Boston/Downtown-Charlestown - Park Plaza 3* in New England/New York/New Jersey/Pennsylvania Hotels Forum

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mps02189	Re: Park Plaza Additional Info	#21	[-]
Posts: 48 06/13/02 6:21 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	kwokpot, Just for some information, I stayed here about two months ago. I know this might be a bit off topic but I struck up a conversation with the check-in girl when I first approached her. I commented on how busy they seemed to be and asked her when she got off her shift hoping she didn't have that long to stay. Talked about a few places local that are great to go out on that Saturday night and was all around plesant, smiled, and gave her a break from the typical hurried traveler just there to check in and not talk to the front desk staff. What do you know? She asked me if I wanted a king bed or would a double be ok (even though it was just me)... I said a double would be fine and said "I don't supose I could get a great view with that, huh? (with a smile)" and what do you know, I got a pretty nice Double Bed room with a great view.. Remember, the check in staff here (likewise at almost all hotels) has the power to give you any room they want. Priceline never books an exact room number. Be nice, plesant, strike up a conversation, and you might find yourself in a nicer room.
Sheryl	Re: Boston Copley--Park Plaza 3*	#22	[-]
Posts: 170392 06/19/02 8:15 PM GEAUX SAINTS GEAUX Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Posted by jilanie on 6/19/02: We just returned from a weeks stay at the Park Plaza (6/8 to 6/14 for $55/night). We stayed on the 14th floor and it was clean, fresh paint and possibly new carpet...no stains...bathroom shower/tub was new and all tiles were clean - not broken and it had plenty of room. The air conditioner was working fine...actually better than some other 3* places we've stayed with Priceline. We had our 2 boys along and the hotel provided us with 2 good size beds....nice and comfy! The room only had towels for 2, we called for extra's. In 5 minutes there was a staff member at our door and not more than another 5 minutes...they sent us more towels. The staff was very friendly and the location was great! We were busy touring Boston that we weren't in the room. I did read somewhere that when you check-in that you should ask for a corner room...supposedly they're bigger and nicer. We tried, but it was a busy weekend. Also, if you're driving, it will cost you $32/night to park. We parked our car at Riverside station at $2.75/night and rode the subway to Arlington station - a block away from Park Plaza. We read a lot of postings concerning the condition of this hotel..some good and some bad. We were very concerned that we would have a bad experience - especially with whole week with 2 boys, touring and then having to return to a regrettable room. However, we were fortunate. We felt the Park Plaza served us well. Sure, it's not a new hotel but it is the oldest hotel in Boston...a treasure. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BiddingForTravel.com can only remain a free resource through the support of those who benefit from the information available. Please read my post CLICK HERE: Amazing-Bargains.com Please place your Priceline bids through this link Expedia--Check for Special Hotel Rates Here Orbitz - The Travel Site with the Most Web-Only Rates on the Internet! Entertainment - Now offering $10 on all Entertainment Books!
WonderMan3	Re: Boston Copley--Park Plaza 3*	#23	[-]
Posts: 25 06/22/02 3:26 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Well, it is ONE of the oldest hotels in Boston, but not THE oldest. It is actually the 6th oldest hotel in Boston that is still operating.... Omni Parker House - 1855 Copley Square Hotel - 1891 Lenox Hotel - 1901 Copley Plaza - 1912 Tremont House - 1925 Boston Park Plaza - 1927 -Adam
jdier	Re: Boston Copley--Park Plaza 3*	#24	[-]
Posts: 13 07/03/02 10:24 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I was asked to provide some feed back on my recent stay. When I checked in on Friday 3:00pm, I asked for a king size bed and was told that my room had a double bed and that they were booked solid for the weekend. I asked if there was any way to get a larger bed and he offered me a queen on a smoking floor. My wife was concerned, since cigarette smoke bums her out, but the floor did not smell and our room certainly did not smell. The hotel is old and not in the greatest shape, but we found our room to be clean and everything was in working order. The room was a corner room and huge at appox 16 x 30. The bed was comfortable and the sheets and decorations were very nice. Air conditioner worked, the carpets were clean, the bathroom (while not state of the art) was clean and in working order with a slightly larger than normal tub. I think I got the room for $65 per night for a two night stay. If you are looking for a nice quick getaway, the Backbay-Copley-theater district is a perfect place. There is a $9.00 shuttle that gets you to the hotel and you can walk to all kinds of stuff from there. We were on the block over from the 4 seasons and there are historical landmarks, The Boston Common and Gardens (which is like a mini-central park, with all kinds of things for kids or couples,) Blue Man Group and Shear Madness (plays) are within 1/2 mile, The Boston Center of the Arts (BCA) is also within walking distance (and is in a very nice neighborhood with outdoor cafes...) there are large shopping malls, outlet malls, bars, taverns, great restaurants, two very large movie theaters.... Just about anything you could ask for. On my way back to the airport, I rode with a woman who just finished up a conference which she threw at the Park Plaza. She had over 100 people in for 5-7 days. She also did a lot of catered events and open bars... Her rate for rooms was $216.00/night. She explained that many of her people had to change out of very small rooms or had small or dirty rooms. she personally transferred 3 times until she finally agreed to take a room on the smoking floor. She said her first room was a closet, the second room had a bathroom that was unfit for animals. I felt pretty good after that, but I guess it is all just luck of the draw with this hotel.
dmc123	There Was Nothing To Complain About At All	#25	[-]
Posts: 110 07/08/02 12:30 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I just returned from a four day July 4th weekend at the Boston Park Plaza. I had been looking forward to it with curiosity after reading some very angry negative comments here and elsewhere. I'm pleased to say that my experience was excellent. My room was in good shape with nice furniture, lamps, a very comfortable bed. The bathroom was not state of the art, but there was a large very well lighted mirror, a bathtub, good water pressure and temperature that you could regulate. I was very comfortable. The staff members I dealt with were courteous and professional. The location was superb. My experience was definitely three star. The room might be considered small by the usual American two double bed hotel room standards, but since I was alone it was fine. I paid $45 a night for this stay. I feel I got excellent value for money, and I would not be disappointed if I got the Park Plaza on a future stay. I realize that one man's trash is another man's treasure, but it really makes me wonder what people think they're entitled to for the low Priceline rates we're enjoying. $45 a night in the best part of Boston would not buy a cot in a flophouse at normal rates. I didn't see anybody else's room, so I have no basis for comparison of my room with what else they have on offer. However, if a hotel is not giving their least expensive rooms to people who pay $45 a night, who should they give them to? Priceline promises only a room, not the most expensive or the best type of room in the hotel. I have nothing to complain about at all, and I'm very satisfied with this Priceline experience.
Oregon Junco	Park Plaza wasn't THAT bad	#26	[-]
Posts: 2 07/09/02 9:16 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I will have to agree with the last few postings on the Boston Park Plaza. We were there from 6/26/02 to 6/30/02 and then again on 7/5/02. Both times we got a small room for my 6' 1" husband and I (5' 1".) But the bed was very comfortable with great linens on it. Bathrooms were remodeled so that was nice. We stayed on the 7th and 9th floors. The hallways to the rooms needed lots of work though (old carpets, old paneling, etc.) You know, I paid $45/night through Priceline and I was scared of what we might get after reading every review I could get my hands on. No, it's not the Stanhope A Park Hyatt hotel (which we got in New York City in-between dates) but it was clean and in the middle of it all. Everything we wanted to see was in walking distance (Freedom Trail, Boston Commons, even Fenway Park with good walking shoes.) The Arlington subway stop is just across the street. We were satisfied!
kwokpot	Boston Park Plaza Photos	#27	[-]
Posts: 192 07/10/02 9:33 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I am glad that recent Priceline customers have received better rooms at the Boston Park Plaza. Although I did not state it explicitly in my original review (posted 5/28/02 in this thread) I was not pleased with my room, but felt the hotel itself was fine. On the day of my stay, however, after going to my room, I did not want to go back to the front desk to ask for a room change, so I kept the room that was given to me. I do understand that if a hotel guest is not happy with a room, you should complain to the hotel management. I had taken pictures of my room from that stay, but never had the chance to publish them, until now. Here is the link: hometown.aol.com/kwokpot0...plaza.html I wanted to give others the chance to observe for themselves what some of the lesser rooms are like at the hotel, so they can be prepared.
bossqa	Air Conditioning	#28	[-]
Posts: 62 07/11/02 8:11 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Did any of the recent guests have difficulties with the air conditioning? Boston has had some unusually hot weather during the past several weeks, and the Park Plaza has had problems with its cooling effectiveness -- particularly with moisture -- over the past several summers. Any comments?
dmc123	air conditioning	#29	[-]
Posts: 110 07/13/02 11:58 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	My air conditioner was always on, and there was no way to regulate it or turn it off. Kwokpot's photo shows a dial that presumably turned it on and off which I didn't have. I felt it but not a lot. That was fine for me, since I don't like Arctic air conditioning. However, anyone who likes to open the door and feel a blast of cold air would have been very disappointed. That hot weather at the beginning of the July 4 weekend was extreme. It's always difficult to be comfortable under those conditions unless you just came out of the shower. Once the weather returned to normal, the air conditioning was adequate.
anonplz	Hotel Stay	#30	[-]
Posts: 72 07/21/02 10:11 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Despite my reservations in light of the negative reviews here, and the fact that when confirming my Priceline reservation, the clerk indicated the room reserved for me was an "undersized" room, I found my recent stay here to be just fine. Definitely 3 star. Staff was helpful and professional, room service was good, food was good, location is convenient to different areas, room did not seem undersized to me, but then perhaps I'm accustomed to smaller living spaces? Who knows... On the downside, even though the clerk confirmed that the "renovations" had been completed, the hallways are definitely in need of touch-up; it does not appear that the renovations included ANY of the common areas on the floors, as you can see scuff marks and smudges on the baseboards, and the carpeting is stained and there are burn marks from cigarettes - it's not all THAT bad, but it does help make one think of the hotel as dilapidated. The view was simply of the interior courtyard, i.e., a brick wall, so I kept the blinds drawn. I felt that my room was clammy and moist, uncomfortably so, but maybe that's just Boston? Also, there were spots within the room where the plaster was chipped, but just a couple spots. Finally, and what I found most distressing, was that the walls were thin, and I could hear a party going on in the next room until about 1:30 or 2:00 a.m. on the first night, so I did not sleep well. In sum, it was ok, but I would not want to stay here again. I really need my sleep, and I like to feel a little pampered, and the hotel's lack of care about the appearance in the common areas and lack of attention to detail left me unimpressed.
Jenniann	Re: Hotel Stay	#31	[-]
Posts: 11980 10/04/02 9:18 PM Registered User Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	jackcrevalle74 Registered User (9/28/02 7:30:40 pm) Boston Park Plaza -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Just returned from staing two nights at the Park Plaza and after reading the reviews I was sceptical of what type of room we would have. To my suprise the room, while small, was very nice with a good view and a very comfortable bed. The staff we very helpful and pleasant to deal with. My bid was $50.00 and for downtown Boston right on the Commons I felt that this was an exceptional value.
robinbtigger	Had a great stay there	#32	[-]
Posts: 2585 10/06/02 12:27 PM Registered User Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	It's been a while since I won a bid for this Hotel and after Posted by: mobilman Registered User (10/6/02 10:12:47 am) reading all theses negative reviews, I felt really uneasy staying there. So I contacted the hotel via email in advance and asked them about the condition of their rooms. I got a very nice email-reply saying, that we were assured to have a nice room. The room was indeed really nice. It was huge and in a very good shape. The staff was extremely helpful and the overall appereance of the hotel was a nice alternative to all these standard hotels you usually get. I can imagine that some rooms aren't as nice as the room we had, since they're still remodeling some parts of the hotel. I would definitely want to stay there again and I would also recommend this hotel to all of my friends and family. -- Robin
Jenniann	Re: Had a great stay there	#33	[-]
Posts: 11980 11/02/02 1:06 AM Registered User Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	CMilch1 Registered User (11/1/02 5:28:07 pm) Park Plaza Hotel Review -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I stayed at the Park Plaza last week for $52/night for 4 nights. I was a bit spooked at first by some of the negative reports about the hotel. Overall, the hotel was fine. You can't beat the fact that you are walking distance to so many things and the "T" is right there. Also, having an Au Bon Pain next door made breakfast easy, quick, and cheap! The hotel staff was pleasant, but it sometimes took 15 rings before they picked up the phone at the front desk. The water pressure was terrible! What a waste of precious resources, as it took me twice as long to shower! The bathrooms are old and could use refurbishment. The rooms are small, so beware if you are staying here with more than 2 people per room. I guess it is standard, but ALL calls cost $1.50 just to connect. So every time I logged online it was a buck fifty. Also, when I used my 800 number calling card, I also was charged a buck fifty. What a ripoff! But, I was overall pleased, because as I said, rooms in downtown Boston or Cambridge for that matter cost well over $100/night. Good luck to future travelers staying at the Park Plaza!
Sheryl	just stayed at park plaza	#34	[-]
Posts: 170392 11/04/02 7:43 PM GEAUX SAINTS GEAUX Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Posted by thetrain on 11/4/02: Anywhere $50 - $90 this is probably your best bet in the area. Best best location. Rooms small but no surprise for an older hotel, or if you're familiar with New York/London room proportions. bathroom could be updated but perfectly functional. My room was updated and pretty clean. For 1 person, if this is your location, it's a no brainer, simply no need to pay $100+ somewhere else.
mannapro	Boston Park Plaza 11/29 to 12/1/2002	#35	[-]
Posts: 43 12/02/02 1:43 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The stay was excellent! The location is great. The staff was kind and friendly. This is a great value! So we spent the money we saved on going to see the Blue Man Group. You can get tickets half price on the day of the show. We were traveling with our two kids. The were no more rooms with 2 double beds, so they upgraded us to a corner King room and had 2 rollaway beds brought up. The room was good size because it fit the two extra beds and had a desk, a sofa that also pulled out into a double bed, two night stands, TV and stand, and a matching chair to the sofa. The room had a walkin closet also. I parked in the Boston Common Garage. Arrived 4:45pm Friday Left 10:45AM Sunday = $26.00. Everyone else wanted $28.00 to $32.00 per 24 hours. If I left before 10:00AM on Sunday, the cost would have been $17.00. So I should have gotten the car and parked on the street because on Sundays the meters are free. I saw spots from the hotel window that were open. I found that the street noise was loader than usual, so I check the windows to see if they were locked shut. Nope, So I locked them shut and it fixed the problem. This is the 4th time I stayed in Boston and the best. The Wyndham (Broad st) bathroom was nicer and bigger but it is a 4* rated. I guess I would recommend bidding this location during non peak periods, so that hotel has more flexibility to put you in a good room.
burlor	Park Plaza	#36	[-]
Posts: 47 03/08/03 7:04 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Just returned from a 2 night stay and we found it to be nice, clean and comfortable. Friendly staff, good location. Green T line across the street. Went to a play at Wang Theatre a few blocks away. Ate at the seafood rest. at hotel and it was very good. Breakfast sandwiches, pastries and lunch is good at Au Bon Pain. Ate another night at a very good chinese bistro, PF Chang a few blocks away. It is a older hotel but quaint and a great value for Boston. We took amtrak to Back Bay Station which was about a 10 min. walk. Only negative was when I used a 800 number to make a call I was charged $2 by the hotel. Overall a positive and pleasant experience.
lizcakes	Boston Park Plaza 4/27/0	#37	[-]
Posts: 4 04/27/03 6:57 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	We just returned from a Saturday night stay at the Park Plaza. After reading some horrendous reviews and some not so bad reviews I thought I would try to get a complimentary upgrade for my husband and myself. It was pouring rain and we walked from the Back Bay commuter rail station and arrived at about 1 p.m. A bit early for check in but I thought "What the heck" and we walked up to reception. I said "Our anniversary, it's pouring (laughing), how bad can it get? Any chance for a complimentary upgrade today?" He said he'd see what he could do but they were rather busy (weddings going on etc). He came up with Room 583, a "King Executive". So up we went (no wait!) and walked into a VERY large room with a king bed, a queen sofa/sleeper, not a bad bathroom, two large windows, coffee maker, desk and comfy chair, the usual furniture with the TV on it, large closet with lots of hangers, large mirror, iron and board. It was bigger than our living room and our living room is 15 X 26. It wasn't 26 feet long but boy, it was close! I walked it off, measuring with my tiny size 6 feet. It was 28 of my feet from the bathroom door to the window, and 30 of my feet from next to the bed to the closet. My feet are (just measured) 9 inches long so that's 22.5 feet. It was a HUGE room. It pays to ask for an upgrade VERY politely and MEEKLY etc. Besides that we dined at No. 9 Park last night. The duck was to die for. Pricey but good. It's on top of the State House and filled with politico's. The pair next to use were politicians since they were talking about their own reelections. My husband had the squab, me the duck and we both had dessert and each a glass of wine. Came to $118 plus tip. They also gave us an "amuse bouche" before the entrées arrived, of pickled beets and a bit of greenery. Very very good. No salt and pepper on table and I enjoyed that aspect. But the hit of the weekend was lunch on both days at "Flour", 1595 Washington Street. To-die-for sandwiches and to-die-for-twice desserts. You gotta go to this place. Email me if you do! You have never had a BLT like their BLT's. Lizcakes@aol.com.
iubball	Boston Park Plaza visit	#38	[-]
Posts: 72 04/29/03 5:56 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I stayed there over the Easter weekend for three nights. Check-in was quite quick and the person working at the front desk was very friendly. He explained that it was a busy weekend with an Anime convention and the Boston marathon going on. He gave us a room on the 14th floor with a queen bed. I had called them directly to reserve a king non-smoking, but it must had been lost. He did offer to give us a King smoking room though. We spend little time in the room anyway. The room was a little on the small side, but maybe by only about 2 feet length and 2 feet width. Perfect for two people at least. Bathroom of course was very small, but I really don't care about the size of the bathroom either. There was also a digital thermostat in the room, but considering our temperature was consistent at about 4 degrees above the temp. that we wanted, we are guessing that it is for A/C only.Common areas and room were both very clean. Quality of linens/bedsheets and tolietries was very nice. Only major downfall of hotel in my opinion is the thickness of the doors. At least on the 14th floor, they had the old "Servior" doors in, which pretty much made the door hollow. The door was hollowed out with two thin doors attached to it, one on the inside of the room, and one in the hallway. I guess people used to open the inner door up, and hang up their dirty laundry. They would then call housekeeping to pick up the laundry by opening the front panel, and not disturbing the guests. Many restaurants very close to hotel. Some restaurants listed as part of hotel are only accessable from outside. One big tip, if you take taxi from the airport, fare is approx. $30 with tip. Take the "T" to Arlington for $1 each, stop is 1/2 block from hotel.
sjunkerg	Re: Park Plaza Additional Info	#39	[-]
Posts: 6 05/05/03 9:53 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Really small and not very nice bathrooms. A colleague had a rat in her room. This is one of the few hotels I swear never to go back to!
lowballking	4* outside 2* inside	#40	[-]
Posts: 72 06/25/03 7:29 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Before I went, I read the reviews and was prepared for the worse. Actually, it's not that bad. We checked in at around 1:30 p.m. and asked for 2 beds but they insisted that the hotel was sold out and no other rooms are available (I don't believe that.) and it's not ready until 3p.m. They stored our luggages in the storage room and charged us $1 each. So, it costed us $5 before we saw the room. We check in with another clerk after 3p.m. and he managed to give us a room with queen bed with a stow away sofa. The room is big enough if you don't open the stow away. The bath room is tiny with less than a square foot to put your cups and everything else. Everything is old. The doors to the rooms are strange. I've never seen anything like that. Overall, outside and location is 4* with many restaurants around and inside is 2*, or may be less.

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Boston/Downtown-Charlestown - Park Plaza 3*