street. It is one way. Be sure to be on the right hand side of the road,(opposite the park). There is an island in the middle of the road. If you are on the wrong side of it you will miss the hotel and you will have to circle the block again.

The outside entrance area is not that large. It is a bit dark, it has some statues and busts in front and all is directed toward to beautiful brass revolving door inside. The area is full of attendants who will be at your car door in a flash.

Having to use the hotel for my work I did not use the front entrance for my equipment. I did, however, take notice as to the service there. My review will be noting things that the casual visitor may not notice. This will be mostly about the service for a Bar Mitzvah I was working. It was a large affair of one hundred seventy five adults and about fifty thirteen year olds. This all took place on the second floor in their large ballroom.

I was for the most part overseeing my end of the party. That gave me a some freedom to roam around and see how things were run.

THE CATERING STAFF

Those on the catering end of things were very attentive to all the clients wishes. They had staff in every room working and preparing. Before the tables were set every pre-washed glass was taken out of the bins, wiped with a clean cloth and inspected in the light for spots before being placed at its setting. This ritual was repeated with the silver and china.

Before the event started the crew had a walk through inspecting every room being used. All the help were at their stations. Not only were the rooms checked but the staff also. They had to be very neatly dress and standing tall. I noticed they had a good amount of Hispanic help. They were English speaking. They must have gotten these people from some model agencies. They were very good looking with a distinguished air about them. All seemed to pass inspection easily.

Now I must note that some form of walk through is done before most affairs but this place was run like a military camp. Everything was scrutinized. To chairs were pulled from tables due to slight staining on them.

GUESTS ARRIVE

Back to the entrance. As the guests arrived the valet service was quick to take the cars. I will also mention that they were a bit hard on the gas as they would jocky there way through the underground tunnels with the cars. One BMW hit a bump and something flew off the car as the rear wheels landed. The driver continued on. This I noted in the delivery area, under the building that I used for some of my equipment. There is a thirty dollar overnight parking fee. Guests had their fees taken care of by the host of the party.

As the guests came in the main doors of the hotel they were steered in the direction of the ballroom. As you enter the hotel the check in area is straight ahead. When I used it the service was very quick and efficient. The concierge station right next to it was also staffed by very helpful people. I did notice that both people at that station were Europeans. One had a very strong German accent and the other English. When I first approached them with some questions they had a very Proper air to them. With a bit of humour they were quickly engaged in comfortable home style talk. I received the information I wanted about the nearby Freedom Trail. The hotel is very well situated for visiting all the historic sites in the area.

MY BUSINESS

I will take a moment to mention a bit about me, or is it (myself). I work many very upscale parties in my business. In NYC we regularly work the Plaza, the Pierre, the Waldorf, and all the top hotels. We also work in the finest restaurants like the Russian Tea Room, The Rainbow Room, and Terrace in the Park. I tell you this not to have you think that I am upscale myself. In fact I am far from it, and don't mind saying so. I sometime feel like I should be taking lessons from Sir Lawrence Olivier. "The rain in Spain lies mainly on the plain" now you try it Phil, "The rain in Spain lies mainly on the plain." Knowing this may give you a better perspective as to how I see, experience, and rate some of the services.

INSIDE THE LOBBY

The guests were given direction to the elevator banks just to the left of the check in desk. They could also continue to the grand staircase just beyond and walk up if they wished.

The lobby has an open and airy feel to it. All the walls and floors were made of a light coloured marble. Throughout the open area were antiques, large potted palms, and tables with huge floral arrangements. It was simple yet elegant.

I did not, however, like the layout of the lobby. For those going to an event I believe it proper for them to have an entrance dedicated to the affair. Walking into the lobby or riding on elevators with those just casually walking in and out of the hotel was not correct. After all this was a black tie event.

The stairs are quite grand. The fleur-de-lis printed carpeting and the dark wood railing complemented each other well. The first landing has a nice view of the Public Gardens through a very large glassed in area.

Across the lobby from the bottom of the stairs is a gift shop. I couldn't help but notice the way the fine pieces of china, silver, and crystal that sold for hundreds and yes thousands of dollars were displayed in glass displays just above the Rigleys Gum and Kit-Kats.

THE BRISTOL LOUNGE

Also on the ground floor off the lobby is one of the hotels two restaurants. This is the Bristol Lounge. It is a very nicely decorated place with windows out onto the park side of the building. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For dinner they had soup prices at $8.50. Soup and appetizers were from $10.00 to $20.00 and entrees were $26.00 to $31.00 dollars.

They did have some daily specials saving about five dollars a plate. Some of these were Rosemary Leg of lamb, Veal Schnitzel, Roast Prime Rib, and Cornbread Crusted Cod. They also have a good wine list and a vegetarian selection.

COCKTAIL HOUR

Once at the top of the stairs the guests were greeted and offered a glass of champagne, wine, or sparkling water. All were ushered into one of the two rooms ahead for the cocktail hour. One was for the adults. It was a large room with two Martini stations and one bar with traditional drinks. The other room was for the teens. It had snacks, soft drinks, and different kinds of events and give aways to help keep them occupied for the evening.

The adults also had a sushi bar that had three attendants making it up fresh. There were other foods also. All were well stocked and looked good.

Now many places at the stroke of the second hand at the end of the hour will quickly move all the food out of the room, seemingly right out from under the guests plates.

This establishment handled it differently. They had a gentleman walking around with a chime inviting all the guests to go into the main room. There was no big rush! The food stayed and was taken care of after all the guests were inside the main room.

This seemed so much more orderly and professional. Many places clear it right away because they must get it done by the help before they can start serving food. This place had plenty of help to cover everything. In fact when dishes of food were being brought in and out of the room some help stayed right in the room hovering over tables waiting for any call to help.

AUJOURD'HUI

The ballroom upstairs shared the level with one of, if not the finest restaurant in all of Boston. It is the Aujourd'hui. It is a AAA Five Diamond award winning fine dining Restaurant. It is also featured in Gourmet magazine as the Top Table and as the Best Wine List in Food and Wine magazine.

This place is also a bit expensive at twenty to thirty dollars for an appetizer or salad. Entrees are in the forty to fifty dollar price range. They did have a special. it's the Aujourd'hui Ultimate Dinner This includes a six course tasting menu with wines and featuring a Cognac toast. Yes. it does come with desert. This is just One hundred and thirty five dollars per person.

On the side they offered an Iranian Caviar served with iced Stolichnsys Gold. The Beluga(30 grams) was one hundred thirty five dollars. I thought this was a rip off considering I could get it in the Bristol Lounge downstairs for only one hundred and five dollars. Now try again Phil "The rain in Spain lies mainly on ........"

A very fine wine list is available featuring American wines and others from around the world.

The restaurant was quite gorgeous and handsome at the same time. It had paneled oak walls with large palms and oil paintings. It overlooks the Public Gardens. It seats a little over one hundred people. The place also has two other private dining areas that will both seat sixteen people. About ten tables were in use. Service staff was always poised nearby each table at the ready.

Jackets are recommended for gentleman. Ties are optional. Reservations with a credit card are recommended and there is a twenty four hour reservation cancellation policy.

OTHER OPTIONS

For the more frugal there is a Burger King just a few blocks away. Don't forget Ben and Jerry's. It's right behind the hotel. There are many restaurants throughout the area. Two that looked particularly inviting were Milano's Kitchen and Cafe de Paris.

OFF TO THE ROOMS

The affair in the main ballroom went off flawlessly. All the guests picked up their coats at the coat check on the second floor. Each guest received a box of hot Crispy Cream Donuts to have with coffee in the morning. I wonder how many donuts actually made it home that night?

Some people took the stairs down while others took the elevator. Some were staying in the hotel itself for the night. The rooms, standard and deluxe, all have a desk. The rooms were not all that large but were quite adequate in their storage space. The closet was of a good size and had a safe, iron, and board. Same day valet service is available there. I had a king bed that was comfortable. The room also has some fine looking furnishings,paintings on the walls, a TV with movies, and an over priced mini bar. Every room offers high speed internet service and two telephone lines. This is perfect for those on business who have to stay in touch.

THE BATH

The bathroom was larger comparatively speaking. It was all done in marble. There was a bath with shower head. The room had two bath robes. I was only one on this trip. Counter top shampoos, rinse, hand lotions , and soaps, were all at hand. There was also a hair dryer.

THE VIEW

The rooms have different views. Ask what you are getting. Most of the inexpensive rooms in the three hundred to five hundred dollar price don't overlook the park. You see the courtyard or other buildings of the city. It certainly is not a terrible thing.

POOL AND SPA

There is a lap pool upstairs. The hotel offers the latest in state of the art gym equipment. If you are into jogging they will set you up with a jogging trail map, a water bottle, and towel. You can enjoy the spa's saunas and whirlpool too.

THE NEXT DAY

In the morning after a cup of coffee at a local Starbucks I looked around the hotel. It really is glorious in the light of day. While looking out the windows of the hotel in the morning I couldn't help but see three statues in the park. They are of two civil war figures and also General Tadeusz Kosciuszko of revolution fame. They gave the impression of keeping a watchful eye as to the comings and goings of the hotel.

Later I was able to see them more closely as I started on my venture to see some historic sites in the city. There is much to do within walking distance of this fine hotel. As I walked through the park I repeated over and over, "The rain in Spain lies ..................."








Recommended: Yes