First off, it's a cool concept: efficient rooms, modern tech. It all breaks down for me over a multiple day stay and by the end I was certain that the brand, or at least this location, is style over substance. So, let me just do a pro/con list for basically each item. Free, no fuss, Wifi, that's cool.
Bed:
+ Big bed with plenty of room. Placed against the window with a screen over the foot of the bed. It's a good set up and aesthetic.
- Uncomfortable mattress. much too firm and over all springy feeling. I did not sleep well over my 5 day stay.
- Blanket/comforter did not breathe at all. I baked when I was under the covers. I run hot to begin with but even with the AC on no air passed in and out of the comforter. I guess that's good if you run cold. I was sweat city every night.
Entertainment:
+ One Samsung screen mounted at the "foot" of the bed. (-)Mine was crooked and it drove me nuts.
+ Control the TV and room (lights) using an app on your phone or using the same app via an iPad next to the bed.
+You can watch local TV and they have a selection of free movies; I think there's a limit. I watched two. I didn't like the selection.
(BIG)----- You can stream your own stuff to the TV -BUT- it only connects via Airplay (Apple iOS) or Miracast (mostly Samsung) . If you have anything else you're pretty much boned. I have a Google Pixel 5 so I languished with watching stuff on my phone or laptop for my stay. It wasn't great. Being able to stream your own media was a big reason I booked here. I know it sounds petty but I'm her for work and at the end of the (humid) days here I just wanted to tuck in and decompress. I couldn't and it ruined my experience on top of the uncomfortable bed.
Shower:
+ Two different showerheads, one hand held and one over head "rain" style.
+AM and PM soap. They seemed pretty decent and smelled good and subtle.
+ Adjustable colored lighting. I'm a dork so I always showered under the color of a Cyberpunk Noir.
- No conditioner. Uh... Huge whiff. I got a lot of hair and can't travel with (enough) conditioner (TSA). Perhaps not providing conditioner is a new thing among modern hotels?
- Main showerhead is only about 7 feet high. So I'm only 6'2 so I made it but if you're Basketball player height then you may be too tall for the overhead shower. Just's a head's up.
Food:
+ Breakfast buffet was an affordable add-on, decent selection. They can make you coffee/espresso.
- Food for order was not great. It's not like it was cooked poorly; what I ordered was just wasn't great. (Fried chicken and croquettes) Overall overpowered by salt. The Shrimp Tempura was alright at least.
--- 8oz cokes are FOUR DOLLARS.
--- Bottle of Healthade Kombucha is TEN DOLLARS.
Lobby:
+ Spacious, varied lobby; meeting rooms for business stuff; Patio with plenty of seating
Location:
+\- Basically connected to TD Gardens; a venue for music and such. The Eagles were apparently playing the first two nights I was here. There's a ton of foot traffic outside on the weekends, loud drunks, people having a good time. Make what you will of that.
MISC:
--- I don't think any of the hand sanitizers I tried were working. I mentioned that the one on my floor, 8, was out, and it stayed out for the next 5 days.
- I had a Jack's Abbey Beer; apparently local. It was no good. Flat and tasted soapy.
- No fault of the establishment but unless it's the weekend, most of Boston, aside from Bars, shuts down at 9. Get your food orders and such in before then or you're kinda stuck.
- There was something broken (?) tapping in the ceiling over my door. I took a video. I have no idea what it was but you could almost always hear it.
- The automated blinds and screen for the window are cool BUT you can totally, loudlym, hear them when your neighbors operate them. Good idea, poor executuon.
Overall, I don't think I"ll stay here, or at any CitizenM again. Cool idea but it LOOKS way better than it is.
Style over Substance.