Raffles Boston

Raffles is a legendary name, and long before French hospitality giant Accor Group acquired the brand, the first Raffles hotel opened in Singapore in 1887. Today, the sun rarely sets on the Raffles empire, with its 25 properties on three continents. The Boston location, opened in September 2023, quietly hints at its unique origins, while also asserting its own bold personality. Here’s what we thought of our stay. 

What are the rooms like at Raffles?

The hotel flaunts an art deco style, with dark, woody surfaces and linear motifs, and the windows in my 15th-story room showcased the office towers of downtown Boston. Simple floral designs garlanded the wall behind the beds, and leafy watercolors accented a generous stand-alone bathtub. Convenient digital keypads controlled most of the room’s amenities, from mood-sensitive lighting to automated curtains, and the blackout option, combined with a plush mattress, ensured I slept like a log.

My favorite feature was the beverage station, designed as a glass cabinet fit for a high-end jewelry store, but the pièce de résistance was a small stack of books below the widescreen television, including a copy of Kipling’s “The Jungle Book” (a famous guest at the original Singapore outpost). 

What is the food like at Raffles?

On a warm late-summer evening, a dinner at Long Bar & Terrace was the (literal) height of luxury. Just as the sun melted beyond the outdoor dining area on the 17th floor, bites of lobster roll melted on my tongue. This New England staple is usually stuffed onto a hot dog bun; here, hunks of lobster filled a toasted brioche that was baked fresh in the kitchen. Cozy outdoor seating depends on Boston’s temperamental weather, and the host station took some effort to find, but Long Bar’s elevated pub fare is a treat any time of year. 

I also stepped into La Padrona, Raffles’ Michelin-recommended Italian restaurant. The wraparound bar was solidly packed with couples dressed to impress, and I look forward to returning one day for a special occasion.

The hotel’s secret is Blind Duck, a two-level speakeasy that is appropriately hard to find. The massive windows yield one of the best views in town, and youthful patrons pattered over masterful cocktails. 

It’s worth noting that from the bartender to the doormen and desk attendants, every staff member greeted me with a cheery smile and an offer to assist. Boston isn’t an effusive city, and I appreciated their boundless enthusiasm.

What is the gym like at Raffles?

If a fitness center can be breathtaking, Raffles has done it. With its high ceilings, cathedral windows, and playfully rounded mirrors, the gym is a 2,000-square-foot powerhouse on the hotel’s fourth floor. Any hour of the day or night, you can admire photogenic cityscapes from your Technogym treadmill or elliptical. Better yet is the indoor lap pool, located just down the hall, a heated, 20-meter body of water with two swimming lanes. After a half-hour of crawl-strokes, I slipped into the adjacent jacuzzi for a restorative soak.

What’s the area like around Raffles?

The Raffles building is a 35-story tower, and its neighbors are similarly vertical. The views from the upper floors look out on the downtown skyline, and Stuart Street can feel a bit stuffier than the city’s more historic neighborhoods. Walk one block, though, and you’ll find Copley Square, an attractive urban park that hosts regular farmer’s markets, as well as the romanesque spires of Trinity Church. Raffles is only a 10-minute stroll from the youthful action of Commonwealth Avenue and the Public Garden’s gorgeous landscapes and ponds.

Why should you book a stay at Raffles?

Immaculate and refined, Raffles is a powerful addition to Boston’s luxury hotel scene. It’s ideal for business travelers or honeymooners in search of pampering and a prime location. And with so many on-site amenities, you could comfortably weekend here without ever leaving the building.

DETAILS

Address: 40 Trinity Pl, Boston, MA 02116

Price: Rooms start at $458

Closest transport: Next door is Back Bay Station, one of Boston’s best connected Amtrak and subway hubs.

Book now: via Booking.com

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