The Verb Hotel

"Give us your first impression.The lobby at the Verb feels less like a hotel and more like a recording studio. The check-in desk is covered with faux sound-absorbing upholstery, the walls are lined with vintage music posters, and a black-and-white floor stands in graphic contrast against cerulean walls and a banana-yellow couch. It's as if Almost Famous took place in a boutique hotel, and the sense of fun is immediately apparent. Is the crowd accordingly cool?Mostly. They're hipsters and music lovers, but also Red Sox mega fans aiming to sleep as close as possible, physically, to Fenway Park. How are the rooms?Originally a 1959 motor inn, the Verb is a beautifully restored hotel that pays homage to the building's funky past (as the Howard Johnson where bands like Aerosmith stayed when they played the nearby House of Blues) while maintaining contemporary finishes and comforts. Pool view rooms overlook the sundeck out back, and the noise from Fenway is more or less muffled. In 2022, the Verb transformed its back alley with astroturf, outdoor seating, and some adorable, off-beat “Backstage Trailers.” Sure, staying in a refurbished Airstream might not have been on your bingo card for Boston hotels, but they’re a unique and quirky experience that feels at home with the hotel’s overall rockstar ethos. How about the little things, like the mini bar, or shower goodies?There are tons of little touches here—original multicolored glass windows, record players, vintage posters, mid-century furniture, and C.O. Bigelow toiletries. What's the food situation?The ground-floor restaurant is Hojoko, is a lively Japanese izakaya from the team behind O-Ya. There's no room service. Tell us: Was there any staff member who really impressed you?The bartender at Hojoko will keep your glass full and impart all the good neighborhood gossip. Anything else we should know in advance?There's no gym on site, but guests have complimentary access to a nearby Boston Sports Club. In summer, the outdoor, heated saltwater pool is the area's hippest place to lay out with a mai tai while listening to the roar from Fenway across the street." - Todd Plummer