Some blogs use Wednesdays for #WordlessWednesday and we thought today was the perfect opportunity to share our excitement and passion for opening a hotel in the great city of Boston. To that, here’s a (nearly) #WordlessWednesday post highlighting the beautiful landmarks that make Boston a most desirable place to visit.
Walk around with us and see some of the great spots in Boston, including:
George Washington statue is on the west side of Boston Public Garden.
At the corner of Washington and State streets, you’ll see the Old State House, which is a historic building in Boston.
The sun shining on Faneuil Hall – a must visit with seemingly endless spots to eat, street performers and more.
Right next to Faneuil Hall is Quincy Market, which is named in honor of Mayor Josiah Quincy.
Complete your visit in Boston with fresh lobster or oysters. This spot is conveniently located inside Quincy Market, however there are countless great spots throughout the city to try out.
Local Bostonians, what are your favorite spots to take visitors?
While we’re proud of what’s inside of The Godfrey and can’t wait to unveil it to you, we’re also proud of what’s outside – Downtown Crossing. We’re excited to be part of such a historic neighborhood, which was once coined “The Hub of the Universe,” and is currently undergoing a vibrant revival.
Stores, restaurants and lodging galore are opening left and right over the past few years. In addition to the construction work we’re undergoing, Millennium Tower Boston – soon to the be the 4th tallest building in Boston – is also going up. It’s exciting to see our progress side-by-side.
Millennium Tower is being built. Photo Credit: @BuildItBoston on Instagram – #GoGodfrey Contest Submission.
What’s so great about Downtown Crossing outside of its location and ease of access is that you don’t need to leave the surrounding area to experience shopping, sightseeing and shows. True to Boston’s nature, there is more than you could ever imagine within a 10-minute walk from our front door.
Shopping
Whether you’re shopping for groceries, jewelry, clothing or antique books, Downtown Crossing has you covered. Some of our guest rooms even overlook Brattle Book Shop – a neighborhood favorite since 1825.
The Brattle Book Shop
Walking up and down Washington Street you’ll see everything from Roche Brothers to local flower stands and Macy’s to TJMaxx. A Primark is set to open this fall and there are jewelry stores dotting the street that offer a nod to the neighborhood’s (and our) past. And if you’re up for a 15-minute walk, the famous Newbury Street is within reach.
Shopping on Washington Street
Sightseeing
Located along the Freedom Trail, Downtown Crossing is home to and neighbors on a variety of historical landmarks. If you step outside of The Godfrey and look left down Washington Street towards State Street, you’ll see the Old South Meeting House.
If you’re still not tired after a day of shopping and sightseeing in and around Downtown Crossing, spend a night out in the neighboring Theater District. It starts one block down from us on Washington Street and boasts everything from Broadway musicals to ballet and concerts to the silver screen.
Entertainment options on Washington Street
In a one-minute walk you can catch a show at the Boston Opera House or walk an extra block to see the newest blockbuster at AMC Lowes. The Orpheum Theatre is a couple blocks in the opposite direction and hosts concerts of all sorts. Or, support the local Emerson students by attending one of their many shows at The Paramount Theater.
Needless to say, there is a never-ending list of things to do and see in Downtown Crossing and the neighboring areas … and we haven’t even discussed all of the dining options yet. Stay tuned for more updates on what to do and see during your stay with us.
“The hub of the universe.” That’s what William Filene once called the intersection of Washington Street, Winter Street and Summer Street. We’re thrilled to say our hotel is then located right in “the hub of the universe” then!
While that may be a fun exaggeration, we certainly think the location in Boston’s Downtown Crossing is perfect for our future hotel guests and locals. The area is bustling with activity throughout the day – including people headed to work, lunch or shop right in the heart of Boston.
Right on Summer Street, Winter Street and Washington Streets, you’ll find plenty of shops ranging from convenience stores to jewelry to books to music, along with street vendors and ample restaurants to check out.
The area also offers ample public transportation for our future guests, including the subway and bus lines near our hotel.
There’s also an entrance into Macy’s, which proudly hangs the American flags as well. There’s no shortage of American pride and history in Boston.
Macy’s
We’ll continue to keep you posted on our area and the updates at our hotel.
At The Godfrey, we’re all about high tech and high touch throughout the hotel. Our Chicago property led the way with its cutting-edge technology and amenities. We are proud to say our Boston property will boast a number of high tech offerings throughout the guest rooms and the hotel.
First, a look in the guest rooms and the guests will notice a number of tech advances, including but not limited to our mobile keyless room entry. Guests who have a smart phone can simply download the app on their phone. This makes entering the room easy, plus it is one less thing to carry when you’re out and about exploring Boston. While on the phone, guests will also have the option of mobile accessible hotel services.
The room also has large 55 inch HD TVs and a high-quality bluetooth audio system. The desks are designed with USB ports. The room is set for a high-tech traveler on business or leisure travel.
Perhaps most importantly, we have invested in a state-of-the-art wireless / WiFi that’s fast and reliable, something that can be hard to find at other hotels. Plus, have we mentioned it is free? Yes, free, fast and reliable Wi-Fi. That makes getting business finished at our hotel a little easier.
Boston is entrenched in history. From the Freedom Trail to the Bunker Hill Monument, it’s hard to go a block without reveling in one of the hundreds of historical monuments. And while The Godfrey Boston is mere blocks away from some of these main landmarks, you don’t have to leave our hotel to experience the city’s rich past.
As previously mentioned, our hotel is a complete restoration of the Amory and Blake buildings, which were once the center of Boston’s shopping district. Working together with Spillane, we’re bringing the Amory and Blake back to life and restoring their original beauty, which we shared a sneak peak of earlier this week. In fact, the three main areas we’re working to restore -the facade, the elevator lobby and the interior-facing light wells – are historically protected by the National Register of Historic Places.
The original facade of the Amory and Blake buildingsIntricate details being restored on the facade of the hotel
Upon entering The Godfrey, you’ll see the building’s past married with its future. The walkway leading up to the front desk will start out as a matte, textured marble that displays the brick and other original materials used. The floor will then gradually transition to highly polished dark marble that signifies the decidedly modern design of The Godfrey and the future of these two historic buildings.
As you head up to your guest room, you’ll notice another nod to the past. The elevator vestibule boasts the original marble walls and ornate ceilings of the Blake. We’ll update this area to be mainly monochromatic white while maintaining and paying homage to the intricate detail.
The ornate molding work above the elevatorsThe gorgeous ceiling being restored
If you’re staying in an interior-facing guest room, you’ll have the privilege to overlook our historically-preserved courtyard. It might not look like much at this point in the restoration, but it’s set to be a gorgeous respite from the bustling streets outside.
The interior light well being restoredHistorically preserved light well
There are still a lot of changes in progress, but the restoration is coming along quickly. Stay tuned for more updates on our historically protected areas in future posts.
Building The Godfrey 