As one year comes to an end, another marks the beginning of new events, adventures, and in the case of our industry, new hotel and restaurant openings. Boston has a lot to look forward to in 2014 — renovations are happening at a few of our favorite hotels and new restaurants are making their debut. If you’re heading to Boston this year, here are some spots to check out:
Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center
Renovations are under way at the Forbes Travel Guide Recommended hotel in the Seaport district. Seaport Hotel is renovating its lobby, reconcepting its two restaurants — Aura and Tamo — and redesigning its 428 guest rooms. All of the rooms will feature new furniture and bedding; custom artwork from Boston artists; a work desk that rolls so you can move it to your favorite or most productive spot in the space; black-out shades; an upgraded bathroom (many with walk-in showers); updated technology and added electrical outlets and USB ports; and a better energy-saving lighting and climate control system. The renovations are expected to be completed in April.
On the other side of town, Loews Boston Hotel in Back Bay is preparing a brand-new look. The renovations will include all guest rooms, which will be modeled after a sharp tailored suit with touches such as houndstooth chairs; the lobby; and a new restaurant. The work is scheduled to be completed by mid-March, but the lobby is already showing off its makeover with sleek individual pods instead of a standard front desk. The Boston hotel also will debut a contemporary restaurant and bar — complete with a bourbon expert to mix handcrafted libations — in March. The names and menus are yet to be announced, but we’ll update you as soon as we have details.
If new food is what you seek, the team at Columbus Hospitality Group (the parent company of Mistral, Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Mooo and Four-Star XV Beacon) has just the answer: Ostra. The contemporary Mediterranean restaurant opened in late 2013 in Boston’s Theater District with chef/owner Jamie Mammano and executive chef Mitchell Randall overseeing the kitchen. Ostra serves dinner daily and features a private room and piano lounge and bar. The focus here is seafood, and what better place to try some new seafood dishes than Boston?
Parsnip
Over in Cambridge, the celebrated UpStairs on the Square — a favorite for everything from first dates to large parties, mostly because of its lively, various themed rooms — shut its doors at the end of 2013, but a new restaurant is already being planned to take its place at 91 Winthrop Street. Rumor around Harvard Yard is that the new restaurant (currently going by the name of Parsnip) will be run by a French-trained chef from the United Kingdom.
Photo Courtesy of VFM Leonardo Inc
