I just stayed at this iconic luxury hotel in Boston. This place has a dark and twisted past!
The Liberty Hotel Beacon Hill is home to grand, ornate, historic buildings, but is also trendy. It used to be a prison. But I’m happy to be stuck here again!
Here’s what I thought and why I recommend you check it out, too.
I also wrote something like this A Comprehensive Guide to Boston for First Timers. We’ve got you covered, from the best historical tours to the best lobster rolls and tons of other things in between!
*I stayed here at The Liberty’s invitation, but this review is all my own.
From lock-up to luxury
The Liberty Hotel is located in the former Charles Street Jail on the edge of the leafy Beacon Hill neighborhood.
Built in 1851, this impressive granite structure was designed by architect Gridley James Fox Bryant, a Boston architectural rock star at the time. The building was revolutionary for its time. Bryant’s collaboration with prison reformer Rev. Louis Dwight, who believed that prisoners deserved humane conditions, natural light, and fresh air. A new concept in the mid-1800s.
The prison has a dramatic central rotunda that soars 90 feet high and is flooded with light from huge arched windows and balconies surrounding the interior. These days, there are comfortable lounge chairs down in the lobby for people watching.
It housed approximately 220 cells and was considered one of the finest examples of the “Boston Granite Style.” It even became an international model for prison architecture in the late 19th century.
But the story gets darker. During the 1970s and 80s, Charles Street Jail deteriorated into harsh and inhumane conditions. It was ordered closed in 1973 due to inmate welfare issues, and was eventually closed in 1990.
Fast forward to 2001, and a $150 million renovation breathed new life into the gloomy walls. Historians and conservationists helped restore the facade, rebuild the dramatic cupola, and update the luxury hotel building while retaining its history. Seven years later the Liberty Hotel opened.
Checking in
Located on a busy corner overlooking the Charles River and across from the Charles MGH train station, the hotel is an impressive arrival, but happily the doorman is there to greet you rather than handcuff you.
As you take the escalator from the entrance to the first floor reception, you will be greeted by a jaw-dropping atrium rising over four floors.
The building’s past is showcased in its original brick structure and huge windows. Some still have bars, architectural details that whisper the stories of thousands of people who passed through here under very different circumstances. There is also an information corner for those who are really curious.
But they balanced all that heavy history with modern elegance, contemporary art, quality furniture, and lighting that makes the entire space feel warm and welcoming.
Our room was on the 11th floor of a newly added building (they added a 16th floor tower during the renovation). The marble bathroom was really spacious with a walk-in shower and deep soaking tub. It features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Charles River and a large super-king bed.
bar
The most famous drinking spot in the hotel is roleIt occupies a former “drunk tank” on the ground floor. Original wrought-iron prison bars guard the windows, and the speakeasy’s dark, intimate atmosphere buzzes with energy.
that Liberty Lobby Bar The first floor, which also houses the reception, is where the hotel really comes alive at night. We sat on two high-backed chairs, grabbed a cocktail, and listened to the live music trio that filled the spacious space.
Locals and visitors alike head here in the evenings. The next night a local artist was exhibiting her paintings.
We headed next for dinner. clink., This is the hotel’s signature restaurant. Set against the backdrop of original brick walls, a cell bar and an open kitchen, the restaurant serves seasonal New England cuisine using locally sourced ingredients.
There is an outdoor bar during warmer months. yard.
Explore Beacon Hill
One of the Liberty Hotel’s biggest selling points is its location in leafy Beacon Hill, one of Boston’s most desirable neighborhoods. Charles Street is home to many quaint shops and boutiques.
The cobblestone and brick streets and historic townhouses with fall pumpkins displayed on their doorsteps (when I visited) make you feel like you could live here!
wander together Charles Street (Beacon Hill). Antique stores, indie boutiques, cafes, and grocery stores line one of Boston’s most photogenic streets. Stop by Beacon Hill Books & Cafe. It’s small so there may be a wait!
Cheers! Yes, of course. We flew in from Chicago and as soon as we left for our trip, we changed our shoes and walked half a mile. Cheers bar.
In fact, the exterior was all that was used on the iconic TV sitcom starring Ted Danson, Woody Harrelson, and others. But they know it’s good when it’s offered and they get permission to sell the product.
So down the stairs we entered an almost-recreation of Sam Malone’s bar. There, middle-aged people were eating Boston clam chowder, Reubens, and burgers while tapping their feet to 80s music. Wash it down with a Cheers brand pint, of course.
Acorn Street + Lewisburg Square Postcard-worthy cobblestones and elegant piazzas are a short walk from the hotel (get there early for photos).
Boston Common and Public Gardens. Take a leisurely stroll across the Common (for stunning fall foliage and winter Frog Pond ice skating) and meet and greet the Make Way for Ducklings sculpture in the Public Garden. This is also where you will meet your guide to walk the Freedom Trail. Or just look down and find the brick road and take a self-tour.
TD Garden. We watched a Celtics game in the garden. They won! The Bruins played here the next night, took the ice out the next night and got back to basketball. If you like the mayhem of live sports, this will be a great night.
If you know the history of the Revolutionary War, freedom trail It is easily accessible from the hotel. This 2.5-mile path connects 16 historic sites, including the Massachusetts State House, Paul Revere’s home, and Old North Church.
We took this guided tour and walked from the Public Garden to the North End, learning many stories about America’s struggle for independence, one landmark at a time.
my final verdict
I declare The Liberty a wonderful hotel. We have created a luxurious and modern hotel that celebrates its complex past.
Would I stay here again? entirely. The location is great for walking and sightseeing, the rooms are great, the atmosphere is cool and the Beacon Hill area is charming. Besides, where else can you say you were imprisoned overnight?
How to Get There: This hotel is steps from the Charles/MGH Red Line stop and approximately 10 minutes’ drive from Boston Logan Airport. If you’re walking from downtown, you can easily explore Boston’s most historic neighborhoods.
Best suited for: People who love history, people who like architecture, people who like hotels with personality and stories. It’s also ideal if you’re visiting Massachusetts General Hospital, which is literally right next door.
Read my post on the best things to do in Boston for first-time visitors.
Then we took the train to New York.
If you’re thinking about it too, here are some of our best posts in New York.
