1234 Soldiers Field Rd, Boston, Massachusetts, United States | (888) 822-7560
Walk to Charles Riverfront in less than five minutes (it's just across the road)
Harvard Business School less than five minutes away by car
On-site Cuban restaurant opening summer 2018
Free snack bowls and mini-fridges in most of the rooms
Free breakfast of pastries, scones, oatmeal, and fruit
Free and ample self-parking
On-site fitness center
Computer for guest use in the lobby
Free Wi-Fi
Furniture is worn and decor is outdated
Far from downtown Boston and public transportation in area is infrequent
Some traffic noise from busy Soldier's Field Road
The 117-room Studio Allston Hotel is a two-pearl property near the Charles River that's fine for a quick overnight stay for those on a budget. The immediate area isn't the most charming, though, and Boston's major sights aren't walkable from here. While bus lines exist in the area, they are infrequent and guests with cars will fare better; it takes around 15 minutes to drive into downtown Boston, and up to ten minutes to drive to Harvard Square depending on traffic. Parking and Wi-Fi are both free.
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Location
On busy Soldier's Field Road across from the Charles River, a 10- to 15-minute drive to Boston
Studio Allston Hotel is on Soldier’s Field Road, a relatively busy street that runs along the Charles River. The proximity to the water is a single perk in an otherwise out-of-the-way location. Despite the name, the hotel is actually located on the outer fringes of Boston's Allston neighborhood, filled with many college students and bars, though a walk to those areas of the neighborhood will take at least 25 minutes, or about 10 minutes by car depending on traffic. Downtown Boston itself is a 10-15 drive and Harvard Square takes about 10 minutes to reach by car. Fenway Park is also not walkable from the hotel, and will take 10 minutes to reach by car. Harvard Business School, located on the south side of the Charles River, is about a five-minute drive from the hotel.
There aren’t a lot of restaurants close by and the immediate area lacks much charm, but Dunkin Donuts, Big Daddy’s Steakhouse, and Stone Hearth Pizza Company are within 10 to 15 minutes from the hotel on foot. Getting into downtown Boston via public transportation is a bit complicated. There’s a bus stop right behind the hotel, but service is infrequent. Parking is free, though, and there is easy access to I-90 from the hotel.
Rooms
Standard budget amenities, outdated decor, though some rooms have lovely views of the Charles River
The rooms are exactly what you’d expect from a budget chain hotel --
that is, not much is offered beyond the basics. The amenities are standard: a microwave and coffeemaker, air-conditioning, a desk, a safe, and an old tube-style TV. Most rooms also come with mini-fridges and offer free snack bowls with granola bars and other treats. The flowery bed spreads, striped curtains, and scuffed wood furniture are mismatched and give off a '90s revival vibe -- which isn't helped by the Home Interiors-style, flowery wall art and wallpaper borders. Furniture may be outdated, but the beds are in excellent condition and the bathrooms are equally functional and clean. Rooms on the
higher floors have a lovely view of the Charles River, though it may be wise to avoid the street-side rooms and those near elevators to ensure a good night’s rest, as they can both be noisy. Double Suites are also available and have an additional seating area, though decor is the same.
Features
Free Wi-Fi, breakfast, and parking
The amenities are lacking here, though signs throughout the hotel indicate otherwise. A sign titled “Business Center” leads to a room with an ATM, a bubblegum machine, and some local maps. A desktop computer supervised by front desk staff has replaced what used to exist in this room. Similarly, the fitness center sign leads to a locked door with a painted-over window -- though for the truly ambitious, the hotel offers passes to a gym in Watertown, which is over a mile away.
An on-site Cuban restaurant, Casa Cana, is set to open summer 2018. The hotel's free breakfast consists of muffins, scones, fruit, coffee, and juice. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, as is the ample on-site parking.