The 15 best hotels in Boston

This luxurious, waterside hotel is regally perched at Rowes Wharf, with easy access to the Boston Harborwalk, many waterside restaurants, and various boat cruises (which the concierge is happy to set up). One of BHH’s unique charms is that it hosts so many events right on site, from weekly alfresco movie viewings in the summer to outdoor fires and cocoa in the winter—plus the Boston Wine Festival, held every year from January through March.

The 136-room Envoy’s interior plays to its buzzy Seaport location, with modern, nautically themed rooms facing out towards the Boston Harbor. Outlook Bar and Kitchen, the hotel’s in-house restaurant, serves up contemporary American dishes with a Caribbean flair and live music; locals often stop by for lunch or a cocktail at the bar. But the truly happening spot is the massive rooftop bar overhanging the harbor; during the warm weather months, locals line up for the pleasure of rubbing elbows with hotel guests. 

Overlooking the Boston Common near the Theatre District, the Ritz-Carlton eschews old-fashioned opulence in favor of contemporary style. A creamy, neutral colour palette creates a warm, relaxing atmosphere, and suites feature sweeping floor-to-ceiling windows and imposing fireplaces. Guests enjoy access to the neighboring spa at the Equinox Sports Club, and a pair of on-site haunts - Artisan Bistro and the Avery Bar - provide a nice alternative to the many restaurants and bars nearby.

One of the two Four Seasons hotels in Boston, this one will blow you away. This one is situated in one of the city’s many skyscrapers, meaning you can look out at the most fantastic views while lounging on a couch or sipping a cocktail. Floor-to-ceiling windows are a feature of every room, and the wellness floor will have you totally zen. Oh, and the Japanese food is to die for. 

Boston is home to one of the world’s many Mandarin Oriental hotels, which are always luxurious and consistently fantastic. 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. Oh, and there’s a sanctuary spa, where you can book a range of treatments. 

For more than a century, The Liberty Hotel existed as a decidedly different entity—the Charles Street Jail, once home to the likes of Malcolm X and Sacco and Vanzetti. Some of the 298 rooms offer sumptuous river views, and many guests spend their time bouncing between the four different restaurants and bars. (Most notable is Scampo, which is helmed by legendary Boston chef Lydia Shire.) During the summer months, the hotel hosts regular yoga classes and after-work events for both guests and locals, including fashion shows, cooking classes and a weekly “Yappy Hour” for dog owners.

The five-star Four Seasons is known for its famous guests. When the Stones roll into town, this is where they set up camp. Built on the site of a former Playboy Club, the hotel boasts an ideal location in the Back Bay with swooning views of the Public Garden, plus impeccable amenities (swimming pool, fitness center and spa) and services. 

The Newbury opened in June 2021 and caused a storm immediately, due to, mainly, its ace location. The hotel is super near to the idyllic Boston Public Garden, King’s Chapel and Boston Common. But the interior is something to shout about too, with a collection of good-looking suites and guestrooms, and fantastic in-house restaurants The Street Bar and The Library. 

The centrally located and beautifully appointed Fairmont Copley Place first opened in 1912, and the grandeur of an earlier era is reflected in the ornate marble lobby. The 383 rooms are more sedate, decorated in cool hues and commissioned art sketches depicting Boston scenes. Guests can head upstairs to the expansive rooftop gym, then gain back the calories at OAK Long Bar and Kitchen, a thoroughly renovated bar and brasserie.

Both kid- and pet-friendly, Hotel Commonwealth offers rooms that are modern and doused in sunlight; many face out onto Fenway Park. (Baseball-themed packages are available for die-hards.) The collection of on-site F&B might be the most impressive in the city; between Eastern Standard, the Hawthorne Bar, and Island Creek Oyster Bar, guests are well-served day and night.

Built in 1925, the historic Eliot Suite Hotel is located on the edge of the Back Bay. The elegantly decorated rooms feature marble bathrooms and soundproof windows. Uni, the award-winning, subterranean restaurant, lets guests enjoy primo sushi bar treats and inventive small plates without having to venture outside.

Beacon Hill's premier boutique option, The Whitney offers Peregrine restaurant, free bikes, a fitness center and a shared lounge. Many of the city's key sites are a short stroll away, and the hotel's location near MGH makes it a great choice for medical travelers and those visiting family at the hospital.

This historic Back Bay district hotel—located in the former headquarters of the Boston Police Department—provides an ideal base for out-of-towners and local staycationers alike. Modern rooms and amenities provide a nice contrast to the historic surroundings. The Precinct Kitchen + Bar provides a stylish locale in which to enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Ever lacking in hotel options, the South End is one of the nicest places to stay in the city, and The Revolution Hotel puts visitors right in the heart of the historic neighborhood. The hotel—which resides within an adaptive reuse of one of the first YWCAs in the nation—offers Conspire, a modern co-working space that is free for guests and available to non-guests for a daily or monthly fee. The property also features engaging art and objects that display Boston’s many innovations.

The privately owned Lenox, which first opened in 1900, boasts a prime location next to the Boston Public Library. The hotel’s old-style gold and blue decor oozes quiet elegance, while its rooms feature brass chandeliers, dark wood furniture and marble bathrooms; several also boast working fireplaces, as does the charmingly restored lobby. The Lenox also houses City Bar (stylish lounge), Sólás (Irish pub), and City Table (neighborhood restaurant).