40 Best Hotels in Boston, Massachusetts

One of the growing number of lodgings clustered along Boston's ever-expanding Harborwalk—a pretty pedestrian path that runs from Charlestown to Dorchester—the Battery Wharf Hotel looks more like a gated community than a chain hotel. The four guest and residence buildings are accessible by water taxi ($10 from Logan Airport); inside, savvy decorators resisted the obvious nautical theme and went for a "manly modern" look, which translates to tons of polished nickel, maple, and granite, with sparkling contemporary glass sculpture by artist Nikolas Weinstein. Rooms offer what you'd expect at this price point, including marble baths, flat-screen TVs, ergonomic chairs, European linens, and high-tech coffeemakers. On-site Battery Wharf Grille features a seasonal menu with views of Boston Harbor on its breezy open-air terrace, and Cafe Amalfi is a sleek grab-and-go patio café. The hotel is also home to Exhale, a 13,000-square-foot upscale spa that includes Zen-inspired rooms for massage, acupuncture, and other energetic therapies, a salon for hair and nail services, New England's only Turkish co-ed hammam, and a temple-like studio for award-winning barre, cardio, yoga (outdoor waterfront practice is also available), and core cycle classes.

Traveling businesspeople and families like the modern look and efficiency of this 26-story high-rise hotel in Kendall Square, mere steps from the subway and MIT. The guest rooms and suites are decorated in soothing neutrals with pops of color, and the Revive beds feature crisp white duvets and fluffier pillows. Book a room on one of the two concierge floors and score entrance into the exclusive M Club Lounge for complimentary breakfast, hors d'oeuvres, and a full bar.

It's busy-busy, with throngs of tourists and business travelers, but you can't beat the location of this 38-story megahotel, which sports three entrances—a street-level door, a glass sky bridge from the Prudential Center, and a walk-in from the Copley mall—ensuring that you rarely have to go outside to shop or eat, which is especially nice in winter. Rooms have the quintessential Marriott flavor with flat-screen TVs; the best ones are high up and overlook Boston Harbor or the Charles River. The onsite Yard House is great for casual eats and good beer.

One of very few lodgings in South Boston outside of the Seaport District, this hotel attracts a younger, trendy traveler with simple but well-appointed guest rooms, contemporary art, and snazzy dining and drinking options on-site. The star is the stellar seasonal rooftop lounge. Rooms feature neutral tones and quotation wall art (from New England literature, of course) and complimentary Wi-Fi. Don't be fooled by the hotel's location "way out" in Southie; it's actually a 10-minute walk across the Fort Point Channel to the South End, and another 10 minutes beyond to Back Bay shopping and sights.

Hipsters and romantics who'd rather spend their cash on a great meal than a hotel bill have put this late 19th-century former residential row house in the heart of the Back Bay on the map. Guests can relax on the outdoor patio and check out passersby—or the Boston Marathon (the hotel sits on the finish line). Smallish guest rooms have contemporary custom-made oak furnishings, plus surround-sound stereos, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Café Landwer on the ground floor has outstanding food; show your room key for a 20 percent discount.

Boston's citizenM hotel is one of only a few of its kind in the United States; the brand keeps the jet-setting traveler in mind, but not necessarily one who is overly wealthy, just one who appreciates the finer things in life. The vibe is bold, contemporary, and colorful, and the rooms are small, but well designed to maximize space and accommodate the comfy, extra-king-sized bed. Life, work, and play mixes in communal spaces—including an outdoor terrace with stunning views—where one can surf news stories or take a meeting. A shared kitchen, bar and snack outpost is open all day, every day.

The chic, newly renovated Copley Square Hotel offers cushy mattresses, mini fridges, high speed Wi-Fi, and eco-friendly toiletries—not too shabby for a place that opened in 1891 and has provided respite to a century of celebrities like Babe Ruth, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday. The mod rooms are so clean and streamlined that you just might overlook the fact that many are teeny. Nevertheless, the old-meets-new vibe is fun, and the neighborhood couldn't be livelier. To maximize your Zs, get a room in the back of the hotel, preferably high up, where traffic noise—and the rowdy partying—isn't so audible.

Guest rooms at this Marriott property are clean and comfortable, and the views are pretty good, too, from 14 stories up. A small restaurant on-site offers breakfast and dinner. 

Since 1912, this decadent, unabashedly romantic hotel has welcomed guests in style, immediately impressing as they enter under the huge black awning, flanked by golden lion statues, into the lobby decked out in Italian marble, stunning coffered ceilings, and gorgeous crystal chandeliers. Rooms are equally elegant, with soothing colors and upscale amenities. The OAK Long Bar + Kitchen is the place to sip an after-work martini or enjoy dinner and great people-watching. Those who really love pampering should book the Fairmont Gold floor, an ultradeluxe club level offering a dedicated staff, free breakfast and tea-time snacks, and a library. A rooftop fitness area spans 3,000 square feet and is open 24/7. Shoppers will be happy with the hotel’s close proximity to Newbury Street, the Prudential Center, and Copley Place. If you're missing your dog, the hotel’s Canine Ambassador, Cori Copley, the in-house Labrador retriever, is available for a walk around the neighborhood.

Check in to Harvard Square Hotel for a modern aesthetic within a sophisticated Harvard University–owned space, just steps from the Square's plethora of shops, eateries, and bars. Rooms are simple but colorful and clean, having been recently renovated with contemporary decor and top-notch features including mini-refrigerators, flat-screen TVs, Internet access, sleek bathrooms, and pillow-top beds.

Rooms at the Back Bay Hilton are relatively spacious, with elegant marble baths, plush "Serenity" bedding, Suite Dreams mattresses, and cozy, down-filled comforters. All of that sounds even better if you snagged one of the frequent online deals. The 26-story hotel sits in a pocket between the Prudential Center and the neighboring South End neighborhood. Rooms above the 14th floor have great views of Back Bay, Fenway Park, and Boston's famous Citgo sign. Their PURE Wellness rooms have undergone a patented seven-step purification process so allergy sufferers can literally breathe easier.

Quiet rooms, competitive prices, and the only hotel actually connected to the airport make this Hilton a good choice for in-and-out visitors to Boston. Guest rooms feature an air-meets-sea aesthetic, soundproof windows, and desks with ergonomic chairs. Fitness center has free weights, cardio equipment, and 40-foot lap pool. The Hilton operates a complimentary shuttle bus every 15 minutes to all airport terminals, car-rental agencies, the water taxi, and subway.

Formerly the Kimpton Nine Zero, this boutique hotel is sleek, sleek, sleek—all smooth lines, neutral tones, wood, and leather, and then bam! sudden bursts of vibrant color and pop art. It's great for families and those looking for a romantic getaway in the city. Travelers with pets: no problem, there's tons of amenities. But, if it's all about location for you, this spot offers easy walking access to Beacon Hill, Downtown, Boston Common, and Government Center.  The hotel also focuses on fitness, with yoga mats in every room, complimentary bikes for you and scooters for kids, and 24-hour fitness center. Request corner rooms (ending in 05) or Skyline View Rooms for the best city and river views.

Luxury and service without pretense make this hip spot a solid choice. Spacious rooms, which overlook Kenmore Square or Fenway Park, have marble baths, large windows, separate work areas, and flat-screen TVs. Contemporary schemes enhance the urban luxe lodgings, and king- or queen-size beds are piled with down pillows and Italian linens. The wildly accommodating staff is an added bonus.

Fresh off a renovation, Hotel Indigo takes up a small plot in the West End with just under 100 hotel rooms. It recalls the neighborhood's working class residential history with exposed brick inside (like the West End's brick tenement housing that's been turned into bars and shops) as well as antique industrial furniture and manufacturing illustrations on the walls. Guest rooms include Smeg mini fridges, desks, and free internet service. There's also a business center and 24-hour fitness center.

Across the street from Faneuil Hall, this coveted spot from the trusted brand is literally steps away from dozens upon dozens of Boston landmarks, parks, and restaurants. The decor is simple yet effective, a potential nod to the city's preppy fashion sense (think plaid walls and halls alongside houndstooth winged chairs). Grab a corner room for the ultimate city views: two walls of windows overlook the hustle and bustle below. Enjoy a 24-hour fitness center, room service, and high-end amenities like 55-inch flat-screen TVs with Chromecast streaming capabilities, Drybar Buttercup blow-dryers, and BeeKind bath products.

Hyatt Regency Boston sits amid the colorful Downtown Crossing neighborhood right on the edge of the Theater District and just steps away from world-renowned cultural attractions, businesses, and universities like Suffolk and Emerson. Understated, earth-toned guest suites are equipped with Hyatt's signature Grand Bed, Keurig coffee machines, and windows that open. For guests who want to keep up with their fitness regimen, the hotel features free access to a 24-hour StayFit gym and a 52-foot indoor lap pool. The Hyatt is also pet-friendly. Bonus: the hotel is fairly green—among other things, it composts leftover food and uses energy-efficient lighting, including motion-detector light switches.

On a residential street three blocks from Harvard Square, this four-story gray clapboard guest house is a bargain. It has two small porches, hardwood floors, and Oriental carpets, making it homier than a hotel, and there's a real sense of conviviality among guests, mostly Europeans and visiting parents or professors. The inn maintains a giving library, which means you can take home that book you didn't quite finish. The small, superclean rooms are refurbished with bright new paint, flat-screen TVs, and original art. The limited off-street parking is a real coup in car-clogged Cambridge. So is the green and guilt-free solar thermal water-heating system. As a nice added touch, the hotel will mail postcards anywhere free of charge.

Right next to the Charles/MGH stop, the John Jeffries isn't only easily accessible, it's affordable—a veritable home run in this city. The turn-of-the-20th-century building, across from Massachusetts General Hospital, was once a housing facility for nurses. Now it's a four-story inn with a Federal-style double parlor that serves afternoon tea or coffee. Rooms are full of handsome upholstered pieces; nearly all have kitchenettes. Triple-glazed windows block noise from the busy Charles Circle, and many rooms have river views. Nearby Charles Street is home to lovely cafés, specialty stores, and antiques shops.

As you enter the private courtyard set back from bustling Kendall Square, say "hello" to Celeste, a 25-foot-tall armillary sculpture that serves as a centerpiece surrounded by plush couches that fill up in the evenings for live music and cocktails. The hotel's extensive guestroom redesign was recently completed, taking inspiration from the academic and literary history of the neighborhood. The relaxing, paired down room decor directs more attention to staring out of the floor-to-ceiling windows for vast views of the Boston skyline, the courtyard, or the Charles River. Get out and enjoy all you see with use of the hotel's bikes and kid-sized Micro Kickboard scooters. The amenity fee also allows fun add-ons, such as GoPros and Polaroids, nightly movies in the courtyard, summertime kayaks, wintertime snowshoes, and more. And don't forget to stop by the nightly wine tastings held in the lobby, a trademark for a Kimpton hotel.

When the Marriott chain took over the geek-chic Le Méridien Cambridge-MIT, with its tech-savvy rooms and surroundings, some fans worried the Cambridge spot would lose its charm; but the new owners only amped up the offerings—and added some luxe touches—by displaying cool interactive lobby art from MIT and refurbishing the guest rooms with platform beds, puffy white duvets, flat-screen TVs, and ergonomically designed furniture. Not surprisingly, the hotel is a hub for techie business travelers, but it can also be a bargain for weekend vacationers—there are great off-season rates. The Amuse restaurant does just that—it amuses with chic decor and classic French fare, but is only open for breakfast and dinner.

The former headquarters of the Boston Police Department houses the sleek Loews Boston Hotel, which boasts a cool glass-and-marble lobby and a stylish restaurant, Precinct Kitchen + Bar, and manages to combine the building's history with 21st-century amenities. Rooms feature heated towel racks, Frete down comforters, free bottled water, and free in-room Wi-Fi. You'll receive a complimentary VIP tour of Boston Harbor Distillery during your stay (the perfect time to take advantage of the hotel's babysitting services).

The Mandarin Oriental manages to combine classic New England elegance with the luxurious touches the brand is known for around the world, including top-notch service, amenities galore, and public areas adorned with museum-quality art, while large guest rooms include contemporary Asian design and oversize bathrooms with soaking tubs and separate walk-in showers. The limestone-and-marble lobby conveniently offers direct access to the Prudential Center and Copley Place. Don't skip a visit to the quartz-crystal steam room at the outstanding spa. Chef Gordon Ramsay (of the TV show Hell's Kitchen fame) also recently opened Ramsay's Kitchen adjacent to the hotel.

Located in the heart of Boston's most fashionable shopping street, a homey feel and personalized service are at the soul of this elegant and historic 1882 brownstone, which features natural pine flooring, blue Victorian furnishings, and prints from the Museum of Fine Arts. Guest rooms have a modern look, with some boasting bay windows and others with decorative fireplaces. Limited parking is available for $30 and requires a reservation. Check out the tiny French bistro, La Voile, downstairs.

There's more than a century and a half of rich and varied history within these walls, where JFK proposed to Jackie and Charles Dickens gave his first reading of A Christmas Carol. It's America's longest, continuously operating hotel, so you can steep yourself in Boston history while enjoying today’s modern conveniences. As with many historic city lodgings, guest rooms are a tad small, but they're nicely turned out with cherrywood furniture, red-and-gold Roman shades, ivory wall coverings, and cushy mattress covers. It's also rumored that the hotel's former owner haunts the place—you be the judge. The Parker House’s iconic, original Boston cream pie (it was invented in the hotel) is available 24 hours a day.

Set near Boston's working fish piers, the Renaissance plays to a watery theme—in the modern lobby, blue-and-green glass orbs complement a suspended glass lighting fixture, and the spiral staircase was created to look like a nautilus shell. The building is flooded with light, and most guest rooms have water views. Fitness center features a lap pool, not designed for lingering. If that feels a bit no-nonsense, that's just fine with the spot's business clientele, who love the proximity to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. The mood changes on weekends, when package deals lure weekenders and family travelers.

Adjacent to the World Trade Center and not far from the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, the Seaport Hotel is awash with badge-wearing, convention-going suits. Guest rooms (hypoallergenic available) are outfitted in soothing, warm tones, and feature dreamy bathrooms complete with marble floors, rain showers, and Gilchrist and Soames BeeKind toiletries. Business travelers will appreciate the complimentary Wi-Fi. Fitness center offers strength and cardio equipment and a heated pool.

The stately 1927 Harvard Square landmark overlooking Cambridge Common park features classic furnishings (hello four-poster beds) in handsome, warm tones, but it's the hotel's signature bright-red neon sign towering overhead that really puts it on the map as a Cambridge classic. In the lobby and common spaces, lovely architectural touches include grand arches and a bi-level ballroom with a carved ceiling and gilt mirrors. The on-site Nubar Restaurant & Lounge is the perfect place to escape into a stylish setting with a cocktail.

This lovely boutique hotel in one of Boston's only flatiron buildings features a contemporary, "industrial chic" look. As is typical for historic accommodations, rooms are small, but guests who score a junior suite get perks like extra space and really cool city views—these suites sit on the curve of the building. Amenities include free Wi-Fi. Cramped or not, the Boxer is a welcome oasis away from the cacophony of concert- and sporting-event crowds at nearby TD Garden, and it's an easy walk to Government Center, Faneuil Hall, and the North End.

It used to be that The Charles was the place to stay in Cambridge, and while other luxury hotels have since arrived to give it a little healthy competition, this Harvard Square staple is standing strong. Lower floors are replete with Le Corbusier furniture, sketches by JFK himself, and local artists' work. Gracious service and top-notch room amenities like waffle robes, shaker detailed furniture, goose-down comforters, and LCD mirror-TVs keep the hotel in high demand. Relax in the lobby library, chock-full of titles, some autographed by authors who are also frequent guests. Sign up for an art tour of the property or pick up a self-guided map of Cambridge. For a partial river or skyline view, ask for something above the seventh floor. Check out adjacent Henrietta's Table, a mainstay for local, seasonal food; or onsite Bar Enza, home of the 100-layer lasagna. The on-site 4,000-square-foot Corbu Spa & Salon features French-inspired herbal treatments.  For the best rate, call the hotel directly.