Boston
I've got stars in my eyes
I'll be traveling to the city next month and wanted to ask what some of the best hotels in downtown are? I have always wanted to stay at a higher end hotel with a big bathroom with water tiles, etc. I'm sure someone here can lead me in the right direction.
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I just tried to check current hotel ratings and Boston is now loaded with 5-star hotels, with ratings from all sorts of agencies. At this point, I have no idea what all those stars mean anymore. Some hotels' web sites make a big deal with photo and video walk throughs of their rooms and facilities.
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If you come to Boston, always wear eye protection and watch out for the stars!
I'll be traveling to the city next month and wanted to ask what some of the best hotels in downtown are? I have always wanted to stay at a higher end hotel with a big bathroom with water tiles, etc. I'm sure someone here can lead me in the right direction.
.
I just tried to check current hotel ratings and Boston is now loaded with 5-star hotels, with ratings from all sorts of agencies. At this point, I have no idea what all those stars mean anymore. Some hotels' web sites make a big deal with photo and video walk throughs of their rooms and facilities.
.
If you come to Boston, always wear eye protection and watch out for the stars!
Re: I've got stars in my eyes
The more stars a hotel has the more amenities they provide.
I think things used to be different, when the "independent" rating guides took into consideration all sorts of other things, like ambiance. I remember a story in the Globe in the 1990s lamenting that Boston only had two 5-star hotels (and, briefly, just one). (Is it the Michelin Guide that used to be the #1 rating guide? They actually sent their professional hotel rating staff to stay at the hotels and rate their experiences.) The more stars a hotel has the more amenities they provide.
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Nowadays, the numerous rating groups are also the advertising groups (expedia, etc.) and they'll get more ad $s if they give a hotel more stars:
indoor plumbing *
shared bathroom on each floor **
private bathroom in each room ***
... toilet flushes, most of the time ****
.
wi-fi *
free wi-fi **
free wi-fi with a signal that actually works ***
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The cost of many things has gone down. A swimming pool used to be a luxury. Today, it's the norm. (Properly maintained swimming pool, add another star.)
If I'm booking a room for an hour or so of fun and plan to leave in the early morning then I don't need to pay for an indoor pool, onsite restaurant, 24 hour room service, etc. that I won't be using.
I'm an incall kind of guy, so I don't need to use the health club, 60" TV, pool, or shoe shine service, either. I want a clean room, clean towels, ... and a working elevator. 
