Boston Harbor Hotel’s New John Adams Presidential Suite. Credit: Boston Harbor Hotel
Standing watch over the historic waterfront, Boston Harbor Hotel is undoubtedly one of the city’s most luxurious addresses. With its iconic rotunda and 60-foot stone archway, this Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star property serves as a metaphorical gateway to the Hub, but its classic-meets-contemporary décor, friendly service and subtle nautical theme make you feel right at home.
From the residential-style accommodations and jaw-dropping views to exquisite fine dining and a jovial bar scene, Boston Harbor Hotel is easy to love. These are three reasons why we’ll be checking into this coveted stay this season.
The John Adams Presidential Suite
Debuted in September, this 4,800-square-foot suite was built to show off Boston’s Instagrammable side. With 20-foot harbor-facing windows and a 1,200-crystal chandelier greeting you at the front door, it will prompt you to take out your iPhone and start snapping.
Situated beneath the hotel’s iconic dome, the Smith Firestone Associates-designed space is luxuriously chic. The master bedroom comes with framed Hermès scarves, Frette Doppio Ajour linens, a free-standing soaking tub with water views, a three-headed rain shower and custom tilework.
But stylish interiors and spectacular vistas aren’t the only reasons to check into the extravagant two-bedroom accommodation. Upon booking, you’ll have a dedicated concierge to handle everything from a pre-arrival survey of your favorite wines and liquors (which you’ll find stocked in your exclusive bar) to round-trip airport transportation (by land or sea).
Other posh perks include complimentary room service breakfast — we highly recommend indulging in your eggs from the heated 1,000-square-foot terrace — fresh floral arrangements suited to your tastes, butler service and access to your own private media room, complete with a 92-inch screen.
Meritage Restaurant + Wine Bar. Credit: Boston Harbor Hotel
The Wining and Dining
Restaurants around the globe boast excellent wine lists, but very few were expressly built for the sole purpose of pairing. At Boston Harbor Hotel’s Meritage Restaurant + Wine Bar, you choose your drink first and the meal follows. The elegant and intimate space is a mecca for foodies who appreciate a glorious glass of vino.
Thanks to partnerships with family-run vineyards around the world, executive chef Daniel Bruce (one of the masterminds behind the annual Boston Wine Festival) is able to offer an extensive and varied selection of hard-to-find and up-and-coming labels not available in many other restaurants.
When entering the Four-Star dining room, you’ll notice the custom-made cases containing the eatery’s 12,000-bottle collection.
Still, it’s the menu that proves the real show-stopper. Carefully curated, the three-page booklet categorizes the seasonal dishes in a few ways: by small or large plate and by red or white varietal.
Then when your meal comes to the table, it will be accompanied (if you so choose) by the chef’s recommended sip, expertly poured and explained by the exceptional staff. Whether you’re an aficionado or a novice, this vino-focused venue is your new go-to.
Boston Harbor Hotel. Credit: Boston Harbor Hotel
The Location
When this New England beauty was built more than 30 years ago, no one dreamed that the harbor (and highway)-facing hotel would end up becoming one of the city’s most beloved spots.
Thanks to the completion of the Rose Kennedy Greenway in 2008, with its miles of rose gardens, water features and park space running through the city, the view on the landside has significantly improved and the newly developed Seaport district to the southeast has added an influx of restaurants to the region.
But it’s not only about the new additions to the neighborhood. Boston Harbor Hotel enjoys a prime location within the city, putting you within walking distance of its more established attractions. Slip on your sneakers to explore Quincy Market, sightsee in the historic North End (don’t forget to grab a cannoli at Mike’s Pastry) and follow the Freedom Trail up to Boston Common, all of which can be done less than a mile from the property.
And if you choose to explore by sea, the hotel’s harborside perch makes hopping on a tour boat or ferry for new memories that much easier.
