May 01--Back Bay hotels impacted by the Boston Marathon bombings say business is back to normal after initial cancellations and the area lockdown cost them thousands of dollars.

The 800-room Westin Copley Place, which was headquarters for law enforcement officers after the bombings, lost about $500,000 in revenue during the ordeal.

"We lost about 1,000 room nights over the week," general manager Mike Jorgensen said, noting business travelers stayed away. "They were just afraid to come to town."

Only half of an expected 300-strong California group showed for a three-day event. But New York-based law firm Skadden, Arps proceeded with its partners meeting Wednesday through Friday of Marathon week. About 350 of the law firm's attendees showed -- a 90 percent turnout.

"The CEO ... wanted to support Boston, and they didn't want to pull the rug out," Jorgensen said.

The hotel regained its rhythm last week. "We're doing better than we were last year for this past week and for the month of May," Jorgensen said, noting the year as a whole has been trending higher than 2012.

The 383-room Fairmont Copley Plaza fared better during Marathon week, although its Oak Long Bar + Kitchen sustained a $25,000 to $30,000 loss.

"We had some cancellations, but they were quickly replaced with others," said general manager Paul Tormey, who took in a few groups from the evacuated Lenox Hotel. "From an economics point of view, we are in pretty good shape."

The Charlesmark Hotel on Boylston Street, just yards from the first bomb site, had to cancel eight days of reservations while it remained closed under the lockdown, losing $100,000 to $150,000 in business. But after reopening last Wednesday with none of its 40 rooms booked, it was sold out by day's end after advertising reduced rates.

"And we've been sold out ever since, so business was back to normal immediately," operating partner Mark Hagopian said.

The Charlesmark already has received a lot of reservations for next year's marathon. "I imagine because people want to show their support for the tragedy that happened by coming back and participating next year," Hagopian said.

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