No 284 Back Bay by Sonder, on Boston’s Commonwealth Avenue
If you had come from a wealthy Boston family during the Victorian era, you might have lived in a stately brick townhouse facing the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, the now-tree-lined walkway that runs through the city’s Back Bay. And if you’d like to feel at home in Boston’s Back Bay today, consider staying in a former townhouse turned hotel: No 284 Back Bay by Sonder.
Here’s the scoop:
About No 284 Back Bay by Sonder
This manor at 284 Commonwealth Avenue, at the corner of Gloucester Street, is a short walk from the shops, eateries, and sights at the Prudential Center, from the Boston Public Library, and from Copley Square, the outdoor plaza at the Back Bay’s heart. You’re a block from the galleries along Newbury Street, and there are more cafes and restaurants nearby than you could sample in a stay many months long. This is all to say: No 284 Back Bay by Sonder has an excellent location.
Like other properties that Sonder runs, including Sonder The O’Connor in Canada’s capital city of Ottawa, their Back Bay lodging is a limited-service accommodation, staffed only part-time but with a customer support rep available by text. You receive an access code to the building and to your room before your check-in, and guests are encouraged to use the Sonder app for information and anything else you might need.
A cozy queen guest room
Guest Rooms and Amenities
As in many historic properties, the rooms at No 284 Back Bay by Sonder vary in size and shape, although the furnishings and amenities are similar.
Measuring only 172 square feet, my queen room was compact but comfortable for one, with modern furnishings, reading lamps and night tables — though not much room to walk — on both sides of the bed.
Larger queen rooms, ranging from 205 to 310 square feet, are available, as are king rooms and one-bedroom queen suites with a separate living room.
A guest room kitchenette
Bathrooms have been updated, with white marble finishes, and all units have mini kitchenettes, equipped with a small fridge, microwave, coffee maker, tea kettle, and dishes.
On the first floor is a small communal kitchen area that guests can use as well.
The guest lounge at No 284 Back Bay by Sonder
Facilities and Services
No 284 Back Bay by Sonder has a guest lounge, where you could work, read, or relax. There’s a patio out back for guests as well. Wi-Fi is available throughout the building.
If you need to leave your bags after you check out, you can use the lockers in the front hallway — first come, first served.
You can store your bags in the entry at No 284 Back Bay.
Sonder supplies coffee and tea, but no meals are provided. Fortunately, there are plenty of places to eat nearby, and there’s a Trader Joe’s grocery store around the corner on Boylston Street — just the thing if you’re making yourself at home at No 284 Back Bay by Sonder.
Rates
While there’s plenty to do in Boston year-round, rates dip in the winter, peaking in the summer and around special events such as university graduations. At No 284 Back Bay by Sonder, winter double room rates start at about $140, while in the warmer months, expect to pay at least $280-385 per double per night. You can also compare rates at Booking.com or Expedia and make a reservation through those platforms.
To compare other accommodations in Boston’s Back Bay, see our reviews of The Charlesmark Hotel, Westin Copley Place, and the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel, which each offer different advantages and price points.
Hotel feature by Vancouver-based travel, food, and feature writer Carolyn B. Heller. Exterior photo courtesy of Sonder. Other photos © Carolyn B. Heller. I booked my own accommodations in Boston, while doing research for several writing assignments.
