BOSTON—A series of deadly blasts near the finish line of Monday’s Boston Marathon forced evacuations at several hotels nearby and heightened security measures at others.
The first explosion occurred at approximately 2:50 p.m. Eastern Standard Time near the intersection of Boylston Street and Exeter Street. The second occurred 10 seconds later a block down Boylston Street at Ring Road.
U.S. investigators led by the FBI are still trying to determine who is responsible for the bombings, which killed three people and injured more than 100 others.
Area hoteliers took immediate action to heighten security and ensure guest safety.
Tim Kirwan, GM at the 424-room InterContinental Boston, spent most of the day at various events and parties along the Marathon route before heading back to the waterfront property at about 2 p.m.
Once the explosions occurred, the property went into immediate action. Because it has residences and hotel rooms, notification of extra security measures were immediately disseminated.
The hotel employed key-control access to elevators, valet-only parking procedures and placed extra security detail in high-profile locations, Kirwan said. Most guests were still at the Marathon and found the heightened security measures comforting when they returned to the property. The hotel added three police on motorcycles in front of the hotel this morning.
“We’re in normal operations mode with heightened security measures,” Kirwan said.
Paul Sacco, president and CEO of Boston-based Massachusetts Lodging Association, said hotels in the immediate area are still closed as it is an active crime scene.
“They will remain closed until the investigation is concluded,” he said. “It could be later today.”
Sacco also said guests were relocated to other hotels or have left the city.
The Lenox Hotel, which is on the corner of Exeter and Boylston Streets between the sites of the two blasts, was immediately evacuated, according spokesperson Steve Pellegrino.
“At this time, all of our guests and employees were evacuated and all are safe,” he said via email.
Also closed is the Mandarin Oriental, Boston at the corner of Boylston Street and Ring Road.
“Mandarin Oriental, Boston remains closed following yesterday’s unfortunate events. All guests and employees who were located at the hotel are safe and accounted for. The management team is working closely with the local authorities on when the hotel can re-open, and we will continue to provide updates as further information becomes available,” according to a statement on the hotel’s website.
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Heightened security
Other properties within the vicinity of Copley Square near the marathon’s finish line have heightened security measures.
Rachelle Boudreau, director of sales and marketing at The Langham, Boston, which is less than two miles east of the blast sites, said the well-being and safety of guests and colleagues is the hotel's top priority.
"At the present time, all guests and colleagues are safe and accounted for," she said. "The Langham, Boston remains fully operation, and we have increased security measures for the foreseeable future."
The Fairmont Copley Plaza is allowing only guests and colleagues to enter the hotel. Guests are encouraged to stay at the hotel to allow law enforcement to continue its investigation. “And per the direction of the Boston Police those already in the building are encouraged to stay inside,” hotel management explained in a statement. “The St. James Room has been set up for people to relax and get in touch with loved ones. All hotel colleagues are safe and our thoughts are with those affected by this tragic incident.”
The Westin Copley Place, Boston, is fully operation and was not damaged, counter to some initial inaccurate reports, according to Trey Sarten, director of global public relations for W Hoetls Worldwide and Le Meridien.
“The Westin Copley Place and Sheraton Boston are in full operation and were not damaged by the explosions near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Both hotels, the closest Starwood properties to the marathon finish line, are providing support to authorities as well as runners, area workers and others in addition to guests. With the marathon closed at mile 26, many runners were directed to the Sheraton nearby and the hotel was providing water and towels and assisting in any way possible. No other Starwood hotels were directly affected,” he wrote in an email.
The Westin, as well as several other hotels in the city, has waived no-show, departure and cancellation fees for 15 and 16 April.
Marriott International is “monitoring the situation closely and, out of an abundance of caution, have enhanced security measures” at its eight hotels in the city, according to a company statement.
“At this time, we are unaware of any injuries to our hotel guests or employees, and our properties in the area have not reported any damage,” according to the statement.
Lucy Slosser, market director of public relations for Boston area Marriott Hotels, said security measures at the hotels have been enhanced and hoteliers are complying with local authorities.
After the bombings, the Boston police department asked the Copley Marriott to clear hotel public spaces for registered guests only and assisted the hotel in doing so, she said. Before the incident, the Copley Marriott was already fully staffed in prepartion for the marathon, Slosser said, adding the Marriott website is providing updates as they come in for guests seeking information.
“Today, we're all working hard in Boston to get back to business as usal even though these are difficult and extenuating circumstances,” she said.
The Sheraton Boston, which is just around the corner from the explosions, was handing out water, towels, food and whatever they could to help, while other hoteliers informed Sacco and the MLA about available rooms so “guests weren’t left without accommodations,” Sacco said.
“The hotel community really rallied around this horrific incident,” he said. “I tell people that Bostonians weren’t built to break.”
With reporting from Jeff Higley, Patrick Mayock, Alissa Ponchione, Shawn A. Turner, Ed Watkins and Samantha Worgull.