Boston Harbor Hotel, situated on the city’s iconic wharf, has always been imbued with history—in terms of its location on the harbor (site of the uprising that led to country’s independence), its classic elegance (reminiscent of the city’s long-standing grandeur), its wine festival (the longest running in the country), and now, its new presidential suite (named after the nation’s second president)
The Lincoln Continental pickup from Boston’s Logan International Airport was a fitting prelude to the Boston Harbor Hotel. Old-world classic elegance bequeathed the Forbes Travel Guide-five-star-rated hotel situated on the waterfront—arguably the most historically significant harbor in the country—which were matched with word-of-mouth accolades from native Bostonians as, “the best hotel in Boston.” Its location is prime—steps away from the city’s business district, and close to the Children’s Museum, New England Aquarium and the North End neighborhood—all while offering pockets of serenity and the most pleasing harbor views.
Old-World Elegance with the Latest Comforts and Premium Service
The fresh blue-and-gold color palette and the Magellan maps on the lobby walls of this Preferred Hotels & Resorts Legend Collection property (a former parking lot converted into a hotel in 1987) suggest a timeless history, but not without modern amenities. The hotel’s 232 rooms are spacious (starting at 500 square feet), finely decorated (with soothing pastel colors, well-chosen fabrics and walls adored with photos of historic sailing vessels and an array of well-known Massachusetts institutions), elegant bathrooms (with Lorenzo Villoresi amenities), and an iPad to grant guests’ wishes (this writer is not a fan of talking on the phone, hence the option of a touch-pad order in-room dining is a godsend!) And let’s not forget, service. Staff are friendly, efficient and often two steps ahead (such as when they sent up—on their own initiative—two extra wine glasses upon noticing visiting family members).
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Longest Running Wine Festival in the US
Just as historic as the hotel is their signature, award-winning Meritage restaurant focused on seasonality. Helmed by chef Daniel Bruce, the wine-centric restaurant’s menu is divided not by course, but by the types of wine. Appetizers, for instance, are grouped by those that pair with white wines (power and grace) ie. Shamrock oysters and Ricotta Gnudi; and those with red wines or rose (pink bubbles) ie. Yellowfin tuna, and Venison carpaccio and tartar. It is perhaps not a surprise that the restaurant offers nearly 1,400 different wines (over 12,000 bottles) and is home to the Boston Wine Festival—a series of winemaker dinners (that next year will extend to after-dinner hours)—also the longest running wine festival in the United States, from January to March—for the past 30 years.
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John Adams Presidential Suite
The hotel’s pièce de résistance is its John Adams Presidential Suite, which opened just this August. Named after the second US president (a Boston native), this 4,800-square-foot suite—which goes for a whopping $15,000 a night, includes two bedrooms (convertible to four), a large open living room and bar, a full kitchen (complete with a Subzero refrigerator stocked with complimentary beverage, and an opportunity for chef Daniel Bruce to cook personally for a party), an eight-seat dining table, a multimedia room, and a private elevator. While other presidential suites boast of over-the-top decors, this suite is dressed with cozy pastel hues that give a homey residential feel, with the focal point being a singular eye-catching chandelier with 1,200 crystals. Even the standalone bathtub in the master bedroom is discreetly placed to offer outstanding wraparound views of the gem the hotel takes its name from—the harbor.
Scroll down to see more photos of Boston’s most expensive suite, the John Adams Presidential Suite at the Boston Harbor Hotel…
The Boston Harbor Hotel is located at 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA 02110, USA. For reservations, phone +1 (800) 752 7077 or visit <bhh.com>. Meritage is located at Boston Harbor Hotel. For inquiries and reservations, phone +1 (617) 439 3995 or visit <meritagetherestaurant.com>
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