So, how are the Aloft and Element?

LoonyEclipse

Hey folks,


Obviously tickets aren't going on sale for a bit, but I'm doing my initial research: last year, two new hotels near the BCEC opened up, the Aloft and Element.

I 'd like to score a berth at one of those hotels, but want to make sure we don't get stuck at a joint with tiny rooms, etc. I guess my main question is- how big are the rooms with two double beds, if any of you have experience in them? And of course, what's the experience in these hotels like?

Thanks!

TopherRocks

I was at the Aloft for a night, I liked it but it was a little on the smaller side. We had 4 people, it's a bit narrow around the walkways. We didn't have any real trouble but if we packed a bit heavier it would have been iffy. We really loved the hotel and room, the place is beautiful and super stylish (though the view on our side of the hotel was an industrial parking lot so, meh), bonus cool points because the room keys are swipeless. The distance could hardly be beat, though. Only reason we stayed just 1 night was because we managed to snag the Westin for the other nights.

TheAggroCraig

I had friends at the Aloft and they didn't speak too highly of it... the Element on the other hand I heard very good things about. I'll be keeping it in mind for 2017 for sure.

PurpleBek

The element was great! Spacious rooms with two beds a couch and the kitchenette and fridge is great good big shower too

VermillionDe

I stayed at the Aloft. I personally liked the room, but if you're looking for something spacious for multiple people then you may need to look elsewhere. Things were definitely designed to be space saving: lots of amenities but tucked away in corners or designed to be minimalist. I stayed with my wife and we loved it, but we questioned how comfortable it would be if you were staying with friends. I heard the element was great for that though. Seriously though, unless you're in the Westin you're not going to do better distance wise.

Keroan

Yeah it was just my boyfriend and I at the Aloft and we liked it quite a bit. Only downside is that food is a bit of a walk in the opposite direction. It was quieter than the Westin would have been and you can't beat the location. We're going to try again for it this year!

ishtra

We had 4 in an Element room with 2 beds and a tiny couch and awkwardly-placed desk. It was a bit tight b/c there is little room for bags, aside from piling up on the cough or stuffing into the drawers/TV stand. However, the kitchenette was nice (esp b/c we brought chili, cold cuts, and milk for breakfast cereal). The food in the morning was light but tasted fine. Not the usual continental breakfast; english muffin sandwiches to go, some yogurt, coffee. Limited, but included in the room fee. the distance was workable when leaving the BCEC (either at the park exit or down the escalators through the Westin), but annoying to enter, as the lines getting through the security check are filled with the D-street hotel guests and those coming in on the shuttle.

hobbseltoff

I stayed at the Aloft and I loved it. Room was on the smaller side but it was just me so not an issue, everything was super clean, outlets everywhere, and great location. It was so nice not having to take a shuttle back to my hotel.

stardust462

I liked the Aloft a lot. Don't book there if you're planning on having people sleeping on the floor though, there isn't room for them. It's set up in a different way so there isn't a lot of floor space. Also, the sink is outside of the toilet/shower, if that matters to anyone. It was also right across the street from one of the food truck locations, which was nice.

jdixon1972

Would anyone choose the Aloft/Element over the Seaport? I'm not asking because of price. I'm more inquiring about room features, proximity to the convention center, and also proximity to other restaurants/fast food (or Dunkin and Starbucks). Basically, if you've stayed and the Seaport, would you make the switch to the Aloft/Element?

Karoneth

J Dixon, we made the change last year. My group was 5 in number, we like to be close and had some folks with us with back issues and did not want a hike, so we have been staying in the Seaport for years. We never seem to luck out with OnPeak but we always have the room reserved in advance just in case. We got the executive suite but this year they were unavailable. So we purchased an executive suite at the Element and ended up keeping it as once again we failed with OnPeak. It has a kitchen and free breakfast. The Seaport breakfast is much better, but it is also like $20 a person a day. The Element room, their largest room, had a LOT of floor space so we were able to lay down a portable bed (and housekeeping even made it up for us daily!) to sleep 5. I probably won't have 5 in my group anymore and was going to find a smaller, cheaper room but I can't make it for 2017. The Seaport location is indeed better, but the Element was less expensive plus the free breakfast and the kitchen saved us money. I'd say the Seaport still gives the best experience for PAX but at a cost. Element will likely be a better value for you if you can tolerate the longer walk when the side door is not open and the longer walk to downtown. Element was near a Jimmy Johns for lunch but otherwise Seaport is closer to more restaurants, which might be a factor in early March weather.
Both hotels, and indeed, any in Boston, are prohibitively expensive though, and that is one reason I am skipping a year next year.

jayh0va

jdixon1972 wrote: »

Would anyone choose the Aloft/Element over the Seaport? I'm not asking because of price. I'm more inquiring about room features, proximity to the convention center, and also proximity to other restaurants/fast food (or Dunkin and Starbucks). Basically, if you've stayed and the Seaport, would you make the switch to the Aloft/Element?

I've stayed at Seaport, Westin and Aloft in that order. If money and availability are no object, I'm taking the Seaport every single time. That said, Aloft rooms opened up before Seaport rooms last year and I didnt feel like changing the reservation and I was not disappointed. Its definitely a slightly lower tier hotel (its one of Starwood's more economical options), but its far from Motel 6. Our room was two queens and was a bit cramped but three large dudes had no problem spending the weekend as we were barely there. I think the walk to the front door is actually about the same as Seaport, but the direct access from the expo floor (for a mid day break) is much closer. Check google maps to see what I mean. One last note is that food and bar options are far superior at Seaport. The food trucks and Jimmy Johns are fine for a quick lunch, but nothing beats Remy's and Whiskey Priest on a Friday night.

Overall, I'm shooting for Seaport this year, but if I can get Aloft again, I'll be a happy paxer.

Karoneth

Correct Jay, I forgot about Whiskey Priest which was a huge hit with my group. If you can get a Seaport room and can afford it, I would go for it.

SinoSamba

I really like the Seaport, but next year might try the Element, given they have a kitchenette and free breakfast.

Coan

I found the element was a bit small with having the bed and the pullout essentially kill any space between them, but the rooms were very nice otherwise, plus all the extras at element like the food and beer on some nights and a full fridge/dishwasher/etc was nice. I've done seaport a few times, seen at least a room in westin (friends) and now element, I'd probably pick element, especially as just a double occupancy. I'd probably try to lean towards seaport if I expect to room with a bunch of cosplayers again in a quad occupancy situation just due to space concerns.

schuss

Did the element, beds were meh, but kitchenette and other facilities were nice.

nevermore13

jdixon1972 wrote: »

Would anyone choose the Aloft/Element over the Seaport? I'm not asking because of price. I'm more inquiring about room features, proximity to the convention center, and also proximity to other restaurants/fast food (or Dunkin and Starbucks). Basically, if you've stayed and the Seaport, would you make the switch to the Aloft/Element?

having stayed at both the aloft and seaport, prefer the seaport. Felt ot was more spacious but more than that i prefer the location as ots closer to the red line and main entrance.

mtalmor

The Element has no room service because it's a long-term stay hotel (there's some snacks you can get in the lobby, and microwavable meals but that's it). Otherwise it's a great hotel and the breakfast is decent for a long-term stay hotel. We stayed there last year and it was great.

LoonyEclipse

At the end of the day- it turns out the element was booked, so I ended up at the renaissance.

Jubes2681

They just opened up more rooms at the Element. It's worth keeping an eye on the hotel site since they tend to open up more rooms as we get closer to Pax. I stayed there last year and will be staying there again this year. The kitchen is really nice and the couch was a great touch - allowed us to relax at the end of the day without having to lounge on the bed.