Courtyard Boston Copley Square

Erected in 1890, the historic building -- once known as Exeter Chambers, a posh address for the city's businessmen -- offers a distinctly late-19th century take on the palazzo style of architecture popular at the time. The beautiful exterior features wraparound cornice detailing, symmetrical windows, and a grand scale inspired by the architecture of the Italian Renaissance with Industrial Age riffs like iron bay windows. However, once inside, things don't have quite the same historical charm. Interiors are adorned with decor that's typical of modern, mid-range chain hotels. Large-patterned wallpaper, a bold color scheme with pops of yellow and blue, and cherry wood veneer furnishings make plenty of appearances, and the entryway is done up in unremarkable granite tiling with sports memorabilia hanging on the walls. The open-concept lobby offers three distinct social spaces, including a lounge with flat-screen TVs, a business center, and a cafe. However, the hotel’s social “scene” begins and ends with this single area. The property draws a wide cross-section of guests, including families and couples, though the vast majority of those staying here are business travelers. 

Situated in the heart of Back Bay, the hotel sits among many of the city’s most historic buildings and sights -- in fact, this is about as central and ideal location as one can ask for in Boston. As downtown parking can prove frustrating, many guests will likely want to skip the rental car. Many popular attractions and services -- including local restaurants, the upscale shops of Newbury Street, and the Prudential Center -- are all within a five-minute walk (or less). Boston Public Garden and Boston Common are a 10- to 15-minute walk from the hotel, while the vibrant South End neighborhood -- which is packed with trendy, locals-only restaurants and boutiques -- is also 10 minutes away on foot.While the hotel doesn’t offer airport transportation, getting to and from Logan International is straightforward. As the hotel is situated within two minutes of the Copley Green Line T station on foot, the airport is reachable in 40 minutes. Alternatively, taxis are readily available throughout the city, and the drive takes just 15 minutes in light traffic.

Each of the three room categories is clean, bright, and contemporary. The color scheme, furniture, and accents are all typical of comparable chain hotels. Cherry wood veneer surfaces and furniture with clean lines can be found in every room. Beds are made with white linens and sit under large, modern wooden headboards. Boldly patterned wallpaper kicks things up a notch on accent walls, and colors throughout are warm, with orange and gold tones offset by darker navy carpets.Two of the three rooms categories -- Double Queen Guestrooms and King Guestrooms -- are virtually identical, but with different bed configurations. Both have club chairs for seating in addition to desks. The flagship Queen Suite Guestrooms feature a larger floor plan that accommodates six, with a separate living area and a foldout sleeper sofa. All have floor space typical of comparable three-pearl chain hotels in the heart of Boston, which is to say they are a bit compact by most standards..Standard amenities include 37” flat-screen HDTVs, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. The free Wi-Fi is fast, reliable, and available in all rooms and common areas. King- and queen-size beds are almost universally well-reviewed as comfortable.Like the rooms, bathrooms are generically up-to-date. A bright red and orange shower curtain adds a dash of color to the otherwise beige space. From the granite countertops, polished fixtures, and tile flooring, the fit and finish is excellent. All bathrooms offer basic hair dryers and generic soaps and shower gels.

While it may be a three-pearl property, the Courtyard by Marriott Boston Copley Square offers few common amenities. A spacious lobby, a breakfast-only cafe, and a tiny gym are its only noteworthy offerings.The spacious, first-floor lobby provides the hotel’s sole social area. It encompasses a lounge with a flat-screen TV and an adjacent self-service “market” that sells cold drinks and a la carte snacks. Nearby, a business center features two PC workstations and a high-top table with a dozen electrical outlets. Table 88 cafe in the adjacent room serves specialty coffee drinks, simple breakfast foods (like pastries, bagels, and other baked goods), and beer and wine in the evening. Unfortunately, breakfast is not included in the room rates.The only other on-site amenity is a tiny basement exercise room. The room feels like an oversized closet and only offers three cardio machines, plus a workout bench and a small stack of free weights.Valet parking is available for a price typical of other hotels in downtown Boston (read: expensive). Alternatively, a self-parking lot across the street provides slightly more affordable rates. The hotel provides Wi-Fi throughout for free.