I was also staying at this very same B&B with the above reviewer (CVictor from Spain, and I'm from Singapore). We were situated in opposite rooms, come from almost exactly opposite sides of the world, have never met before this, staying for different periods (mine was 3 weeks, longer than his!) - but our feelings of Blue's B&B are the same.
Blue's establishment has received glowing endorsements from most guests who’ve stayed here, with the exception of one person further below which wrote such a scathing review it might have worried others. I wasn’t particular too concerned myself about that critical review though. I think it’s all about expectations and what you want to get out of the experience of living in someone else’s home.
Unlike several other Bed & Breakfast places possibly, staying at Blue’s means you are staying with an incumbent family. There are several issues immediately in view of this. The most important one being that you’re not staying in a compartmentalized accommodation which starts and ends at your doorstep. Here, everything you do has an effect on the larger residential unit. That I’d be living with others under one roof was quickly apparent from the introductions and briefings I received on my first night of arrival. There were house rules to follow – e.g. no smoking, home security – other procedures, e.g. breakfast timings, laundry – and advice pertaining to communal living – e.g. respect for other guests – and respect for the antique furniture.
Breakfast timings are routinely between 7 to 8 AM, and guests generally write on a little chalkboard the timings they would like for breakfast. Again, in hotel accommodation, breakfast at the restaurant goes for hours and you can start anytime during their breakfast window as you please. At Blue’s, breakfast is prepared specifically for you and at the time you’ve requested. That means you need to exercise some discipline and not disrespect the system by coming too early, or worse, much later than the time you’ve indicated.
In Boston, I've really look forward to trying out different American cuisine each morning, and I availed myself to Blue’s cooking and bakery skills. I had quiches, pies, pancakes, eggs done in different ways, toast – whatever comes from her kitchen, I eat and enjoy!
Unlike hotel accommodations too, there’s no daily housekeeping. Your room is what you make of it. The bed linen is impeccably clean, the bed very comfy, and there are sufficient pillows for those of us who like sleeping buried in that sort of thing.
The guestrooms are cleaned by housekeeping services once a week, and they will replace the variety of towels each time. They are more than sufficient unless you’re a sweaty camel – of which you’d want to supplement with your own then. The other amenities are all there too: including cable TV with more channels than I need and high-speed wireless Internet access.
In a nice touch too; the bathroom is equipped with soap, shampoo and conditioner dispensers too – not that I need them though as I brought my own from home. In summer so far, there’s a very mild breeze that provides a small bit of air circulation through the windows in the room, but the ambient temperature of about 15 to 28°C means pleasant days and cool nights in summer so far. The rooms are equipped with air-conditioning too.
The inn is also located in what seems to be a neighborhood resided by middle-income families. Mornings when I head to work are very quiet, with persons heading to work or school and the odd jogger on the street. The neighborhood bustles with more activity when I return after work, with the kids coming out to play. The neighborhood seems very safe, and while the house itself is within walking distance to the train stop (about 8 minutes walk away), it’s still far enough from the main roads that you won’t be hearing vehicular traffic.
And best of is Blue’s hospitality. Her appreciation and sensitivity towards different cultures comes through, and I think it’s on account of the fact that she’s traveled widely. Conversations over breakfast are always engaging, made the better over delicious breakfasts.
The coziness of the rooms and host hospitality has really given me a taste of what it’s like living in a typical American home. I don’t think Blue’s is going to suit everyone: specifically those who’d like to party on holiday or visitations, rule-breakers, or those who want to be waited upon and pampered at every turn. But for everyone else who’d like a stay at a quiet neighborhood and experience the best of American home hospitality, this place is it.:)
I will miss this place when I leave in a week.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC