The Ritz-carlton, Boston

You can find better hotels at this price point, not very 5-diamond, in my opinion. Walls are paper-thin, heard banging from neighbors and TV going until 2am that wasn't very loud, sound just travels through easily. Solid location but that's about it. Service and staff were pretty quiet besides the "hello/goodbyes." At this price point, there are many other options I regret passing on staying at.

We stopped in to the bar after a play for a cocktail on Wednesday night. Our bartender Joel was very welcoming and engaging with us. Joel is excellent in his craft and passionate about creating our cocktails. His description of our cocktails had you really enjoying the experience of savoring the taste. I had asked for a pistachio martini and Joel asked if I ever had a Dubai pistachio martini? I had not and did not realize that there was one. Let me tell you that it was the Best martini I ever had! Every flavor in the martini came through and it was perfect!! If you ever are in the area, stop in and see Joel at the bar! Thank you Joel for delightful time at the Ritz Carlton!

Hotel entrance feels like an isolated side street. Entrance and reception is narrow. You immediately feel the difference between a Four Seasons and a Ritz. The reception people do not look up, concierge people do not greet you even though not occupied, bellman isn’t ready with cart. Doorman doesn’t offer to help because not part of his union job. No nice water, hand towels etc. Generic water is given if you ask. Lobby is intimate and even lively all the time, key card to access room floors. Decor is fine. I don’t remember florals like I do with Four Seasons. There isn’t an excited feeling to arrive like arrival to most Chicago or New York hotels. Double room is sized very well. Not sure if they are fulls or queens. Bath is underwhelming in look but marble, marble sink is very pretty (thick profile), separate tub, toilet room and smaller stall shower with EXCELLENT water pressure. Water seems to use water softener. Very clean! Beds very comfortable (softer side) feather pillows requested were good. Blackout drapes do NOT black out the light. I don’t think there is anything better than a hotel with blackout blinds. It’s not just the gaps. We kept trying it didn’t matter. AC doesn’t stop. It blows and makes wind noise even on lowest fan level. AC very annoying all night. (Much better than other types of AC but really not a nice experience) we set it higher to stop blowing we put on auto nothing worked becuase it cycles to maintain temp all the time. Nice size TV and FOX for the World Cup was nice surprise. They don’t block the light at all. Room was very quiet. Very clean. As usual recently, tissues almost empty. I don’t get less than 4 bath towels (should be 4 of each kind) when it’s technically two double beds. Also a new trend to save on towel washing. Room service breakfast was good and about 40 Min. Fruit wasn’t ripe enough. (Blueberries Cantaloupe) Forgot the butter. Bread soggy (the usual toasted issue) Bacon plentiful. Chicken Sausage very sad looking and dried out. Eggs cooked well scrambled and over easy. $u140 incl tax tip etc for 2 breakfasts with meat potatoes and toast, blueberries, large pot coffee and cantaloupe. Did NOT appreciate room service staff knocking rapidly and then quickly entering within 10 seconds to grab the cart. Coffee was still hot (excellent carafe) and we were getting dressed. We had to jump and run to the door. Nice quality toiletries diptyque like all Ritz’s. Looked understaffed at lobby level.

We stayed one night here in the premium one bed room suite #1047 for the World Cup. After the game from Boston Stadium we came to the room near 11pm and I had to kill 7 fully grown flies, not 1, not 2, Seven in the room in order to get a peace. Good thing is that the front desk is very friendly and thankfully there were enough magazines in the room for me to put down flies.