We booked this room on priceline for $129. The listed price on Fairmont.com was $260+ a night. $129 was not bad for a great location as it is across the street from to Copley Place and the Prudential Center.

Parking in the area is an experience. We arrived late on a Saturday, so I was able to park on the street at a meter, and they don't require to be fed on Sunday. If you can't find a metered spot park in a garage youself and walk a block, there are several in the area that cost around $20 for a night. Otherwise, the hotel charges around $30-$40 plus tip, and they'll take it to the same garage!

I found our room to be old and somewhat outdated. There was a mousetrap behind the entertainment center (never good to know one is needed). The bathrooms were newer but the paint and tile job were not "crisp" as you might expect in a top tier hotel. This is probably not the right place to stay if you are travelling on business as there is a lack of electrical outlets. The bed was adequate, but not up to the Westin/Starwood heavenly bed levels that should be standard for a room in the $300 range. Overall, the room was o.k. for the price, and the location is hard to beat. I just would not have wanted to pay the $250 + tax and parking rate.

It is still one of the grand dames of Boston and the
hotel's Gold Floor offers incredible, personalized
service as well as great food and drinks all day long.
The location is perfect -- within walking distance
of the Copley Plaza Mall and still within easy
reach of Newbury Street.

I went to Boston on a college tour and the location was excellent. It is convenient to the metro, two blocks from the train station, and within walking distance from Quincy Market. Couldn't be better. Hotel is traditional. Service is very good. Only downside is fitness room. They should upgrade their equipment.

Normally, I would not stay at hotel this ridiculously expensive ($350+taxes) but since it was for work, everything else was booked, and the boss pre-approved the expense there I was checking into one of the nicest hotels in Boston.

The hotel is gorgeous, rooms spotless and elegant without being overly gaudy. Lobby had plenty of seating for quick meetings or private calls. The bar soap/shampoo was top of the line! (With airline “carry on” baggage rules it’s just easier NOT to pack those items and use the hotel offerings for these over night trips.) Being a young business traveler, and looking younger, the staff was a bit more relaxed with the formalities. The kindly noted that I dislike being referred to by my last name.

I'm giving this a 5 star review b/c it deserves it. But I will note a few odd things that could have really annoyed some guests paying out of pocket. First, as I was washing my hands in the bathroom sink the water kept filling up. Apparently, the stopper came off from the hinge in the down position. I had to go under the sink and push it up. Second, the bedside clock (which was an iPod/mp3 docking and charging station!) was set to the wrong time. For the life of me, I couldn’t figure out how to change the time! I got back to my room so late I just wanted to sleep in the compfy king size bed, so I used my blackberry for the clock during the night and requested a wake up call.

For a business traveler this is a very comfortable hotel. Laptop/internet hook-ups in the room. But for all the money you spend (as a tourist) there is no free business center to check emails or even a free cup of coffee in the morning. You’re paying for ambiance…and you’re getting it. But you’ll also pay for everything else. (Except the complimentary NY Times left at your door in the morning!)

Note: I did have a friend lucky enough to get this hotel on Hotwire over the summer for an amazing deal!