Returned today from three days at the Charlesmark. After the hotel in New York (Radio City Apartments), this was so much nicer. Free breakfast, coffee/tea and water all day, free internet access. The rooms are small but well equipped, beds very comfortable and everyone is so pleasant. We were the oldest people there, but didn't feel at all out of place. Our last day, we sat on the terrace drinking wine and eating wonderful Thai food from the adjoining restaurant. The area is perfect for the best shopping in Newbury Street and Neiman Marcus/Saks/Lord and Tailor are close by . The Hotel is adjacent to the T which will take you anywhere in town. Don't miss the JFK Library.

I spent three nights at the Charlesmark and agree with many of the previous reviewers: the location and price can't be beat.

The main purpose of my trip to Boston was shopping, and the location of the Charlesmark in the Back Bay neighborhood, just a block off Newbury and close to Copley Place, was ideal. Additionally, the T stop just down the street made getting around the rest of the city very easy. The price was also at least $100 cheaper than anything else I was able to find in the neighborhood.

Other reviewers have raved about the friendly and attentive staff, but unfortunately this was not my experience. I arrived a couple hours before the check-in time, and my room was not yet ready, which I was expecting. I think the guy manning the desk was the same another review described as indifferent, and I agree; he wasn't exactly rude, but he also wasn't very helpful. Anyway, when I came back later close to the official check-in time, my room was ready, and my bags had already been brought up. By then, someone new was at the desk to actually check me in, and she was much more pleasant but still did not give me any information about the room, hotel, etc. For example, had I not read here that breakfast was provided in the lobby, I never would have known, as she didn't tell me and nothing in the "Guest Information" in the room mentioned it (and it was served in the upper lobby, tucked away from the elevator and flow of traffic). I overheard another guest checking in later during my stay, and she got a full spiel about breakfast, internet, etc. Also, during my four-day stay, I could hardly get anyone at the desk to look up, much less say hello, during my various comings and goings.

I had a room on the sixth floor, and the view out the big windows was actually quite nice. The room was quite small by American standards but perfect for my needs (and not unexpected after reading previous reviews here). The DirectTV and radio were nice, as was the complimentary water.

Overall, though, the room I had could use some TLC. The carpet in the bedroom was loose along one wall, especially outside the bathroom door, and caused me to catch my toe a time or two. A light bulb was out in the bathroom (and was not replaced during my stay), and a dial on the wall that I assume was volume control for the sound system didn't work. The room had a cordless phone, but the battery in the handset needed replacement, meaning all calls had to be quick to avoid being cut off when the battery died. The hotel also had free wireless internet access, but the signal was so weak in my room that it was essentially useless. And oddly, the room had a folding chair (not sure why) in the closet/cupboard but no suitcase stand, which would have been much more convenient than the floor.

Other small things would really make a big difference: replace the thin blanket and bedspread with a nice duvet. Get rid of the VCR (who needs it when there's DirectTV?), and replace the old TV with an LCD on a swing arm to make the awkwardly high position more easy to adjust and view. Add a programmable thermostat so that the fan isn't constantly running. Keep a better eye on the breakfast room so that things are well stocked and the tables aren't dirty and full of trash.

Overall, the hotel was good but not great. It really is so close to being fantastic that the small things (and unfortunately there were many that really added up) took away from what could have been a perfect experience. I would definitely consider returning, though, mostly because of the unbeatable location and price.

I enjoyed my stay at the Charlesmark. The staff were friendly and helpful, the bar interesting and lively. Some excellent features (for example, the free to use internet access) were a real boon.

Of course, it was not perfect. I was travelling alone and had relatively little luggage but the rooms are not huge (a common issue in Boston hotels I think). I do think however that some of the design features were probably better on paper than when they were put into effect. For example, the 'wardrobe' is only desk high and pretty limited in space - so very little space for clothes if you do not travel light. The mini fridge really is mini (2 small bottles of water) which was fine for me but might be limiting for a thirsty famuily in on a hot summer day.

The TV and surround sound were good but annoyingly there were no instructions on how to use them (many thanks to the helpful cleaning ladies!) and if you are not used to the particular system it is rather confusing

Location is great and lots to see and do around the hotel. My room faced Boylston but it did not seem to noisy to me.

So if you travel light, like the modern feel and are not too bothered about space then a room at the Charlesmark is worth going for!

The hotel is located in the Back Bay area, almost right across the street from the Boston Public Library and about two blocks from the Prudential Center Shops. A block in the opposite direction from Copley Square and a stop to catch the "T" train.

My room was located on the third floor, facing Boylston Street. Noticeably noisy throughout the day, particularly in the morning and evening rush hour times.

The room interior had high ceilings, and was sparsely furnished with light wood accents. There was no closet but instead a mini-clothesrack. There was an iron with a miniature ironing board in the room. The work desk area is a pullout shelf but is decently lit. There is a folding chair tucked away in the the mini-closet area for seating.

The mini-fridge is restocked daily with 2 complimentary bottles of water; don't plan on keeping any food in the mini-fridge as it barely has room for the two bottles of water.

Completing the room is a large TV with DVD/VHS player, Stereo receiver, Direct TV and surround sound. The hotel offers a complimentary VHS library.

No fitness center - you have to buy a $15 day pass to the Boston Sports Club.

No swimming pool - you have to buy a $20 day pass to the Sheraton Hotel Health Club.

No room service - if you want to dine in your room you have to order in from a neighborhood restaurant or use the suggested diningin.com option - it takes 45-60 minutes to arrive and although you can order from several restaurants, there is a $6.75 per restaurant charge for delivery and a $10 minimum per restaurant. There is also a decent thai restaurant next door that delivers entrees and appetizers to the hotel bar/lounge. The bar can get noisy but the lounge in back is nice with plenty of comfortable seating.

I was not able to access the internet via their wireless service, despite numbeous calls to the front desk. I was asked if I used Mozilla or Firefox and when I replied that I used Windows Internet Explorer, I was told, "Oh, that could be part of the problem". There is a Starbucks about 2 blocks away with Tmobile Hotspots as well as the public library right across the street.

Not a great hotel for the business traveler, but okay for tourists looking for a decently priced hotel in the Back Bay area. It was almost $100 less per night than the nearby Marriott and Westin brands, but I will not be staying here again.