With wallpaper and knickknacks at every turn, Gryphon House might be sensory overload for some. It’s reminiscent of an eccentric, old relative’s home -- very ornate and full of things you're not sure you can touch. There are tapestries and murals, and little griffin statues all around. Few of the furniture items match, but they are cohesive enough to create a setting that is quaint and charming. The focal point of the main floor is the green-walled library, which has marble inlays and rich, purple settees arranged round a gas log fireplace. A fabulous, winding staircase connects the four levels -- but there isn’t an elevator, so Gryphon House could pose a challenge to travelers with limited mobility.

The hotel is located in the Back Bay, off Storrow Drive, and overlooks the Charles River. It’s a prime tourist location near Kenmore Square, with both Fenway Park and the House of Blues about 10 minutes away on foot. Newbury Street, the city's famous shopping street, and the Skywalk Observatory are about a 10 minute walk, or or a six-minute drive from the hotel. Public transportation ("the T") at Kenmore Square is a five-minute walk from the hotel, and connects easily to the rest of the city. Boston Logan International Airport is just a 17-minute drive away (without traffic).

Gryphon House has eight gently themed rooms with names instead of numbers, and decor varies from Neo-Gothic to Tuscan to Victorian. The arrangement is usually akin to a studio apartment, but all rooms are spacious and have air-conditioning. The North Tower is the largest, and has a view of the Charles River and Cambridge. Most rooms have wet bars with mini-fridges and coffeemakers, however the Sanctuary Room has a full kitchen with an electric stove. All rooms have private baths and guest robes, and the majority of the rooms have separate tubs and showers. In-room amenities include stereos, DVD players, flat-screen TVs with premium channels, and individual climate control. Many rooms have gas log fireplaces.

Gryphon House serves a free continental breakfast every morning, and fresh fruit and biscotti are available at all hours. Wi-Fi is also free, as are the DVDs in the lending library. There's a public computer located in the lobby for guests to use, and a stand full of guidebooks and brochures to local attractions near the check-in area. The staff is eager to assist and answer any questions about the city or the neighborhood. Gryphon House offers on-site parking -- a nice perk for traffic-crazed Boston -- for a fee.