Reviews of Property: Bring the whole family, this boat is big enough for the entire crew!

Description House Boat, 1150 sq. ft.,
3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 10, 2 Bathrooms
Amenities downtown, waterfront, pool, tennis court, balcony, pets considered
Rates per property (USD)
$275 - $400/night 
$1,675 - $2,200/week 
Ryan
+1 413-652-1400
Speaks: English

9 Reviews of Property 167979 in Boston, Massachusetts

Rating
5 out of 5

The White Elephant Floating Inn

K & S NY, NY
Review Submitted: December 19, 2007 Date of Stay: September 2007
My colleague and I come from out of state to work in Boston every month for a week at a time. We had grown tired of the expensive, top level but not so nice hotels. We decided to try something different and rented the house boat for a week in September and October. What a fabulous place to "come home to" after a long day! It was like being on vacation after 5pm! Peggy and Andy are superb hosts and warmly greeted us upon each arrival. The boat is immaculate and beautifully decorated in a tranquil theme with natural woods, earthy colors and of course, elephants. The galley (kitchen) has everything you could need. The master bed is so comfortable as well as the sofa bed pullout in the livingroom. Gorgeous linens! Plenty of room for two - non-couples or not! They have actual clawfooted tub in the bathroom! Abundant, soft towels! We got up each morning and walked along the waterfront. The breakfast view was of the Boston Harbor waking up with water taxis and ferries coming and going. Evenings were spent topside with wine and cheese. Each night we were gently rocked to sleep by the gentle tide. Easy access to shops and restuarants in the immediate area. Check you calendar for the weather conditions and be sure to book time when the moon is full!
Did you find this review helpful? Yes No Helpful votes: 32/33
Rating
5 out of 5

A Unique Experience

LisaLisaB Rochester, NY
Review Submitted: August 7, 2009 Date of Stay: August 2009
just got back from 4 nights on the white elephant. It was truly a unique experience to stay on a houseboat. Staying right on the harbor was a treat and the view was spectacular. Enjoyed coming home each day after a long day of sightseeing and relaxing on the upper deck and watching boats come in and out of the harbor. The location was not inconvenient, with just a short walk to the water shuttle and the Charlestown area of the freedom trail. Access to the MGH bus, over to North Station (and close to the North End) made the location even more accessible. Loved having the ability to eat breakfast at home before starting the touring. And being able to come home to eat dinner a few nights we were there. The amenities are great! Enjoyed every minute of our girls getaway vacation!
Did you find this review helpful? Yes No
Rating
1 out of 5

Horrific

Miffed in california Los Angeles CA
Review Submitted: June 6, 2009 Date of Stay: October 2008
"Pictures can be very deceiving. Yes the boat is in the Boston Harbor. Thats about the only truth about this vacation spot! First off it is about a mile from the "parking spot" so by the time you reched home you didnt mind so much that is smelled like smelly barnacles!!!! Yes! A backed up septic tank that smelled like a load of rotting fish in the living quarters. Not to mention the boat being under construction and you couldnt use the deck upstairs. So after trying to deal with our unreasonable host who said "What smell. I dont smell anything." we decided to cut our losses and stay at a Holiday Inn. We tried to negotiate our case but to no avail. We received a 1/4 of our money back. Probably one of the most disgusting guest facilities I've ever had the misfortune of staying at"
Owner's Response: It is very important to us that every guest have an exceptional and memorable experience when they stay aboard one of our houseboats. It is true that this guest did have some legitimate issues during their stay. However, their comments are hugely overexagerated and malicious. The parking space was actually less than a quarter mile away. There was just a faint odor from the holding tank. Also, there was construction underway on the upper deck, but the roof deck was, in fact, accessible. All of these issues have since been completely remedied. The parking space is now less than a five minute walk from the boat. The holding tank has been replaced with a brand new tank. And the construction is finished. The guests moved off the boat without giving us any forewarning or chance to remedy their complaints. Given this, we feel that we offered a generous discount. Please note that we have two other glowing reviews from the very same month.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes No Helpful votes: 0/4
Rating
5 out of 5

Guestbook Comment

HAC173661 Portland Oregon
Review Submitted: October 27, 2008 Date of Stay: October 2008
The houseboat was wonderful. More unique, less expensive, bigger living space and more private than any hotel. We made our own breakfasts and relaxed as we watched the boats and planes go by. Tavern on the water (the next pier over) had excellent food for the times we didn't eat aboard or go into Boston. We loved the experience!
Did you find this review helpful? Yes No Helpful votes: 3/3
Rating
5 out of 5

Guestbook Comment

HAC171782 Millis, Mass
Review Submitted: October 16, 2008 Date of Stay: October 2008
We stayed on the White Elephant and it was an adventure. Ryan helped us get our things on board and settled. It was fun to be able to cook and live on the water. The Marina was interesting and the planes flying in lovely. My grandchildren and family came for dinner one night and they loved steering the boat and going on the deck.
My girlfriend joined the fun another night. Recommend it for a new an exciting way to see Boston. Two yachts were there and that was fun to watch. Just walking up and down the marina and seeing the unique ways people live, vacation, and travel gave food for thought.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes No Helpful votes: 4/4
Rating
5 out of 5

Guestbook Comment

HAC155711 Huntington Beach, CA
Review Submitted: July 28, 2008 Date of Stay: July 2008
What a truly unique and wonderful vacation on the White Elephant! I was not that excited about it at first but it turned out to be so much fun!! Don't think about it, just do it and have a blast..great houseboat, well taken care of all the way around.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes No Helpful votes: 3/3
Rating
2 out of 5

disappointment

whatapity England
Review Submitted: July 16, 2008 Date of Stay: June 2008
The boat had changed moorings from India Wharf as advertised at booking without notice and consequently increased costs and time to get to Boston itself daily.

Boat roof leaked and we suffered torrential rainfall twice!

Put you up bed uncomfortable...
Did you find this review helpful? Yes No Helpful votes: 3/9
Rating
5 out of 5

Guestbook Comment

Review Submitted: July 9, 2008 Date of Stay: July 2008
What a special and unique place to stay! The marina was beautiful and quiet! Great sleeping!! Very close to the free bus shuttle to downtown Boston. It is very easy to get around from the marina. The bed in the master bedroom is so very comfortable and it is great to have breakfast on the roofdeck in the mornings!! The White Elephant is so much nicer than a cramped hotel room!! Andy was hugely helpful in helping us figure out transportation and any other info we wanted about Boston!!
Did you find this review helpful? Yes No Helpful votes: 4/4
Rating
5 out of 5

Guestbook Comment

HAC145150 park city, utah
Review Submitted: June 13, 2008 Date of Stay: June 2008
this was definitely a fun, unique experience, even with the squeaky rocking! everything as described and the host was more than accommodating to the minute glitches.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes No Helpful votes: 7/7