Hotel Ivy Boston Common

We'd happily stay at FOUND Hotel again if we're back in Boston. It's right in the heart of the city, with historical spots, shopping streets, museums, and plenty of restaurants within walking distance. The building is beautiful and old, and seems to have been a classic apartment building that's been remodeled, though I'll let them confirm that. It gives the place character. A few useful details: there's a garage directly across the street for $26 per 24 hours. The subway is about a 10-minute walk, and we used it to get to Harvard easily. The Prudential Center is roughly a 25-minute walk. Nearby food ranges from food courts and Chipotle to pricey seafood and steakhouses. All the hosts were friendly, and the free lobby coffee and tea were appreciated. Our windows faced another building, unlike the picture, but it didn't affect our rating or enjoyment. The room wasn't a fancy 5-star experience like the Four Seasons around the corner, but it was a great stay for being so central. Thanks for hosting our family.

The location is great, and the room was a decent size for two nights in a 2 queens bed room. There were some dirty spots, but the lobby had hot and regular water and tea 24/7, and they held our luggage after checkout. Staff were also very nice whenever we passed through. The shower was the problem. After traveling and walking around Boston, I got only a very lukewarm shower. I pushed through since it was late and didn't speak to anyone until morning. When I brought it up, staff weren't very apologetic. They said many other guests had complained and explained that this boutique hotel has only one water heater. I understand, but guests should be told before booking. It was December and cold outside, and nobody wants an unwarned cold shower. Be cautious about booking: there's no hot water at peak times, so you may need to plan your shower for another time when hot water is likely, though not guaranteed.

Don't book a first-floor room unless you can tune out the lobby. You can hear everything happening there, every single thing. Maybe they could put up signs asking people to keep it quiet for those guests. The bathrooms are clean and have enough space, but the rooms are small, the beds sag, and the pillows aren't very good. You get what you pay for.

Our big 2-queen room had a curtain divider, which gave the teens a nice break from Mom and Dad. The area felt safe and was a little quieter, while still being close to the Freedom Trail, Back Bay shopping, and everywhere else we wanted to walk. Staff were friendly and helpful. The older building has no soundproofing, so light sleepers should bring earplugs. Shower temperature can be unreliable, so be careful with kids. No fridge.