We decided to get away for the holiday and head to Boston for a three-night stay. We stayed at the FS Boston last year and chose to stay here again. The service, as one would expect, is amazing. We arrived Thanksgiving day around noon and stopped for a drink at the Bristol Lounge. After one we snagged a taxi and headed to the Hotel Commonwealth to have dinner with our friends. It was a long day so afterwards we just headed back to the room and relaxed. Now we can begin with pictures J
The rooms have an old city feel with some modern luxury. The hotel recently revamped the bathrooms and now the rooms have a much more FS feel. Below is our room, number 707, with a view overlooking the public garden. Below are pics of the room and view.
Pictures of the room
Entry to the room
Updated bathroom
Gorgeous shower
Comfortable bed and linens
One of our favorite features about this hotel is the house car. It's a new BMW 750Li and is available on a first come basis. They will drive you anywhere within a 2mi radius of the hotel. While that doesn't sound far, in city terms it's perfectly fine. We had pretty good luck with having the car available when we wanted to venture out and when it wasn't available immediately it was usually only a 15min wait.
If you strike out with getting the house car we HIGHLY recommend using Uber. We used it our very first time while leaving L'espalier at the Mandarin Oriental to go back to the Four Seasons. We requested a "black car" (they have taxi, black car, and suv options) and received a text message from the app. letting us know the car was on its way. When the driver pulled up he sent us a message to let us know he was out front. It was a new Mercedes Benz GL 450 (I believe). The only catch is there is a $15 minimum charge. But not having to take out cash or your credit card (because you enter your CC info when you sign up) is worth it.
As mentioned previously, we went to L'espalier. We are hooked on their cheese selection so it is a must do when in the city. We did their tasting menu for lunch last year and that is well worth it. This year we chose to just sit in the salon.
Gorgeous light fixture
Being the nerd I am, I immediately recognize Mr. Louis Risoli walking through the salon. So I had to ask for a picture.
Relaxing in the salon
And a glass of Bourbon to end the day
One of the days we decided to have lunch at Mooo inside the XV Beacon hotel. They have maybe one of the best lunch specials in town. Three courses for $25, menu here. They also have a VERY large selection of scotch and bourbon to wet any appetite. My lunch is below minus the dessert. Forgot to take a picture of the bananas foster.
Steamed little necks w/ Chorizo
Steak with bone marrow butter
Perfect medium rare
And of course, bourbon
As a treat, my wife let me go to Alton Lane to do some shopping. Very cool place. It is by appointment only but very easy to make one. We made it for noon on black Friday. We arrived at about 11:45 and there was one customer currently being helped. Almost right behind us another customer walked in for a noon appointment as well. I felt a little rushed with the whole appointment but it being black Friday I just took it in stride. They never pushed me to hurry up but I was done in 35min. That was from initial selection of shirt color and style, to 3D measuring, measured by hand, and trying on full outfit. The prices are very reasonable. For a custom order/fit, it ended up being $125 per shirt (with tax). I should have my first one in 5 weeks. If that fits to my liking then they send the 2nd shirt and that arrives 3 weeks after that. Now for a few pictures.
Small bar in the shop
A glass of bourbon. Notice a theme yet?
Looking to the showroom from the bar
The room. Sorry for the blurry image.
3-D measuring system
This is "How to dress v. How not to dress".
All in all it was a great trip. Great friends. Great food. Great drink. What more could one ask for?
