We recently spent a few nights at the 148-room Mandarin Oriental Boston. Mandarin Oriental is regarded as one of the world’s best luxury hotel brands, though I had only ever stayed at one Mandarin Oriental property (in Kuala Lumpur), and that was years ago.
Continue reading: Review: Mandarin Oriental Boston
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Boston is just popular in the summer. It’s always busy with tourists and events. Gotta book earth.
Most mandarin orientals in the US are just like you describe- fine and a Prince for the brand. But not as good as their properties in Asia. Here in DC there’s a Mandarin but it’s just not in the same league reputation-wise as the city’s top hotels such as the hay-Adams, 4 seasons, Jefferson.
Bostonian here - nothing big I know of was going on, I the city is just popular in the summer. Hope you got over to Comm. Ave, a nice place to walk.
That breakfast sure looks good, and agree prices are surprisingly reasonable - I'll have to check it out!
There used to be a hair salon on the 2nd floor, where my hairdresser worked for awhile, so I've been through the public areas - agree they're just kinda meh.
Maybe you addressed this before…but are you rating based on expectations?
You give this place 4 stars and the Marriott 4 stars too? Obviously one is better than the other.
I stayed in many MO hotels all over the world including USA - American MO hotels are not even close to the hotels in the Far East or Europe. Waste of money.
I'm guessing he factors cost into the rating. A $200/night room vs $1000/night room will have two drastically different levels of expectations.
The entire property looks totally uninspired, although that is an excellent location as you note.
Mandarin is selling the DC property to Salamander Hotels & Resorts and after the sale it will cease to be a Mandarin. It's never been anything special - basically a glorified Marriott at Mandarin prices.
Agree that outside the US Mandarin is in a whole other league - stayed in June at the Mandarin in Doha and it was close to flawless, one of the best city hotels I've ever stayed in. Although I did like the Mandarin in Vegas, which was rebranded as a Waldorf some time back.
Good news that DC will stop being an MO. That hotel is pretty lame and detracts from the MO brand. Seems like Boston MO is very similar and not a good representation of MO on the whole.
The hotel is connected to the prudential center and Copley mall, so you can access a dozen restaurants and bars without having to go outside. You also have direct indoor access to a subway stop, train station, and convention center
Funny you mention you stayed at the KL Mandarin Oriental a few years ago! I just completed a 4 night stay just 2 weeks ago.
It was nice enough, staff were super-friendly and obliging (a few too much so), but I found the food very disappointing. Did better in the adjoining Petronus Towers complex and local recommended hawkers stalls where much better local dishes were about one-tenth of the price of the hotel.
An OK but unmerorable experience.
Hard to make a choice between this and the Newton Marriott, since both are worthy of a 4 star review!
No doubt I am a huge fan of both MO and FS. With that the U.S. properties for MO have always been somewhat lacking. Only Miami stands out as really special to me in offering a true experience. MO shines the most in other parts of the world though and where I tend to use them.
I prefer the new FS in Boston at Dalton St. But it’s much newer and was built as such with a keener eye to the times.
MO has never been able to really advance the brand in the U.S. And I do agree that if they would utilize more the Asian roots of their hotels it would help distinguish their properties from FS and develop more of a true following. Adding a few resorts and a presence on the West Coast would also help them greatly. I will never understand why they abandoned San Francisco. Back in the day it was a wonderful hotel, especially for work in the Financial District.
You're trying all the wrong MOs.
Try the MO Jakarta, for service beyond words.
MO Bangkok for a historic property with great dining options, really nice rooms (apart from the basic ones) and tranquility in a chaotic city.
MO London for some of the best rooms in the City.
MO Ritz Madrid for beautiful design.
MO Landmark HK for an unbeatable location, and really well designed rooms.
Other MOs, which are great, but face stiff competition are:
MO Tokyo, great prestigious location, but other hotels are better in Tokyo.
Singapore, a great property but out shadowed by MBS in the area, and the hotels on Orchard with a better location.
Barcelona, nicely done but far too small.
Milan, the Bulgari right opposite and FS a few meters away do it so much better, if they didn't exist the MO would be great though.
Dubai & Istanbul, nice but what is with the pricing? In these markets its insane.
Agree, living in DC and being an MO Elite Fan this property lost any luster a few years after opening. The whole thing was a mistake. The building is boring, the rooms cookie cutter, and the location less than ideal (unless you like watching planes landing at DCA). When first opening they did have some fantastic restaurants and bar offerings, but they never survived. I stayed there last a year ago and was shocked how far it had fallen. Also The precious GM (who was also the US GM) was just moved last year to the Mandarin London, so I had a feeling the hotels days were numbered. The property fits more along the lines of maybe becoming an Intercontinental or Conrad.
Bottom line is that North America and MO have really struggled. They just seem to not have a clue here how to advance the brand. SF, Vegas, Atlanta…all gone. And now DC. They really need a visionary to better understand the market. Really, the only US property I bother staying at anymore is Miami, which is wonderful.
Should add Munich to one of the lists of gems. I have stayed there for years for work and find it flawless. One of my favorite hotels in Europe. Agree with you on the rest though as to which are special and those that are ho hum. Singapore is especially a consistent disappointment. I’m excited for Vienna next to see how it stands up to my beloved Park Hyatt.
They have a huge amount of properties in the pipeline, the vast majority of which are outside of the US. I hadn't really thought about it but after reading your comment, I suppose that's not a coincidence.
Eating at a Ramsay restaurant and not ordering the Wellington is almost criminal. It's absurdly delicious at each of his restaurants that I've visited. If you're only going to have one dining option at a hotel, a Gordon Ramsay restaurant is a pretty sweet option.
I generally find it quite difficult to justify staying at a "luxury chain" hotel in the US (while I pretty much always think it's worth it in Asia and sometimes in Europe), since the layout and styling tends to be pretty similar to newer/newly renovated lower-tier hotels. Don't get me wrong, I for one really like US hotels in general (spacious, good AC, usually nice beds, etc), but the luxury ones seldom give me that "wow" feeling that you get in Asia, while lower to mid tear properties (e.g. new Garden Inn, Hampton Inn, Courtyard, etc) are usually quite good.
Did you have an opportunity to use the spa facilities like the ice fountain, vitality pool, etc? Those are accessible to hotel guests without the need to receive spa services.
As an area resident I love the spa have gotten treatments there. As for the restaurants I believe Gordon Ramsay is the hotels third restaurant since opening in 2008-replacing Bar Boulud and the initial restaurant Asana.
There were formerly two local staples onsite but not affiliated with the hotel. L’Espalier was a Boston institution for decades and popular Valentine’s Day destination and the more casual Provençal cuisine Sel De La Terre was also in the Mandarin Oriental building.
I hope you enjoyed our fine city!
You missed a great standalone hotel—The Newbury. The staff are unparalleled, the rooms are fantastic, and the hotel’s restaurant (Contessa) is one of the best in the city, especially with its rooftop views. Perfect location on Newbury Street and right on the Public Gardens. The only downside of the hotel are the small (but well appointed) bathrooms, and, of course, the price/lack of loyalty program. Check it out next time—you won’t regret it!
MO outside of the Far East are just not up to muster! They lack the hospitality and eager to please can do attitude. My go to Boston hotel is always the Langham.
Every time I look at Boston hotels they are always priced this way. I used my 85K free night certificate from the Amex Marriott for the Liberty which was a stellar hotel and a fantastic value
MO Boston sells for around USD 1000 a night. Who cares if other MOs are great when paying that price?
Are you going to review the Four Seasons Dalton St as well? Curious how it stacks up with the original location.
Hyatt Place Boston Seaport is a great plan watching hotel. Get a room with a window facing the airport. Can watch planes take off all day.
My brother works at the MO Istanbul and they routinely sell out with those prices! I think they are the most expensive hotel in Istanbul.
Is it me or does this property not appear very luxurious especially for the price....
The lobster is cute though.
Mandarin Oriental Boca Raton is well underway, and expected to open early 2023:)