| What to expect: Guests enter the hotel through a grand archway where attentive doormen are always ready to hail a taxi. The spacious lobby is adorned with hand-carved wood, Italian marble, and framed historical maps of Boston. Elaborate floral arrangements give off splashes of color and delicately scent the air. At the back of the lobby, huge bay windows look out onto a lively yacht marina and a gold-domed pavilion, which can be booked for private functions. Amenity highlights: All guestrooms have a work desk, three dual-line speaker telephones, and high-speed Internet connections. The hotel can accommodate intimate gatherings or groups of 500 in its 9,600 square feet of meeting space. Leisure guests enjoy indulging in a 60-foot lap pool, taking yoga classes, and Swedish massages and herbal body wraps. Traveling pets are welcome to stay in the guestrooms, and all get a free basket of toys and treats. Insider tip: In summer, the hotel’s waterfront terrace opens for drinks, dinner, and entertainment. It’s a trendy spot, so it’s best to get a table by 6 PM. On warm Thursday nights, the terrace is alive with jazz. On Friday nights, guests enjoy outside dining and a classic movie on an outdoor screen. From January through April each year, the hotel sponsors New England’s largest wine festival; it’s wise to book early because tickets sell fast. |