The Marriott Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel is centered majestically in the heart of Boston's waterfront action.
By Danny R. Johnson
THE BASICS
The San Diego County News ventured into New England by way of Boston to find the hotel that could live up to the title of “Best Waterfront Hotel.” For about 36 hours, the staff was able to survey three of the major Boston waterfront hotels being Marriott, Westin, and the Boston Seaport Hotel, only to conclude that the Marriott Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel came out on top! And here are the reasons why:
LOCATION
The hotel is located in South Boston and is the newest addition to the thriving and vivacious Boston Harbor and the downtown financial district. The Marriott Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel is near all the major attractions, which brings millions of visitors to this beautiful city each year. The hotel can accommodate the most discriminating and demanding clientele such as families, business meetings, and large functions. The Boston Convention Center is in an easy 15 minutes walking range. You can get to downtown Boston, the Boston Commons Park, the famous Faneuil Hall Marketplace and Quincy Market on foot from the hotel in about 25 minutes, but I suggest you get a taxi, which will cost you about $8.
ROOM
The Marriott Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel double beds room is spacious and full of the amenities you would expect from Marriott.
If you are going to charge over $350 or more a night in high season for services at this hotel, the room had better impress. Guests will be impressed. The spacious suites and guest rooms featured stunning views of the downtown Boston and the Harbor. I stayed in a room with double twin queen beds so I could see if there was any difference in the king sized Marriott Revive bed and the queen-size version. Honestly, I could not tell the difference. The queen-size bed was just as comfortable as the king was.
Guest rooms offered contemporary and oceanic architectural designs that perfectly complement the aquatic colors found throughout the hotel. All rooms are wired-for-business. In addition, for a daily rate of $12.95, the following features are available in the guest room: High-speed Internet access, unlimited local phone calls, and unlimited long distance calls within the US.
DINING
Marriott set an industry standard a decade ago when it upgraded its hotels and resorts to feature healthy and wholesome dishes prepared by world renown and not-so-well renown chefs. The bottom line is that when you stay at this hotel be prepared to have your culinary palates teased to satisfaction. I had dinner in the hotel’s flagship restaurant, 606 Congress. The chef creates all the dishes from scratch – nothing comes out of a can in this kitchen! I had the crispy roasted half-chicken with mashed potatoes and sauté mixed vegetables. The organic chicken was plump and juicy throughout. The mashed potatoes were rich and creamy; and had a definite texture and taste of country-mashed potatoes, but with a touch of secret ingredients – these were no ordinary potatoes. I topped the meal off with a gourmet bread pudding, which was baked and prepared to perfection. Bon appétit!
When you step behind the doors of the 606 Congress Restaurant, be prepared to be pampered with superior service from the bar and the master chef in the kitchen.
AMENITIES
The hotel offers on-site and valet parking for a fee of $42 daily. However, the most frequently requested service at this hotel was the concierge, who is known as the Navigator. The Navigator, who just happens to be a local, and can guide you to anything you ever want to do or see in Boston. The Marriott Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel has the distinction of being awarded the AAA Four Diamonds Award, which is hard to get these days.
BOTTOM LINE
The best thing about this hotel is that it is hipped and sophisticated. The suites and rooms are reasonably large and very stylish, and there is no jockeying for space in the elevator with large groups headed to duck boat tours. If you fantasize about your own little get-away, the Marriott Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel is the place you want to be.
The Marriott Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel, 606 Congress Street, Boston; 617-338-4111; www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/boswf-renaissance-boston-waterfront-hotel. Prices fluctuate widely, depending on your dates, from as low as $189 a night for a room to well over $300 for an executive suite depending on if you are an American Automobile Association member.
Danny R. Johnson is a Freelance Travel Writer based in Washington, D.C.
