Howard Johnson Boston Hotel

Pros:

1. The staff was very helpful. We arrived in the morning and check in wasn't until 4pm. They were able to get us into a room within an hour.

2. Proximity to BU

Cons:

1. Heating/cooling system. Apparently guests do not have control over the temperature of their rooms. There was no forced air coming into the room. I went over and pushed the temperature knob until air started coming out...it was hot air (the heat was coming on at 80F). I went and asked if there was air conditioning and was told they hadn't turned it on yet (May 18). So I had to stay in a stuffy, airless room.

2. Walls: The walls were paper thin. I woke up 4-5 times in the night with every little sound that I heard. I could hear doors closing, toilets flushing above me, the police pounding on a door yelling "Open up, it's the police!" That's a great way to be woken up at 2am in the morning...

3. Beds: the mattress is awful, very hard and lumpy

Never again!!

Once again, save your money. Even though they honored the "Roomsaver" coupons from one of those traveler discount guide magazines that you pick up at rest stops on the interstate, this place was way too much money for what you got. No air conditioning, no usable wireless internet (even though they say they have it) and the front desk people were not only rude, but not very helpful at all with fixing complaints. I was bitten by a spider that had crawled up out of the drain. Also, upon checkout we accidentally left the ashes of our deceased cat in the room, and when we went back to get them, the maids had removed the ashes from the box and then crushed them back into the box breaking a small charm that was keeping Bamboo (his name) company.(no apologies) The hallways were unbearably hot, and the pool was closed.

Shawn and Shawn's Recommendation : If at all possible...don't stay here. If you must stay here at least use a roomsaver coupon. it's the difference between $99.00 and $300.00

The rooms were okay until the floor and bed was attacked by ants. The bathroom and room was clean until we woke up to ants. We were on the top floor and left some pizza crusts in the box. The next morning they were everywhere. Not what I like waking up to. Honestly, I'd suggest only staying there if you have to. When we told the lady up front about what happened she didn't even seem to care and just gave us the manager's number.

The hotel has a great location, right by the Fenway Park. I was disappointed that the pool was closed the entire length of our stay. The halls looked kind of dreary.

This hotel made me feel excited: We were excited because we could see the Fenway Park from our room!

The hotel looked dingy. It was nearly a hundred degrees and the pool was not made available.