The Best Hotels in Boston for a Dose of Historical Appeal

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Courtesy The Four Seasons

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With America’s 250th Anniversary coming up next year, there’s renewed attention on the places where it all began, and few cities wear their history more proudly than Boston. It’s always been a hub for commerce, healthcare, and education—but more recently, it’s undergoing a quiet, confident shift towards something more alluring: a destination for the arts, culture, and gastronomy.

Nowhere is that transformation more clear than in Boston’s hotel landscape (there’s a reason that Singapore-grown international luxury brand Raffles opened its first North America location there in 2023). Across this highly walkable city, you’ll find an enchanting blend of old meets new—from historic brownstones to modern skyscrapers, all of which pay homage to New England’s storied past in their own way. Each neighborhood offers its own unique perspective on the city, from the history and charm of Back Bay to the natural beauty of the waterfront.

Vogue’s Favorite Hotels in Boston

Whether you’re looking to visit The Hub for college tours, for shopping, or simply for wandering some incredibly picturesque brick lanes, Boston is ready to welcome you. Ahead, our list of the best hotels in Boston right now, so you can stay in style.

The Newbury Boston

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Courtesy The Newbury Hotel

An enviable address at 1 Newbury atop the city’s preeminent shopping street isn’t the only thing to love about this addition to Boston’s hotel scene. Sumptuous rooms by Alexandra Champalimaud prioritize sleek finishes and neutral hues—all the better to frame those sweeping views over the Public Garden.

  • Amenities: Frette linens, marble bathrooms, fireplace suites (stocked with wood), rooftop restaurant, 24-hour room service, fitness center
  • Editor’s Tip: Book a dinner reservation at the sceney rooftop restaurant Contessa, designed by Ken Fulk.
  • Address: 1 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02116

Boston Harbor Hotel

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Courtesy Boston Harbor Hotel

No hotel better captures the glory of Boston’s waterfront. The hotel exudes nautical sophistication, with many of the rooms here offering water views. Centrally located within walking distance of all the main attractions, it still feels far removed from downtown’s mayhem. If you’re visiting in the winter, be sure to check out the Boston Wine Food Festival—the hotel hosts it, and welcomes the world’s top producers for tastings between January and March.

  • Amenities: Waterfront views, 24-hour room service, restaurants, bar and lounge, on-site café, gift shop specializing in women-owned small businesses
  • Editor’s Tip: Drop a note to the captains at Boston Water Taxi, and you can even arrive via boat straight from Logan International Airport.
  • Address: 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA 02110

Fairmont Copley Plaza

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Courtesy Fairmont Hotel

Overlooking the historic (and newly renovated) Copley Square, the Copley Plaza shares its architectural lineage with New York’s Plaza Hotel, as both were designed by Henry Janeway Hardenbergh—its original mosaic lobby tiles, as well as the “double P” monograms you’ll spot throughout the property, mirror those of its New York cousin. The “Plaza of New England” remains a beloved and integral part of Boston’s hotel scene, offering Beaux Arts grandeur, unparalleled Fairmont service, and an enviable location in the heart of Back Bay.

  • Amenities: Rooftop fitness center, 24 hour room service, pet-friendly, concierge service, meeting rooms—and a delightful Canine Ambassador, Cori Copley
  • Editor’s Tip: Go for a memorable and civilized high tea service at the Courtyard Tea Room at the Boston Public Library—it’s right across the street.
  • Address: 138 St James Ave, Boston, MA 02116

Raffles Boston

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Courtesy Raffles Hotel

International luxury brand Raffles made its North America debut with a splashy, show-stopping new build that opened its doors in 2023. Situated on the 17th floor, the sky lobby here is one of the city’s glossiest, most impressive spaces. After dark, the hotel comes alive as the city’s best-dressed flocks here to its restaurants Amar and La Padrona.

  • Amenities: 24-hour butler service and in-room dining, Guerlain spa, indoor pool, fitness center, multiple restaurants and bars
  • Editor’s Tip: Make sure to book a treatment at the aromatherapy-driven Guerlain Spa, one of the city’s best spots for a treatment.
  • Address: 40 Trinity Place, Boston, MA 02116

The Eliot Hotel

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Courtesy Eliot Hotel

There’s something almost Parisian feeling at this old world hotel, which offers mostly suites and occupies a gorgeous 1920s building at the corner of Commonwealth and Massachusetts Avenues. Think: French doors, separate living areas, crown moldings, and an abundance of natural light—the accommodations here have a lived-in, luxurious feel, with the kind of privacy that’s hard to find in an urban hotel. It’s the natural choice for someone craving space and privacy without sacrificing location.

  • Amenities: Valet parking, same-day dry cleaning service, off-site fitness center access
  • Editor’s Tip: Book a table at UNI, one of the city’s top sushi restaurants—it’s located on the ground floor.
  • Address: 370 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215

The Liberty, a Luxury Collection Hotel

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Courtesy The Liberty

Calling all history lovers: once a 19th-century jail, The Liberty is now one of Boston’s most architecturally striking stays. Its grand rotunda, soaring catwalks, and vibrant nightlife have transformed the notorious Charles Street Jail into a must-visit hotspot equal parts historic and hip. Today, the Liberty is as much a nightlife destination as it is a hotel, where locals come to linger over craft cocktails and people-watch whoever happens to be sauntering through the rotunda. It’s an intoxicating blend of scandalous history and sumptuous glamor.

  • Amenities: Five restaurants and bars, fitness center, concierge, pet-friendly, event spaces, complimentary Wi-Fi for Bonvoy members
  • Editor’s Tip: Most Thursdays from September through May, the Liberty stages a weekly “Fashionably Late” fashion show in its lobby, highlighting local designers and boutiques.
  • Address: 215 Charles St, Boston, MA 02114

Four Seasons Hotel Boston

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Courtesy Four Seasons Hotel

After a colorful lobby update from Ken Fulk, this perennial favorite feels more relevant than ever. It’s decadent and luxurious and totally Four Seasons, but the atmosphere still feels whimsical and approachable: Behind the check-in desk there’s a “Mystery Closet” filled with toys for young guests, and on each floor there are “vaults” stocked with complimentary candy. Despite the grandeur, this hotel never loses its welcoming atmosphere.

  • Amenities: House bikes, electric vehicle service, complimentary candy vaults, indoor pool, 24-hour in-room dining, restaurant
  • Editor’s Tip: The ground floor brasserie lounge Coterie is the perfect spot for a snack and a martini if you’ve got tickets to the Boston Ballet a few blocks away.
  • Address: 200 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116

XV Beacon

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Courtesy XV Boston

No boutique hotel in Boston better captures the city’s alchemy of contemporary cool and patrician elegance. No detail here is overlooked, from the 24-hour valet and laundry and pressing services, to the acclaimed Clefs d’Or concierge. The bathrooms feel especially luxe, with white Italian marble, heated towel racks and oversized rainforest shower heads; some rooms have Jacuzzi bathtubs outfitted with a selection of complimentary bath salts, too.

  • Amenities: In-room fireplaces (select rooms), pet-friendly, valet parking
  • Editor’s Tip: Through a partnership with Audi, the hotel offers house cars to whisk guests around the city.
  • Address: 15 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02108

The Whitney Hotel

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Courtesy Whitney Hotel

The residential atmosphere of this Beacon Hill favorite feels less like a hotel and more like you’re staying at your most fabulous friend’s townhome. The rooms are minimalist and sleek, made all the more special with plush beds, Frette linens, and bathrooms stocked with heavenly Grown Alchemist amenities.

  • Amenities: Frette linens, house bikes, fitness center access, restaurant
  • Editor’s Tip: The hotel’s newly-revamped Mediterranean restaurant Peregrine is the ideal spot for a power lunch between rounds of shopping on Charles Street.
  • Address: 170 Charles St, Boston, MA 02114

Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, Boston

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Courtesy Four Seasons Hotel

Boston has the rare distinction of being one of the only cities with two Four Seasons hotels, and One Dalton could not be more different from the original location over by the Public Garden. This one occupies a glossy skyscraper conveniently located by the convergence of the Back Bay, South End, and Fenway neighborhoods. Stunning floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the surrounding cityscape for unbeatable views; those who prefer a modern stay will find respite in this ultra-contemporary property.

  • Amenities: Spa and wellness floor, indoor pool, fitness center, restaurant, 24-hour in-room dining
  • Editor’s Tip: Ask for the Charles Suite, a one-of-a-kind suite with wraparound terrace ideal for entertaining.
  • Address: 1 Dalton St, Boston, MA 02199

The Verb Hotel

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Courtesy Verb Hotel

This adorable little hotel, located in a former mid-century motor inn, is situated in the fast-changing Fenway neighborhood—so close to Fenway Park that you might be able to catch a stray ball from the interior pool courtyard. The hotel is decked out with vintage vinyl and music memorabilia as a nod to the city’s rich musical history. What’s more, all the best bars and restaurants of this lively neighborhood are mere steps away.

  • Amenities: Heated outdoor pool, record players in-room, vinyl library, on-site restaurant and bar
  • Editor’s Tip: For a fully immersive (and Instagrammable) stay, upgrade to one of the Backstage Trailers: custom-designed Airstreams with private outdoor seating, a real rarity for being in the heart of the city.
  • Address: 1271 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02215

Mandarin Oriental, Boston

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Courtesy Mandarin Oriental

A stately grande dame perched at the heart of Boylston Street and interconnected with shopping at the Prudential Center, this Mandarin Oriental embodies the best of the brand’s signature Asian-inflected design and service. The spa here is one of the best in Boston, with a robust menu of facial and massage treatments—check out their curated “Wellness Retreats” (which range from one to five days in length) for a targeted, holistic, and unforgettable experience.

  • Amenities: Spa, Tesla house car service, fitness center, in-room dining, personal shopping services, restaurant
  • Editor’s Tip: Book one of the Back Bay Corner Suites, which comes with an expansive living and dining room complete with dining table and kitchenette, and can be booked with a connecting room if you’re traveling in a group.
  • Address: 776 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02199