One thing I discovered early in my research was that lodging in Boston is one of the most expensive in the United States! Since there were six in our travelling party (my parents, Radwin, myself and our two kids), we decided to share accommodations and the rental of a minivan in an effort to save where we can. (In hindsight, it was probably not the best idea considering my parents and I... e clash when in close proximity for more than a few days.)
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All photos courtesy of Hotels.com
After a long search for hotels that offer two bedroom suites, I booked Sonesta ES Suites Burlington Boston for seven nights. The property is located in the suburbs of Boston, approximately 25 minutes drive from the Boston Logan International Airport and city center. The hotel was easy to find despite being tucked away from the main street. Parking was free and plentiful.
Travel Tip: Because I booked direct and a (minimum of) 7 nights, I qualified for the Long Term Stay discounted rate, which made our stay very affordable. I also enrolled in the Sonesta Travel Pass rewards program so I could start earning points toward free nights and other perks. Unlike many chain hotel loyalty programs, Sonesta Travel Pass points never expire and are never blacked out. Visit the Sonesta Travel Pass website to learn more about the benefits of being a member.
When we arrived at the hotel, Mark at the front desk made sure of a quick and effortless check-in. The common area or “the nest” (situated just beyond the lobby) was decorated in bright, bold colours which I personally like and found quite welcoming. Our suite was located to the left and down a second hallway.
Our Two-Bedroom Suite
Our suite was spacious with an open floor plan. To the right of the suite entrance was a moderate-sized fully equipped kitchen. There was a full-sized refrigerator, cook-top stove, dishwasher, microwave, toaster, kettle, coffee machine, and seating for four. While we did no cooking at all during our stay, we made good use of the refrigerator and microwave.
The living room boasted a large pull-out sofa, armchair, working desk and of course, a flat-screen TV with premium movie channels. We had no issues channel surfing (NHL playoff final!) or connecting to the high-speed wireless internet across multiple devices, anywhere in the suite and on the property. The furniture was minimalistic, a bit on the plain side but comfortable with coloured accents throughout.
The two bedrooms were located on opposite sides of the living room, allowing my parents their own privacy and us ours. The bedrooms were standard size with lots of storage space and comfortable beds. There were enough drawers in the TV stand dresser combo to store our week’s worth of clothes and enough hangers in the wardrobe for pieces that could not be folded. We loved that each bedroom had its own bathroom.
Breakfast & Dining Options
A continental buffet breakfast is included for all guests in the large dining room or “the dish”. The spread is standard with something for everyone, whether you want a fully cooked breakfast (three hot items to choose from daily), fresh muffins and croissants, or just fruits and cereals.
Since the Sonesta ES Suites Burlington does not have a restaurant, we were provided with a coupon, at check-in, for a free appetizer at a restaurant located three minutes away by car. There is a small “shoppe” in an alcove next to the front desk with a variety of frozen entrées, ice creams, snacks, and beverages for purchase 24 hours a day.
Other Amenities
Around the back of the hotel is “the dip”, an outdoor seasonal pool area. Lounge chairs and table are available there alongside several barbeque grills that were free for guest use. There is also a fitness centre on site with the usual equipments.
Issues During Our Stay
We did run into some maintenance issues. The first night, my parents had a clogged toilet (no, we did not flush something down the toilet that we shouldn’t have). We tried calling the front desk and maintenance several times around 9PM but no one picked up. When we went to the front desk and spoke with Mark, we were informed that maintenance had gone home for the night but would look into the issue first thing the next morning. We managed to unclog the toilet by borrowing a plunger from Mark.
True to his words, maintenance came by the next morning and “fixed” the toilet that we had already unclogged. Later that evening, after our six-year-old used the bathroom, the toilet in our bedroom overflowed. Radwin and I managed to prevent the water from overflowing into the bedroom by stacking all the available towels in the washroom doorway, and again, we had to wait until the following morning for maintenance.
After we were assured that the valve was the culprit and fixed, we were hesitant to use the toilet. The test flush took nearly a full minute to drain and the water level remained high. We requested to move to a different suite but as there was no vacancy for the week, we either used the toilet in my parents’ bathroom whenever possible or the washroom facilities next to the lobby as a precaution for the remaining five nights of our seven-night stay. To say it was inconvenient was an understatement.
Fortunately, Mark was very apologetic and understanding. He offered a one-night refund for the inconvenience, processed through two transactions. The first refund transaction was reflected on our invoice at checkout. I followed up with Sonesta by email a week after our return on the second refund and it took a full week for a response; that the request was forwarded to their billing department and I was to be contacted shortly. Another week went by, nothing. It was my review on Tripadvisor shortly thereafter that prompted the second refund as promised and a response from the General Manager.
Conclusion
Regardless of the problems we experienced, this is a comfortable, family friendly hotel. Don’t let the distance from the city centre put you off—the hotel is easily accessible by car and metro, and conveniently surrounded by a wide array of shopping and dining options.
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