Hotel Insider: Boston’s Hotel Commonwealth
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Hotel Commonwealth at Kenmore Square in Boston. (Photo: Hotel Commonwealth)
The hotel: Hotel Commonwealth
Location: Steps away from Fenway Park in Boston
First impressions: “We have you in the Red Sox Suite” was literally all it took for me to be impressed (ahem, don’t mind my squealing like a schoolgirl). I come from a long line of Red Sox fans on both sides of my family, which has obviously rubbed off on me, West-Coast-born or not. When I walked into my room, which was decked out with Red Sox memorabilia, books, and movies, I knew I was in for a treat. Then — quite literally — I noticed a welcome package of Cracker Jack, Baby Ruth candy bars, baseball cards, and a baseball. So far so good!
The Baseball Suite certainly provides a unique experience. (Photo: Hotel Commonwealth)
The property: Built in 2003, this Boston-themed hotel has 149 rooms, including signature suites that represent Boston in different ways: the Baseball Suite, the Terrier Suite, the Rathskeller Suite, the Reading Suite, and the Loft. The themed suites are intended to provide guests with authentic experiences rooted in the unique traditions of Boston. The hotel sits on top of the Kenmore T station, although from the fourth floor, I wouldn’t ever have guessed as I couldn’t hear or feel the trains at all. Out the back door is Fenway Park, the Green Monster side, and out the front door is the popular Kenmore Square. Its affiliated restaurants include some of the best in Boston: Island Creek Oyster Bar, Eastern Standard, and The Hawthorne.
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What I loved: I felt this was almost as close as I could get to an authentic Red Sox experience without actually seeing them play. The sitting room in the Baseball Suite has a bookshelf full of all the Red Sox books and movies a fan could possibly want. Naturally, I went straight for the 2004 World Series DVD, only to find that the actual DVD was missing from the box. I notified the front desk, and they literally sent someone out to go find the last available copy at a nearby bookstore, delivering it to me in less than an hour. During my two-night stay, I indulged in both the 2004 and 2007 World Series DVDs, as well as The Sandlot. I hadn’t watched any of them in years, and getting to enjoy them steps from Fenway in a room full of authentic Red Sox memorabilia completely rounded out the experience for me.
What I didn’t love: I was there two weeks too early. The Red Sox were still in Florida for spring training, and being so close and yet so far hurt my soul. I was also there about eight months too early to see the results of the renovations to the building. They are nearly doubling the size of the hotel, which should be ready in the fall of 2015.
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What’s not to miss: Island Creek Oyster Bar, just downstairs, is one of the best seafood spots in Boston (so say the locals). If you don’t have experience ordering or eating oysters, you may want to ask a local for a lesson, like I did. With a menu that changes daily, there is literally always something fresh. I highly recommend the Island Creek oysters, fluke crudo, and ceviche from the raw bar, as well as the crab spaghetti if it’s offered. Top it off with an El Presidente cocktail downstairs at The Hawthorne, and you’ll have yourself a dining experience to remember.
Good thing I had a local with me to order and to teach me how to eat oysters! (Photo: Jackie Laulainen)
Who should go: This hotel, although just steps away from Fenway Park, is not only for baseball fans. It is located in the middle of a hip neighborhood that is home to a variety of shops and some of the best restaurants and bars in Boston. It is especially convenient for baseball fans, but it would also be an ideal location for anyone wanting to explore Boston via the T since it is located at Kenmore station. If you are looking for the ultimate Red Sox fan experience, inquire about the custom packages offered at the hotel.
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