MA Boston La Quinta Inn Medford

Got a great rate on this hotel via Savings Barn/Priceline. Booked 5 rooms in total for a 1 night stay.

The hotel is clean and comfortable, and typcial of the La Quinta brand. Rooms are fine, if somewhat spartan and utilitarian.

There is a bus link to the transit where you can easily head to downtown - in fact the excellent transit links make this a great deal for those looking for a moderately priced accommodation but with easy access to all beautiful Boston has to offer.

I must report something fairly alarming however. We called the hotel as the La Quinta website indicated courtesy shuttle service including BOS airport. Hotel front desk confirmed this. Upon arrival in BOS, we called the hotel front desk, whereby the agent told me that the shuttle was for DROP OFF at the airport only, and NOT for pick-ups (???!!!). Nonetheless, he said that if all our party was present, he would send the shuttle, but that it would pass only once and if we didn't flag it, it would not stop and proceed back to hotel.

After about 20 minutes, we saw the shuttle, but to our surprise, in a totally different lane to that we were instructed to wait in. Fortunately one of our party saw it and flagged it down. The shuttle driver (Luis) stayed in the van, and did not even open the doors let alone assist with luggage. With some difficulty, I managed to get the vehicle doors open, and I loaded all our parties luggage. I was somewhat suprised at this, but in any event, upon boarding the bus I said 'hello' and was even further surprised when the driver COMPLETELY blanked all of us, didn't respond to us or say ANYTHING.

He then proceeded to take us on a 60 minute drive all over Northern Boston, at several times I noticed we were doubling back on ourselves and going back from where we'd just came. We went onto a major highway, and there were several toll stops. After about 30minutes, I knew we were going the wrong way and something was wrong, so I asked the driver where we were going. Again, completely blanked us.

Finally, about an hour into this nightmare, just as I started calling the hotel front desk, we suddenly arrived at the hotel. The driver sat in the van whilst I again wrestled with the doors and unloaded everyones luggage - no assistance offered. I was stunned at the whole experience.

Finally, to top it all, the driver, Luis, then got out and demanded $100 'payment' for the journey. I told him that I would not be paying $100 for a courtesy shuttle, and that in any event, he'd clearly taken us on a complete wild goose chase all over the place and wasted our time. He again demanded $100.

I went into the hotel, and relayed this to the late shift front desk agent, who was also stunned. However, rather than helping me resolve the situation, he said "I don't want to get involved, it's something between you and the driver". At this point, I offered Luis a $20 tip (not that he deserved it!!), and he literally threw it back at me. I then demanded that the front desk agent call out the manager on duty - at home if needs be. At this point, this prompted Luis to drive off, and the Front Desk agent gave us our keys.

I spoke to the General Manager the following morning, who was appalled, and confirmed that the journey from the airport to the hotel should take 20-30mins at most, and that 4 toll booths and a major freeway were def not part of the route. He then explained he had a problem with 'corrupt' drivers and asked me to file a report so that action could be taken (which I duly did). To be fair to the General Manager, he kindly arranged for another member of the hotel staff to shuttle us to the Boston Cruise Terminal upon check-out as a gesture of goodwill.

However, this behaviour from a member of La Quinta staff is something I've never encountered in the US, and more typical of something one might expect in a deeply corrupt third world country.

So, yes, hotel is decent enough, but if you take the shuttle anywhere, be forewarned and be aware!