Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Review: Beacon Inn 1087 in Boston, MA

 Happy Holidays, all.

I realize with COVID ripping across the country, not many are getting out for travel or adventure. Most have been confined to the walls of their homes for the past several months (myself included). Last weekend on Friday night, I booked a room at the Beacon Inn, a charming, older, though grand little hotel in Brookline (Boston), housed in one of the romantic brownstones that line these streets. I've always wanted to stay in one of these places and this seemed as good a time as any, for a brief change of scenery. 

Whenever outside the room, which was rare, myself and the host were both masked. There were only two other guests in the hotel that night (they shared a room), thus, it was peaceful and low traffic. 

Below are photos of the neighborhood and the front door of the inn. The neighborhood is classic Boston, romantic, all red brick, and charm.

  




The staff at the hotel, particularly Sue, was friendly, incredibly accommodating, and kind. I was, not intentionally, a rather annoying guest. Initially, I was assigned a room on the fourth floor. Upon discovering the Wi-fi was not good up there, though, I asked if I might please change rooms. Sue was glad to let me do so. 

Both rooms were luxurious, stately, and comfortable. On lying down to go to sleep, though, the noise from just outside my window (the train going by every few minutes, people's voices as they passed, and car horns) made it difficult to sleep. I gathered my things and, still armed with the key for the room on the fourth floor, decided to creep up there just to sleep, and then steel back down in the morning for the Wi-Fi in this room. I needed it for working on my graduate paper which was due in just a few days.

On my way upstairs, clad in bare feet and pajamas, I ran into Sue. I explained the issue and apologized profusely, though asked if I might please sleep upstairs in my original room? She said absolutely. 

The noise was certainly more muted on the fourth floor, though I have to admit, the traffic was still a bit disturbing for me once 5am-ish rolled around, as well as when I was attempting to fall asleep around 10/10:30pm.

That aside, the rooms were lovely. I spent the next day in the room on the first floor, cozied up and writing my paper. It was pouring rain outside, so I enjoyed pulling up the shades of the windows and watching traffic whizz by, the trains clang and clamor past, and even two large wild turkeys strutting around the train tracks! I was quite worried about them and went outside at one point to stand by the tracks and make sure the conductor saw them and that they weren't hit.

The hotel is just down the street from several eateries, including a Whole Foods and the phenomenal, authentic Japonaise Bakery. All their desserts, bread, and treats are exquisite looking.

The Beacon Inn 1087 charges about $100 per night. They used to include breakfast, though this is not happening at the moment with COVID. Though the price is a tad steep, the hotel is lovely. It's centrally located. The staff is welcoming and accommodating. There are great food options just a hop, skip, and a jump away. The rooms are cozy and beautifully furnished. For me, the only drawback was the noise. Traffic, trains, and people outside on the street can be heard from the rooms. This, however, might not bother everyone, especially heavy sleepers, since it was not necessarily loud, just...audible.



Views out the window of the rainy day. Can you spot the wild turkey...?





Can you see the huge turkey standing there in the rain!?