The hype
Travelers love the 'impeccable' cleanliness and the cool factor of the old police building, but almost everyone mentions the noise.
Hotel Aka Back Bay
$180-350/ nat
Bestil hvis You want to sleep in a chic, converted police headquarters steps from Copley Square without the $500+ price tag of the Fairmont.
Hvorfor folk elsker det
- Historic architecture (former Boston Police HQ)
- Prime Back Bay location near Newbury Street shopping
- The Berkeley bistro's French-inspired menu
Hurtig oversigt: A stylish, history-rich building that nails the vibe but struggles with street noise due to single-pane windows.
Anmeldt af @anahysramos: I stayed here for a quick business trip and fell in love. The lobby fireplace made working late actually enjoyable, and my room felt like a high-end apartment, not just a hotel. It was the perfect home base for exploring Back Bay in the winter.
Gæst der boede her sagde
Reality check
The 'state-of-the-art' gym is functional but small, and the heating/cooling can be finicky in some rooms.
- You appreciate historic adaptive reuse architecture
- You want to be walking distance to Copley, Prudential, and the Public Garden
- You travel with pets (very pet-friendly policy)
Renhed & Vedligeholdelse
9
- Housekeeping: Daily service is consistent and praised for thoroughness.
- Bathroom hygiene: Sparkling. High marks for shower cleanliness and fresh towels.
- Maintenance: Generally excellent, though some wear and tear on carpets in hallways is occasionally noted.
- Linens & towels: Premium Frette linens and plush towels feel luxurious.
- Odors & scents: Neutral and fresh; no lingering smoke or musty smells reported.
Sleepability™
6.5MODERAT
0-4HØJT
4-7.5MODERAT
7.5-10STILLE
- Street traffic and sirens (Berkeley & Stuart Streets)
- Single-pane historic windows
- Interior hallway noise in some sections
Før du booker
Godt at vide
- A daily 'Urban Fee' (~$35) is added, covering wifi and a $15 dining credit.
- The hotel offers a complimentary umbrella lending service for rainy Boston days.
- Coffee and tea are complimentary in the Apothecary Lounge each morning.
Hvad skal du pakke
- High-quality earplugs or a white noise machine
- Walking shoes for the cobblestones of nearby Acorn Street
- Smart casual attire for dinner at The Berkeley
Værelses-genie
Bedste valg
- Premium Corner King for the best city views (if you bring earplugs)
- Higher floor rooms (7th floor and up) to minimize street noise
Værelser at undgå
- Lower floor rooms facing Berkeley Street (busier traffic)
- Rooms near the elevator banks
Værelses-anmodnings-genie – kopier og indsæt
“I am a light sleeper and would appreciate a room on the highest possible floor, ideally facing away from the main intersection of Berkeley and Stuart Streets.”
Ofte stillede spørgsmål og skjulte tips
Alt hvad du gerne vil vide før du booker.
Is there a pool?
No, there is no swimming pool at this property.
How much is parking?
Valet parking is approximately $65-$68 per night with in/out privileges. Self-parking is not available on-site.
Is the hotel pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are welcome for a non-refundable fee of roughly $65 per stay.
What is the restaurant called?
The on-site restaurant is 'The Berkeley', a French bistro. The space was formerly known as Precinct Kitchen + Bar.
Does the hotel have a gym?
Yes, a 24-hour fitness center with Technogym equipment and Peloton bikes.
How far is it from the train station?
Back Bay Station (Amtrak/Commuter Rail/Orange Line) is just a 5-minute walk away.
Insidertips
- ✨
Use your $15 daily dining credit at The Berkeley or for in-room dining—it doesn't roll over.
- ✨
The 'Apothecary Lounge' in the lobby is a great quiet spot for remote work during the day.
- ✨
Ask the concierge for a running map; the Charles River Esplanade is a perfect 3-4 mile loop from the hotel.
5 ting du bør vide før du tager af sted
💡The building was the Boston Police HQ from 1926 to 1997.
💡Some rooms still have quirks from the original layout, like odd pillars or nooks.
💡The elevators can be slow during peak morning checkout times.
💡The 'city view' often just means looking at the John Hancock tower or other buildings.
💡Toilet seats in some bathrooms have been reported as surprisingly cold (no heated seats here).
Lokal Playbook
Kort
Se hvor Hotel Aka Back Bay ligger, og hvad der er i nærheden.