Ah, Boston. One can’t help but think of Fenway Park, Faneuil Hall, Mike’s Pastry, and of course, the accent. But this article isn’t about baseball, food, or accents; it’s about the hotels that accentuate the Bean’s skyline. We searched the web, checking expert reviews to find the five Boston hotels that appeared most often across the pros’ lists, and we’ve assembled the best of the best here for you.
Maybe you want to stay in Beacon Hill and walk the tight-quartered cobblestones. There you’ll find one of the most photographed streets in America, Acorn Street. Lined with colonial row houses, you’ll step back in time as you walk past these historic brick houses selling at historic prices.
Or maybe The North End is more to your liking. Hotels in Boston’s “Little Italy” live among a spread of cafes, restaurants, pastry shops, taverns, and of course, pizzerias. If not the North End, maybe the South End, or “Southie,” as it is affectionately known, appeals to you. Be sure to dress for the St. Patrick’s Day parade if you find yourself there in chilly March.
Don’t forget to check out hotels in the recently overhauled Seaport District. Many upscale hotels and restaurants are situated along Boston Harbor. In addition to great food and lodging, there’s also the Harborwalk, which is a scenic public walkway along the water that connects many Boston neighborhoods. You can even see an outdoor concert at the Leader Bank Pavilion if you’re staying between May and October.
If you’re ready to book your room we’re ready to share our list. Here are the five consensus best Boston hotels according to the pros. And don’t forget to share your favorite Beantown hotel with us in the comments below!
The List: Top 5 Boston Hotels, According To Travel Experts
1. The Mandarin Oriental
Situated on Boylston Street in the Back Bay, this hotel is close to many major attractions. And if you feel like spending a little more money (this hotel isn’t cheap), the shops on Newbury Street are only blocks away. But there’s a chance that once you check into this hotel you may not leave.
Time Out writes, “if the sparkling reception lobby doesn’t wow you straight away, the suites certainly will. With floor-to-ceiling windows, you can look out at the whole of the city’s jaw-dropping skyline.”
And if you actually do decide to hunker down in the hotel, you won’t be roughing it. Thrillist writes, “this elegant property is equipped with 148 plush rooms and suites, but for a truly luxurious experience, don’t skip out on the spa. Measuring in at 16,000 square feet, this storied space is the oldest Forbes Five-Star spa in all of the Bay State, offering a wide range of services, from Himalayan salt stone massage to millennial posture therapy.”
To top it off, once you’re done being pampered in the spa, you can let the kitchen pamper you with a plate of Beef Wellington. And it’s not just any kitchen, it’s Gordon Ramsay’s Restaurant.
2. Boston Harbor Hotel
Looking to stay on the water? Boston Harbor Hotel offers views of both the water and the city. Luxury Hotel Guru writes, “this 5-star waterfront hotel is located at Rowes Wharf, overlooking the Boston Harbor.” They also note the hotel’s “award-wining restaurants” and the fact that it has a “modern gym.”
If you’d like to get out on the water, you can take a harbor cruise or jump in a water taxi. Also located close by is the New England Aquarium, which makes for a fun family day trip.
If you prefer to keep your feet on dry land you can check out the Harborwalk, which is right outside of the hotel’s doors. “The Harborwalk takes you either to the New England Aquarium and the North End (one mile), or towards the postmodern Institute of Contemporary Arts and the South Boston Waterfront (0.7 miles),” writes The Telegraph.
3. Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, Boston
This is the newer of the two Four Seasons hotels in Boston. The older location is simply called Four Seasons Hotel Boston. “With the opening of the 61-story One Dalton, Boston joined New York City, San Francisco, Miami, and Beverly Hills as the fifth U.S. city with two Four Seasons hotels (the older property is located a stone’s throw away on Boylston Street),” writes Condé Nast Traveler.
And speaking of Boylston Street, that and Newbury Street are within walking distance if you’re up for some shopping in the many high-end retail locations that line both streets.
When your feet are tired from all that shopping, you can head to the spa on the Wellness floor. Yes, floor. “The Four Seasons spa is absolutely stunning and occupies an entire Wellness floor in the hotel. Expect a pampering paradise with treatments that run the gamut. Make sure to pack your swimsuit for a dip in the curved pool offering spectacular views of the city,” writes Planet Ware.
If you decide you just can’t leave, in addition to the hotel rooms, there are also residences for purchase. You can choose between two-bedroom and three-bedroom options, or, if you need more space, a penthouse.
4. XV Beacon
Location is everything, so the saying goes, and this hotel is “perfectly situated in the heart of the city’s national historic landmark district and steps away from downtown, hospitals, TD Garden, shopping and universities, XV Beacon guests experience the very best of Boston,” according to XV Beacon’s website.
If the words updated, upscale, historic, and intimate describe the hotel you’re looking for, then look no further. “Take this boutique hotel as a beacon of luxury, with its stunning Beaux Arts building of brick and iron, original cage elevator in the lobby, and the 63 modern guest rooms. With only seven guest rooms per floor, the getaways feel more like apartments, with sitting areas, canopied beds, and rainforest showers in the bathrooms,” writes Boston Magazine.
And an interesting fact: this hotel “was once a private mansion” according to Time Out. They go on to write, “each guestroom is decorated in a cream and espresso palette with specially commissioned art, with both a gas fireplace and a separate sitting area. Impressive amenities include cashmere throws, fine linens, and fresh flowers.”
If you do want to check out the row houses and cobblestone streets mentioned above, this is the place to stay as the name suggests. And don’t forget to snap a few pictures on Acorn Street!
5. The Newbury
If you are planning to shop while you’re in Boston, though, there’s really no reason to stay at another hotel. “Boston’s most iconic shopping district, Newbury Street, is right outside your front door when you stay at the Newbury Boston. Some of the world’s best names in style are found within a stone’s throw of the property, including Chanel, Valentino and even a Tiffany and Co. on the ground floor of the hotel,” writes Forbes. Notice I didn’t say bargain shop.
This hotel offers rooms with great views of the Public Garden and just on the other side of that is the Boston Common. While staying here you can take a short walk to Copley Square, where you can check out The Boston Public Library, Trinity Church, and the Museum of Fine Arts. If you’d prefer your own library, we hear there is a private, guest-only library right in the hotel.
And you won’t need to travel, well, anywhere, to experience fine dining: “Contesse, the rooftop restaurant, offers chic interiors, views of the Back Bay, and Northern Italian cuisine. Head to the Street Bar for fancy breakfasts like Lobster Benedict, and evening cocktails including the Signature Martini,” writes Culture Trip.
Notable Mentions:
- The Ritz
- The Eliot
- The Lenox
- The Langham
- The Envoy
- The Liberty
You may also be interested in:
Sources:
- Time Out
- Thrillist
- Luxury Hotel Guru
- The Telegraph
- Condé Nast Traveler
- Planet Ware
- Boston Magazine
- Forbes
- Culture Trip
- XV Beacon Website
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
You state “ the South End, or “Southie,” as it is affectionately known, appeals to you.”
The South End is NOT the same as Southie.
Southie refers to South Boston across fort pointe channel from the South End, which is south of the Back Bay. Two VERY different neighborhoods.
Agree….mixing up Southie and the South End is unforgivable. And no one would go to the Seaport — the coldest, unfriendliest, concrete junglest, elitist “feighborhood” in Mass. All the charm of the Everett Encore.