30 Washington St, Somerville, Massachusetts, United States | 1 800 315 2621
Located fewer than three miles from Harvard University, Assembly Row, and Mass General Hospital
Spacious rooms include a mini-fridge, coffeemaker, and flat-screen TV
Draft restaurant and bar serves dinner and buffet breakfast (for a fee)
Fitness center and indoor climbing wall
Free shuttle takes guests to locations within a three-mile
radius of hotel
Weekend movies shown at indoor pool
Game room with foosball, pool table, and basketball court
Small business center with Internet and free printing; free Wi-Fi throughout
Free Wi-Fi and parking
Room service available
Breakfast costs extra
Industrial location makes for some unappealing views
Street and surrounding industrial area can get noisy
No lunch hours at on-site restaurant
The Holiday Inn Boston-Bunker Hill is a pleasant mid-range hotel that appeals to a wide variety of travelers. The hotel's location on an industrial block subjects guests to gritty views of aging buildings, transfer trucks, and a mechanic shop. However, the free shuttle and location a 10-minute drive to both Cambridge and the airport is reasonably convenient (for those who don't need to be in Boston proper). Amenities include a
recreation area featuring a rock climbing wall, indoor swimming pool,
and basketball court. The 184 contemporary rooms include a coffeemaker, flat-screen TV, and mini-fridge. Decor is nicer than expected for a chain hotel, especially in the lobby set with local art. Draft restaurant serves a selection of craft beer and a dinner menu, but the breakfast buffet costs extra. The nearby La Quinta Inn & Suites Boston Somerville has cheaper rates, but fewer amenities.
Scene
Decor pays homage to local candy-making history in public spaces
The Holiday Inn Boston-Bunker Hill's lobby and reception area
has large, bright windows, and a seating area set with gray L-shaped couches. Carpeting
carries shades of tan, brown, and dark reds, with a repeating swirl design that
looks like hundreds of small, hand-drawn tornadoes. A coffee table holds a
jar of Lego blocks, with which guests are invited to play. Tall potted bamboo
plants stand in the reception area, and at the entrance to each hallway. To the
right of the reception desk, the hotel's on-site restaurant and bar, Draft,
features a sports theme and is decorated with vintage photos of Boston's
classic sports teams. During a walk down the hallways, it's hard to miss the
quirky pop art that decorates the walls. Many of these colorful images depict
popular candies, and as it turns out, this isn't just a random decorating
choice: Marshmallow Fluff, and many
other confections, were made in the nearby Schrafft's building. Guests range from business travelers to tourists and families on vacation.
Location
Convenient to Harvard, Mass General Hospital, and public transportation
The Holiday Inn Boston-Bunker Hill is located in Somerville,
about a 10-minute drive from both Boston Logan International Airport and Mass General Hospital. A six-minute drive from the hotel, guests will find Assembly
Row, a large, modern shopping plaza with mall chain stores like J Crew Factory and Converse, along with a variety of
restaurants. Harvard Square, a 12-minute drive, features locally owned businesses
and boutique-style shopping. The Holiday Inn is about a 10-minute walk to Boston's public transit
system, the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority, locally known as the T. From there, travelers can take the subway into Boston proper, or to Cambridge,
with its many shops, restaurants, and cultural events. The hotel's free shuttle
service will transport guests to any location within a three-mile radius of the
hotel, including to the subway station. Shuttle service doesn't include airport
transfers, so those without a car will either need to arrange an Uber ride, or take
the T to Boston Logan.
Rooms
Furnished with modern style, and an eye toward whimsy
The 184 rooms feature a slightly modern style that's pretty standard for the chain, apart from the interesting art. Geometric
patterns reign supreme in the decor of this hotel. Beds have long, rectangular
headboards that extend out past the sides of
beds. Rooms with two beds share one these long headboards, though a nightstand
separates them. Pop art interpretations of vintage ads, photos of Elvis Presley,
and urban street scenes decorate the walls. Short tower lamps, covered
with semi-transparent shades create soft lighting. All rooms include free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, 32-inch flat-screen TVs with cable, coffeemakers with generic
brand coffee, and a free morning newspaper. Cribs are available upon request. Like the other rooms, Suites have combined sleeping and living areas, but small galleys between the main part of
the suites and their bathrooms hold mini-fridges, microwaves, separate sinks,
and counter space for preparing food. These galleys also offer storage space in
cabinets. Guests will find folded towels in their bathrooms, as well
as fruit-scented shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and bar soap. Many rooms look
out over an industrial block, while others provide uninteresting views of
rooftop HVAC units. Some views are modestly better, with more trees. The street below can also get noisy during early morning hours, with passing trucks and commuter traffic.
Features
No free breakfasts, but an indoor pool and rock climbing wall
The Holiday Inn Boston-Bunker Hill provides a range of
amenities, most of which are included in the cost of a stay. Use of the indoor pool
and well-equipped fitness center set with Precor machines is free, as are Wi-Fi and parking. All guests
can use the recreation area, which includes a pool table, foosball
table, climbing wall, and basketball court. Weekend movies are
shown, at no added cost, on a large screen above the indoor swimming pool.
Guests may access the free shuttle service to reach any location within a three-mile radius of the hotel. A small business center, located off the lobby, houses two computer workstations with free Internet and printers. The on-site
restaurant and lounge, Draft, serves conventional American pub fare such as burgers
and pizza. A full menu of wine, beers (with local and microbrew options), and
liquor drinks is also available. Draft is open for those who wish to purchase
dinner, or partake of the buffet-style breakfast, but is closed during lunch
hours. Room service is available throughout the day.