GM PORTRAIT
The Fenway Suite includes views of Fenway Park and has its own replica Green Monster in the living room .
Sperling made his way through the ranks , working a variety of roles within the operating departments — self-taught with a mix of on-the-job training . He ended up making his way to Boston and working at The Colonnade for five years , among other area properties , before settling in at Hotel Commonwealth in 2008 .
Sperling has left his imprint in his 15 years with the hotel . Consider one of the hotel ’ s Signature Suites , the Reading Suite , something any bookworm would write home about . The suite has a collection of titles signed by authors that have stayed at the hotel and even has a reading nook for those to curl up in . Hanging on the wall , at the entrance to the suite , is a framed letter signed by the legendary crime writer Raymond Chandler that is part of Sperling ’ s own personal collection . In the Baseball Suite , a 1934 Babe Ruth card is behind glass and lights up when a guest walks in . The card is owned by Sperling .
To paraphrase Indiana Jones , these pieces belong in a hotel room .
The ability to create and curate without obstructive guardrails is a testament also to the culture Sperling has helped instill at the property . The hospitality industry is uniquely itinerant , especially when working for and within branded hotels . Independent hotels have a different kind of spirit and it ’ s something Sperling truly values .
" Unlike the brands , where you might be up and out every 24 to 36 months , I always felt like I was going to be here indefinitely ,” Sperling said . “ I wanted to be sure that I lived with the consequences of any decision I made regarding the employee or guest experience .”
It doesn ’ t mean the brands don ’ t impact his job . Boston is getting more crowded with luxury hotels , creating more options for visitors . A recent JLL report described Boston as having a “ luxury renaissance .” In 2019 , Boston became one of only three U . S . cities to have two Four Seasons hotels within a one-mile distance . In mid-2023 , the city became the first in North America to open a Raffles hotel , the ultra-luxury brand under Accor . “ This unique expansion of well-established luxury hotel brands is expected to continue and elevate the city ’ s status as a destination for luxury hospitality ,” the report wrote .
Still , opening new hotels in a market like Boston is not easy . Vacant lots are not aplenty and the barriers to entry are very high . “ You can ’ t just snap your fingers and a Marriott appears ,” he said .
Sperling , however , sees any influx as a benefit , not a hindrance . “ It ’ s helpful for us . We can draft right off it ,” he said , alluding to the $ 600 to $ 800 average daily rates many of these luxury hotels command .
The Loft occupies 1,000 square feet on one of the highest floors of the hotel and features a rotating collection of works from local artists .
82 hotelsmag . com Nov / Dec 2023