Last month I had the pleasure of staying at the newly opened Revolution Hotel in Boston’s South End neighborhood. This trendy, boutique option for budget travelers is a nice reprieve from the sky high prices of most accommodations in the city. Right now they’re in soft-launch mode and in the spring all of their amenities, like the restaurant and bar, will be up and running.
It’s important to note up front that this is a budget hotel kind of place. I don’t want to use the word “hostel” because it has negative connotations which don’t apply here, but it’s more in that spartan vein. You can choose a room with an ensuite bathroom and a king or queen bed or book a larger room with bunk beds to accommodate a larger party. The bunk bed rooms have communal bathrooms in the hallway but the rooms are not shared with strangers, they’re just for large parties. That’s actually a great option to keep things inexpensive on group trips. If you’re planning a bachelorette in Boston this might be the way to go!
I had an incredible time at the hotel and I would absolutely recommend a stay here. But if you’re looking for a typical hotel experience with upscale amenities and a room you can lounge in, this is not the right place for you. If you’re looking for an awesome, artsy vibe in a central location at a good price, book a room now!
Now that I’ve clarified that, this is one of the nicest budget hotels I’ve ever stayed in. The staff was really nice and knowledgeable and the room I stayed in had a super cozy bed and thoughtful design details like outlets behind the bed, reading lights, and a full-length mirror. In the hallway they have ice buckets, ice, and a filtered water tap which is a nice touch.
I can’t speak to the bunk bed rooms because I stayed in an en-suite room, though from other reviews I’ve read it seems like those might be more upscale. I’ve read that they come with bath totes, slippers, and robes. I did peek into one of the shared bathrooms and it was very nice, the space is divided up into four private rooms each with a shower, sink, and toilet. There are stacks of towels provided. These bathrooms were definitely more chic-communal than hostel. The bathroom in my ensuite room had an open plan with the shower just divided by a curtain from the toilet and sink area which was a recipe for wet feet. This had more of a hostel vibe.
In the morning they had free La Colombe coffee and pastries in the lobby (they will have a full breakfast included later on). WiFi is free and there’s a great co-working space in the basement called Conspire. They’ve got games, seating, and a bar with beer and wine. This is free for guests and Boston locals can work there for a fee. The basement also includes a gym area which is a really nice touch for the price and cute bathrooms themed around the different T lines.
One of the best things about the hotel is the artwork inside. The lobby is decorated with a killer mural by Tristan Eaton that celebrates Boston’s revolutionary history. It features Martin Luther King, Jr., John F Kennedy, and many other greats in a cool graffiti style. The carpet in the upstairs hallways is designed after the mural to tie everything together. The lobby also features a column sculpture at the staircase by local arts group Individuals Collective. They took items that were invented in Boston and sculpted them around the column in all-white. It’s striking. The lobby has a fireplace, Boston-themed books, comfy seating as well.
Typical rates start at $150 per night but if you use the code ‘TRENDS’ you can get a $75/night rate on any stay through March. Come visit me in Boston!
Please note: I was provided with a complimentary stay at Revolution Hotel, however, all opinions expressed are my own.