Residence Inn Boston Framingham

The Residence Inn Boston Framingham, located at 400 Staples Dr, Framingham, MA 01702, USA, presents itself as an extended-stay option designed for travelers seeking a home-like experience. As a Marriott property, it is positioned within the "Hotels Near Of Me" category, catering to guests looking for accommodations in the Framingham area with additional amenities for longer stays. The hotel can be reached by phone at (508) 370-0001 or mobile at +1 508-370-0001.

Situated in Framingham, Massachusetts, the Residence Inn is located in the heart of the MetroWest region, offering convenient access to both Boston and a variety of local businesses and attractions. The hotel is particularly well-suited for business travelers, being less than a mile from major corporate headquarters and facilities such as Staples World Headquarters, Bose Corporation, Genzyme/Sanofi, CA Technologies, Cumberland Farms/Gulf Oil, TJX Companies, The MathWorks, Boston Scientific, and Boston Heart Diagnostics. Its strategic location at the intersection of Interstate 90 (Mass Pike) and Route 9 makes it easily accessible for those traveling by car.

While the hotel's immediate surroundings are within a business park, the broader Framingham area provides diverse opportunities for dining, shopping, and recreation. Guests can explore Shoppers World and Natick Collection for retail therapy. For outdoor enthusiasts, nearby parks include Callahan State Park and Hopkinton State Park, the latter being known as the start of the historic Boston Marathon. Cultural attractions like the Danforth Museum of Art are also within a short drive. The hotel's proximity to educational institutions like Framingham State University, Wellesley College, and Babson College also makes it a suitable choice for visiting families and academics. For those looking to venture further, downtown Boston is approximately 25 miles away, offering historical sites, museums, and entertainment venues.

The hotel emphasizes a smoke-free environment throughout its premises. Parking is available, though some customer reviews suggest that it can be limited and occasionally necessitate guests parking in unofficial spaces.

The Residence Inn Boston Framingham is an all-suite hotel, meaning each of its 125 accommodations is designed to offer more space and comfort than a traditional hotel room. These suites typically feature separate areas for living, working, and sleeping, which is a key draw for extended stays. A significant highlight of the Residence Inn brand is the inclusion of a fully equipped kitchen in every suite. These kitchens come with a full-sized refrigerator/freezer, stovetop, microwave, dishwasher, and all necessary cookware, dishes, and utensils, allowing guests to prepare their own meals and maintain a sense of routine while away from home.

In-room amenities generally include flat-screen TVs with premium cable channels, complimentary high-speed wired and wireless internet access, a desk, a direct-dial phone with voicemail, and a coffee/tea maker. Some suites may also feature a fireplace, adding to the homely atmosphere. The rooms are air-conditioned for comfort.

Beyond the individual suites, the hotel offers several communal amenities and services aimed at enhancing the guest experience. A complimentary breakfast buffet is provided daily, which often includes a variety of hot and cold options. For recreation and wellness, the hotel features an indoor pool and a 24-hour fitness center. There is also a hot tub for relaxation. Outdoor amenities include barbecue grills and a picnic area, providing spaces for guests to cook and socialize outdoors.

The hotel maintains a 24-hour front desk to assist guests with any needs or inquiries. Other convenient services include self-serve laundry facilities, dry cleaning services, and an ATM/banking service. The hotel is pet-friendly, allowing guests to travel with their furry companions, although charges may apply.

For business needs, the hotel provides a business center and meeting facilities, with a total event space of 640 square feet, capable of accommodating up to 35 people in its largest meeting room. This makes it suitable for small conferences or corporate gatherings.

The Residence Inn Boston Framingham also highlights its commitment to accessibility, offering accessible facilities for guests with disabilities. This includes accessible routes to the registration desk, public areas, and the swimming pool, as well as specific accessible room types with features like roll-in showers or adapted tubs, visual alarms, and lowered viewports.

The Residence Inn brand, including this Framingham location, often promotes itself as an ideal choice for "thriving on long stays" by offering amenities that cater to a balanced work-life routine. The fully equipped kitchens, spacious suites, and complimentary breakfast are key aspects of this appeal. Promotional offers typically align with Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program benefits, though specific deals would need to be checked directly with the hotel or on Marriott's website.

However, it is important to provide a balanced overview by acknowledging recent guest feedback. Several recent customer reviews highlight significant concerns regarding the hotel's condition and maintenance. There are reports of rooms feeling "run down and nasty," with complaints about an pervasive "fish smell" throughout the hotel and in the air conditioning vents, leading some guests to check out early. Specific criticisms include:

• Visible uncleanliness in rooms, with suggestions of inadequate vacuuming and attempts to cover up dirty areas in bathrooms with "unprofessional shabby" materials.
• Worn-down furniture and equipment, with observations that website photos may not accurately depict the current room quality.
• Limited parking, forcing guests to park in unofficial spots and on curbs.
• Safety concerns, such as back hotel doors being left "cocked open" for unkeyed entry every night, and issues with elevators (e.g., showing an up arrow when going down, cardboard around the bottom half, and lack of posted inspection certifications).
• Issues with room booking discrepancies, where guests were reportedly given different room types than booked, even after confirming reservations beforehand.
• Severe temperature control issues, with reports of rooms being excessively hot and AC systems not functioning effectively.
• Concerns about the lack of handicap accessible fixtures in rooms advertised as "Handicap Accessible," causing distress for guests requiring such features.
• General perception that the hotel is "shabby and unfitting" for guests, leading to comparisons with lower-tier motels.
• Criticism of the "invisible and inept" management in addressing these issues.

On the other hand, some reviews from earlier periods or different sources, and the hotel's overall average ratings on certain platforms, suggest that some guests have had positive experiences, mentioning "clean and spacious rooms," "helpful staff," and a "good breakfast." This disparity indicates that guest experiences may vary considerably.

Prospective guests considering the Residence Inn Boston Framingham, particularly those found via "Hotels Near Of Me," are advised to weigh these recent critical reviews against the advertised features. It is recommended to contact the hotel directly to inquire about specific concerns, especially regarding room conditions, maintenance, and accessibility, before making a reservation.