Ideal location-- close to House of Blues, Fenway Park, and across the street from Kenmore T-station
On-site sports bar and restaurant serves American breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Some rooms have flat-screen TVs and kitchens
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Small but modern fitness center with up-to-date machines
Daily food coupons for the on-site restaurant
On-site laundry facility for guest use
Historic sports landmark-- site of the 1919 Black Sox Scandal
Business center with a several computers and a printer for use
Furniture is shabby and hotel is generally outdated
Fee for breakfast
Some noise and bright lights on game nights from nearby Fenway Park
Parking next door is expensive and cramped
With 116 rooms, The Hotel Boston Buckminster is a mid-size, two-and-a-half-pearl
property in an ideal spot in the heart of Kenmore Square -- close to Fenway
Park, Boston University, and the House of Blues. Its retro character might
appeal to history buffs or sports fans, but the shabby furniture and outdated
amenities may be otherwise off-putting to guests expecting a modern hotel. Standard Rooms are particularly run down, but the suites were formerly college apartments and are in significantly better condition (some have full-size fridges and spacious living rooms) -- so it might be worth requesting an upgrade. If not, the
similarly priced Verb Hotel is just as close to Fenway Park and has free
breakfast and a trendier feel.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Historic budget property in need of a renovation
Built in 1897, The Boston Hotel Buckminster has worn many
hats during its long tenure in the city. It was once the site of the first network radio broadcast, later housed
Italian prisoners of war, and was even a famous jazz club called Storyville,
with performances by the likes of Billie Holiday and Louie Armstrong. While its
long and varied history certainly gives the building some character, the
grandeur has since noticeably faded. It remains visible only in the
architectural structure: a grand marble lobby circles towards the seating area
and winding staircases have intricate designs embossed on the railings. The
hotel is otherwise functional, but clearly in need of a renovation -- starting with
the rickety elevator. Because the hotel is centrally located in Kenmore Square -- across
the street from Boston University and nearby Fenway Park, it tends to attract
parents and families touring universities as well as baseball fans from out of
town.
Location
In the heart of Kenmore Square, close to Fenway Park and House of Blues, with a hip restaurant and bar scene
The Boston Hotel Buckminster is located on a triangular
intersection of Beacon Street, Commonwealth and Brookline Ave, and is across
from the Kenmore Square T-station on the green line. The central location is
unbeatable for getting to and from various tourist sites in the city, whether
by train, on foot, or taxi. The Boston Public Library in Copley and Newbury
Street shops are one stop away on the T, and the Prudential Center is only a
five-minute taxi ride away. This hotel is perfectly situated for both music lovers and
hardcore sports fans -- the House of Blues and Fenway Park are each a respective five-minute
walk away. Parents and prospective college students might appreciate that
Boston University is directly across the street, and Harvard Square is about a
12 minute ride on the T. There are also ample dining and nightlife options within a
few feet of the property, serving varied dishes including Indian, Mexican, and
Italian food, as well as some hip bars like Eastern Standard and the Hawthorne.
Rooms
Simple, sunny rooms with scuffed furniture and outdated amenities, small and clean bathrooms
The rooms here are simple and straightforward -- beige walls, mahogany furniture, and Victorian still-life paintings hanging on the walls. Beds are quite comfortable and large, though light sleepers might want to request interior-facing rooms to avoid the street noise. This is especially crucial on game nights, when the bright field lights from Fenway Park might add another challenge to a good night’s sleep.The Standard Rooms show their age: furniture is visibly scuffed and electrical outlets are sparse, as are lighting sources (some rooms have desks but no reading lamps), but the rooms receive a lot of sun from large street-facing windows. The amenities could use an upgrade as well: tube-style TVs are old analog Sanyo models and there are no coffeemakers. Rooms do come with mini-fridges and microwaves, and the air-conditioning is robust and responsive.Bathrooms are small and clean, though some tubs have rust stains and there is limited counter space -- only a single glass shelf for toiletries next to the sink. It might be worth considering an upgrade to the Suites. Most are modern, with full-size fridges, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and plenty of room for a larger group.
Features
On-site sports bar with the best wings in Kenmore and a tiny fitness room with up-to-date equipment
The hotel sports a tiny fitness room with only a handful of
machines, but they are clean, modern, and functional. The business center is next
door and offers two computers and a printer for use, and Wi-Fi is free for guests. Another perk is the
on-site washer and dryer, a feature harkening back to the 1960s,
when the property had a brief stint as the dormitory for a local college. The on-site sports bar and restaurant offers American-style pub
fare and serves a large variety of beers and wine. Fenmore Grill apparently has the best wings in
Kenmore Square, as of a 2015 contest with nearby restaurants, and there’s a TV
in every corner -- making it a good spot to catch the game for those who don’t feel
like buying a ticket. While breakfast is not included, the hotel does offer a mild incentive to try the hotel restaurant by giving out daily coupons to use during breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
