Hillary Davis Travels's Blog

Hotel Review: Omni Parker House Boston

Do you remember Parker House rolls? Those soft little dinner rolls?

Last weekend I stayed at the Parker House Hotel in Boston and learned that Parker House rolls were invented there! So cool. This was a fun hotel for so many reasons, including this one.

(Oh, and because they served complimentary Boston Cream Ice Cream in the lobby every afternoon! They invented the Boston Cream Pie too. So for an avid culinary traveler, these were fascinating revelations.)

It was also fun because of the sense of history you feel everywhere you walk in the hotel, from the antique phones.........

......to the wonderful displays of historic items related to the hotel.....

....including original china and Parker House Coffee!

The Parker House was built in 1927. Some other fun facts are that Malcolm X worked here in the 1940's, that John F. Kennedy announced his candidacy for senator here, and that Kennedy proposed to Jacqueline in the hotel restaurant.

The decor is opulent with classical touches....

.....and a formal dining room.....

The rooms? Very comfortable. Although mine had a view of a brick wall, it had a phenomenally comfortable bed, flat screen TV, and elegant little bathroom.

And the staff were amazing. The concierge time and again gave perfect counsel as to where to eat and what to do. There was also a very good size gym and valet parking. I can definitely recommend the Parker House, which will place you right in the heart of Boston just steps from the Freedom Trail and the waterfront.

Omni Parker House Hotel, 60 School Street, Boston, MA  617-227-8600

Hotel Review: Hilton Woburn

It was some of the hottest days of the summer. And for some reason, the prospect of staying right in Boston seemed less attractive than trying to find something outside of the city and traveling in. I was looking forward to peace and greenery this time, rather than my normal need for a dose of high energy city life.

I finally came upon a review of the Hilton in Woburn that sounded like it would be the right place for me. A quick subway ride into Boston. A Starbucks on the corner for breakfast. A pool. So I booked.

It was surprisingly trendy. And filled with light. It had a pool in the lobby. Not in a separate area of the hotel, but smack in the middle of the lobby with a pool side bar with chic cabanas and lounges. 

I arrived to a rainbow of colors in front of the check in desk. An Indian wedding! It seemed like hundreds of guests  dressed in exquisite silk and gold saris were gliding here and there. There was perfume in the air. Young boys stood in groups looking towards groups of the girls. Well, this is different!! I was quickly whisked through the line and given a room key. Nice. 

And this was my room.

Lovely and calm and squeeky clean, with a balcony that looked down over the main lobby.

I took a walk outside my room towards the lobby again, and came upon the ballroom where the wedding was to take place. 

I think at this point I felt like I was on a mini-vacation. I was slowly forgetting my little world and becoming engrossed in that of total strangers who I hoped all good wedding wishes for.

I never saw the bride. I never saw the groom. By the time I got back from dinner everyone was adjourning for a buffet dinner. I took a few snaps from my balcony before heading down to the pool side bar for a glass of wine to enjoy the piano player's rendition of great love songs. 

I wish them well. Although I never saw them, I was at their wedding. At the Hilton in Woburn, Mass.

 

Back To Boston

Boston was beautiful this weekend! Little did I know that the Bruins Victory Parade was planned for Saturday and how lucky I was to score the last available parking space as fans poured in to the city as early as my 8:30 arrival. 

Boston Common was verdant, peaceful, and relatively empty. Police vans were parked on its perimeter and police helicopters hovered above my head in anticipation of the parade, but the park itself retained its dignity.

Huge purple agapantha balls lined the walkways. I sauntered slowly to soak up the sun and scenery before heading out the south gate towards the shops on Newbury Street. I knew most of the stores, so dropped into a couple including O & Co. to sample olive oils and Sweet for a cupcake, and then turned the corner to walk up to Boylston. The police presence was huge. They were on bicycles, motorcycles, on foot and in the air. 

And the crowds were lined up and still pouring into the city to cheer the Bruins on. The temperature was almost 90 degrees.

I figured I would lose the crowds in the shops so headed up to the big indoor mall. I was right. 

 

Everyone, literally everyone, was outside waiting for the team to appear. So this is how I chose to watch the parade. I took a seat in Wagamama, ordered dumplings and noodle soup, and relaxed in air conditioned comfort!

Very civilized. Glass of wine. Good food. I watched the proceedings and afterwards was able to walk around the crowds again to make my way up to Beacon Hill and Charles Street for dessert. Isabelle's Curly Cakes had an etherial lemon meringue cupcake that defies description it was so good. I decided that although the thought of shopping and museums brought me back to Boston, the unexpected parade diverted my attention and ability to get around the city easily. But all was well. I had discovered an incredible cupcake shop, and that alone was enough reason to know that I would be making the return trip in the future for this reason alone.

Sometimes travel makes its own itinerary and has its own rhythm and rhyme for you to follow. I let it lead me and had a great time.

 

Cambridge With Sneakers

I walked by and stopped in front of this store window in Cambridge. If you can love a picture of sneakers, can it be far off to imagine that others would love the sneakers themselves?

I mean, these sneakers are illustrated like a modern day Botticelli was interpreting their beauty as an object of art. This is why I love traveling. I get to a place and am swept into visuals that are new to me. 

I was in Cambridge, intellectual capital of the Northeast. And here I was, in front of my urban museum window exhibiting a relic of our daily culture. Amazing that sneakers could be transformed into a whimsical item of an almost painterly ideal.

Then I saw the line.  A really long line.

So I had to ask the first person on line, "What are you waiting for?"

"Limited edition", he replied.

Wow, limited edition sneaks. 

I travelled across the street. The line seemed to be elongating. I wanted to keep walking now that I found Cambridge With Sneakers. Maybe the next corner would bring another unexpected surprise. 

Epilogue: Once back at my computer I read up on Concepts, the store that first caught my eye. Next trip I am going to pay them a visit. They are all about Limited Editions, by various shoe companies. So their stock is really interesting and always changing. Another thing I love about traveling. Finding new stores!

 

Hotel Review: Hyatt Harborside Boston

It was bitterly cold outside. Piles of snow almost up to my shoulders. Had to get to warm weather! Aruba it is!!!!! To make sure I got my morning flight on time and in a relaxed manner, I booked into the Hyatt Harborside at Logan Airport in Boston. 

The moment I walked in I knew I would really like this hotel. First of all, its location. It is only a few quick minutes free shuttle ride away from the airline terminal. Second, the stylish lobby. This is not a big convention center impersonal hotel. It almost feels like a boutique hotel. Not too big. Loads of interior design details to delight the eye.

I especially loved the painted ceiling of the lobby with its whimsical puti playing amongst the stars.

And the view!!! From every window throughout the hotel you had a breathtaking view of the skyline of Boston across the harbor. 

But first, let me introduce you to my room.  Room Number: 818

A casually chic room with uber comfy beds. Amazingly, the room was stone quiet. Which is amazing because this was the view from my room! I could have asked for one facing Boston so that at night I could lie in bed and gaze at the sparkling lights. But I love to travel and love flying, so I instead chose to lie in bed and watch planes take off and land!

So exhilerating! And not a sound!

Nice bathroom with amenities, hairdryer, and absolutely spotless.

They even thought of toothpaste.....

Back to design and the view! I loved that they made this cozy nook by the elevator on my floor so that guests could find a quiet escape with Boston on the horizon and sailboats and tugs going by.

There's a large restaurant in the lobby oriented again to the view, with a great bar and outdoor dining area for the warmer months.

Table for two?!

 

There was a large health club/fitness center and a small pool. Both had a view!

I can totally recommend you stay in this hotel when you are flying out of Boston! I will definitely be returning.

Hyatt Harborside Boston, 101 Harborside Drive, Boston, Massachusetts

617-568-1234