Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
2 The Best Splurge Hotels
•
Charles Hotel,
1 Bennett St., Cam-
bridge (
&
800/882-1818
). Steps
from the hubbub of Harvard Square,
the unfailingly elegant Charles is a
sanctuary of contemporary design and
traditional pampering. See p. 94.
•
Eliot Hotel,
370 Commonwealth
Ave., Back Bay (
&
800/44-ELIOT
).
Location and layout give the Eliot the
feel of a luxury apartment building.
Business amenities and elegant tradi-
tional furnishings contribute to its
seamless blend of commerce and
comfort. See p. 86.
•
Four Seasons Hotel,
200 Boylston
St., Back Bay (
&
The best hotel in New England has
everything—and what it doesn't have
on the premises, the incredible staff
will track down. Superb service,
plush accommodations, and lavish
amenities make a stay here unforget-
table. See p. 83.
•
Boston Harbor Hotel,
Rowes Wharf,
Waterfront (
&
800/752-7077
).
Dazzling architecture, a great loca-
tion, and maniacal attention to
detail—the latest guest-room renova-
tion added curved trim that echoes
the hotel complex's signature arch—
add up to pampering on a suitably
dramatic scale. See p. 71.
800/819-5053
).
3 The Best Moderately Priced Hotels
•
Charlesmark Hotel,
655 Boylston
St. (
&
617/247-1212
). The Charles-
mark's thoughtful features—plush
bedding, free local phone calls,
friendly service, custom-designed
everything—more than make up for
the modest size of the rooms. Bonus:
Units at the front of the building
overlook the Boston Marathon finish
line. See p. 90.
•
Doubletree Guest Suites,
400 Sol-
diers Field Rd., Brighton (
&
800/
222-TREE
). Every unit here is a spa-
cious two-room suite. The location,
straddling Boston and Cambridge, is
especially good if you're driving. See
p. 92.
•
Harborside Inn,
185 State St., down-
town (
&
888/723-7565
). Hardwood
floors and exposed-brick walls give
this updated 19th-century warehouse
its character. Close to downtown
attractions, it's convenient to the
nearby Financial District. See p. 75.
•
MidTown Hotel,
220 Huntington
Ave., Back Bay (
&
800/343-1177
).
A unique combination of comfort-
able, no-frills rooms and a handy
location make this hotel the most
motel-like lodging in central Boston.
And the cheapest guest parking in the
Back Bay can save you as much as
$25 per day. See p. 91.
•
Newbury Guest House,
261 New-
bury St., Back Bay (
&
800/437-
7668
). This place would be a bargain
even if it weren't ideally situated in
the heart of Boston's best shopping.
Room prices even include continen-
tal breakfast. See p. 91.
4 The Most Unforgettable Dining Experiences
•
Durgin-Park,
340 Faneuil Hall Mar-
ketplace (
&
617/227-2038
). This
Boston institution has packed 'em in
since 1827. It serves classic New Eng-
land fare in abundant portions at
communal tables, delighting every-
one from local tycoons to visiting
toddlers. Well, almost everyone:
The famously crotchety staff is so
much a part of the legend that some
