Boston: Romance more than History. Hotels more than Beds

Story by
Mark & Gillian Abramson 

Photography Courtesy
Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau

The mention of Boston conjures many images: the spirit of 1776, the ride of Paul Revere, the Tea Party, the U.S.S. Constitution and many more events in the genesis of our country. In addition to history rich with folklore, Boston offers diverse and romantic experiences to those who explore all its facets and need a place to room for the night.

Where you stay in Boston will greatly influence your impression of the city and the neighborhoods to visit. Tourist attractions, shopping districts and recreational parks are all easily accessed from many fine hotels. The hotels are not inexpensive, nor is Boston, but the right hotel is surely part of this city vacation. We have stayed at many but three are favorites because they give such a great -- but different -- big city experience.

For dizzying yet dependable elegance, the Four Seasons Hotel has no peer. After a $45 million renovation, this lovely hotel stands alone with flawless service, unforgettable amenities and superb food. Many of the offerings are complimentary: beverages in the spectacular health club, nightly shoe shines, continental breakfast in the lobby and a car to drop you off anywhere within a two mile radius of the hotel. In addition to its 5 star restaurant, Aujourd’hui, the equally impressive Bristol Lounge offers a Viennese Dessert Buffet on weekends from 9:00 p.m. to midnight and remains, for good reason, the busiest restaurant of the Four Seasons Hotels worldwide. The hotel welcomes children, who will delight in their special pint-sized robes and in the renovated pool overlooking the beautiful Boston Common and Public Garden. The fully equipped health club spa offers on-site personal trainers and digital televisions on every treadmill and stairclimber. From three concierges in the stunning lobby to L’Occitane products in the marble bathrooms, the Four Seasons offers its guests the very best of Boston.

Across the Boston Common and Public Garden lies the Beacon Hill Hotel, in one of Boston’s oldest and most romantic neighborhoods. An intimate boutique hotel, the Beacon Hill Hotel offers the allure of gas lamps and cobblestone streets and the feel of a private club, with impressive modern amenities in its twelve guestrooms, including flat screen televisions, plush linens, and lovely views of Charles Street and Beacon Hill. It is also home to the award-winning Beacon Hill Bistro, a popular and casual French restaurant where you can dine on delicious food and people-watch until late into the evening. In warmer weather, the hotel offers a second story roof deck for relaxing with a glass of wine after a long day of walking down through the shops on Beacon Hill and along the Charles River.

Neighboring Copley Place is a mecca for shoppers, with Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord &Taylor and the indoor mall at the Prudential Center all connected to one another through corridors lined with smaller high-end stores. Accordingly, many nationally known hotels have emerged in the area, but none as elegant and luxurious as the Colonnade Hotel on Huntington Avenue. Due to a fairly recent multimillion dollar renovation, the Colonnade Hotel is now the place to see and be seen in this exciting area of Boston. The long awaited and much anticipated opening of The Roof Top Pool made the Colonnade the only hotel in Boston with such a glamorous amenity. Celebrity sightings, sunset and city vistas and icy refreshments take swimming to a new level of fun. Appointed with 285 guestrooms, the Colonnade has a new fitness center loaded with state-of-the-art equipment, including individual flat screen televisions. On-premises parking, a complimentary CD library and wireless and high speed Internet access are just some of the perks of this gracious hotel. Brasserie Jo, the hotel’s acclaimed restaurant, is one of many superb dining establishments in the neighborhood and it’s always packed with locals and tourists. Symphony Hall and Newbury Street are easily accessible, in addition to the South End, Boston’s answer to New York City’s SoHo. And Boston’s legendary Fenway Park lies reasonably close.

The Abramsons live one hour from Boston; it is one of their favorite vacation cities.