Hotel Commonwealth Turns 20!
Twenty years young, the hotel that launched a neighborhood renaissance in Kenmore Square remains one of Boston’s most beloved hotels and a passionate champion of the neighborhood as a culture and entertainment hub at the intersection of Boston’s past, present and future. To celebrate, we’re introducing a variety of new guest experiences and special promotions for our milestone year.
Join us as we celebrate the past twenty years, and look forward to the future.
A Letter From the General Manager
“As we approach Hotel Commonwealth’s 20th birthday, I cannot help but look around at the neighborhood we have had a hand in shaping over the past two decades and feel proud of all that’s been accomplished.
Hotel Commonwealth was originally part of an urban renewal project undertaken by Boston University in 2003 to improve the profile of Kenmore Square which serves as the gateway to its campus. It’s done that and more since then! The early success of the hotel helped ignite many new Fenway area developments, resulting in the vibrant neighborhood that we are at the heart of today.
The hotel, however, did more than elevate the Square, quickly earning and over the following years cultivating a reputation of providing outstanding, unscripted hospitality and helping raise the bar for what it means to be “Of Service” in Boston.
Thanks to each and every guest that has come through our doors these past 20 years. Because of you, we continue to improve, refine, and deliver on the most authentic, Boston experience available. I look forward to what the future has in store for Hotel Commonwealth, and I hope you will join us on that journey!”
Adam Sperling
May, 2003
May, 2005
December, 2006
November, 2010
December, 2012
September, 2015
January, 2016
March, 2020
June, 2020
November, 2020
May, 2023
- Hotel Commonwealth opens its doors and welcomes its first guest on May 15th, 2003.
- Eastern Standard opens in Hotel Commonwealth beginning it’s 15 year run as one of Boston’s most popular eateries.
- Red Sox officially sign Daisuke Matsuzaka in the ballroom at Hotel Commonwealth.
- Island Creek Oyster Bar opens at Hotel Commonwealth.
- Boston University sells Hotel Commonwealth to Sage Hospitality.
- Rathskeller Suite created to pay homage to the iconic live music venue that stood where Hotel Commonwealth now resides in Kenmore Square. Later still, the Rathskeller Suite turned into a music studio and several bands that played at the “Rat” come and record a CD “Live from The Rathskeller Suite” for charity.
- Expansion opens adding 96 guestrooms and 8,000 square feet of private event space. The Dropkick Murphy’s play live in our new Fenway Ballroom to celebrate the opening.
- Hotel Commonwealth closes for 13 weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Hotel Commonwealth re-opens to host the Red Sox as they host spring training at Fenway Park for the first time ever.
- Hotel Commonwealth is acquired by Ohana Real Estate Investors, who help guide the property successfully through the pandemic.
- Hotel Commonwealth celebrates 20 years of welcoming guests to Kenmore Square.
Explore Our Celebratory Offers
As a thank-you to guests, Hotel Commonwealth is offering a “2003 Throwback Rate” on a select number of rooms priced at the original 2003 rate, available on surprise dates throughout the year. As the Official Hotel of the Boston Red Sox, we’ve also debuted new once-in-a-lifetime Red Sox experiences to benefit the Red Sox Foundation, including a private knuckleball pitch lesson with Red Sox legend Tim Wakefield and a “Manager for a Day” experience featuring a meeting with Red Sox Manager Alex Cora!
In addition, we invite everyone to join in on the birthday fun with the brand-new “It’s Your Birthday! Package,” delighting guests who are celebrating a birthday with a variety of in-room surprises and treats. Guests nostalgic for a taste of 2003 can enjoy selections from Hotel Commonwealth’s new limited edition catering event Birthday Menu featuring Hotel Commonwealth “Lunchables,” a caviar bar, and even a birthday cake buffet, and visitors seeking to do it all can book the “Ultimate Boston Weekend” Package with all the quintessential Boston activities a traveler won’t want to miss.
