Upon arrival at the Colonnade Hotel in Boston guests walk into a stunning marble hotel lobby located across the street from the Prudential Center. We had selected the hotel for its location: blocks away from Fenway Park, Copley Plaza, Back Bay, the Public Garden and more, the hotel was centrally located. But not only were we surprised to find they accepted pets (complete with a Very Important Pet program), they also had fantastic, spacious suites. An extra bonus was the rooftop pool which provided a great way to cool off on a hot Boston day.

The hotel features 285 recently renovated rooms and nine luxury suites. For standard guestrooms as well as suites, rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows looking out at the city -- which actually open, a rarity in city hotel windows. Each room is equipped with DVD players, flat-screen TVs, a mini-fridge and dining tables instead of desks and complimentary Wi-Fi and bottled water.

Suites
The suite featured a bedroom with king bed and private door to exit the hotel, a dining area with a small refrigerator, and a large living room with L-shaped couch and six more chairs. Part of the sofa converted into a queen bed, and the large bathroom divided by connecting doors provided a sink and shower off the bedroom and a sink and toilet off the living room. The size was plentiful for a larger family (dog included).

When it comes to city hotels, families know it's more about comfort, location and family-friendly when it comes to choosing a hotel. Any children's programs or amenities are extra at a city hotel, and the icing at the Colonnade is its rooftop pool. Open daily Memorial Day to Labor Day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the week and until 6 p.m. on weekends, the pool is a popular place for Bostonians to spend their days. Luckily, the pool is only open to hotel guests on weekends during peak summer months and is free to all guests. (Non-guests pay a fee to use the pool for a day.) Changing rooms and showers are available.

The hotel's onsite restaurant, Brasserie Jo, offers breakfast on weekdays from 6:30 to 11 a.m., lunch 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., light bites from 2:30 to 5 p.m., and dinner 5 to 11 p.m. On weekends, a brunch is available from noon to 3 p.m. and Sunday dinners end a 10 p.m. While the restaurant is a fantastic French restaurant, we found it pricey and not the best place for kids during evenings, and even for brunch it was a little too formal for our little ones. Save it for a nice date night.

All About the Extras
Pet Friendly
For those wanting to travel with pets, the hotel's VIPets Program provides free fluffy pet beds and food bowls, as well as pet food. The hotel will also walk your pet for a per walk fee.

Fitness Center
A Fitness Center is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., with floor-to-ceiling views overlooking the brownstones in Boston's South End.

Wi-Fi
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.

The Art of Smart Timing
Boston is a great city to visit throughout the year, although during its winter months it may be quite cold and receive plenty of snow. To fully enjoy walking around the city, most choose to visit in the spring, summer, and the fall, renowned in New England. Summer months get quite crowded with visitors, but the city residents clear out on summer weekends and hotels are easy to find. Find a hotel during graduation season, however, is next to impossible unless booked months in advance. Boston is home to 17 colleges and universities, all graduating between mid-May and mid-June with plenty of family members clamoring to secure hotel rooms for weekend ceremonies and events.

Getting There
Logan International Airport is about 20 minutes from the hotel. A cab from the airport may be pricey but is easier than taking the subway, which requires three different lines to access.

Getting Around
Boston is notorious for being a difficult city to drive in, but thankfully its public transportation is easy to use and conveniently located near the hotel. (The hotel is also within walking distance of many attractions.) However, if you elect to drive, the hotel is located on Huntington Avenue at the Copley Square/Prudential exit of the Massachusetts Turnpike.

For Mom and Dad
Grab a cocktail or have a date night at Brasserie Jo.