SeattleDave.com

Where to Stay in Boston

By Seattle Dave

Our Favorite Hotels in Boston

• 5-star hotel: Harbor Hotel
• 4-star hotel: Lenox
• 3-star hotel: Aloft
• For couples: The Eliot
• For families: Marriott Long Wharf

My favorite hotel in Boston.

The Harbor Hotel (archway, center of photo) at Rowes Wharf on Boston Harbor. My favorite place to stay in Boston and what I recommend for first-time visitors to the city.

The Best Areas to Stay in Boston

Boston overlooks the bustling Boston Harbor and stretches west along the south bank of the River Charles. It’s a jumble of interconnecting commercial and residential districts, most with their own unique personality, history, attractions, and appeal. The city’s layout is not particularly intuitive, but each neighborhood has its own logic that is usually dictated by the dependable presence of the water, whether it’s the river or the harbor.

The city’s most prominent tourist area is around Boston Common and Faneuil Hall, with many historic sights and waterfront attractions. That said, there are key historic sites scattered all throughout the city. The best museums and universities are farther away from the center, in various neighborhoods including the Fenway, the Seaport District, and across the river in Cambridge. So the truth is there is no one “best” place to stay, but rather many excellent options.

My wife and I in Boston.

My wife and I at a Boston Bruins game at TD Garden.

The West End and the North End occupy the northern tip of Boston, surrounded on three sides by waterways. The North End is one of the oldest and most atmospheric parts of the city, its narrow streets packed with rowhouses, history, and hearty Italian restaurants, but there are not many accommodation options. The West End was a similarly vibrant immigrant neighborhood, but it was razed in the name of urban renewal in the 1950s. Nowadays there are few reasons to visit the West End, although it is can be an affordable and convenient place to bed down.

Further south, the heart of the city is the Boston Common, flanked on one side by Beacon Hill and on the other by Downtown and the Financial District. With the river at its back door, Beacon Hill is a storied residential neighborhood with unmatched charm, fabulous shopping, and a few swanky hotels. Downtown contains the city’s biggest concentration of historic sights and many upscale hotels. Attractions such as Faneuil Hall, the Freedom Trail, and the Boston Waterfront make this a popular area to stay.

From here, the city fans out to the south and west. Along the Charles, the Back Bay is laid out in an elegant and orderly grid, terminating at Kenmore Square, while the Fenway nestles in between Fenway baseball park and greenway further west. To the south, the Seaport District is a hotbed of trendy dining and nonstop development – most with views of the harbor and beyond. Boston’s outer reaches – including Allston/Brighton, Jamaica Plain, Dorchester, and South Boston – are mostly residential areas, each with its own central square and neighborhood vibe, but little reason for short-term visitors to stay there.

Meanwhile, the separate city of Cambridge stretches along the north shore of the Charles River. Anchored by two academic institutions – Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology – the smaller city has its own culture and attractions, as well as easy access into Boston.

With too many one-way streets and not enough parking, Boston is a nightmare for uninitiated drivers. Fortunately, it is a compact, walkable city. It is also well connected by subway (known in Boston as the T), so driving is never required and rarely recommended. Active types can also get around on Blue Bikes, the city’s bike-share program.

The Best Places to Stay in Boston

Best five-star hotel in Boston.

The Four Seasons Hotel across from the Boston Public Gardens in the Back Bay neighborhood.

My room at Boston Harbor Hotel.

Our room at the Harbor Hotel.

My suite at our hotel in Boston.

Our room at The Eliot.

Best Neighborhoods in Boston for…

  • Best Neighborhood in Boston for History & Sightseeing: Downtown and Waterfront
    Boston has a modern, bustling, workaday Downtown, but this business district is also packed with colonial architecture, revolutionary sights, and landmarks of the new American nation. The Freedom Trail is a 3.8 km walking trail that connects 16 historic sights, starting at the city’s central green (the Boston Common) and winding its way through the Downtown neighborhood and beyond. Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market comprise a tourist hub, with shopping and dining, as well as an information center for National Park Service. And the nearby Boston Harbor Waterfront is a hive of activity such as boat tours, whale watching cruises, and the New England Aquarium.
  • Best Neighborhoods in Boston for Dining: South End, North End, Downtown, Chinatown, Seaport District
    It’s not easy to choose one best Boston neighborhood for dining since each area excels in its own way. The city’s Italian immigrant community shows off its stuff in the North End. Dim sum and dumplings and other Asian delights are on the menus in Chinatown. Downtown is home to two biweekly outdoor food markets — the long-running wholesale Haymarket and the seasonal Greenway Farmers’ Market – as well as the (indoor) locavore Boston Public Market. Across the channel, the Seaport District was once the center of the city’s fishing industry and seafood is still a draw, amid many trendy, new dining options. There is one neighborhood, however, that offers hungry travelers all this and more. In the South End, the streets are lined with old-school diners, new-fangled sandwich shops, pizza parlors, noodle houses, French bistros, Italian enoteche, veggie havens, oyster bars, tapas bars, cocktail bars, brunch hot spots, and coffee shops. Lots of coffee shops. Not to mention the SoWa Open Market (Sundays, May through October), which is the city’s longest-running outdoor art market. In addition to local makers hawking their wares, the market includes food trucks, a farmers’ market, and a beer garden, so it’s a veritable celebration of local art, food, and drink.
    • Hotel near TD Garden for Bruins and Celtics games.

    If you’re going to a concert or Celtics or Bruins game at TD Garden you can’t stay any closer than the citizenM North Station.

  • Best Neighborhoods in Boston for Nightlife: Kenmore Square, Allston/Brighton
    It should come as no surprise that the best nightlife in Boston is near the city’s universities. Most centrally, in Kenmore Square, Boston University students and other party people flock to the bars and clubs along Lansdowne Street. (Incidentally, this neighborhood also offers more highbrow nightlife at the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Berklee Performance Center, and the Huntington Theater.) Further west, the Allston/Brighton neighborhood is densely populated with students from dozens of nearby colleges and universities, earning it the dubious title of “student ghetto”. Ghettos have always harbored rich musical culture and Boston is no exception, as this neighborhood is home to the city’s best clubs for live music.
  • Best Neighborhood in Boston for First Time Visitors: Downtown and Waterfront
    Downtown Boston is basically tourist central, which makes it ideal for first-time visitors. The Boston Common is the city’s historical center and transportation hub, as well as the start of the Freedom Trail. From Faneuil Hall to the Rose Kennedy Greenway, the neighborhood is packed with attractions, many of which are the city’s highlights. If that’s not enough, Downtown offers easy access to the surrounding neighborhoods, including the North End’s restaurants, the boutiques on Beacon Hill, the Seaport District’s waterfront dining, and the Back Bay’s chic boulevards. The Waterfront neighborhood of the North End is home to the Boston Harbor, where you’ll find the Boston HarborWalk, New England Aquarium, and Boston Tea Party Ships. Fantastic dining in a romantic atmosphere is just a short walk away from the Waterfront in Little Italy, another North End neighborhood. Our favorite hotel for first timers is the wonderfully central Harbor Hotel.
  • Best Neighborhood in Boston for Romance: Beacon Hill
    There’s something about Beacon Hill’s flower-filled window boxes and gaslit streetlamps that lend this neighborhood an irresistible air of romance. It is mostly residential, the narrow streets lined with red-brick sidewalks and Federal-style rowhouses. That means there are not many places to stay, but the few options are delightful indeed. The commercial strip, Charles Street, invites casual browsing in antique shops and unique boutiques or stopping for refreshment at a quaint cafe or intimate restaurant. The street terminates at the lovely, blooming Public Garden, always open for a romantic stroll. There’s no doubt about it: Beacon Hill is for lovers.
  • Best Neighborhood in Boston for Families: Downtown and the Waterfront
    Downtown and the Waterfront are best jumping-off points for Boston’s most fun family attractions, which include the Rose Kennedy Greenway, the New England Aquarium, the Boston Harbor Islands, the Children’s Museum, and the Boston Tea Party Ships, as well as the obligatory history lesson on the Freedom Trail. Downtown is good for families for other reasons, too. The Boston Common or the Rose Kennedy Greenway offer plenty of room for kids to run, while fast and affordable dining spots are plentiful at Quincy Market and environs. If families want to move around the city, they can hop on the T; kids under 12 ride for free. And, there are loads of hotels in the area. For a lower-key stay, head to the Waterfront in the North End, the oldest neighborhood in Boston and home to the Boston Harbor, HarborWalk, Greenway Carousel, plus kid-pleasing food in nearby Little Italy and beautiful views over the Massachussets Bay.
    • Hotel with kitchen in downtown Boston.

    The AKA Boston Common has an awesome location near multiple T stations and walking distance to the Public Gardens and Financial District.

  • Best Neighborhood in Boston for Shopping: Back Bay
    Back Bay is Boston’s famous, Parisian-style neighborhood, characterized by the gracious brownstones on Commonwealth Avenue and the iconic architecture on Copley Square. Here, also, is Boston’s best-known shopping strip, Newbury Street, long a symbol of fine art and high fashion, thanks to its many galleries and boutiques. Nowadays, most of the shops on Newbury are high-end national (and international) chains; but there are still some local gems, and even a few of the original Boston icons, such as Newbury Comics. One block over, there are two massive shopping centers on Boylston Street – Copley Place and the Shops at Prudential Center – guaranteed to make a dent in the wallet.
  • Best Neighborhood in Boston Without a Car (for walking): Downtown
    Frankly, visitors without a car can stay in any of Boston’s central neighborhoods without much inconvenience. In fact, having a car would likely add inconvenience, as parking is expensive and driving is daunting. Unlike many American cities, Boston is compact and its many green spaces make it pleasant for walking. For longer distances, it’s easy to get around by the inexpensive and user-friendly subway (known in Boston as the “T”). All of the central neighborhoods listed here feature inviting walking routes and convenient T stations. That said, Downtown is probably best for non-drivers, as it is the most centrally located neighborhood with the most tourist attractions and the most T stations. Downtown and nearby walking routes include the Rose Kennedy Greenway, the HarborWalk, the Emerald Necklace (a network of green spaces that winds westward through the city), and the Charles River Esplanade (a park that runs along the river).

The Best Neighborhoods in Boston for Tourists

1. Downtown

Hotel in downtown Boston.

The Omni Parker House has a great location among downtown’s narrow winding streets.

Downtown is Boston’s business district, but it’s also tourist central, thanks to the many attractions along the Freedom Trail and fronting the Boston Harbor. Downtown is an easy walk to the four surrounding neighborhoods, but also has plenty of convenient T stops for travelers who want to venture to other parts of the city. Downtown also has a huge variety of restaurants and myriad accommodation options, making it the most popular neighborhood for staying in Boston.

2. North End and Waterfront

Hotel on the waterfront in Boston, close to boat and whale tours.

The Marriott Long Wharf on Boston’s waterfront. I took this picture from a boat tour departing from just in front of the hotel.

Boston’s oldest neighborhood (since the 1600s), the North End is bounded by I-93 on the southwest side and by the sea in all other directions. This area is home to some of Boston’s most important historic sights, including the Old North Church (of “one if by land, and two if by sea” fame) and the Paul Revere House, as well as excellent dining and charming streets in Little Italy. East of Little Italy in the North End, the Waterfront neighborhood offers gorgeous Massachusetts Bay views, luxury hotels, and family-friendly attractions, such as the New England Aquarium the and the Boston Tea Party Museum, connected by the HarborWalk trail.

3. Seaport District

Hotel in the Seaport District of Boston.

The Envoy Hotel in Boston’s Seaport District.

Little more than a decade ago, the Seaport District was an expanse of parking lots surrounding the city’s gritty working fishing docks. Then somebody realized that this stretch of waterfront has amazing harbor and skyline views … and the rest is history. Nowadays the Seaport is crammed with hotels and restaurants catering to business travelers from the nearby convention center. Tourists also appreciate the setting, the waterfront parks, and the proximity to Downtown Boston (and the South Station train station for Amtrak). There are also a couple of highlight attractions right in the Seaport District, including the ICA Boston and the excellent Children’s Museum.

4. Back Bay

Hotel in Back Bay, Boston.

The Eliot Hotel in the walkable and charming Back Bay neighborhood.

Back Bay is a wonderful option for travelers who want to be close to the sights but also experience the charms of a unique Boston neighborhood. These elegant streets are blessed with Boston’s best shopping, excellent restaurants, a good selection of hotels and guesthouses, and a delightfully sophisticated neighborhood atmosphere. Back Bay’s centerpiece is Copley Square – graced by art and architectural gems such as Trinity Church and the Boston Public Library – while the Charles River Esplanade runs along the neighborhood’s northern edge. Downtown Boston and Kenmore Square are within walking distance.

5. West End

Hotel close to Bruins and Celtics arena.

The Indigo Hotel is directly across the street from TD Garden – great for concerts or Celtics and Bruins games.

The West End is dominated by government buildings and hospitals, which does not make it the most appealing place to stay. That said, the price is right. A handful of hotels offer exceptional service and value, not to mention easy access to TD Garden (for sports or concerts) and North Station (for transportation). A handful of restaurants, clubs, and sports bars keep things lively at night. Best of all, it’s only a short walk to the North End and Downtown.

6. Beacon Hill

Iconic Acorn Street in Beacon Hill, Boston
Delightful Beacon Hill is a tourist favorite (though hotel options are limited) for its narrow streets and stately homes, evoking 19th-century Brahmin Boston at its best. The boutique-lined commercial strip, Charles Street, offers just enough dining and shopping options. All of the attractions of Downtown are nearby, but the skyscrapers, traffic, and crowds are worlds away. Visitors may be surprised to learn the neighborhood’s intriguing ultra-local history: before the Civil War, Beacon Hill was home to a thriving community of free blacks and a base for an active abolitionist movement; learn more on the Black Heritage Trail which runs through the neighborhood.

7. South End

Skyline from the South End of Bostion
Trendy, artsy, and eclectic, the South End is well away from the tourist track. That’s partly because it contains no traditional tourist attractions. But what the South End lacks in historic sights and museums, it makes up for with diverse restaurants and a vibrant art scene. SoWa is the city’s most active art district, hosting dozens of galleries, a monthly open studios event (First Fridays), and a seasonal outdoor artists’ market. Unfortunately, there is only one T stop serving this expansive neighborhood, so travelers should be prepared to do plenty of walking.

8. Cambridge

Blue dome of Harvard University Lowell House from across Charles River
Not technically a neighborhood of Boston, Cambridge is a separate city across the Charles River with its own cultural institutions, dining scene, and green spaces. Most notably, two world-renowned universities, Harvard and MIT, reside in Cambridge, each offering an array of museums, architecture, and public and performing arts. Cambridge has a diverse and satisfying range of restaurants, a few decent music and comedy venues, and a slew of accommodation options. A quick ride on the T lands you in Boston.

The Best Hotels in Boston

1. Boston Harbor Hotel – Waterfront

My favorite hotel in Boston.Hotel phone: 617.439.7000
This is my favorite hotel in Boston. True New England luxury with breathtaking views of Massachusetts Bay. This romantic hotel offers spacious rooms and unparalleled service. Located on the water, near the New England Aquarium, and walking distance to most major attractions.

2. Four Seasons – Back Bay

My favorite five-star hotel in Boston.Hotel phone: 617.338.4400
Elegant and sunny rooms decked in classic New England style, offering views of the Boston Public Garden and Beacon Hill. Perfect for families, the hotel has a beautiful indoor pool, as well as cookie-making classes, scavenger hunts, and special in-room amenities for children. Just a stone’s throw from the Charles River Esplanade, Newbury Street shopping, and the start of the Freedom Trail.

3. Eliot Hotel – Back Bay

My favorite boutique hotel in Boston.Hotel phone: 617.267.1607
Family-owned for 77 years, The Eliot is a model of boutique luxury with impeccable service, crystal chandeliers, Italian marble, and real keys instead of cards. The owners are on-site daily, making sure everything is running smoothly. Though it’s located in the heart of Back Bay, you’ll never hear a peep of street noise, thanks to the triple-paned windows. The Ken Oringer-owned restaurant, Uni, serves up spectacular Asian fare daily and is best known for their weekend, late-night ramen bar. Fine dining and high-end shopping are only steps away, while popular attractions are within walking distance.

4. Mandarin Oriental – Back Bay

The Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Boston's beautiful Bar Boulud
Hotel phone: 617.535.8888
Superb luxury hotel with architecture and design based on feng shui and the five Chinese elements. It is home to the only five-star spa in Massachusetts (and at 16,000 square feet, it may also be the largest), with a crystal steam room, ice fountains, relaxation suites, and experience showers. Bar Boulud, the hotel’s informal French bistro, is designed to look like the inside of a wine barrel. In the Back Bay neighborhood, you’ll find the city’s finest shopping and dining right at your doorstep.

5. Omni Parker House – Downtown

The Omni Parker House hotel in downtown Boston is great family-friendly historic luxury
Hotel phone: 617.227.8600
A historic gem, the oldest continuously operating hotel in Boston. Every U.S. president has stayed here since Grant; JFK proposed to Jackie O. here (ask for table 40 at their restaurant, the very spot); literary giants, including Dickens and Hawthorne, have stayed here; and former employees include Malcolm X, Ho Chi Minh, and Emeril Legasse. Also, their restaurant literally invented the Boston cream pie. This is a cozy and romantic spot for couples, plus a great stay for families – they have special family suites with bunk beds, and kids receive a backpack full of toys at check-in. Ideally located near Boston Common and several stops on the Freedom Trail.

6. Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel – Back Bay

Opulence and elegance at Boston's Fairmont Copley Plaza
Hotel phone: 617.267.5300
Built in 1912 and meticulously restored, this Beaux-Arts hotel is the height of opulence with soaring archways, mosaic tile floors, marble columns, and gold coffered ceilings. There’s superb farm-to-table American dining and craft cocktails at their signature restaurant, plus an invitation-only supper club (email ahead to be added to the list; you’ll need a password to get in). Fun activities for kids, including a pizza-making class and a canine ambassador, who is available to take for walks. Well situated in Back Bay, near high-end shopping and dining, the Boston Public Library, and Trinity Church.

7. The Envoy – Seaport District

Best new four-star hotel in Boston.Hotel phone: 617.338.3030
Built in 2015 in the up-and-coming Seaport District, this contemporary hotel was designed around the theme of movement, with treasures from the sea and unique art on each floor. This non-traditional property features flexible, multi-use space plus gaming chairs in the suites and a touch screen pool table in the lobby. Great location in a growing neighborhood, near the Institute of Contemporary Art, Harpoon Brewery, and the Boston Tea Party Museum.

8. The Langham – Downtown

The Reserve Bar in downtown Boston's Langham Hotel
Hotel phone: 617.451.1900
Spectacular hotel in a Renaissance Revival building from 1922, the original Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. The hotel shows contemporary luxury in the common areas with décor that plays up their banking history. The restaurant and bar options here are all fantastic, but they are best known for their decadent Saturday Chocolate Bar, Sunday brunch, and afternoon tea service. Their onsite spa offers services based on the five Chinese elements. Centrally located in Downtown, the Langham is walking distance to most attractions, including Little Italy, Back Bay shopping, and Faneuil Hall.

9. Lenox Hotel – Back Bay

The Lenox is a luxury boutique hotel located in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood.
Hotel phone: 617.536.5300
Family-owned, boutique, luxury hotel from 1900, designed by the same architects behind the original Waldorf Astoria – think plush decor, gold scrolling, and grand columns. Nearly half the rooms have fireplaces, while the entire eleventh floor is hypoallergenic. All three delicious restaurants here use locally sourced ingredients; they even have their own beehives for honey. Perfectly situated in the Back Bay, a block from the sidewalk cafes, boutiques, and galleries of Newbury Street.

10. The Liberty – Beacon Hill

The Liberty is a Boston Luxury Collection hotel housed in the former Charles Street Jail.
Hotel phone: 617.224.4000
A brand new Luxury Collection hotel in the former Charles Street Jail. Balconies overlook the lobby, with original cell bars still up, and exposed brick walls. The jailhouse-themed décor contrasts nicely with sumptuous rooms and lots of contemporary art. Six onsite restaurants and bars, including one in the old drunk tank, all have excellent food, strong cocktails, and lively atmospheres. Located in the historic Beacon Hill neighborhood, with direct access to the Charles River Esplanade, Boston Common, the Black Heritage Trail, and the Freedom Trail.

11. Hotel Commonwealth – Kenmore Square

Boston's Commonwealth Hotel is located across from Fenway Park.
Hotel phone: 617.933.5000
Boutique luxury hotel across from Fenway Park: the official hotel of the Red Sox. This hotel has a wild décor with mismatched patterns, bright colors, and themed suites. Some of the best dining in the city is onsite, most notably Eastern Standard, a brasserie with great brunch, late-night bites, and cocktails. This is a pet-friendly hotel, even offering massage treatments for dogs. Their stellar location is walking distance to the Boston Symphony, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts.

12. AKA Back Bay – Back Bay

Apartment hotel in Boston.
Hotel phone: 617.266.7200
Luxury hotel in a historic Art Deco building. This limestone hotel was formerly the Boston Police Headquarters, and they have a cool display of Boston police history here. Home to the amazing Precinct Kitchen and Bar, serving American-style steaks and seafood and making their own charcuterie. This hotel is well situated near Back Bay cafes and boutiques, near the theater district, Copley Square, and Boston Public Garden. The AKA Boston Common in downtown is also great.

13. Royal Sonesta – Cambridge

The contemporary Royal Sonesta Hotel is located on the banks of the Charles River in Cambridge
Hotel phone: 617.806.4200
Sleek and streamlined luxury hotel perched on the northern bank of the Charles River. Rooms offer sweeping views of the river and of the Boston and Cambridge skylines. This hotel boasts an outrageous art collection, featuring work by emerging and established artists and including an original Andy Warhol. Their saline indoor/outdoor pool has a retractable roof. For families, they host movie nights at the pool and scavenger hunts within the hotel. Located in Cambridge, walking distance to the Museum of Science and the USS Constitution and accessible to Harvard Square and Downtown Boston.

14. Boston Marriott Long Wharf – Waterfront

Hotel on Boston Waterfront.
Hotel phone: 617.227.0800
Gorgeous luxury hotel on the Boston Harbor. Their indoor pool and whirlpool are surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows that lead out to a stellar sundeck with city and water views. Right next door to the New England Aquarium, and close to the Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall, and Blackstone Street.

15. The Godfrey Hotel – Downtown

Downtown Boston's Godfrey Hotel is a modern luxury hotel in a historic Gothic Revival building.
Hotel phone: 617.804.2000
Brand new, independent, luxury hotel in a historic Gothic Revival building. Fresh, contemporary design elements blend seamlessly into the original marble and plasterwork interiors. Their signature restaurant, RUKA, serves vibrant Peruvian fare blended with Japanese and Chinese influences. Located in the revitalized Downtown Crossing area, near the theater district, Boston Common, and the Freedom Trail.

16. InterContinental Boston – Waterfront

The InterContinental Boston is a chic, contemporary, waterfront hotel.
Hotel phone: 617.747.1000
Modern luxury hotel with jaw-dropping views of the Boston harbor, especially from their corner rooms. Chic, contemporary design with spacious accommodations. A casual French bistro is their signature restaurant, and there are three phenomenal bars, each focusing on a different spirit: vodka, tequila, and rum. Very family-friendly, this hotel has a great pool, where ice cream socials and Disney movie nights are held. For adults, they offer onsite fishing clinics and running buddies. Excellent location, close to the New England Aquarium, Boston Tea Party Museum, and Children’s Museum.

17. Kimpton Marlowe – Cambridge

Select rooms in Cambridge's Kimpton Marlowe Hotel have telescopes and overlook the Charles River.
Hotel phone: 617.868.8000
Charming hotel in Cambridge, near the Museum of Science. To highlight that connection, the hotel is designed around a theme of exploration, with a steampunk, celestial armillary sculpture, compasses in the floors, and telescopes in select rooms. Enjoy fun amenities, like complimentary kayaks, bicycles, and nightly wine hour. Positioned close to the Charles River, USS Constitution, with easy access to Harvard Square or Downtown Boston.

18. The Bostonian – Downtown

Many rooms in downtown Boston's Bostonian Hotel boast Juliet balconies and fireplaces.
Hotel phone: 617.523.3600
Luxury hotel built in two towers, one on either side of the cobblestone path where Paul Revere did his famous ride. A cozy and inviting lobby leads to fab rooms, half of which have a Juliet balcony; studios all have fireplaces. Their onsite restaurant serves casual, locally sourced foods, and has a tremendous wine list. They have an award-winning kids’ program, Ask Alfred, in which all children receive a teddy bear, coloring book, and free breakfasts. Wonderfully located near Blackstone Street, home to the oldest restaurants and bars in the city, and walking distance to Faneuil Hall and Little Italy.

19. The Colonnade – Back Bay

Boston's Colonnade Hotel has a rooftop pool deck and a great French brasserie.
Hotel phone: 617.424.7000
A contemporary, boutique hotel with a classic, luxury feel. Their rooftop pool (one of the only two in the city) boasts a lounge, sundeck, and cabanas. A smart casual French brasserie onsite offers craft beers and wine. Ideally located in the Back Bay for luxe shopping and dining, this spot is also walking distance to Copley Square and Top of the Hub observation deck at The Pru.

20. Westin Boston – Seaport District

Westin Boston Waterfront is located right on the water in the Seaport District.
Hotel phone: 617.532.4600
A light and airy business luxury hotel connected to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Inspired interiors feature two-story floor-to-ceiling windows, a vertical garden, and trees growing in the lobby bar. Fun hotel amenities include a comedy club and an indoor pool. Great location right on the water in the Seaport District, an area booming with new restaurants and bars, near the Institute of Contemporary Art and Harpoon Brewery.

21. Aloft Boston Seaport – Seaport District

Boston's Aloft Hotel offers tech-savvy, affordable luxury.
Hotel phone: 617.530.1600
Tech-savvy, affordable luxury hotel with wild, neon décor. Aimed at millennials, some rooms here feature voice-activated lighting and temperature, keyless room access using smartphones, and a robotic butler. Just text Botlr an emoji to request an item for your room – an emoji of a beer will get you a real beer. Other perks include a pool and live music every week. Located in the Seaport District, near the Lawn on D, an outdoor event space, and Harpoon Brewery.

22. Copley Square Hotel – Back Bay

Boston's luxurious Copley Square Hotel sits just across from the Boston Public Library.
Hotel phone: 617.536.9000
An independent, boutique hotel with lots of old Boston charm in an 1891 building. Expect fashionable rooms, nightly comp wine, and top-notch service from their Intuition Specialists. Grab a drink and dance at Storyville, their nightclub that was once a Prohibition-era speakeasy. Fantastic location, just across from the Boston Public Library and two blocks from the shops on Newbury Street.