Ritz-Carlton Boston Commons
- Nearest Transit:
Chinatown (Orange, Silver)
Boylston (Green, Silver)
Downtown Crossing (Orange, Silver, Red)
- Price Range: $$$$
10 Reviews for Ritz-Carlton Boston Commons
My review is based not on a stay at the hotel, but the wedding services there.
My fiance, Alex C., and I are getting married soon. We were looking for possible halls around the city at which we could hold our reception. A dress maker recommended the Ritz, and I decided to follow up and give them a call.
When I called, the lady who handled weddings was polite enough, if a bit strained. We talked about the numbers my wedding entailed and how the large ballroom was the only one that could accommodate us. She let me know that they were undergoing construction in the ballroom, to which I informed her that I did not want to come in to see the ballroom if it was torn apart as it was a good 45 minute trip for me to come into the city. She assured me that I would be able to get a good feel of the room.
So come in I did. When I arrived, the wedding lady was not there. After several minutes of waiting, she did finally arrive. The entire time she called me by my first name without asking. This may be a minor point, but in a fine hotel where you will be doing business, the default is not the intimate name
The lady proceeded to take me to the ballroom. There were no walls, no ceiling, no carpet, the windows were blacked out, and construction equipment filled the room. So essentially the lady lied to me to get me to travel in to see a ballroom that was not yet a room. I expressed my distaste to the room upon which the lady insisted I take a packet anyway, just in case.
I would never want to hold an event at an establishment where the staff felt it appropriate to lie to and manipulate their patrons. What horrid dealings for the service industry. At least she covered my valet.
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Call me picky but it is not "Boston Commons" but Boston Common. Yelp please take note. It is also not the Public Gardens. It is The Public Garden.
I suppose i am biased. I loved the old Ritz across the Common (now The Taj). This one is minimalist and formulaic in design. It is exactly what you'd expect a hotel to look like built in 2002. The service has always been good in the bar. No sparks, no history.
The Hotel is gorgeous, but I did not stay there. I did, however dine there and it was the first and last time.
It is what you would expect, when you walked in to be seated and then the horror began when my Dover Sole arrived. I de-boned it and fileted it like they usually do for you in other restaurants and I am glad that I opened it up!! it was loaded with cooked worms!! What a turn off. The waiters were not shocked or moved by this. They explained to me that all fish has worms in it and to find out how many worms are in a fish they view it under a special blue lamp?? WHO CARES!! Did I eat it...not on your life...Did I have to pay for it anyway...YES!
I tried to give them no stars, but it will not let me do this, so alas, my review stands and reader..remove the star.
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Okay, we had a disastrous experience here when it first opened and was clearly not ready for a Holiday Dining crowd. However, now that the dust has settled and everything is in place The Ritz Boston Commons is truly a Ritz experience.
My Mother and I had lunch at Jerne for my Birthday and the entire staff was wonderful, the food was great, service, atmosphere was calm and gracious. It was memorable and we will definitely be back!
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I'm slightly biased towards the Ritz because I do get invited to some of the events that they have ( like the Iron Chef Challenge )
But even if I wasn't, I would still recommend folks to stay at the Ritz, or to at least go to Jer-Ne Restaurant and enjoy the experience there.
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I like drinking here Sunday nights when no one's out and you can hear Morrissey on the stereo and have a delicious Bellini at the bar. Because it's not just a hotel but the Ritz, you better have gotten paid because the place isn't cheap.
But it will provide you with the luxury you hoped for and -c'mon now- the hopefulness of a celebrity sighting. The bartenders accommodate you with a little bowl of salty trail mix which ties you over while you watch them make cocktails and bring out hamburgers and other offerings from their late-night menu. I've been tempted but never ordered anything; from what I remember $18 for a hamburger? The desserts were less expensive, by not much. I'll cave in eventually - I still have that creme brulee on my mind.
The bathrooms are awesome - with great smelling soap and mirrors and toiletries galore. The Ritz still holds onto that 1940's era glamour, and I appreciate them for that. There's nothing like a great hotel to be anonymous in.
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Comfortable beds, warm and friendly staff, prompt service...there's nothing more I can ask for. I actually got a hug and a kiss from the housekeeper! If that's not hospitality, I don't know what is.
I will definitely be back.
If you ever find yourself in the 1050+ through 1080+ block, don't forget to say 'hi' to Marie. (Her last name starts with an 'E', but I forgot to take a really good mental note on what her actual last name is.) Perhaps even send her our regards. Hopefully the hotel doesn't shuffle their housekeeping staff around too much. The woman actually came in on her day off as apparently it's their busiest time of the year. We made sure to give her a big tip on our way out.
*Sigh!* I'm going to miss that bed.
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I had the great pleasure to tag along with a Boston socialite friend of mine to a party on the pent house floor. One word: AMAZING. This place is spectacular! The view.... breathtaking. One day when I become really ridiculously rich, I will get this room for a night... that or split it between... 10-20 people or so.. haha. So if you are raking in the dough, I highly highly suggest it... It will be worth every penny.
Ok. This is officially my favorite hotel in Boston. We were in 1247, a beautiful corner suite overlooking the Commons. The decor was not great, but good in a charming Boston way - although, I LOVE the wallpaper choice and artwork in the rooms. The beds are AMAZING... I didn't want to get out. Minibar selections are not that great and lacks creativity... although, I would expect this from a traditional hotel. Room service was great - quick and attentive. The bathrooms were wonderful... perfect water pressure and LOVED the Bvlgari toiletries. The overall service was wonderful. I'm looking forward to the opening of the Mandarin Oriental, but for now, this is my favorite place in Boston.
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