The Charlesmark Hotel: A Prime Location in Boston’s Back Bay

Charlesmark Hotel, Back Bay, Boston

The Charlesmark Hotel in Boston’s Back Bay

Which is more important to you in a hotel — a great location or a room with lots of space? If you’re traveling to Boston, and you’d choose a central Back Bay location in exchange for a compact room, consider the Charlesmark Hotel.

Here’s the scoop:

The Charlesmark Hotel in Boston’s Back Bay

The narrow six-story building that houses the Charlesmark Hotel was once a private home. It’s located directly across the street from the Boston Public Library, at the finish line of the annual Boston Marathon, half a block from Copley Square.

From the hotel, you can easily walk to the Public Garden and to the galleries and cafés along Newbury Street. And from Copley Station on the MBTA green line, it’s a quick ride to the Museum of Fine Arts in the Fenway, to downtown’s Freedom Trail, and to the restaurants in the city’s Chinatown.

Guest room, Charlesmark Hotel, Back Bay, Boston

A Charlesmark Hotel guest room

Guest Rooms and Amenities

The Charlesmark guest rooms are compact but smartly designed with blond wood furnishings, white linens, red accents, and modern bathrooms. Electrical outlets and light switches are conveniently located by the bed. Wi-fi is included in the room rates and worked well.

A tabletop pulled out of the book shelf to use as a desk. A mini fridge was tucked into the cabinet below the pullout table.

Guest room2, Charlesmark Hotel, Back Bay, Boston

Efficient design, with a pullout tabletop

Rooms don’t have coffeemakers or kettles, so you’ll need to head for the lobby-level café for your caffeine.

Only the front-facing rooms overlooking Boylston Street have large windows. Other rooms face other buildings or have no windows at all. The cheapest windowless units — the Cabin Rooms — are clearly indicated on the hotel’s website, so you can choose when you’re booking your room.

Facilities and Services

The Charlesmark isn’t the place to stay if you need a spacious lobby to work or hang out, a dedicated concierge, or a fitness room. The property has none of these amenities.

Cafe Landwer, Charlesmark Hotel, Back Bay, Boston

Cafe Landwer in the Charlesmark Hotel lobby

But you can take a seat throughout the day at Cafe Landwer, the Mediterranean café at the hotel’s entrance. Room rates include a breakfast of coffee or tea, pastries, and fruit, and guests have a 20 percent discount on whatever else they might buy in the café, which is open into the evening.

The front desk is staffed 24/7, and the helpful staff are quick to answer questions, offer a piece of fresh fruit, or assist with other guest issues. When I came down to the lobby at 4:30am to wait for my Uber to the airport for an early morning flight, the staffer on duty helped watch for my car to ensure that I got in the proper vehicle.

If you want to exercise, walk a few blocks to the Charles River Esplanade, where you can stroll or jog with views of Cambridge or the downtown skyline.

Trinity Church & Hancock Tower, Back Bay, Boston

Trinity Church and the Hancock Tower in nearby Copley Square

Rates

Like the rates at most Boston hotels, tariffs at the Charlesmark Hotel vary significantly with the season. Mid-winter double room rates can start as low as $119 per night, while rates in the summer high season start at $309/night. You can also compare rates at an online booking site such as Booking.com or Booking.com.

There’s no extra charge for the excellent Back Bay location.

Hotel feature by Vancouver-based travel, food, and feature writer Carolyn B. Heller. Photos © Carolyn B. Heller. I booked my own accommodations in Boston, while doing research for several writing assignments.

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