I had an awesome experience. The person who checked me in was Naquan, he had a positive welcoming attitude. I was having a bad day before check in and he definitely put a smile on my face with his personality and jokes before getting me settled. The room was nice and clean, bed was super comfortable, view was phenomenal. Overall I really loved this stay and would highly recommend to any of my family and friends
We arrived in Boston on a Sunday around 12:30pm after a 3 hour drive...My wife called the hotel and asked if we could get an early check-in...Woody told her yes, and upon arrival he couldn't have been any nicer...My wife asked if there was any way we could get a room with a view as it's been a while since we were able to escape from the kids for a few days and Woody put us on the top floor with a view of the canal !!! Since the nearest subway stop was approx 10 mins away we walked to and from Faneuil Hall / Boston Common each day (about 25 mins each way) along side the Charles River...Wonderfully scenic and peaceful walk. It was also nice having the Cambridgeside mall connected to the hotel. The self parking fee of $30 kinds of sucks, but when you go to a major city that's actually not too high compared to others, and since I'm not a fan of waiting / tipping for my vehicle every time I want to leave the hotel it was a great option to have...The parking was a bit confusing when we first arrived, but after the first day it was easy to figure out after familiarizing ourselves with the layout. My wife pointed out, and I have to agree, that this was the cleanest hotel room we could recall staying in. If we went back to the area we'd certainly stay here again.…
Complete staff turnover in the last year. This used to be my favorite Kimpton in the Boston area. Things have changed so much. I am part of their loyalty program and hold top tier status. No recognition at check in and was even asked if I've stayed there before. I've lost count of how many times I've stayed here. I booked a weeklong stay. Grateful for the upgrade I had to ask for, but was given the lowest hotel floor (I’ve never stayed on this floor in eight years). I asked to move if rooms became available and was never contacted. Rooms on higher floors were available. No working internet for first two days. Made working from the hotel room or lobby impossible. Fire alarm sounding for over an hour first day (no warning). Just testing we were told. No water with inner circle welcome amenity (though this is supposed to be guaranteed). Amenity was also very generic with no preferences referenced, thrown together last minute, and very impersonal. Mentioned we were bringing our three cats in an e-mail weeks before coming. No attention was paid to that note (bowls, treats, toys). The little things that made Kimpton so special are gone from this property. Dog in room next door was unattended for their entire stay and barked. Front desk was notified and said it “was allowed”. Was not quiet for us nor our cats. New staff is not friendly nor did anyone reach out after check in via text or in person to see how things were going. No hellos or even looking up from the front desk when passing by daily. This used to be my favorite Kimpton because of the staff, but I felt like a number here—not a top tier loyal customer. Benit, Adam, and most of the Bambara staff were gracious and friendly. Elijah was responsive on email before the stay. Sadly, those were the only employees who embodied the Kimpton spirit.…
Loved everything about our stay here, except it wasn’t long enough! Starting at the door. Doorman Aklilu was always on the ready to open the door and have our car ready with a big smile. He was very welcoming, warm, and friendly. The hotel was clean and comfortable. The room was comfy as was the lobby where we played cards. A huge surprise was to find a mall, CambridgeSide, connected through a parking garage! This was our second stay at this hotel, as a few years ago we stayed the week before Christmas. It was much more crowded at that time, but just as wonderful. Will definitely stay here again in the future. Hope to see you again Aklilu!
The view was beautiful, and staff was incredibly friendly! They even provided a dog bed, though my spoiled boy preferred sleeping on my pillows :) Comfiest bed I have ever slept in!! Restaurant was delicious!! 11/10 experience!
I never dreamed that I would give a Kimpton hotel less than five stars. I am a "Kimpton junkie" that always makes a point to stay at a Kimpton when one is in town, and I was very excited to try yet another new (to me) one. Unfortunately, this experience was unsatisfying and not to the standards that I expect from the chain, and certainly not for an Inner Circle member. From the moment I arrived, I felt a little put off. I arrived with a rental car that I was planning to return after dropping off our stuff. We were greeted gruffly by the doorman who ominously told me that I had 15 minutes to leave the car. I felt rushed and uncomfortable during the check-in process as a result. Then, our room experience really left me feeling dissatisfied. As a long-time Inner Circle member, I have come to expect being a little spoiled by the chain. I almost always get a suite upgrade, and this is the first property that did not offer a suite or even a corner room, but rather I was given a basic king room. The upgrade was that it faced the city skyline. That was fine.. except they could not manage to get me into a room that was sufficiently quiet. All of the skyline rooms had adjoining doors, and the noise transfer between rooms is unlike any other hotel I have ever stayed at. I have stayed in many rooms with adjoining doors, but in this property, the next room will sound like they are in the room with you. We were placed next to a party - literal party - that went on all. night. long. I was woken by laughter and yelling at various intervals, from 4am to even 6:30am. (Karma kicked them by having a fire alarm drill that started right after they finally seemed to go to sleep. Oh and yes - for about an hour in the morning, while my husband was trying to work, we had to listen to a fire alarm drill, of which we were not informed of ahead of time.) I was promised that they were checking out, but when I got back to my room after a long and very stressful day, I found there was yet another party going on in that room. At one point, it was implied I should just deal with it because it was almost New Years and people were going to party. Perhaps you should have better construction or figure out a way to make guests more comfortable rather than just having them suck it up? Marlowe's solution was to downgrade me to a room that overlooked the canal - and directly into the offices of Kayak located next door, so we didn't feel comfortable having our drapes open anyway. I had to pack all of my belonging and trudge them to another floor (a lower floor) - and no one even seemed to recognize this was an unnecessary and inappropriate hardship. Even the employee that came to deliver a luggage cart commented on the noise when he came into my room, so it was clear that I was not simply being a diva. In sum, we spent the remainder of our trip in an inferior room with no apology or acknowledgment of how improper the whole thing was. That is absolutely not the service that I expect - or have ever received - from Kimpton, certainly not as an Inner Circle member. It was a far cry from Kimpton properties like the Fontenot in New Orleans, the Palomar in Phoenix, or the Monaco in Seattle, all properties who really treat their Inner Circle members well. The room was comfortable enough, and it was clean. Service was truly a mixed bag. The gentleman at the desk on the first night when we complained about the noises is the only person who did try to go above and beyond. Everyone else put in the bare minimum. I had to ask twice to get a Keurig delivered to my room. Also, if not an Inner Circle member, be aware that they charge a horrific daily amenity fee, but they don't actually have the amenities. For example, when I tried to get a Polaroid camera, one of the gimmicky amenities they offer, they told me they didn't have any film. I was honestly surprised I got the Keurig at all. I am glad that there is also the Nine Zero in Boston (which has been superb in the past) because I will have a Kimpton option when I return to Boston because this is not the property for me. Inner Circle members should keep that all in mind.…
I couldn’t recommend the Hotel Marlowe more for anyone visiting the Boston/Cambridge area. I first fell in love with the property years ago when my daughter was in school near by…and it continues to be my go to when ever I need a place to recharge. Here are just a few of the reasons I love it: reno’d rooms are super spacious, great water pressure in the shower, smart plugs on night stands, self parking makes coming and going nice and easy, the hotel is attached to mall with a CVS, Old Navy, Apple Store and more (comes in super handy if you forget anything), there’s a wine happy hour for a wind down or pre game from 5-6P. The front end staff is fantastic…huge props to Sophie and Tara for taking time to chat with me when they really didn’t need to! I’m also a big a fan of getting more local down and dirty recco’s for places to eat or visit and they have all had amazing suggestions. With a great view of the river and the most comfy beds ever it’s well worth the trip!…
Check in was ok and so are the rooms. Location is perfect to walk into Boston. The bartender at the restaurant in the hotel was excellent and was Steven who seemed to be the only person who wanted to please the guests. He was literally everywhere doing all sorts of jobs as you watched most staff standing around. Waited for a bit at the front desk to get a drink to have the blonde woman act as if we were bothering her! They need 10 more people like Steven working in this hotel!
The rooms themselves are attractive though as many reviewers point out, lighting can be a problem. The room we received didn't have a view worth speaking of. Coffee and tea facilities are available on request but be aware that this can take several hours. No water (other than the one for sale for $8) is available in rooms upon your arrival. Room service is only available on weekends, and for limited hours. The hotel is obviously severely understaffed, but to be fair, i think it's designed to be more like a dorm facility for young professionals in their twenties and thirties. If you don't anticipate needing the front desk or any services and a solid room is enough, this is a decent choice. One other point: one consequence of understaffing is that it is very hard to reach the hotel by phone. Three out of four times, I was sent to IHG's central reservations when trying to reach the front desk. The one time they attempted, even they failed to connect me. Since I am returning to the hotel later in the month with family, I'll have another opportunity to evaluate it then.…
A true gem. I have stayed at this Kimpton at least 5 times and never came away unhappy with the hotel or its staff. Public Transit and shopping mall are both in close proximity. The valet service is prompt and shows great care.
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