Studio Allston Hotel

The free Day Passes to the ultra-modern New Balance Fitness Center were a nice extra. It’s a 3-4 minute drive or a 10-12 minute walk away. There’s also a lounge with a pool table and bar, plus a big outdoor patio. The hotel has an eclectic, kitschy look and seems to try to make the stay decent, but the place feels dated now. It may have been trendy in the late 90s or early to mid 2000s, and it has a bit of a Miami Vice feel. The location suited me: right across from a Charles River park with walking and biking trails, crew boats, playgrounds, picnic spots, and a small amphitheater. Restaurants are a reasonable walk away, and there’s a McDonald's and grocery store across the street behind the hotel. Parking is free, though inconveniently placed and limited. If the hotel is full, I’m not sure how they fit everyone in. There’s a resort fee of around $35 a day, but it didn’t feel much like a resort. The staff were helpful and friendly. My room met the low expectations I’d formed from the lobby, halls, and very old elevator. I carried my luggage up, then avoided the elevator until checkout. The furniture and decorations were old, but the room was very clean. The bed was made so tightly it felt like you could bounce a quarter off it. One of the two biggest problems was the bathroom vent near the ceiling, which connects directly to the next room’s vent. The other guests left their bathroom light on at night, shining into my room in an eerie way. I don’t think you could see clearly between the rooms, but you could definitely hear people using the bathroom, and maybe smell it if it was bad enough. It made me uncomfortable, so I covered the vent with the stack of towels from the rack. The other issue was the shower curtain, which was old, worn, dingy, and long overdue for replacement. The view wasn’t worth much because of the structures on both sides of the hotel. My stay was tolerable, but I doubt I’d choose it again.

The breakfast was just okay, with packaged baked goods, yogurt, bagels, and the like, and no table service. The next morning we needed guest services, but it took five calls to get through because earlier calls went unanswered or the line was busy. Once we reached someone, he was very kind. We’d been given a room in the south studio at the far end, with nobody there to help with our luggage. I also learned at check-in that parking cost extra on top of the booked room price. The room was tidy and the decor fit the hotel’s style, though the white painted bathtub had gray marks that my daughter thought were dirt (Room 240). The lobby, pool table, restaurant area, and patio were clean, comfortable, and nicely styled, but we couldn’t use the patio because of the weather. Finding the hotel was a bit difficult, mostly because of how Google Maps works in Boston. The walk from the lot to the entrance was shabby, and the rundown warehouse, broken windows, and dumpsters opposite it made a poor first impression. It was an average stay. If you want an above average rating, provide an above average experience.

As a solo traveler, I felt at ease because the staff kept welcoming me and helping me out. Jonathan and Melissa, the managers, assisted me, and Klara made check-in feel especially warm. Mollidy, Dezarae, Ashleigh, Lucas, and Ervens were all ready to help when I had questions or got turned around trying to find the lobby. They gave me recommendations and directions and helped make the stay comfortable. The location was ideal for my needs, and parking was very convenient. This was my first time at Studio Allston, and it was a great experience. I travel a lot and rarely write reviews, but the team really stood out. Traveling alone can be nerve-racking, and they made the whole visit great. I’ll definitely return.

We had a great overnight while in town for a show at nearby Roadrunner, an easy 20-minute walk away. The staff were friendly and granted our early check-in request. The weekend social hour with free wine and charcuterie cups was a treat, and the onsite Craft Food Halls were a nice bonus. Breakfast was ample, and there was onsite parking for a reasonable $15. The hotel was clean, spacious, attractive, comfortable, and felt safe. It’s easy to get to from Mass Pike, and the area is walkable. What a find! We’ll definitely be back.