Hotel Indigo Boston - Newton Riverside

This Hotel Indigo outpost is a study in contrasts, or maybe it's just a little underwhelming given this IHG brand's normally sleek boutique style. Nothing is particularly outdated, but while some areas are contemporary and sharp, others feel a bit tired. The modern lobby is bright, airy, and connects to a larger, open concept lounge downstairs with ample seating, flat-screen TVs, and the casual BOKX 109 Cafe. Copious use of glass, polished wood laminate flooring, and IKEA-esque furniture creates an atmosphere that’s clean and crisp, if a bit canned -- and the living room-esque seating area could use a refresh. The slightly upmarket BOKX 109 American Prime steak house is a pleasant surprise in a hotel of this class. There's also frequently live music and entertainment in the hotel's bars, keeping things lively. With a dining area that overlooks the large outdoor pool deck, the combined restaurant and bar create a sizable social outlet for hotel guests which include everyone from couples to families and business travelers. 

The Hotel Indigo Boston’s location just off Interstate 95 is a mixed blessing. On the downside, its proximity to the highway means a serious lack of character and charm for the surrounding area. However, on the upside, the hotel is within a 15-minute walk of several restaurants and stores along Washington and Beacon Streets, as well as Newton-Wellesley Hospital. In addition, the Green Line is less than five minutes away on foot, meaning guests can be in Boston via the T in less than 30 minutes. Downtown Boston is roughly 10 miles away, or about 20 minutes by car. Though it doesn’t provide transportation to the airport, a free shuttle also provides a free ride to restaurants and other attractions in the immediate area. Drives to Logan Airport will take 20 minutes depending on traffic. Self-parking at the hotel is free and ample. 

The 191 rooms at Hotel Indigo Boston are bright, contemporary, and functional. Subtle decorative accents such as large nature-inspired art prints and bolster pillows, along with modern bedding, laminate hardwood flooring, and Euro-inspired lacquer furniture afford a look and feel that’s a notch above average for a hotel in this class.Amenities and floor plans in each of the four room categories are virtually identical. Standard, non-suite rooms differ primarily in bed configurations and layouts. Every room includes free Wi-Fi, a Keurig coffeemaker, a flat-screen TV, and an iPod dock. Executive Suites are similarly arranged, but feature a dedicated workstation desk and private bedroom. Given their location near a bustling highway, the rooms offer little in the way of a view, although they are well-insulated against street noise. Some rooms are a bit compact.The bathrooms in all room categories offer an almost identical layout. They’re well-lit and modern, yet on the small side even for a mid-range hotel. Crisp white tile, glass shower stalls, and large, rectangular wash basins complete the modern look that ties in well with the sleeping quarters. All bathrooms offer hairdryers and Aveda brand soaps and shower gels.

Hotel Indigo Boston offers many amenities typical of a three-and-a-half-pearl hotel. However, a large outdoor pool and decent steak house restaurant set it a notch above its competition.The resort-like outdoor pool is open seasonally and has an expansive sundeck with a pool bar and private cabanas -- an unexpected touch for a suburban New England hotel. A sleek fitness center is larger than average and provides a solid mix of cardio and strength training machines.Two on-site dining options are available, though they only cover breakfast and dinner. While the hotel does not offer a free continental breakfast, the BOKX 109 Cafe serves a cafe menu of coffees, specialty espresso drinks, pastries, and other baked goods. From the decor to the furniture to the menu, the hotel’s BOKX 109 American Prime steak house is a step above most mid-range hotel restaurants. The restaurant is not open for breakfast or lunch, but it becomes a lively scene for dinner and drinks most nights of the week. The menu features typical bar foods and fried favorites, as well as local seafood and assorted cuts of gourmet steak.A number of amenities are well-suited for business travelers, including a modern meeting room with large, glass windows overlooking the pool and sundeck below. The adjacent business center is also larger and more modern than most, with fresh workstations, printers, and a commercial-grade copier. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property and there is a free local shuttle, though it does not take guests to the airport.The hotel is also technically dog-friendly, however, the pricey per-day fee could quickly become exorbitant for anything more than a short-term stay.