Best 5 hotels in Boston

With its rich history, wide open spaces, and top-notch museums, Boston is a must-visit city for every traveler. I may be biased (I grew up here), but I think more people should visit. Especially for history buffs and foodies.

Whether you’re strolling the cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill, exploring the bustling Seaport District, or enjoying iconic views along the Charles River, this city has a lot to offer (don’t skip the Freedom Trail!).

You’ll find accommodations in Boston with a variety of options to suit every type of traveler and budget. But some of those hotels are better than others. Others should be avoided entirely.

To help you find the perfect base for your stay, here is a list of the best hotels in Boston:

1. Godfrey Hotel Boston

Godfrey Hotel is a stylish boutique hotel located in the city centre. One thing I really like about this place is that they provide free bikes, helmets, and locks. This is great for giving you more area to cover when exploring. There is also a fitness center equipped with Peloton bikes. For breakfast, there is an on-site café serving pastries, fresh coffee, and breakfast sandwiches. The hotel restaurant is also really good (it’s a Peruvian Japanese fusion place with a cool interior and great cocktails). If you want to enjoy a quick drink, choose the hotel lobby bar. I like that they also provide a free welcome drink.

Rooms are stylish and minimalist, with comfortable beds with luxurious linens and windows that let in lots of natural light (and blackout curtains for a good night’s sleep). We love the thoughtful amenities, including a convenient workspace, mini-fridge, 55-inch Samsung HDTV, BOSE Bluetooth speakers, and yoga mat. The bathroom is equally impressive and features a glass-enclosed shower, luxury toiletries and soft robes. Overall, its central location, sophisticated design, and solid amenities make this hotel an excellent choice for travelers looking for comfort and convenience in the heart of the city.

2. Staypineapple Boston

This quirky and fun boutique hotel is located in Back Bay, just steps from Boston Common and within walking distance of many of the city’s top attractions. The hotel’s design is bold and vibrant, with pineapple-themed décor throughout. Don’t worry. It looks better than you might think and adds a fun twist to a classic early 20th century building. I like that a free welcome drink is provided in the hotel bar/restaurant upon check-in, and free coffee, tea, and light snacks are provided in the lobby in the afternoon. There is no breakfast on site, but there are many breakfast places nearby. The hotel also provides complimentary bicycles that can be used to get around the city.

The rooms here are small but well-designed, with efficient layouts making the most of the space. Like the rest of the hotel, rooms are bright and colorful and feature playful pineapple accents, comfortable beds with soft bedding, and thoughtful amenities like Keurig coffee makers, fluffy robes, slippers, and small desks. I also like that they provide reusable water bottles filled with filtered water in the room. (You can take it or leave it and it will be recycled when you check out.) The bathroom is a stylish new build with a glass-enclosed shower, luxury toiletries and large luxury towels.

Overall, this is a great choice for travelers looking for a unique and affordable stay in a prime location. This is an especially good option if you are traveling with pets as it is known for its pet-friendly rooms and facilities.

3. The Langham

Housed in the landmark former Federal Reserve Building, this unique five-star hotel blends historic charm with modern luxury. I love walking through the grand entrance into the stunning lobby decorated with grand chandeliers and marble accents. The former banking hall is now the hotel’s signature restaurant, Grana. The restaurant serves classic and unique Italian and New England dishes (like lobster cannoli), as well as a fantastic breakfast that includes everything from freshly baked pastries to more indulgent options like a Florentine Benedict. I also really like The Fed, a British cocktail bar. They serve great cocktails, upscale pub fare and even have free jazz every Friday. As well as a state-of-the-art fitness center open 24/7, there is also a beautiful (heated) indoor pool with a sauna for when you want to unwind.

Huge, opulent rooms feature sumptuous bedding, hand-picked artwork from local artists, stylish furniture, and large windows that let in plenty of natural light. In-room amenities include a large work desk, Nespresso machine, well-stocked minibar (we love that it’s stocked with local products), safe, and 50-inch flat-screen TV. The bathrooms in the rooms are equally spacious and beautifully designed, featuring luxurious marble finishes and walk-in rain showers (some also feature deep soaking tubs).

The Langham is a great choice for travelers looking for a centrally located hotel that blends old-world charm with modern comforts. If you want to splurge, look no further!

4. Seaport Hotel Boston

Located right on the water, this 4-star hotel is the perfect base for exploring nearby attractions such as the waterfront, the Museum of Modern Art, and Boston Children’s Museum. The hotel features a sleek, contemporary design with plenty of natural light and open spaces, and great amenities including an 11,000-square-foot 24/7 fitness center with group classes, a heated indoor pool, steam room, and peaceful garden areas.

There are also three great restaurants here. For breakfast, we love that you can sit down at Aura, our breakfast restaurant, which offers a variety of delicious options to suit all diets, or grab a takeaway from Seaport Café. For dinner, visit TAMO Bistro + Bar for a locally inspired menu including herbs and honey from the hotel’s rooftop garden and beehives.

All rooms offer views of the city or port. They also offer spacious, comfortable beds with pillow tops, a pillow menu, and weighted blankets available upon request. I also like the reading light and USB port on the headboard. All rooms feature a work desk, 55-inch HD TV with streaming service, Keurig coffee maker, mini-fridge, and laptop-size safe. The bathroom is spacious and features marble countertops, a large anti-fog mirror, and a walk-in shower with luxurious bath amenities. If you want to stay in an area that tourists don’t usually consider, stay here.

5. The Newbury Hotel Boston

Located directly on Newbury Street across from the historic Boston Public Garden, this iconic 5-star hotel is a masterpiece of classic elegance. It opened as the original Ritz Carlton hotel in 1927 and recently reopened as The Newbury following an extensive two-year restoration. I love the overall luxurious and atmospheric feel, with velvet furniture, richly colored walls, and custom artwork. I especially like the dedicated library lounge for guests. It’s perfect for taking a seat and reading a book from the bookshelf while having a drink. For breakfast, we recommend the wonderful rooftop restaurant Contessa. Contessa offers a fine dining mix of Italian and American cuisine (including dishes such as panettone French toast and carbonara scramble), as well as a classic eggs and pancake breakfast at the hotel’s Street Bar.

Spacious and carefully designed rooms feature custom-designed furniture, original paintings on the walls and soft lighting for a calming atmosphere. Each room features a plush king or queen bed with premium mattresses. I especially like the headboard lighting and large work desk. Amenities include in-room Nespresso machines and well-stocked minibars. The marble bathroom features a glass-enclosed rainfall shower, custom toiletries, and stunning plush robes and towels.

Everything about this place exudes luxury, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a luxurious and comfortable stay in Boston. It’s also a prime location for exploring the Back Bay’s upscale shopping, dining and cultural attractions.

I love Boston. I think this is one of the greatest cities in America. It has all the benefits of a big city with a small town feel, which is why despite all the travel I’ve done, it remains high on my list. Choose one of the hotels above to ensure a memorable stay in one of America’s most historic cities!