We love the Kimpton Hotels and, while this was not our favorite, it is a very nice little hotel. The rooms are on the small side. On the plus side, the location is quiet but is within convenient walking distance to all the major downtown attractions. The staff, as always for Kimpton, was very helpful and friendly. The beds at Kimpton hotels are INCREDIBLY comfortable, so much so that people often buy the mattresses from the company who supplies them, and my bed was no exception. The sheets are always Frette and so nice to settle in to. The evening wine reception featuring different types of wines each month is something I always look forward to at Kimpton properties. I was disappointed to arrive in the early evening, exhausted after traveling from Paris to Newark and then to Boston, and get no help lugging my two bulky bags in the door and to the desk even though two employees with no other clients stood behind the desk and watched me. Not exactly the welcome I've come to look forward to for this particular company. That and the very small room are my only issue. BUT I still plan to stay there again next time I am in Boston because it's such a welcoming atmosphere and (with the exception of my arrival which I think must be an anomaly) it is one of the most welcoming hotels I've ever stayed in. I would say for the price it's a very good bargain.

For a four star hotel the Onyx really missed the mark. We arrived on Friday afternoon, we entered the hotel and the check in area was non existent. People were trying to check in/out and the entire area was congested with people and luggage. A complete mess. If they hadn't built a semi-circular sitting area in the front entrance way there would be more room for the check in/out process. We got to our room, to find we had a guest with a dog right next door to us. I have no problem with a hotel allowing pets but all the pets should be on the same floor all next to each other, so when the dogs bark they can bark continuously to each other, when they are left alone by their owners. We went to Boston for a romantic getaway we had to call the front desk twice regarding the dog barking next door. I needed a nap mid day and never got one. The room is small but we knew this from previous reviews. Four star bathroom it's not! The bathroom tub and shower needs a serious update. The hot water took forever to come on. The stopper in the shower didn't work so I had to pull it in and out with my nails and almost broke them to get it to work. The Aveda products do not make up for anything. The bed is very comfortable although I never got a full nights sleep because the entire hotel had to evacuate their rooms for a false fire alarm after midnight no less. So there we all stood outside or sat in the Ruby room in our pajamas, messy hair, and swollen eyes from no sleep. Children with their stuffed animals sleeping in their parents arms...for nothing. They couldn't even get the alarm turned off. I never got to sleep in this place. The valet service is brutal. For one thing it's $40/day. In Boston downtown with no parking you can expect to pay something. However you expect to get your car in a timely manner. Forget that make sure you call the front desk at least 20 minutes ahead of when you need it. However the Onyx is located in the center of everything, so you can walk minimum of 1 mile to everything. I exercise a lot so I didn't mind the hike to Faneuil Hall, shops, etc. Bring comfortable shoes, historic brick and stone roads everywhere. Do not eat at the Onyx. The Ruby room is nothing to write home about. I have been to many high class restaurants/clubs in Boston this does not even come close. There also is no business center, unacceptable for a 4 star rated hotel so if you don't bring your lap top you're out of luck. The computers they have only let you print your boarding passes. But when I went to print mine downstairs the printer was out of ink, so I was checked in but had no passes that I had to reprint at the airport anyhow. So as far as the Onyx goes be prepared to pay pay pay, be inconvenienced a lot and definitely leave exhausted if your room is next to someone whom brought their dog. We should have gotten a full refund for all the inconveniences and everything the 4 star Onyx didn't live up to.

Stayed at the Onyx for four nights after a 6 night hetic stay in New York and the relaxed friendly atmosphere was exactly what was needed! The wine hour between 5 & 6 is worth taking advantage of, a free cold glass of wine after a day sightseeing is a must.
The hotel is in no more than 10 minutes walk from the North End where there are the most amazing Italian restaraunts, bars, cafes and bakeries and is also only around 10 minutes walk to Quincy Market where there are lots of shops and places to eat also, the waterfront is also only around a 10 minute walk away. I can see why some people would say that the area where the hotel is located is not the best, the station is at the top end of the street and I only walked that way once with my other half in daylight and I confess I would not want to walk around there at night but this is an up and coming area of Boston so I am sure it will get better. We did not eat in the hotel at all, we had breakfast at the Au Bon Pan which is just across the road and they do hot and cold bagles, pastries etc, only thing is it is not open on Sunday so we had pastries in Mikes on Havana Street, you must try them and their cookies are to die for! The hotel staff were always helpful and polite, the room was gorgeous, very comfortable and modern and the bathrooom was a nice size.
We had some great evening meals in the North End which is the Italian area in the city, Havana Street is the main Street, it gets very busy on a Friday or Saturday night so if you wonder down there in the day and see somewhere you want to eat then I would recommend booking, some places have 2 hour waits for tables at the weekend! However, I would say do not over look Salem Street which is around the corner from Havana Street. We found an absolute gem of a restaraunt there called La Galleria 33, the food was fantastic and the lady who is the owner is an absolute gem, the second time we ate there she chose our dishes for us and they did not disappoint! It was very reasonably priced and really nice inside, if you do decide to eat there you will know who I mean, she is the lady who literally pulls people in off the street, tell her the English couple who will visit on their honeymoon sent you! You will receive a very warm welcome I can assure you!

Great place to stay in Boston. Next to the Garden and <5 min walk to the North subway station. Friendly service! Nice linens, comfortable size rooms, free wine from 5-6pm in the lobby, Aveda products.

Would have given this hotel an "excellent" rating but be warned of the loud banging noise if staying next to the electric room. Almost sounded like a jack hammer going off once per hour for about 3 secs. Not too sure what the noise was but became used to it.

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