The Chicest Hotel in Boston
You make a reservation, but you don’t know what a hotel is really like until you stay there. There are hundreds of thousands of hotels worldwide, and with new ones opening every day, it’s impossible to know what you’re going to get. Yahoo Travel takes the guessing out of your reservation by going inside some of the world’s most popular hotels.
Photo: XV Beacon/Facebook
The hotel: XV Beacon Hotel
Location: 15 Beacon Street, Beacon Hill, just off Boston Common in Boston, Mass.
When to go: High season in Boston is May and October, and early summer, when the weather is at it’s best. It’s cold in January and February (low season), but don’t count out the beauty of Boston covered in snow or the joy of cozying up by the fire in your hotel room (at lower rates!).
Getting there: Fly into Boston Logan Airport or catch an Amtrak to Back Bay station. The hotel can help you with third-party transportation from the airport, and the resident Lexus at the XV Beacon does pre-arranged airport drop-offs for $40. The hotel is two blocks from Park Street Station, which is the nearest T (subway) stop, and there is a complimentary bus from the airport that connects to the T. A taxi might cost between $10-12.
The vibe: It was dark, windy, and raining when I arrived in Boston. I must have looked a bit disheveled when I walked through the door, but the smiling staff welcomed me inside and made me feel right at home. Entering the lobby felt like stepping into someone’s parlor, a small space, yet cozy and inviting. It is quiet, comfortable, sophisticated, and within walking distance of anywhere downtown, yet it is also a beautiful, luxury boutique hotel for a romantic getaway.
The property: The XV Beacon sits just off the northernmost corner of Boston Common, within walking distance to anywhere downtown. It is a boutique hotel with 63 guest rooms, mixing antiquity with modern furnishings in a comfortable fashion. Room rates start at $355. Some reviews label the fitness center as being too small, but I found it just right, complete with rooftop views of the city. Aside from occasional street noise, the XV Beacon is a quaint hideaway brilliantly tucked into downtown Boston.
Related: Historic City Smackdown: Philadelphia vs. Boston
Photo: XV Beacon/Facebook
The rooms: The hotel’s reputation of having a modern flare was apparent the moment I found my room. While the main areas of the hotel have an antique feel, especially the elevators, my room was a brilliant mix of new and old at the same time. There was something about the bathroom that immediately called me to take a bath, which I did, allowing me to relax after a day of travel. I could get used to this.
What I loved: The staff was exceptionally kind and even called me by name (pronouncing it right), without asking who I was. The room prep while I was out was the perfect touch. At night I always came back to a dimly lit room with soft music playing, and a notecard with tomorrow’s weather on my pillow. Although I didn’t take advantage of it, the hotel has a car and driver, offering a ride anywhere within a two-mile radius for guests. The XV Beacon has the little things covered, making it like a home away from home.
Related: Hotel Insider: Boston’s Hotel Commonwealth
Photo: Jackie Laulainen
What’s not to miss: The bathtub and variety of bath salts. I don’t remember the last time I relaxed in a bathtub prior to this, but for three nights in a row at the XV Beacon, I indulged in a bath of lavender serenity, the perfect night cap after long days walking around the city.
Mooo…. restaurant (Photo: XV Beacon/Facebook)
Where you can eat: The hotel’s restaurant Mooo…. is a steakhouse and also offers 24-hour room service. If you’re in the mood for bar food and baseball, Emmet’s Pub & Restaurant is a budget option right across the street. If you like sushi I can recommend Zen’s Sushi Bar & Grille a few doors down, and for those wanting a culinary adventure, walk over to the Tip Tap Room for a surf ‘n’ turf experience, wild-game style — i.e., game meats and seafood. Around the corner is the Beantown Pub at the start of the Freedom Trail; it’s the only bar where you can drink a Sam Adams brew and look at his head stone at the same time. Hey, when in Boston…
What you can do around there: Take a stroll through Boston Common, which is less than a block away. (In the spring, continue on to the Boston Public Gardens, which will be in full bloom.) Walk a few blocks to Downtown Crossing, where you can find restaurants and great shopping options. Also at Downtown Crossing is the Boston Opera House, a beautiful theater where you can go see a ballet or a show. Check out On Location Tours for their Boston TV & Movie Sites tours, which start in Boston Common May through October. I got to take a tour with these movie lovers, and with the utmost enthusiasm, they will show you around Boston, giving you insider tips about filming locations, and you even get to enjoy a cocktail at the L Street Tavern from Good Will Hunting.
WATCH: Flying Singapore Airlines in First Class for an Hour Ruined My Life
Let Yahoo Travel inspire you every day. Hang out with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Watch Yahoo Travel’s original series “A Broad Abroad.”
Learn more about our travel policy.
