My husband and I stayed at the Harborside Inn July 3rd and 4th. We were in room 805 Cityview. The room was very clean and the maid service was excellent. I would recommend a cityview room on a high floor.
It was a bit noisy at night but with the windows closed and the air on and being exhausted from the daytime activities we slept like babies. However, at one point on the night of the 4th, there was VERY loud music, I could not locate where it was coming from in order to alert the front desk, then at last it stopped. Being on the highest floor was fun, we could see everything when we stuck our heads out the window.
The front desk staff were very kind. We received 2 KEYS upon check in which we found odd but they worked unlike sometimes those cardkeys don't always work especially if you forget and put them next to your cell phone. The gal at the front desk even popped our microwave popcorn for us one night.
Parking was a three block hike. We dropped our luggage, I stayed with it and checked in while my husband parked the car. He stated it was a short enjoyable walk back. We did feel however, that it was pretty expensive even with the hotel discount.
Free wireless internet was wonderful.
The elevators were pretty quick for such an old building. The ice and vending machines were in the basement. That was probably the only negative thing we experienced.
When visiting Boston in the future we would definitely consider staying here again.

My husband and I just got back from a trip to Boston for the 4th of July. We stayed at the Harborside Inn for two nights. We absolutely loved the location-one block from Quincy Market, Fanueil Hall, the waterfront, the North End (2 blocks away) and many of the historic areas. Our city view room was on the fourth floor and was very clean and neat. It was also much bigger than we had expected for a city hotel. We really liked the exposed brick walls too. Like many of the other reviews stated there are not alot of extras with this hotel like a gym, restaurant, pool etc. However, we didn't mind because we weren't in Boston to sit in our hotel room-we were there to go out and explore the city from a great location.
One warning I would definitely have for others planning on staying at this hotel, is to BEWARE of the street noise. State St. in front of the hotel is very quiet during the day. However, at night-around 11 pm-last call at the bars at 2 am it becomes a different street. There is a lot of noise from the crowds at the surrounding bars but even worse is the constant honking by mostly cab drivers trying to pick up fares late at night. It was so bad I actually bought ear plugs for the 2nd night we were there and had a good nights sleep because of it.
This would not make us say to not stay here. We would stay here again but would maybe request a room with an atrium view or not a State St. view. The location is that good and the price can't be beat for a Boston hotel.

I usually check TripAdvisor before I book a hotel, but I found the Harborside Inn website somehow and booked directly with the hotel. I would say that we got lucky on this one. If I had read the reviews I might not have stayed there.

Our primary goal was the location. We planned on spending little or no time at the hotel. So the lack of ammenities or the hotel staff's lack of attention (as others stated) didn't bother us. They were fine with us. We didn't ask alot of questions and didn't expect anything either. We did have to ask for a second key though. We were handed only 1upon check-in. I haven't carried a key on a plastic key chain in years from a hotel! I thought all had switched to the key cards by now.

The hotel's website does not show wood floors with exposed brick walls so we did not expect that either. It looked modern and clean, which it was. We were surprised however that after the first night they only made the bed and did not change the towels. The following day, my husband found one of the maids and asked her to put fresh towels in our room. She hung them on our door about 5 minutes later while we were still in the room. He had to find her again and tell her it was ok for HER to change the towels and make the bed. The $8 tip we left probably helped get the bed made the next night as well, but no extra towels. Other than that and than fact that one elevator was out of service, the hotel was fine.

We had room #509, which I would recommend to anyone staying there. It was an interior room (king bed) but quiet. We heard some very faint music but not as bad as the other reviews. There were a couple of other rooms on the floor that were right near serious creaking problems in the hallways (possibly rooms #514 & #515) and I would avoid them.

One thing about our room: it looked a little unfinished. Nothing on the walls, very plain. The sound system looked like it was put on the shelf as an after thought. And if you want to use the sound system, you'll need to bring CD's since there is virtually no reception in the room for AM/FM channels.

The only thing the hotel might want to consider is updating the parking information. The garage at 75 State Street is closed for renovations, so the garage that the hotel is currently using is quite a walk if you have luggage. The parking situation might be the only reason we don't stay there again. It's makes a big difference and it's not convenient at all.

Also, it might not be a good idea to stay there when the kids are back in college. We were there in July so the college hords were not at the two bars in front of the hotel.

Otherwise, the hotel was clean, the staff was fine and the location was great. And as other reviewers stated, if you want 5-star service, you'll need to look elsewhere. There is no valet, no room service and no bellman, so if you expect these services, this is not the right place to stay.

We arrived very late1:00am and didn't have our bearings, got lost driving in from the airport but the front desk manager was very nice and helpful. Room was clean, modern, very cosy---small, but the noise from the cars outside was a problem. You couldn't hope to "sleep in". the location we discovered the next day was great! Close to the harbor, and a close walk to most interesting sights. Would probably ask for an inside room next time.