You know that feeling when you walk into a "luxury" hotel and everything feels a bit stiff? The marble floors are cold. The staff is wearing white gloves. You feel like you need to whisper just to ask where the ice machine is. citizenM Boston Back Bay isn't that. Honestly, it’s the exact opposite. It’s loud, it’s colorful, and it’s basically designed for people who spend more time on their phones than in a hotel bathtub.
Located right at 30 Dalton Street, this place sits in one of the most expensive pockets of Boston. You’ve got the Prudential Center on one side and the historic brownstones of the Back Bay on the other. But while the neighbors are all about old-school prestige, citizenM is about high-tech efficiency. It’s a 15-story building that looks like a stack of black-framed boxes, and inside, it’s a whole different world.
The "Living Room" concept is actually a thing here
Forget the traditional lobby. When you walk in, you aren't greeted by a massive mahogany desk. Instead, you see self-check-in kiosks that take about 60 seconds to use. If you’re tech-savvy, you’ve probably already checked in on the app before you even stepped off the Amtrak at Back Bay Station.
The ground floor is what they call the Living Room. It’s filled with Vitra furniture, weird art, and stacks of books that actually look like someone might read them. It feels more like a very wealthy, very trendy friend’s apartment than a hotel. There are "ambassadors" floating around—not "concierges," but people who can make you a latte or help you figure out why your keycard isn't swiping. They do a bit of everything.
Working from the lobby without the guilt
A lot of hotels hate it when you linger in the lobby with a laptop. citizenM basically begs you to do it. They have these long communal tables with plenty of outlets. It’s become a bit of a hub for digital nomads and people visiting the nearby Hynes Convention Center who just need a spot to catch up on emails. The vibe is productive but relaxed. You won't feel out of place ordering a beer at 2:00 PM while finishing a spreadsheet.
Let's talk about the rooms (because they're tiny)
If you’re traveling with three suitcases and a trunk, you’re going to have a bad time. Let’s be real. The rooms at citizenM Boston Back Bay are standardized. Every single one is the same size. They call them "XL King" rooms, but the "XL" refers to the bed, not the floor space. The bed stretches from wall to wall, right under a massive window.
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It’s a modular design. Essentially, the rooms were built as pods off-site and then stacked together like Legos. Because of this, the soundproofing is actually incredible. You’re in the middle of a noisy city, but it feels like a vault.
- The iPad is the brain: Everything in the room—the lights, the blinds, the TV, the temperature—is controlled by an iPad (the "MoodPad").
- Mood Lighting: You can change the shower light to neon purple or bright green. Is it necessary? No. Is it fun after a long day of walking the Freedom Trail? Surprisingly, yes.
- Under-bed storage: Since there’s no closet (just a small hanging rack), there’s a massive drawer under the bed for your luggage.
The shower is surprisingly good. It’s a rain shower with full-sized bottles of their signature AM and PM soaps. None of those tiny plastic bottles that are impossible to squeeze. It’s a small detail, but it makes a difference.
Why the location is a low-key flex
Usually, if you want to stay in the Back Bay, you’re paying $500 a night for a room that smells like 1984. This hotel changes that math. You are a five-minute walk from Newbury Street. You’re right next to the Christian Science Plaza with its famous reflecting pool.
If you're a sports fan, Fenway Park is about a 15-minute walk away. You can skip the $60 Uber surge pricing after a Red Sox game and just stroll back through the Fens. That alone makes the price of admission worth it for some people.
CanteenM: 24/7 food is a lifesaver
Boston is notoriously bad for late-night food. Most kitchens close early. CanteenM, the hotel's bar and kitchen, stays open 24/7 for snacks and drinks. They have a decent breakfast buffet in the morning—think flaky croissants, smoked salmon, and good coffee. It’s not a five-course brunch, but it gets the job done when you have a 9:00 AM meeting.
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The things nobody tells you
Most reviews just talk about the "cool" factor, but there are some quirks you should know about. First, the bathroom is a frosted glass pod. If you’re staying with someone you aren't very comfortable with, things might get awkward. There’s not a lot of privacy in terms of sound or shadows.
Second, there’s no gym in the building. Wait—actually, that’s a common misconception. They don't have a traditional fitness center with a hundred machines, but they often have partnerships or small workout areas depending on the current season. However, most people just use the nearby Southwest Corridor Park for a run. It’s a linear park that takes you all the way through the South End.
How it compares to the North Station location
Boston actually has two citizenM hotels now. One at North Station (right on top of the TD Garden) and this one in the Back Bay. The Back Bay location feels a bit more "grown-up." While the North Station one is great for concerts and Celtics games, the Back Bay spot is better for shopping, business, and exploring the more picturesque side of the city.
The rooftop bar at the Back Bay location is also a major draw. It offers views that you usually have to pay a lot more for at places like the Prudential Tower’s View Boston. It’s a great spot for a nightcap before you crawl into that wall-to-wall bed.
Practical steps for your stay
If you're planning to book, keep these specific tips in mind to get the most out of the experience:
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Download the app early. Don't wait until you arrive. The app lets you control the room's electronics, which is much easier than fumbling with the iPad if you’re already in bed. You can also use it to request extra pillows or towels without having to talk to a human.
Request a high floor. The views of the Boston skyline are significantly better once you get above the 10th floor. Since all the rooms are the same price, it’s first-come, first-served or based on your "citizen" status.
Join the "citizen" program. It sounds like a marketing gimmick, but it usually gets you a free drink or a discount on the room rate immediately. It costs nothing to sign up.
Skip the car. Seriously. Parking in the Back Bay is a nightmare and will likely cost you $50+ a night. The hotel is so close to the Orange and Green lines (and the Commuter Rail) that having a car is more of a burden than a benefit. If you must drive, look for off-site garages like the one at the Prudential Center, but be prepared for the hit to your wallet.
Explore the "secret" spots nearby. Instead of the crowded Starbucks, walk two blocks to Pavement Coffeehouse on Gainsborough Street. Or, if you want a local dinner that isn't a tourist trap, head over to the South End (about a 10-minute walk) and try any of the small bistros on Tremont Street.
The citizenM Boston Back Bay is a specific kind of vibe. It’s for the traveler who values a great bed, fast Wi-Fi, and a prime location over a gold-plated lobby and a bellhop. It's efficient. It’s smart. And honestly, it’s a much-needed breath of fresh air in a city that sometimes takes its history a little too seriously.