Attractive design and a relaxed atmosphere characterize this boutique hotel, a tribute to Boston’s history of innovation.
The lobby of the Revolution Hotel features a vibrant mural by renowned West Coast artist Tristan Eaton, featuring JFK, Paul Revere, and everyone else associated with Boston. But what catches your eye upon entering is the White Tower at the far end of the lobby. It’s an artfully arranged collection of telephones, typewriters, flamingos, a Polaroid camera, Converse sneakers, Bose stereos, and more, all painted white and mounted on a large column. These seemingly random objects have one thing in common: They were all invented or made in Massachusetts. Opened in December 2018, this hotel sends a clear message: revolutions in the Bay State aren’t limited to settlers. This is a region that values invention, innovation, and disruption.
History
In 1908, the building at 40 Berkeley Street opened as the YWCA, a refuge for women struggling to get their lives in order. In 2018, it opened as a hotel after extensive renovations. In addition to the lobby design mentioned above, All Things Massachusetts extends to the lower garden level, a 24-hour work or meeting space and daytime coworking space (more on that in a minute). Adorned with photographs of Jack Kerouac, Donna Summer, John F. Kennedy, Tom Brady, and dozens of others, this sprawling wall is a veritable who’s who of Massachusetts notables.
Quart
There are a variety of room sizes and bed options among the hotel’s 177 rooms, but they all fall into one of two categories: some have private bathrooms and others require you to walk across the hall to a shared bathroom, which you probably wouldn’t think of. The common area is reminiscent of a high-end gym locker room, with private stalls with showers and toilets and neatly arranged linens. Non-bathroom rooms have rubber bags for guests to carry their toiletries down the hall. There are three types: a king-size bed, a king-size bed and a loft bed for two, and a “quad” with two bunk beds and plenty of power outlets close together, an ideal arrangement for friends traveling together. All rooms have a desk. En suite rooms do not have desks.
The rooms are compact and space-saving with well-integrated storage. Each is equipped with a safe and all the necessary high-tech amenities, like LCD TVs and a small bedside radio that sound as good as a much larger stereo. The lemongrass bamboo foam soaps, shampoos, and conditioners in the showers are excellent pump bottles, a smart and eco-friendly choice. Free Wi-Fi is available.
The company also operates the Revolution Lofts next door, which offer larger, suite-style rooms, each with a bathroom and a kitchenette with a stove, sink, refrigerator, plates, and silverware.
district
The hotel is located just a few blocks from Tremont Street, the restaurant’s main drag, the South End. The neighborhood is home to a huge Whole Foods (believed to be the largest in New England) and a wide selection of boutiques, trendy restaurants, and lively bars. A 10-minute walk in the other direction brings you to Copley Square, the bustling green space surrounded by the historic Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel, the iconic Trinity Church, and a shopping mall with many famous boutiques. One block away is Newbury Street, Boston’s famous shopping street. The Back Bay Station on the Orange Line and the Arlington Station on the Green Line are within walking distance. If you’re heading to the airport or train station, simply transfer from the Orange Line or Green Line to the airport and train station.
Convenience Stores
A small coffee stand in the lobby serves complimentary coffee from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and sells all manner of pastries, coffee, and espresso drinks throughout the day. A restaurant is slated to open this summer, but in the meantime, it’s close enough to a number of notable local restaurants that its absence is easily forgiven.
Everything else
The lower level of the hotel garden is a spacious room with large tables, each with plenty of power outlets for those who want to lounge around for a few hours. During the day
