The Hyatt Harborside may no longer be the newest hotel to land at Boston's Logan Airport, but it is still airworthy. Built in 1994, the hotel is still is good shape.

The Building

At 14 stories, I am surprised it was allowed to go this high without obstructing the flight patterns. Its dark red brick exterior is enlivened only by a rounded end and an exaggerated parapet, projecting just far enough to give the building a distinctive profile. As most airport hotels go, this is one of the better ones. Only the recent opening of the new Logan Airport Hilton has cast a long shadow over this much smaller hotel. For sheer convenience, the new Hilton has the edge. To get to the Hyatt, one has to take a shuttle or a taxi, instead of hopping onto a moving sidewalk.

Lobby

Once again, the lobby here trumps most of its brethren by being warmer than your average airport hotel lobby. This one could pass in almost any city with modest respectability. While it does not excite, it is fairly warm and inviting. The curving stairway and dark cherry paneling do a lot to improve an otherwise banal space. Large windows with stunning views of Boston Harbor don't hurt either. It sure beats looking at the Thrfty rental car lot (as at the old airport Hilton, recently demolished for a greater road system).

I stayed here while delayed for a flight to Nova Scotia. Air Nova's wind-up plane had a broken rubber band that day and I was left with an eight hour wait. I decided to check in here for the time being. Fortunately for me, the hotel offered half day rates, making this a very pleasant way to while away the time before boarding the tin can for Halifax.

Registration was swift and helpful and I was soon on my way to a spotless room on the eighth floor.

Note that while there are not many rooms here (only 270), the hotel has a lot of meeting space for its size--19,000 square feet of it. You may well run into a lot of small meetings here.

Rooms

When paying a half day rate, it does not really occur to me to ask for an upgrade, though I probably might have asked. For $80.00, I received a large, attractive room with a view of....the terminal. Believe me, the better views here face the harbor and you should waste no time in asking for one.

The room was large, spotless and filled with as much light as the sullen skies that day would allow. Two queen beds were waiting, though I only used them for a short nap after swimming. The round mirrors and deep blue walls were a different touch for an airport hotel, and the furniture was sleek and modern. The desk area was well thought out, with plenty of work space, data ports, and good lighting. The comfortable chairs by the window might have been more inviting had there been something to look at besides the tails of airplanes.

Closet space here is plentiful and the hangers are real. They get points for this.

Bath

Exceptionally nice bathrooms are filled with standard amenities, yet are somehow very pleasant. I don't know if it was the lighting or quite what, but the baths were welcoming. Lots of towels too. Of course, the usual hair dryer and lighted mirror were here, but there was a second basin as well. A nice dressing area added to the sense of spaciousness.

Dining

I had only a light lunch at the bar, the Midships Lounge, just next to the lobby. The setting was really not bad for an airport hotel. The view of the harbor here is spectacular. I wish I could say the same for the food. It was....well, acceptable. Don't go here for a culinary adventure. Go here for the view.

For the same reason, I might avoid the Harborside Grill, though it appeared inviting. Having sampled unexciting food in the lounge, I would not expect their chef to be up to much, even in the more elegant setting. The dining room does, however, have a nice crisp appearance. Possibly worth it on someone else's expense account.

Pool and Recreation

The angry skies outside made me appreciate the indoor pool all the more. While not a pool for serious immersion, it works admirably well for lap swimming. As it is at the airport, the chance of your finding it filled with rubber duckies and rafts is also very low. The whirlpool is large and relatively hot. Also uncrowded.

A remarkably good fitness room is just next door. Exercise bikes, freeweights, Cybex weight equipment to use until it hurts...all of this is waiting just a few short minutes from Terminal B.

Service

The staff here are friendly, if slightly distant. It is, after all, an airport hotel, and I am sure they see their share of airline crews. On the whole, they do an admirable job here.

Getting There

There are shuttles to the hotel from the airport, but they run infrequently. The shuttle will also take you to the airport T station (Boston's subway and transit system). A taxi may be a more reliable option. The water shuttle runs directly to Rowe's Wharf in Boston's Financial District, just a 7 minute ride across the Harbor.

Rates

The rate I paid was a special half day rate, and also probably had something to do with my working for a hotel. Still, do ask them about special rates. The rack rates are nothing to sneeze at...$230.00-$435.00. Ridiculous. The airlines don't pay these prices, and why should you? Ask for a discount and you will probably get one. Half-day rates are currently $125.00, subject to availability.


Hyatt Harborside

101 Harborside Drive
Logan International Airport
Boston, MA 02128

Tel. 617-568-1234

Toll free 800-228-9000 or 233-1234



Recommended: Yes