We are always skeptical using priceline, especially in expensive Boston, but we were pleasantly surprised with the Fairmont Copley Plaza.

The Fairmont is everything you want Boston to be, steeped in tradition, yet totally comfortable and inviting. The location is perfect, right next to Newbury Street, a multitude of shopping at Copley Plaza, and a short stroll to a toasty Starbucks. One warning, when walking by the John Hancock Tower (the tall glass buliding) beware of the extreme winds.

Back to the hotel...very nice room details, comfy bed, great bathroom.

I have two issues that must be discussed:

1.) The heating system...we could not turn it off. We were in a room with a fantastic view, but the windows would not open. The front desk quickly mitigating this with a fan. Annoyance gone!

2.) I hate when expensive hotels nickel and dime you....a bottle of water for $5?? Give me a break. Run next door to CVS and pick up some Poland Springs for $.99.

After browsing the reviews here, we decided to book a Gold Signature room at the Fairmont Copley Plaza for our 5 night stay in Boston in mid December and we were certainly not disappointed. As we had a long flight from Australia to Boston, we decided to arrange for a car to meet us at the airport. I called the hotel concierge a week before to arrange this and the driver was there to meet our late night flight which was most welcome after our very long day of travelling.

The hotel was really well located for a tourist in Boston. Many attractions are within walking distance, a subway station is across the street and the Amtrak rail station is a couple of blocks away. We hired a car from Avis when we left Boston and it was also walking distance near the Amtrak station.

The hotel is a beautiful historic building - only 6 0r 7 storeys high - with lots of ambiance. It reminded us of the Willard Hotel in Washington DC, where we have stayed previously. The rooms have all been renovated but still have that classic style rather than a modern look. Our room was a good size and the King bed was extremely comfortable. We slept very soundly during our stay. The Fairmont Gold concept is excellent. The whole of the 4th Floor is devoted to Fairmont Gold rooms and the dedicated concierge, lounge and breakfast room is based at one corner near the elevators. We had a room facing Copley Square which provided excellent views. The windows are double glazed, so it was very quiet.

While the cost of the Gold rooms is more than the normal guest rooms, the inclusions make up for the difference. For example, the buffet breakfast with waiter service is free, the internet is free, overnight shoe shine is free and you have access to a large lounge area with an open fire, newspapers, games etc. The breakfast was excellent and it was very easy to walk from your room to the lounge area each morning. The Gold staff was delightful, friendly, personal and extremely helpful. For example, we locked our selves out of our room one morning and they prepared two more keys while we had breakfast, wrapping them in a huge red ribbon so we wouldn't miss them. The concierge even remembered our room number.

Our experience at the Fairmont Copley Plaza was wonderful and really made our visit to Boston an enjoyable one. We would certainly recommend the hotel to anyone looking for a 4/5 star experience in Boston. We got an excellent rate online at the hotel's website and felt the rate was very good value when considering all the inclusions.

I loved staying in this hotel. I was booked here purely by accident for the final night of a week-long business trip to Boston, and loved it. The service was top-notch, the room was plush, and the amenities left nothing to be desired. I would stay here again under any circumstances. I loved the room's decor and layout; the bathroom was stunningly designed (I even took photos for inspiration in my own home), and of course the hotel itself is remarkable to behold. The location is certainly convenient to many Boston attractions, such as the Public Garden. Great hotel.

On approach to this hotel i wasnt really impressed by the exterior . While fine it just didn't seem to live up to the pictures I'd seen on the hotel website.

Well the old phrase, never judge a book by its cover was never more appropiate.

On entering we were ushered in by tradionally uniformed doormen to a beautiful lobby and checked in. Our room wasnt ready and was asked to wait in the Oak Bar. Thirty inutes later i enquired if it was ready yet and they were extremely appologetic as it was not and handed me a token for free drinks.

This was no hardship as the Oak Bar was beautifully resting with oak panneling and tradionally furnished in a gentleman club type manner or in a very tradional London hotel style manner.

We were to spend a few evenings there and found it to be both vibrant with a classy air and popular with Bostonians. The cocktails may appear expensive but they are large and strong.

In the lobby we noticed a black dog a labarodor i think and was informed that it was the hotel mascot called Catie Copley. Well i want that job as she was rubbed and loved by everyone and when not being cooed over she was asleep in her kennel.....a fantastic mascot.

The room was ok, a mini suite but as it was on the inside overlooking a roof it seemed dark. The hotel has been renovated recently and though you knew that, the decorating seemed a little sombre. But the comfort and quality could not be faulted. I was a little disappointed that the internet wasnt free as in many American hotels but it wasnt as expensive as some European ones.

We didn't dine in the hotel, but brunch was fantastic and the Oak Room was as classy as the Bar.

The location of the hotel was fantastic close to many of Bostons sights and within walking distance of the city centre. If you are a shopper then there were two malls close by and of course Newbury Street which even with the £/$ rate in your favour will give your credit card/wallet a severe going over.

The staff were attentive personable and above all professional.

I would high recommend this hotel as a bastion of tranquility over and above the, seen it a million times sameness of the big chains