Boston Marriott Copley Place: Presidential Treatment on President's Day Weekend

The genesis of a President's Day Weekend getaway at the Boston Marriott Copley Place was wanting a Minneapolis-style vacation closer to home. Ala the Twin City having skywalks connecting many downtown buildings, the Marriott Copley has climate-controlled access to the upscale Copley Square Mall of which it is a part.

Guests additionally can access the adjacent Prudential Center mall and Hynes Convention Center without going outside. This is not to mention a tunnel that connects to a station of the Boston subway system, which is part of the MBTA (aka "The T").

The weather averaging cloudy 40-degree days confirmed that the hotel was a good choice for a winter visit to Boston. The place teeming with families with young children at the start of a school vacation week showed that that weekend was not optimal for adults seeking a quiet break. The good news was that the hallways and the rooms provided a nice peaceful surrounding. The better news was that this weekend was an anomaly that going almost any other weekend would have corrected.

Getting to stay in the luxurious top-floor Presidential Suite was an incredible treat. Briefly camping out in a standard King room while the suite was being cleaned showed that even that accommodation, which was surprisingly roomy and had a comfy settee, was an option for folks not very "suite" on upgrades.

Having stated that, splurging for the Presidential Suite or even one of the lower-tier suites FULLY supports the Inn Credible New England philosophy that money that otherwise would be spent on increasingly exasperating air travel and staying in a cookie-cutter hotel (which the Copley Marriott is not despite its corporate ownership) is MUCH BETTER "invested" in a upscale experience closer to home.

Having stated that, a special upgrade always enhances a trip when circumstances lead to air travel. This is especially so when celebrating the graduation of a child who either excelled during his or her entire academic career or showed every sign of being a dullard as an infant. The same is true regarding a destination wedding of a beloved friend or family member. Having a spectacular place to escape the maddening crowd as to both types of events further is priceless.

Each of the below photos of the suite being worth far more than 1,000 words is a bonanza to this rejuvenated but still somewhat winter-weary dude, Fully appreciating the physical and mental comfort of the accommodation requires experiencing it.

The bed, complete with a sleep-inducing pillow mist, is the tip of the iceberg. A related hint is bringing spa-quality muscle-relaxing bath salts to use for soaking in the sunken tub in the suite master bathroom; the glass-enclosed shower in the 3/4 bath in the entrance hall is large enough for you and two of your closest (or newest) friends. Personal enjoyment of the suite did not include that.

A related note is that the bidet-quality shower head that "Inn Credible" articles often mention is supplemented by an actual bidet in this suite. That was another missed experience this trip. 

This being an urban adventure required leaving behind the "perpetually packed duffel" that is a mainstay of "Inn Credible" trips. The good news is that the suite is so well appointed that not having the power strip and other "what if" items that typically make the duffel helpful did not diminish the stay.

Twenty years of regular solo travel are behind a universal preference for a suite. These trips often involve evenings alone at the B and B or hotel after an active day out and about; it is VERY depressing to have to eat take-out food sitting on a bed and then use that "table" to watch a couple of hours of television.

Suites have equal value when traveling as a couple, a pair, or a family. Three such trips involving having to either literally jump on the bed or press against the wall to allow other person free passage demonstrate the wisdom of an upgrade. Although the standard room at the Copley Marriott is neither shabby nor a "broom closet," each person being able to get a little extra space is nice.

In both cases, ample closet space is handy as to keeping things neat and avoiding tripping over luggage.

The below-depicted den area with the yellow leather sectional sofa was the spot of choice for unwinding while watching "Flintstones" DVDs with the Blu-ray player that I easily connected to the one of the three large-screen sets in the suite.

The more formal living room, complete with a sofa bed, was the choice for separately entertaining a friend and my highly significant other who came in for the afternoon. 

The kitchen, complete with a wet bar and a mini-fridge facilitated having snacks and beverages handy. 

There also a board-room style conference for literally getting down to business if that is an element of a stay. 

The following photo of the 38th-floor panoramic view of The Athens of America and its sister city across the muddy water is the icing on the cake as to this "bucket list" worthy experience. Nor seeing it snow-covered or in the middle of a blizzard is equal parts blessing and curse as to this "Minneapolis" trip.

The figurative big picture as to this hot-laden post is that Boston is a city for all seasons, and the Copley Marriot either is within easy walking distance of it or is a short subway or Uber trip away.