I had to be in Boston, MA on business through the Memorial Day weekend. Rather than stay at a conventional hotel in a typical part of the city (Financial District, Seaport District, Back Bay, South End), I wanted to do something a bit more creative, inventive, and fun. I investigated a variety of bed and breakfasts, but they were too quaint. "Hip" hostels were a possibility, but the guest reviews were all dreadful. A furnished corporate apartment seemed like a cool move, so I looked into the available choices.
The furnished apartments of Oakwood Furnished Quarters, Churchill Corporate Housing, and Northeast Suites were ok, but on the sterile side. Since I'd be staying in the apartment for a span of days, I needed something with character that was situated in a happening area. I then came across the website of the Compass Furnished Apartments at Hamilton Crossing, in the Downtown Crossing section of Boston. I clicked around, liked what I saw, and booked a room (details about the apartment below).
Downtown Crossing
Downtown Crossing is a small section of Boston that's on the rise, both literally and figuratively. It's located east of Boston Common and west of the Financial District. Way, way back in the day (between 1895 and 1917), Downtown Crossing was an upscale residential area as well the central focal point of department store shopping, where people from all over eastern Massachusetts would visit such retail leaders as Filene's, Jordan's, Kresge's, and R.H. White's. With suburbanization and competition from big box retailers, retail commerce in the area dropped significantly. Buildings went vacant, rents dropped, red light businesses moved in, and by the 1960s, Downtown Crossing had devolved into the notorious "Combat Zone".
But over the past 30 years, tremendous financial backing has been made in Downtown Crossing, and thrilling stuff is going on. Top shelf stores are returning. Luxury apartments and condos are being constructed. Upscale eateries are opening up. It's where the stunning Paramount Theater and The Boston Opera House have relocated to. Shoppers and tourists fill the streets (many of which are closed to motor traffic) and there's tremendous energy and activity through the day and into the night. It seemed like quite the scene, and I was eager to check it out.
The Ride to Boston
Since I was planning to stay in an interesting Boston locale and live at a novel lodging alternative, I decided that my choice of transportation to and from Boston should also be out of the ordinary. While searching for an option to the train and crowded discount bus lines, I stumbled upon LimoLiner, and it was an excellent solution.
LimoLiner is a luxury bus service with several daily departures between New York to Boston. The LimoLiner bus has only 28 seats, and they're all plush, first-class airline style, and extremely comfortable. LimoLiner offers free WiFi, free beverages, a free sandwich and snacks, power outlets, satellite radio choices, and free earbuds for each passenger. There's also clear cell phone reception with no dead spots, news on Direct TV, and a DVD movie presentation. The bathroom is clean, the service is attentive, and the vehicle is in great shape. Best of all, the trip took a little over four hours, which was approximately how long the train would have taken - but the roundtrip cost of the LimoLiner is a fraction of the one-way train cost, with a lot less hassle. LimoLiner is the most convenient and smartest way to travel between Manhattan and Boston, and I kind of hope it doesn't get too popular - otherwise, it'll be really tough to get a seat the next time I need to make the trip.
Compass Furnished Apartments at Hamilton Crossing
Organizing the details of my visit to Hamilton Crossing was a breeze: my questions were responded to quickly by the folks at Compass Furnished Apartments (they own Hamilton Crossing) and my special requests were accommodated without a hitch. I was assured that the company's meticulous attention to customer care would result in a terrific stay for me at their property.
The apartment building is located on Winter Street near the heart of the bustle of Downtown Crossing. It's right next door to a Starbucks, directly across the street from a well-stocked CVS, and a one-minute walk to the MBTA subway. The building is secure, modern, and pristine, and my spacious, energy-efficient furnished apartment's numerous impressive features included:
- An office space with high-speed Internet, desk, chair, lamp, ethernet cord, surge protector, free WiFi, and free unlimited local/long distance telephone service
- 32" Vizio LCD HD t.v.'s w/ HD cable
- Fully-equipped kitchen, including glassware, cookware, dishes, utensils, appliances, supplies, and an assortment of Jim's Organic Coffees and Bigelow Organic Teas
- Central a/c and heat
- 24-hour access to a washer and dryer (available on each floor)
- Bamboo hardwood floors & floor-to-ceiling windows with views
- Gorgeous and comfortable living room & bedroom
- Sleek and sizable bathroom
- Housekeeping
The apartment couldn't have been any hipper, and living there - although briefly - made me feel more like a resident than a visitor. There's also no way that I could have experienced the same sensation of being in the center of the vigorous Downtown Crossing action if I had chosen to stay in a hotel. Compass Furnished Apartments at Hamilton Crossing was the perfect H.Q. for my Beantown excursion.
Stuff to Do, Places to Eat, Etc.
Boston BID: Boston BID (Business Improvement District) is the ideal resource for finding out what to do, where to go, and what's happening in Downtown Crossing. Their helpful "ambassadors" are available by phone and they also walk around the area, providing tips and guidance on how to get the most out of your downtown Boston journey. BID's colorful web site offers helpful facts, recommendations, and inside info. I was fortunate enough to connect with Marsha, a superb ambassador who directed me to all of the destinations that I eventually visited during my trip. If you're travelling around by foot (which I recommend), BID's maps of downtown Boston are all over the place, and they've very easy to figure out and navigate.
South Street Diner (7 minute stroll from Hamilton Crossing): Built in 1947, South Street Diner is "the place to grab something to eat, hang out with friends, celebrity watch, and keep the party going". It's Boston's only 24 hour restaurant and attracts hipsters, workers (blue and white collar), and students from the area.
On a Saturday morning, I saw a counter full of sweaty CrossFit dudes and helmeted construction guys, tables of webbys and disheveled young couples with their kids, and booths filled with families of graduates and chatty tourists - all taking in the genuine atmosphere and diving into their chow. Three chefs (flat top, grill, fry station) worked in harmonious, non-stop motion, and meals were prepared and delivered quickly.
I sampled the Diner Special (three eggs, two pancakes or French toast, hash browns, and toast, with choice of bacon, corn beef hash, ham, or sausage) and the Chocolate Fantasy French Toast (double-thick slices of bread stuffed with chocolate chips, dipped in egg, and fried on the flat top). The steaming mini-mountains of food could have fed three people, and the Chocolate Fantasy French toast was messy, creative, and insanely indulgent. If you pull into Boston after-hours and are craving a solid meal, South Street Diner is most definitely the spot. The crowd will be entertaining, the price will be right, and the food will be fantastic.
Boston Sports Club (4 minute walk): Boston Sports Club is 30,000 square feet of fitness awesomeness. Check out the statistics:
- Ten different classes per day (Power Pilates, cycling, outdoor workouts, strength, ABS, kick boxing, yoga, UXF circuit training, and more)
- Three fitness and exercise studios
- 125 bicycles and cardio machines
- Extensive free weights and strength machines
- Individualized personalized workouts, small group training, and sports massage
BSC is big, bright, and immaculate. The staff is friendly and helpful. The Club's facilities smack the crap out of the miniscule sweat closets - I mean, fitness centers - of most hotels, even top tier ones. On any given day, there are deals, discounts, and specials that are affordable and attractive (as well as contests and games with fitness-related prizes). For an efficient and wide range of challenging workout alternatives that's close to Hamilton Crossing, BSC is your top choice.
Boston Common Coffee (3 minute walk): If you require a fix of corporate coffee, Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts are everywhere. No really, they're everywhere. Ev-ree-where. But for a truly artisan and authentically local caffeine experience, you must try Boston Common Coffee.
BCC roasts their own coffee locally, their pastries are created in small batches and delivered to their stores across Boston every day, and their cafe menu items are prepared - fresh and from scratch - in-store. To enjoy a quality, hand-crafted cup o' java, BCC is an ideal place to eat, sip, and chill.
The Merchant Kitchen & Drinks (six minute walk): When I asked Marsha from BID for a recommendation of a killer restaurant in Downtown Crossing, she said "you MUST go to The Merchant! It's new and it's so hot right now!"
The Merchant is housed in the former London Harness Company, which opened its doors in 1776 as a saddlemaker (Benjamin Franklin was a client), and is believed to be the oldest continually operating retail store in the U.S. (it's now located in Wellesley). The Merchant took over the space and opened in early '14. The owners' ambitious vision was to offer upscale food and beverages with an emphasis on warmth, approachability, and integrity. The space is massive and deep, with nosebleed high ceilings and a wide open interior. The original columns and deep brown wooden floors are still there, with many charming architectural flourishes and a dignified, upscale ambiance. But while the surroundings may seem majestic, the atmosphere is anything but. It's loose, friendly, and unpretentious.
From chatting with Josh (the manager), Shane (a co-owner), and Nick (my most righteous server, who steered me to some amazing dishes), I found out that The Merchant seeks a very high standard of quality for each element of their meals. For instance, all of the produce is purchased from local farmers when available. Fish and seafood are caught wild and purchased that day (aka "day boat"). Their meats are all-natural and hormone free, and their bacon and smoked meats are cured on-premises. Their Sunday brunch bagels are baked fresh and in-house. (BTW, their beer selection - for which they're gaining a loyal following and respected reputation - is also quite extraordinary: 36 are on tap, and 28 more are available in bottles and cans.)
My meal consisted of:
- Mixed greens with crispy onions
- A South Bay oyster and a Powder Point oyster
- Pan-seared day boat scallops with grapefruit and spinach
- Almond brown butter cake with mescat sorbet
- A glass of Gazzera pinot grigio
- A Southern Cooler cocktail, which was an ingenious blend of crushed watermelon, brandy, fresh peaches, Dolin Blanc vermouth, lime juice, and orange bitters
Each dish was beautifully plated and served, and the taste of everything was outstanding and memorable. It was one of the finest meals I've ever had the privilege to enjoy. A supper (or brunch or lunch or drinks) at The Merchant is highly recommended, whether you're staying in Downtown Crossing or somewhere else in Boston.
***
There are so many places to see, delicacies to taste, and discoveries to make in Downtown Crossing and the nearby region. It's a lively neighborhood for extended stay visitors (business or pleasure), and Compass Furnished Apartments at Hamilton Crossing is a luxurious, elegant, and indulgent home base for your Boston expedition.
The furnished apartments of Oakwood Furnished Quarters, Churchill Corporate Housing, and Northeast Suites were ok, but on the sterile side. Since I'd be staying in the apartment for a span of days, I needed something with character that was situated in a happening area. I then came across the website of the Compass Furnished Apartments at Hamilton Crossing, in the Downtown Crossing section of Boston. I clicked around, liked what I saw, and booked a room (details about the apartment below).
Downtown Crossing
Downtown Crossing is a small section of Boston that's on the rise, both literally and figuratively. It's located east of Boston Common and west of the Financial District. Way, way back in the day (between 1895 and 1917), Downtown Crossing was an upscale residential area as well the central focal point of department store shopping, where people from all over eastern Massachusetts would visit such retail leaders as Filene's, Jordan's, Kresge's, and R.H. White's. With suburbanization and competition from big box retailers, retail commerce in the area dropped significantly. Buildings went vacant, rents dropped, red light businesses moved in, and by the 1960s, Downtown Crossing had devolved into the notorious "Combat Zone".
But over the past 30 years, tremendous financial backing has been made in Downtown Crossing, and thrilling stuff is going on. Top shelf stores are returning. Luxury apartments and condos are being constructed. Upscale eateries are opening up. It's where the stunning Paramount Theater and The Boston Opera House have relocated to. Shoppers and tourists fill the streets (many of which are closed to motor traffic) and there's tremendous energy and activity through the day and into the night. It seemed like quite the scene, and I was eager to check it out.
The Ride to Boston
Since I was planning to stay in an interesting Boston locale and live at a novel lodging alternative, I decided that my choice of transportation to and from Boston should also be out of the ordinary. While searching for an option to the train and crowded discount bus lines, I stumbled upon LimoLiner, and it was an excellent solution.
LimoLiner is a luxury bus service with several daily departures between New York to Boston. The LimoLiner bus has only 28 seats, and they're all plush, first-class airline style, and extremely comfortable. LimoLiner offers free WiFi, free beverages, a free sandwich and snacks, power outlets, satellite radio choices, and free earbuds for each passenger. There's also clear cell phone reception with no dead spots, news on Direct TV, and a DVD movie presentation. The bathroom is clean, the service is attentive, and the vehicle is in great shape. Best of all, the trip took a little over four hours, which was approximately how long the train would have taken - but the roundtrip cost of the LimoLiner is a fraction of the one-way train cost, with a lot less hassle. LimoLiner is the most convenient and smartest way to travel between Manhattan and Boston, and I kind of hope it doesn't get too popular - otherwise, it'll be really tough to get a seat the next time I need to make the trip.
Compass Furnished Apartments at Hamilton Crossing
Organizing the details of my visit to Hamilton Crossing was a breeze: my questions were responded to quickly by the folks at Compass Furnished Apartments (they own Hamilton Crossing) and my special requests were accommodated without a hitch. I was assured that the company's meticulous attention to customer care would result in a terrific stay for me at their property.
The apartment building is located on Winter Street near the heart of the bustle of Downtown Crossing. It's right next door to a Starbucks, directly across the street from a well-stocked CVS, and a one-minute walk to the MBTA subway. The building is secure, modern, and pristine, and my spacious, energy-efficient furnished apartment's numerous impressive features included:
- An office space with high-speed Internet, desk, chair, lamp, ethernet cord, surge protector, free WiFi, and free unlimited local/long distance telephone service
- 32" Vizio LCD HD t.v.'s w/ HD cable
- Fully-equipped kitchen, including glassware, cookware, dishes, utensils, appliances, supplies, and an assortment of Jim's Organic Coffees and Bigelow Organic Teas
- Central a/c and heat
- 24-hour access to a washer and dryer (available on each floor)
- Bamboo hardwood floors & floor-to-ceiling windows with views
- Gorgeous and comfortable living room & bedroom
- Sleek and sizable bathroom
- Housekeeping
The apartment couldn't have been any hipper, and living there - although briefly - made me feel more like a resident than a visitor. There's also no way that I could have experienced the same sensation of being in the center of the vigorous Downtown Crossing action if I had chosen to stay in a hotel. Compass Furnished Apartments at Hamilton Crossing was the perfect H.Q. for my Beantown excursion.
Stuff to Do, Places to Eat, Etc.
Boston BID: Boston BID (Business Improvement District) is the ideal resource for finding out what to do, where to go, and what's happening in Downtown Crossing. Their helpful "ambassadors" are available by phone and they also walk around the area, providing tips and guidance on how to get the most out of your downtown Boston journey. BID's colorful web site offers helpful facts, recommendations, and inside info. I was fortunate enough to connect with Marsha, a superb ambassador who directed me to all of the destinations that I eventually visited during my trip. If you're travelling around by foot (which I recommend), BID's maps of downtown Boston are all over the place, and they've very easy to figure out and navigate.
South Street Diner (7 minute stroll from Hamilton Crossing): Built in 1947, South Street Diner is "the place to grab something to eat, hang out with friends, celebrity watch, and keep the party going". It's Boston's only 24 hour restaurant and attracts hipsters, workers (blue and white collar), and students from the area.
On a Saturday morning, I saw a counter full of sweaty CrossFit dudes and helmeted construction guys, tables of webbys and disheveled young couples with their kids, and booths filled with families of graduates and chatty tourists - all taking in the genuine atmosphere and diving into their chow. Three chefs (flat top, grill, fry station) worked in harmonious, non-stop motion, and meals were prepared and delivered quickly.
I sampled the Diner Special (three eggs, two pancakes or French toast, hash browns, and toast, with choice of bacon, corn beef hash, ham, or sausage) and the Chocolate Fantasy French Toast (double-thick slices of bread stuffed with chocolate chips, dipped in egg, and fried on the flat top). The steaming mini-mountains of food could have fed three people, and the Chocolate Fantasy French toast was messy, creative, and insanely indulgent. If you pull into Boston after-hours and are craving a solid meal, South Street Diner is most definitely the spot. The crowd will be entertaining, the price will be right, and the food will be fantastic.
Boston Sports Club (4 minute walk): Boston Sports Club is 30,000 square feet of fitness awesomeness. Check out the statistics:
- Ten different classes per day (Power Pilates, cycling, outdoor workouts, strength, ABS, kick boxing, yoga, UXF circuit training, and more)
- Three fitness and exercise studios
- 125 bicycles and cardio machines
- Extensive free weights and strength machines
- Individualized personalized workouts, small group training, and sports massage
BSC is big, bright, and immaculate. The staff is friendly and helpful. The Club's facilities smack the crap out of the miniscule sweat closets - I mean, fitness centers - of most hotels, even top tier ones. On any given day, there are deals, discounts, and specials that are affordable and attractive (as well as contests and games with fitness-related prizes). For an efficient and wide range of challenging workout alternatives that's close to Hamilton Crossing, BSC is your top choice.
Boston Common Coffee (3 minute walk): If you require a fix of corporate coffee, Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts are everywhere. No really, they're everywhere. Ev-ree-where. But for a truly artisan and authentically local caffeine experience, you must try Boston Common Coffee.
BCC roasts their own coffee locally, their pastries are created in small batches and delivered to their stores across Boston every day, and their cafe menu items are prepared - fresh and from scratch - in-store. To enjoy a quality, hand-crafted cup o' java, BCC is an ideal place to eat, sip, and chill.
The Merchant Kitchen & Drinks (six minute walk): When I asked Marsha from BID for a recommendation of a killer restaurant in Downtown Crossing, she said "you MUST go to The Merchant! It's new and it's so hot right now!"
The Merchant is housed in the former London Harness Company, which opened its doors in 1776 as a saddlemaker (Benjamin Franklin was a client), and is believed to be the oldest continually operating retail store in the U.S. (it's now located in Wellesley). The Merchant took over the space and opened in early '14. The owners' ambitious vision was to offer upscale food and beverages with an emphasis on warmth, approachability, and integrity. The space is massive and deep, with nosebleed high ceilings and a wide open interior. The original columns and deep brown wooden floors are still there, with many charming architectural flourishes and a dignified, upscale ambiance. But while the surroundings may seem majestic, the atmosphere is anything but. It's loose, friendly, and unpretentious.
From chatting with Josh (the manager), Shane (a co-owner), and Nick (my most righteous server, who steered me to some amazing dishes), I found out that The Merchant seeks a very high standard of quality for each element of their meals. For instance, all of the produce is purchased from local farmers when available. Fish and seafood are caught wild and purchased that day (aka "day boat"). Their meats are all-natural and hormone free, and their bacon and smoked meats are cured on-premises. Their Sunday brunch bagels are baked fresh and in-house. (BTW, their beer selection - for which they're gaining a loyal following and respected reputation - is also quite extraordinary: 36 are on tap, and 28 more are available in bottles and cans.)
My meal consisted of:
- Mixed greens with crispy onions
- A South Bay oyster and a Powder Point oyster
- Pan-seared day boat scallops with grapefruit and spinach
- Almond brown butter cake with mescat sorbet
- A glass of Gazzera pinot grigio
- A Southern Cooler cocktail, which was an ingenious blend of crushed watermelon, brandy, fresh peaches, Dolin Blanc vermouth, lime juice, and orange bitters
Each dish was beautifully plated and served, and the taste of everything was outstanding and memorable. It was one of the finest meals I've ever had the privilege to enjoy. A supper (or brunch or lunch or drinks) at The Merchant is highly recommended, whether you're staying in Downtown Crossing or somewhere else in Boston.
***
There are so many places to see, delicacies to taste, and discoveries to make in Downtown Crossing and the nearby region. It's a lively neighborhood for extended stay visitors (business or pleasure), and Compass Furnished Apartments at Hamilton Crossing is a luxurious, elegant, and indulgent home base for your Boston expedition.
About the Author:
Barry Zeger is a travel writer who visited Boston's Downtown Crossing and was a guest at Compass Furnished Apartment's Hamilton Crossing property.
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