I don't want to blast this hotel entirely. The staff are fantastic, it's a really clean place to stay, but I think the hotel really doesn't offer anything but a good central location, and a bed for the night.

The location is ideal, one minute walk from Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. You can get a good pint at The Black Rose over the road (apparently number four in the top ten US Irish Bars at the time of writing).

The hotel has no bar, no breakfast facilities either in the room or in reception, unless you count flasks of coffee. For circa $200 per night, it would not be difficult to provide a basket of muffins and bagels? You can get that in a Super 8 for $50 per night... Admittedly, it is most likely the cheapest hotel in the downtown area. But be aware that when you get up in the morning around 8am to explore the city, you will spend the first 40 minutes finding a nice place to get breakfast. Quincy Market being the closest bet, unless you want to spend around $30 at the Marriott over the road. And there is a no frills breakfast / pizzeria next door called Nunzio's (closed on Saturday and Sunday!) that does a decent bacon/egg bagel.

When we arrived (28 Sep 2007) the hotel was in the middle of renovations and didn't look like it was going to be finished in the next couple of months. The wallpaper in the halls had been stripped and patched up with plaster, waiting for someone to do some serious sanding exercise. The ceiling in the reception area looks temporary and the workmen doing the "improvements" share the elevator with you. However, all of this is pure cosmetics to me and the place was very clean and quiet, but it's good to know if that sort of thing bothers you.

Also, stay away from room 215. At weekends the Tapas bar next door turns into a banging nightclub which can be heard through the walls of this room at 2am.

A Marriott hotel is possibly the same the world over and they are one of the best of the big chains. Although, I would probably avoid them if travelling at my own expense, they are pretty pricey. So, most other Marriotts that I review in future will just be short and sweet.

My room had two large Queen size beds. I can't help wondering what sort of strange relationship demands two double beds in the same room? Cable. Films and WiFi, coffee maker and a large mirrored wardrobe facing the toilet, so you can see yourself sitting on the throne. eew.

Possibly a little out of the way should you want to visit Hartford, but this is a nice clean hotel with friendly staff.

Mediocre Sushi Bar. Good restaurant and bar, again expensive. There is a Starbucks in the Foyer, should you disagree to spend $15 on breakfast.

Indoor and Outdoor pool. Hidden behind a woody drive.

On my last few visits there I have come to notice that they are charging you a lot of money for everything. $10/day for internet access for a $260 room rate is just plain wrong in my view, even if I am living on business expenses. I have stayed at a Super8 charging $50/night and I get free broadband access!

http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/BDLCT

If you ever happen to find yourself out here for some reason. Book yourself into this motel. Run by Claudia and Bernie, the friendliest moteliers ever. In fact, I would go as far as to say they are more than moteliers, they are two people I have met in my travels around the world and go WAY beyond the call of duty. They have restored my faith in human kindness...

Nice chats over breakfast. Nothing spectacular but clean rooms and the welcome is second to none.