Accommodations: Boston
Choosing a Neighborhood
Boston is fairly compact, ideal for walking, and with easy public transportation, so you have several neighborhoods to choose from, and you’ll still be convenient to everything else. I suggest Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Downtown, or South End. You can even stay across the river in Cambridge, where you’ll be about 15 minutes away from Boston by the “T” (rapid transit).
Price Range
Like most big cities, Boston hotels are expensive, period.
Rates vary widely depending on the season and special events. However, you can figure 5 -star luxury will cost you $500 - $800 per night or more; 4-stars will run $250 - $450; and a decent 3-star hotel will be $200 and up. (Lipstick Getaways does not usually “do” anything less than 3-star accommodations.) If you manage to snag a better deal, congratulate yourself and enjoy!
LIPSTICK GETAWAYS RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATIONS
Keeping it simple: Not an exhaustive list … just a few personally-selected, recommended hotels for each neighborhood. If you want to look further on your own, I’ve included a “For More Info” section at the end.
BACK BAY HOTELS
Largest concentration of hotels here in this lively area with dining, bars, and don’t-miss Newbury Street shopping. It’s an easy walk to either hip, cool South End, or to downtown for theater, entertainment, and the Freedom Trail.
SPLURGE: 5-star luxury: Back Bay
You can’t go wrong with either the Four Seasons Boston or the Taj Boston (formerly a Ritz-Carlton). Both offer luxury, unbeatable locations, and impeccable service.
LOVELY 4-star Favorites: Back Bay
The Colonnade Hotel
Recently completed a fabulous comprehensive “reinvention.” Sophisticated, smart, hip, international, yet friendly vibe; rooms are sleek, contemporary, warm, and luxurious with state-of-the-art technology and amenities; boasts the city’s only rooftop pool; plus Brasserie Jo, an excellent authentic French brasserie restaurant.
The Eliot Hotel
Frequently voted a top hotel by travel magazines. The 79 suites and 16 rooms are spacious, elegant, luxurious, traditional. Suites include one or two beds with a separate living room and pull-out couch. Top-rated Clio restaurant (contemporary French-American) and Uni Sashimi Bar (with extensive sake tasting menu) on premises.
Special Note: The Eliot is one of the few hotels to offer Two-Bedroom Suites, perfect for a girlfriend getaway or a family. Two bedrooms (you may request one king or two queen beds) two bathrooms (yess!), and a living room. Also ask about their Girls Night Out and Shopping Extravaganza packages.
Jurys Boston Hotel
Part of a Dublin-based hotel chain, Jurys is a Lipstick Getaways personal favorite, and rated #1 on TripAdvisor. Friendly service, spacious, sophisticated guestroom, with lovely amenities — heated towel racks, Aveda bath products, complimentary bottled water; complimentary high-speed internet access. Lively, popular Cuffs Irish Bar downstairs.
VALUE: Reliable 3-star Choices: Back Bay
The Charlesmark
Independent European-style hotel known for location and value; rates generally $100 less than nearby properties; rooms are small and contemporary; complimentary wine in the evenings and continental breakfast.
Courtyard by Marriott Boston Copley Square
Conveniently located business-oriented hotel in a restored historic building; more boutique-y than your typical Courtyard. Comfortable guest rooms feature complimentary high-speed internet access, compact refrigerators, coffeemakers.
BEACON HILL and DOWNTOWN HOTELS
Beacon Hill is the elegant, elite Boston Brahmin cobblestone residential neighborhood with trendy restaurants, some boutique shopping.
About Downtown: Depending on which source you’re using, “Downtown” might include hotels in Beacon Hill, Downtown Crossing, the Financial District, the Waterfront, Fanueil Hall/Quincy Market, Chinatown/Theatre District, or others. Don’t worry about it too much — the neighborhoods are all pretty close together.
SPLURGE: 5 Star Luxury: Beacon Hill and Downtown
Boston Harbor Hotel (Financial District/Waterfront)
Included in 2007 Conde Nast Traveler Gold list of World’s Best Places to Stay. On Rowes Wharf. I would love to stay here someday!
Ritz-Carlton Boston Common (Theater District/Downtown Crossing)
Newly renovated “modern urban luxury” in a prime location.
XV Beacon (Beacon Hill)
Small (60 rooms) stylish, sophisticated 5-star boutique hotel located in a 1903 Beaux Arts building.
LOVELY 4-star Favorites: Beacon Hill and Downtown
Hyatt Regency Boston (Downtown Crossing)
Great location, luxurious business hotel with terrific weekend packages. You might even get lucky and snag this one on Priceline for 1/2 price or less.
The Langham Hotel Boston (Downtown Crossing)
Elegant, luxurious hotel located in the former Federal Reserve Bank. Excellent service, great location; ask for a room facing the park in Post Office Square.
Nine Zero Hotel (Downtown Crossing)
Luxury, full-service boutique Kimpton hotel; frequently ranked a top hotel in Conde Nast, Travel & Leisure, etc. Rooms are plush, elegant, contemporary; custom-designed beds; all the amenities, including complimentary wired and wireless high-speed internet.
VALUE: Reliable 3-star Choices: Downtown
Doubletree - Boston Downtown (Theater District)
Recently completely renovated, surprisingly chic, asian-themed. Clean, spacious, quiet rooms incorporating feng shui elements (!). And everyone loves those Doubletree warm chocolate chip cookies!
SOUTH END: Urban B & B’s
Revitalized, cool, culture-rich (and convenient) area of restored brownstones, new restaurants, bars, and shops. (Note: it’s South End, not South Boston, which is different.) I have no recommended hotels right in the South End, although Back Bay has plenty and is within walking distance.
However, you might consider staying at a fabulous, chic, urban B & B, located in restored South End brownstones: Encore Bed and Breakfast and Clarendon Square Inn are both more contemporary; Herbst Haus is more Victorian. These inns are popular and often booked months in advance.
CAMBRIDGE HOTELS (Coming Soon)
FOR MORE INFO
For more comprehensive listings of Boston accommodations, consult one of the major travel guides like Frommers or Fodors; travel booking sites like Expedia, Orbitz, and Kayak; Tripadvisor, everyone’s favorite resource for unbiased travelers reivews; or www.BostonUSA.com, the convention and visitor’s bureau site (my link takes you straight to the accommodations search page.)
