The Best Luxury Hotels To Book In Boston

Raffles Boston

Raffles Boston, the newest and most illustrious hotel to hit New England in years, is the first North America offering from the esteemed Raffles brand — offering up a distinctive gathering of spaces and opulence within a 35-story, $400 million+, LEED Gold building in the Back Bay. Its exterior — an all-glass façade — is more modern that historical, though its interiors pay homage to Boston’s past, drawing inspiration from the city’s Emerald Necklace and cultural surroundings, with both botanical influences and an emphasis on art and sculptural design throughout. Copper accents add to that historical reverence, a nod to Paul Revere’s copper plating company. Additionally, historical illustrations adorn custom wall coverings; whimsical lighting is inspired by florals; and greenery references the window boxes found throughout the Back Bay. The hotel is one of the largest, yet it only has 147 rooms (3o of which are suites), which means that these are some of the largest hotel rooms in the city; its presidential suite offers 2,000 square feet of space. Unique elements here include a Sky Lobby on the 17th, 18th and 19th floors; a three-story Grand Staircase; and the signature Raffles Butler service, which can arrange for basic things like dry cleaning and less common offerings like flower delivery and in-room personal shopping. There are six dining outlets, including Amar, featuring modern Portuguese cuisine; Long Bar & Terrace, a staple of the Raffles Brand, serving up cocktails with expansive views of the South End as well as the brand’s signature Singapore Sling and an all-new Boston Sling; the more casual Cafe Pastel; Italian eatery La Padrona; Writers’ Lounge, another signature Raffles space; named for the esteemed literati who have frequented and even composed works at Raffles worldwide, such as Ernest Hemingway, W. Somerset Maugham, and Noël Coward; and Blind Duck, a 2-floor clandestine speakeasy that’s currently one of the hottest bars in Beantown. The city’s only Guerlain Spa rounds out the experience of utter opulence and exclusivity.

40 Trinity Pl, 02116

Mandarin Oriental, Boston

Photo Credit: Mandarin Oriental, Boston

As a brand, Mandarin Oriental amplifies quiet luxury, and that’s the case here at the Mandarin Oriental, Boston, a five-star, award-winning hotel in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood. Newly renovated, luxurious rooms and suites set the standard for spaciousness, combining classic Bostonian residential elegance with refined hints of Oriental heritage; indeed, they offer the largest and most spacious in Boston (and each has its own soaking tub and separate shower —  a plus). Highlights of the hotel include a 16,000 square-foot spa featuring an array of signature and personalized massage, facial and body treatments and holistic wellness experiences such as a crystal steam room and vitality pool; there’s also energy healing, guided meditation, Mirror, cardiovascular and strength training equipment, and a movement studio with dedicated experts available for personal training, private Pilates, and yoga instruction. It also has the distinction of hosting a restaurant by world-renowned, Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsay in Ramsay’s Kitchen, serving up both Bostonian and British classic comforts in an elevated setting. The hotel is also amplifying its Sleep Sanctuary package for the coming year, a special sleep-focused hotel stay experience that includes a bespoke sleep treatment in the Dream Catcher Sleep Massage at The Spa and advanced sleep regimen products in-room including Aromatherapy Associates sleep mist and bath products, Therabody Pre-Sleep SmartGoggles, Fleur Marche Sleep Patch, a Mandarin Oriental Satin Sleep Mask, the Little Book of Dreams for bedside reading, and luxury bedding featuring plush, high-thread-count sheets and pillows, designed exclusively for Mandarin Oriental.

776 Boylston St, 02199

Four Seasons Hotel Boston

Photo Credit: Four Seasons Boston

There are many things that set Four Seasons Hotel Boston apart: its location, near the Back Bay, overlooking the Public Garden and adjacent Boston Common; an exclusive-to-Four Seasons experience in a whimsical toy Mystery Closet accessible to children via a magic golden key; a gourmet coffee bar serving custom espresso drinks each morning with the hotel’s compliments, hand-delivered by prompt service; signature Vaults, 24-hour pantries on every guest floor stocked with complimentary sweet and savory snacks and beverages; and the Students in the City experience for those visiting Boston for college tours. These unique touches are unparalleled for the brand, and add a sense of fun to the property, which completed a full redesign of its public spaces courtesy designer Ken Fulk in 2023. The transformation included the debut of Coterie, an intimate Brasserie style lounge that offers guests a sophisticated and stylish dining experience including whimsical cocktails and afternoon tea. The hotel is deceptively big as well: with 239 beautifully appointed guest rooms (including 69 expansive suites) it is both elegant and comfortable. For those who want the most exclusive of stays, book the recently reimagined Royal Suite, which offers 2,590 square feet of space, panoramic views of the Public Garden, and a private cinema.

200 Boylston Street, 02116  

Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street

Photo Credit: Four Seasons One Dalton Street

Standing at 724 feet, Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street — the second Four Seasons property in Boston — has the distinction of being the tallest residential building in New England and the third tallest building in Boston. The aesthetic is sleek, elegant, and warm, with cream-colored walls, a muted grey palette, and hints of metallic throughout (think: New England on a rainy day). It’s in a prime location, too, in the heart of the Back Bay, a five-minute drive to Fenway Park and 15 minutes away from TD Garden. Stay in the Presidential Suite, which features floor-to-ceiling windows with views of Fenway Park, a dining room that hosts up to eight guests, a pantry with a service entrance, a bathroom that includes a huge soaking tub, two separate marble vanities, and a spacious shower. There are elevated touches such as Frederic Malle bath amenities, a 65-inch flat-screen TV with Comcast X1 Video Experience, bedside controls for drapery and “do not disturb” notifications, and an iPad room control to boot. Don’t miss experiences like international Asian hot spot Zuma for dinner, One + One eatery for a bubbly brunch, and the spa, which dominates the hotel’s entire seventh floor, which was designed by celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak.

The Langham, Boston

Photo Credit: Langham Boston

The Langham Boston is a hotel with a pedigree being that the 312-room property once housed the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and is now considered to be a national historic landmark. Its prior location is felt everywhere, from the custom furniture and lighting reminiscent of the 1920’s in its lobby and reception areas, inclusive of banker lamps, a double sided chesterfield sofa, and ornate rugs as well as green shades running throughout meant to evoke the color of money banking notes. Guest rooms also take inspiration from the past: the cellaret housing several of the room amenities and mini bar has been designed to resemble an old travelers truck, while on either side of the headboard, is a collection of art prints that celebrate Boston’s culture, environment and history. The most luxurious suite is The Chairman Suite, which captures the essence of travel with a rich and unique collection of items that one would acquire over time in and around the 1920’s, including a bankers rolltop desk. The hotel hosts the group’s signature Langham Club, with quiet workspaces, beautiful views, and multi-day food presentations; a newly redesigned fitness center; dining outlets The Fed and Grana, both of which pay homage to the past; and an extensive art collection, with 60 commissioned pieces of 290 total works, over 140 of which have a local connection; many pieces were sourced from The Copley Society, the oldest artistic non-profit in the United States. There’s also a unique collaboration with The Best Bees Company: two beehives have been installed on the third-floor roof of the hotel, housing Apis mellifera liguistica bees, which aims to support pollinator health and biodiversity, addressing the critical roles bees play in agriculture and food production.

250 Franklin St, 02110

The Newbury Boston Photo Credit: Nikolas Koenig

The Newbury Boston is another excellent option for a Back Bay stay. Originally opened as one of the first Ritz-Carlton hotels in the US, this Public Garden-adjacent property, whose front entrance is actually on famed Newbury Street, is distinctly its own property these days. Thanks to internationally recognized architect Jeffrey Beers, the building’s original heritage is highlighted by a meticulous attention to historic details, including the original cobalt blue chandeliers from the Main Dining Room, a rosewood check-in desk, elegant chandeliers, and Nero Dorato marble floors. The rooms here have a truly tailored Bostonian aesthetic with elements of handcrafted wood, herringbone accents, and marble touches — and many feature views of the Public Garden through beautifully framed window nooks outfitted with blue-velvet seating. Each room is also appointed with original artwork by illustrator Veronica Lawlor, alongside bespoke amenities including Byredo “Willow” bath products made expressly for the hotel, Frette robes and linens, in-room Nespresso Vertuo espresso machines. The Newbury Boston features some of the chicest dining in the city thanks to a partnership with Major Food Group. That includes The Street Bar, classic cocktails and New England favorites set in a space with a classic 1920s feel; and Contessa, which features iconic Italian dishes and classic cocktails delivered with polished and generous hospitality in one of the city’s only restaurants overlooking the Public Garden, in a space designed by Ken Fulk (both outlets of which utilize rooftop apiaries that provide honey). The property is also pet friendly, offering dog beds, bowls, treats, toys, rain jackets, and a menu of dog food from Polka Dog Bakery. A Tiffany & Company retail store on property adds an additional luxurious touch. 

1 Newbury St, 02116

The Liberty, a Luxury Collection Hotel

Photo Credit: The Liberty
For an elevated stay in Beacon Hill and a quintessentially Boston experience, check into The Liberty, a Luxury Collection Hotel. The property, once the home of the Charles Street Jail, a national national historic landmark and architectural gem built in 1851, is now a five-star hotel with thoughtfully designed rooms that riff on its history with tongue-in-cheek design elements like a do not disturb sign titled “Solitary,”exposed brick walls, and throw pillows with line marks stating the number of days one would spend in a jail. There are also four distinct restaurants and bars, as well as a bustling lobby that morphs into a vibrant social destination nightly. Each venue here was thoughtfully named to tie in the rich history of the building: Alibi, a cocktail lounge, is lined with mugshots of celebrities; Clink is a critically acclaimed restaurant serving lunch and dinner with a stunning interior that includes bars on the windows as a nod to the building’s history; the open-air Courtyard is a social gathering destination that hosts Yappier Hours for pets and their humans friends every Monday (the hotel is dog-friendly), Saturday yoga, and Curling in the winter months (there’s also a Curling Concierge who teaches guests how to play the popular winter sport); and Scampo, James Beard Award Winning Chef Lydia Shire’s Italian restaurant inside of the hotel that serves up comforting staples. Lydia — of whom Wolfgang Puck is a protegee — can be found on site cooking most nights; it’s a treat if you get to hear her story. Other distinctive features here include bike rentals, a 24-hour fitness center, a running concierge, and welcome Champagne on arrival.

215 Charles St, 02114

Boston Harbor Hotel

Photo Credit: Boston Harbor Hotel

For those who want to stay on Boston Harbor, opt for, well, the Boston Harbor Hotel, a waterfront property located on the historic Rowes Wharf Harbor that’s part of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts LEGEND Collection. This hotel has a lot to offer, including its brand-new piece de resistance, the John Adams Presidential Suite, which boasts 4,800 square feet of space, an exclusive private entrance and non-stop elevator for total privacy, 20-foot floor-to-ceiling windows, a 1,000 square foot private open air-terrace that features panoramic views of Boston Harbor, equipped with ample outdoor seating, custom sound system, and outdoor heating. There is also a modern kitchen and butler’s pantry complete Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances, a private bar stocked with top-shelf liquors and fine wines, a dining area with seating for eight, a private media room with a theater-quality surround sound system and 93-inch flat screen television, bluetooth equipped tablets,and built-in speakers. Those that book also receive their own personal concierge available from pre-arrival through the duration of the stay, private transportation to and from Boston’s Logan airport, butler service, complimentary breakfast, a personalized liquor and wine selection, private internet, complimentary pressing, fresh floral arrangements, and a personalized welcome amenity. All guests are treated to a variety of dining experiences, the Rowes Wharf Health Club, now open after an $8 million renovation, which boasts a group fitness studio equipped with cutting-edge Matrix, Escape, and Peloton equipment, an expanded gym, a golf simulator, exclusive fitness pods, an all-gender sauna, and upgraded locker rooms featuring enhanced steam rooms. A private 34-slip marina truly makes the Boston Harbor Hotel a destination unlike any other.

 70 Rowes Wharf, 02110

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