We got a room but no bed
Despite having a confirmed email reservation for a King Deluxe Room, we arrived at 6:00 pm to be told that they did not have the room that we had booked. We were offered a room with a sofa bed. As it was getting late and we had been driving all day we were left with no choice but to accept the room albeit at a reduced rate. The sofa bed was extremely uncomfortable and the room was noisy. It was on the top floor next to the elevator machinery room and I can only assume that this was what was humming all night. I turned the air conditioning off to see if that cut down on the noise but this didn't help. Needless to say, this was the worst night's sleep that I had had in the fourteen days of touring the eastern states.
I feel that it is a fundamental requirement of hostelry that the guest is entitled to a good night's sleep. Without this, all other facilities of the hotel pale into insignificance.
The following morning, I complained to the front desk (Mr Capalbo, the General Manager was unavailable). I was offered a King Deluxe Room at a further reduction for two more nights. I accepted this but couldn't help feeling that our stay in Boston had been tarnished. It may sound like I am being over critical but the reason why I chose the Onyx by Kimpton is that I had stayed at the Harbor Court Hotel in San Francisco and had been delighted with the quality of the room, the front desk staff and the facilities. At the Harbor Court Hotel I received a beautiful room including breakfast and valet parking, all for a reasonable rate.
Which brings me on to Parking. Valet Parking at the Onyx is a massive $45 a night! I self-parked at the nearby Government Center but this was still an eye-watering $35 for 24 hours. You have been warned!
I regret that I cannot recommend my fellow travellers to choose this hotel.