Boston’s chic Hotel Commonwealth in Kenmore Square just unveiled the first phase of a $50-million revamp, and the crowning jewel is a new luxurious Loft Suite that’s bound to attract plenty of discerning travelers. Re-imagining the concept of the presidential suite into something a little more hip, staying in the Loft Suite is akin to having your own multimillion-dollar Boston pied-à-terre.
Inspired by Boston arts neighborhoods like Fort Point Channel, the space—which occupies 1,000 square feet on the hotel’s highest floor—is decorated like a high-end artist’s atelier with a touch of industrial chic. Vaulted 18-foot ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, a large brick fireplace, pool table, and a rotating display of original artwork by BU College of Fine Arts students and local artists complete the look.
All of the hotel’s 149 guest rooms and suites have been redone by New York’s dash design for a clean, modern, luxurious feel with locally-inspired accents. Guest rooms feature new bedding, upholstered headboards, custom-designed furniture and industrial-inspired lighting. The rooms also now offer a virtual concierge via a dedicated app on a Google Nexus tablet which accesses amenities from room service and mini-bar items to booking dog walking appointments and checking in for flights.
The Hotel Commonwealth is currently undergoing the second phase of the project, which will extend the existing building over the parking lot at the rear facing Fenway Park. An enclosed footbridge will connect the current space with the new one, which will feature 96 newly-built guestrooms, 6,000 square feet of meeting space, a 2,000-square-foot-outdoor terrace and some impressive new themed suites. All renovations are targeted for completion this fall.
The Hotel Commonwealth is already home to two of the city’s coolest restaurants, Eastern Standard and Island Creek Oyster Bar, as well as The Hawthorne Bar. Eastern Standard is a soaring, elegant space with a massive marble bar that evokes European decadence and offers an elevated menu of bistro classics using fresh ingredients, with suitably decadent cocktails to match. It is the place to see and be seen in Boston, and reservations are highly prized. Of course the hotel can arrange for guests to score good tables.
