Exterior of The Lenox Hotel
The lamps of some of its streets continue to illuminate with a dim gas light, but ** Boston flees from the spotlight and lives quietly on the banks of the Charles River.**
On the other side is Cambridge, with two of the largest academic institutions in the world, Harvard University and MIT. Like them, the capital of New England has nothing to prove at this point. That is its magic.
WHERE TO SLEEP
** Liberty Hotel .** From austere cells to luxurious rooms and suites and from an exercise yard for inmates to a beautiful and lush garden. This could briefly explain the transformation of the old Charles Street Jail in The Liberty hotel, after the restoration process that was carried out in 2007.
For his bar, among other things, you will know him
Since then It has become the most emblematic hotel in Boston. The reasons are more than justified: **its location (in the heart of Beacon Hill), its history (it was erected in 1851 and has been declared a national monument) and its architectural interest (it is considered one of the best examples of the 'Boston Granite Style' ) **.
If you do not stay in it, you still have an option to meet it: his bar is one of the hottest spots in town and, in addition, they organize visits to the property and weekly events open to the public (generally free). In summer, for example, some Fridays they have themed dinners on the private patio. (From €314).
** Four Seasons Boston .** Whoever was Hugh Hefner's Playboy Club between 1966 and 1977, in the Back Baycon neighborhood, hang the sign today one of the most luxurious hotel chains in the world. Although its role has changed, it still has the best views of the Boston Public Garden and Boston Common.
The brand rules and is synonymous with excellent service. Its rooms are spacious and bright and decorated in the style of New England in a contemporary version. On his list of must-sees are both the pool on the eighth floor, for a swim with a view, I eat the breakfast. His restaurant, The Bristol, is a legend, almost as much as the hamburger served at your bar. (From €580).
The facade of the XV Beacon Hotel
** XV Beacon Hotel .** One of the services that the XV Beacon Hotel makes available to its guests is a courtesy car to explore the Beacon Hill neighborhood, famous for its Federal-style homes, brick sidewalks, and still gas-lit streetlights.
In it is this boutique hotel designed by architect William Gibbons Preston in 1903. The interior preserves many of the original elements, such as the marble staircase, the precious woods that cover the walls and even the jewel in the crown, an original iron elevator.
Also It has an excellent and heterogeneous collection of art, with pieces from Classical Antiquity to the 21st century. Sixty large rooms with high ceilings, some of them with fireplace and private Jacuzzi. Have a spa, they give yoga and boxing classes. To go with your love, whoever it is, because it is romanticfriendly and petfriendly.
The Lenox Hotel . The same family, the Saunders, have owned this Back Bay boutique hotel for more than half a century, which belongs to The Luxe Collection, very close to the most desired street: Newbury.
Marvelous suite at W Boston
A total of 214 rooms and suites that exude personality, including the one dedicated to Judy Garland, that she lived in it until 1968. Warning: you will have more than one beer in his Irish bar, Sólás. (From €225).
**Mandarin Oriental.** In the very center of the city and very close to Boylston Street, the most elegant street in Boston, and the neighborhood of Victorian houses in Black Bay , you will find everything you expect from this hotel, beyond your room: it is elegant, sophisticated and has a wide range of services.
Its lobby is the perfect place for an afternoon of champagne and tea in front of the fireplace ; the Bar Boulud , an elegant French-inspired, American-accented bistro and wine bar run by the Chef Daniel Boulud ; Y their spa is probably the best in town. (From €183.50).
**WBoston. The liveliest location in the city, the Theater District**; Vertigo views, design, music, contemporary art exhibitions and lots of technology are the hallmarks of this hotel designed to an urban public, with an eternally young spirit and a rock soul . You have to have it to be in tune, because the party never ends; there's always a DJ playing in the lounge.
In its rooms, apart from all the amenities that an 'amenitia addict' could want, a kit is included to prepare cocktails and its Bliss spa is the best ally for the day after. The Extreme WOW is the largest suite at the W Boston. (From €266).
Grilled beef tenderloin at the Mistral restaurant
WHERE TO EAT
Legal Seafoods . One of the restaurants of all life that, since 1968, brightens the food of Bostonians with fish and shellfish primarily cooked in typical New England recipes , namely, Baked with dairy and sauces.
It has several branches throughout the state with different concepts: from the most informal, the Legal Fish Bowl, where you make your own bowl by combining different ingredients, Legal Harborside , a building in the port with several floors that includes oyster bar, market and restaurant . (From €40).
Union Oyster House. Is he oldest restaurant, not only in Boston, but in the United States. open from 1826 , for him Important personalities such as President Kennedy or the politician Daniel Webster have passed which, according to gossips, was a real cookie monster oysters, their specialty (the name itself already anticipates it) . They serve them in all ways, raw, grilled or Rockefeller (with a sauce of butter, parsley and fine herbs) .
In addition, there are other options with seafood such as ravioli or lobster salad and, of course, the essential clam chowder of the house (a strong seafood soup with potatoes, onion, cream and bread). (From €30).
Mistral. In the South End is this restaurant French cuisine, seasonal ingredients and a Provençal atmosphere where chef Jamie Mammano officiates , which has been in the limelight for more than twenty years.
Among its star dishes, the tuna tartare sushi with crispy wontons, ginger and soy and roast duck. Sunday brunch is very popular. Its 'sister' restaurant is the Sorellina, with Mediterranean cuisine, with dishes like maccheroncelli with Wagyu meatballs. (Average price: €100).
This is the interior of La Brasa
the grill . Not only is Anthony Blake able to tell at a glance what is being served at this lively restaurant in the East Somerville : pork and lamb ribs baked in a wood oven, T-Bone and sirloin. But the truth is that in La Brasa there is still room for surprise, because his chef, Mexican Daniel Bojorquez, who worked with Frank McClelland at L' Espalier and Sel de la Terre, has no prejudices and includes in the suggestions of the day tacos, quesadillas, tostadas and other delicacies from their land (also in cocktails), depending on the gender brought by local suppliers. Since it opened, in 2014, It's the neighborhood feel. (From €35).
Sarma. Somerville, a gastronomically more interesting district every day It is the right place for a restaurant like Sarma.
With Middle Eastern Inspiration, both in its decoration and in the menu, Oleana and Sofra surprise with very Mediterranean dishes seasoned with unmistakable spices, to share (aubergine croquettes, parsnip fritters, mussel tagine... ) . In the bar area They have cocktails and craft beers. (From €25).
Top of the Hub . In the 52nd floor of the Prudential Building (colloquially, The Pru), has no competitor if what it is about is a dinner with a view Its windows go from floor to ceiling, and the corner table is the most coveted in the city for marriage proposals.
No competitor when it comes to views
Traditional New England dishes: oysters, clam chowder, lobster..., accompanied by cocktails and champagne. Night is the best time to go, when there is live jazz. Weekends, brunch . (From €30).
Quincy Market. It has its charm to go to this old market to eat at one of its stalls or restaurants different foods of the world. In them Once again, the city's classics are not lacking: the clam chowder, the Boston cream pie (vanilla cake and chocolate sauce invented at the Parker House Hotel in 1856) or the lobster rolls (lobster rolls), etc. Especially recommended in summer, when there are shows, musicians, magicians...
WHERE TO DRINK
Warren's Tavern . We meet nothing more and nothing less than the oldest bar in Boston and all of Massachusetts, opened in 1780 and named for Dr. Joseph Warren . This in charlestown and it is a place of pilgrimage because it boasts of having quenched the thirst of the very George Washington and Patriot Paul Revere.
To drink a cocktail and eat a good hamburger or a Lobster Mac and Cheese it's still working. Also It is suitable for Spanish time , because it opens every day from 11:00 a.m. to 01:00 a.m. without interruption.
Sonsie . Sophisticated European vibe on Newbury Street . With almost a quarter of a century behind it, it is a good place to have a drink after work. Martinis are famous . Booking is recommended.
Wines by the glass, cocktails and glasses!
Yvonne's. Yvonne´s, in the old Locke-Ober, It has been an institution for more than a century. Now, although with a new look and club form that looks to that time in its decoration, it still is. The long queues on weekends confirm this. Wines by the glass, cocktails and glasses. The solid letter is more than acceptable.
WHERE TO GO TO CONCERTS
Berklee College of Music. It is one of the most prestigious musical teaching entities in the world. It offers concerts throughout the year in different locations (generally free) and hosts the Berklee Beantown Jazz Festival, in the South End , the last weekend of September, with jazz, latin, blues, funk... in the open air.
Scullers Jazz Club. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays come together at the Double Tree Suites by Hilton, in Cambridge two attractions that combine very well: jazz and city views.
There have been great like The Bad Plus, Diana Krall, Norah Jones or Jamie Cullum. Programming is a guarantee of success.
WHERE TO BUY
Mike's Pastry Shop . Founded by an Italian immigrant in the 1940s, it is all a bane for the sweet tooth and also the easiest way to eat some good cannoli without having to go to Sicily.
It has three branches, the original in the North End (known as the Italian neighborhood), where the queue usually turns the corner . The one from Harvard It is usually less crowded.
Creation of Mike's Pastry
Copley Place. Mark it on your itinerary if you want to give it a good shake to the credit card, because in this huge commercial complex in Black Bay, linked to the Prudential Center by a walkway, there are around of hundred luxury brand stores, among them Jimmy Choo, Tory Burch, Dior, as well as cinemas, restaurants and hotels.
Ouimillie. Shoes, bags, bedding and furniture all have one thing in common here: design. The shop is in the studio itself, where the artists work (generally European) that Millicent Cutler, her owner and talent scout, 'signs' every year at fairs to create an exclusive collection, where everything will be likely to end up in your basket: the Danish jackets from Baum und Pferdgarten, the boots from Craie or the French cushions from Maison Georgette.
Olives & Grace. Made in Boston with a lot of style. It is a small cooperative that sells from ceramics to cleaning or food products produced by a group of neighbors.
We especially like your souvenir section , where you can find some nice towels with an illustration of the typical brownstone houses of the city or Alex's Ugly Sauce, a sauce made from Massachusetts peppers.
Olives & Grace store
**Brattle Book Shop. ** Reading lover, here is the trip recommendation for you: the largest second-hand bookstore (and also the oldest) in the United States. In their three floors fits everything, from dollar bargains to collector's rarities.
Restoration Hardware. In the spectacular building of former Museum of Natural Sciences built (once again) by architect William Gibbons Preston, in the Back Bay, is this luxurious shopping center devoted almost entirely to household items with impeccable design and the best materials : lamps, textiles, kitchen utensils and even art or objects for children that are exhibited between Corinthian pilasters and arches.
_*This article and the attached gallery were published in the number 119 of the Condé Nast Traveler Magazine (July and August). Subscribe to the print edition (11 printed issues and digital version for €24.75, by calling 902 53 55 57 or from our website ) and enjoy free access to the digital version of Condé Nast Traveler for iPad. The July and August issue of Condé Nast Traveler is available at its digital version to enjoy it on your favorite device. _
The family that owns Mike's Pastry