I enjoyed my stay at the Charlesmark. The staff were friendly and helpful, the bar interesting and lively. Some excellent features (for example, the free to use internet access) were a real boon.

Of course, it was not perfect. I was travelling alone and had relatively little luggage but the rooms are not huge (a common issue in Boston hotels I think). I do think however that some of the design features were probably better on paper than when they were put into effect. For example, the 'wardrobe' is only desk high and pretty limited in space - so very little space for clothes if you do not travel light. The mini fridge really is mini (2 small bottles of water) which was fine for me but might be limiting for a thirsty famuily in on a hot summer day.

The TV and surround sound were good but annoyingly there were no instructions on how to use them (many thanks to the helpful cleaning ladies!) and if you are not used to the particular system it is rather confusing

Location is great and lots to see and do around the hotel. My room faced Boylston but it did not seem to noisy to me.

So if you travel light, like the modern feel and are not too bothered about space then a room at the Charlesmark is worth going for!

The hotel is located in the Back Bay area, almost right across the street from the Boston Public Library and about two blocks from the Prudential Center Shops. A block in the opposite direction from Copley Square and a stop to catch the "T" train.

My room was located on the third floor, facing Boylston Street. Noticeably noisy throughout the day, particularly in the morning and evening rush hour times.

The room interior had high ceilings, and was sparsely furnished with light wood accents. There was no closet but instead a mini-clothesrack. There was an iron with a miniature ironing board in the room. The work desk area is a pullout shelf but is decently lit. There is a folding chair tucked away in the the mini-closet area for seating.

The mini-fridge is restocked daily with 2 complimentary bottles of water; don't plan on keeping any food in the mini-fridge as it barely has room for the two bottles of water.

Completing the room is a large TV with DVD/VHS player, Stereo receiver, Direct TV and surround sound. The hotel offers a complimentary VHS library.

No fitness center - you have to buy a $15 day pass to the Boston Sports Club.

No swimming pool - you have to buy a $20 day pass to the Sheraton Hotel Health Club.

No room service - if you want to dine in your room you have to order in from a neighborhood restaurant or use the suggested diningin.com option - it takes 45-60 minutes to arrive and although you can order from several restaurants, there is a $6.75 per restaurant charge for delivery and a $10 minimum per restaurant. There is also a decent thai restaurant next door that delivers entrees and appetizers to the hotel bar/lounge. The bar can get noisy but the lounge in back is nice with plenty of comfortable seating.

I was not able to access the internet via their wireless service, despite numbeous calls to the front desk. I was asked if I used Mozilla or Firefox and when I replied that I used Windows Internet Explorer, I was told, "Oh, that could be part of the problem". There is a Starbucks about 2 blocks away with Tmobile Hotspots as well as the public library right across the street.

Not a great hotel for the business traveler, but okay for tourists looking for a decently priced hotel in the Back Bay area. It was almost $100 less per night than the nearby Marriott and Westin brands, but I will not be staying here again.

Spent the weekend in Boston in mid-February. Check in was quick, then up to our room on the 5th floor, front of the building, looking across to the public library. Rooms were decorated nicely, mood music playing. The view at night was nice as well. Getting to the hotel was easy, parked out front to register, then just a few blocks away to the recommended garage. The walk back is not bad, just stop at either a Dunkin Donuts or Starbuck along the way. The room was nicely appointed. Good bed, sheets, furniture. After a night on the town, got back to the hotel around 10pm, bar was busy, but could have found a seat if we wanted. We needed dessert, so doorman recommended the Cheesecake factory just a short walk away. Felt completely safe walking around at night. They offer coffee, juice, and donuts in the morning, just enough to get you moving. Room was quite, could not hear neighbors or street traffic. Overall, great stay, would stay there next time in Boston.

I was in town for a conference and all of the conference hotels were booked- since I used to live in Boston, I remembered the Charlesmark and was very pleased to not only find that they had rooms available, but to find out that their room rates were almost $100 less than the other area hotels!!
We arrived early in the day and they let us check in early. It's true that the rooms are on the small side, but I found the space to be more than ample for just me. The room had a queen sized bed and a small pull out sofa. My bathroom was smaller because I was next to the elevator, but I was very happy with the slate tile and the large shower stall. My co-worker's bathroom was about 3X the size of mine, and he had a bathtub, but the trade off was that I had 2 huge windows overlooking the Boston Public Library while he had a window to the alley. Since I was right next to the elevator, I expected it to be loud throughout the night but was very surprised when it was quiet all night long. I love city noise, so I wasn't disturbed being right on busy Boylston St., but if you're not used to nighttime city noise, it might take some getting used to!
I think one thing that we all loved was that the room is wired with surround sound and besides the Direct TV channels, it also has all of the music channels, so showering with music playing was a big hit for all of us!
The hotel serves a small continental breakfast in the morning with fruit, bagels, muffins & donuts & instant oatmeal. There is also coffee & juice. Since I'm familiar with the area, I opted to grab breakfast elsewhere but I did bring it back and sat in the hotel's lounge to eat. The lounge is really nice and at night, turns into a very hip bar. It got pretty busy on the weekend but was still a nice chill place to relax.
The Charlesmark's location can't be beat. You're right across from the Copley T stop and within walking distance of pretty much the entire city.
I highly recommend this hotel. I know that when I come back to Boston, this is definitely where I will stay!