Hotel: basic rooms e.g. queen are small.
We stayed Stayed at the Fairmont Copley Plaza for New Year’s. Beautiful, historic hotel, great location, and Oak Bar food was actually very good. So far, so classy.
Now for the “welcome to Boston, kid” parts.
Room: we had a basic queen and, let’s just say, if you and your suitcase are not on speaking terms, you will be after this stay. Cozy in the “don’t both open your bags at the same time” sense.
First surprise at check-in: I had to sign a statement saying no outside alcohol allowed in the room. On New Year’s Eve. Really? So I can’t toast midnight with my wife’s favorite champagne unless I buy it from the bar? Bold move, Fairmont. Very bold.
Second surprise: hotel doors locked at 6:30 pm and you can only get in by showing room key. I get security, but it felt less “grand hotel” and more “college dorm with better chandeliers.”
Oak Bar: food was excellent and service was fast, but our waitress had strong “I should be home watching the ball drop” energy. Totally human, but not exactly warm and fuzzy hospitality vibes.
Valet: when we arrived, we were told to call 5 to 10 minutes before leaving and they’d have the car ready. We did. Waited 15 minutes. Nothing. Only after checking with the front desk did the car magically appear about 5 minutes later. Not the end of the world, but not exactly smooth either.
Bottom line: gorgeous building, great location, solid food. But between the tiny room, champagne crackdown, locked doors, and slow valet, the whole experience felt more strict than festive for a New Year’s stay. If you want history and convenience, it delivers. If you want to actually celebrate, maybe pack a smaller suitcase and lower expectations.
