The Hotel Guru
The 13 Best Hotels in Back Bay

The 13 Best Hotels in Back Bay

Back Bay is Boston's most prestigious district; a heady blend of streets lined with beautiful old Brownstones, the open expanse of historic Copley Square, and scenic Charles River Esplanade. Filled with designer shops, high-end restaurants, and art galleries — there is plenty to do here for the well-heeled. Therefore, it is unsurprising that some of Boston's most desirable hotels can be found in this area. Our hotel experts have compiled a collection of the best hotels in Back Bay selected on their design, amenities, and service. From grand five-stars to characterful historic stays, there is plenty to choose from. So why not browse through our collection to start planning your stay?

For luxury

Mandarin Oriental Boston is a classic luxury stay. Suites and rooms are simple and contemporary with a chic Asian aesthetic. Complete with fine dining and a spoiling spa — this is an indulgent choice.
The Newbury is a grand luxury stay overlooking the Public Garden. Rooms are contemporary, spacious, and lend wonderful city views, while the Italian glass-rooftop restaurant is a romantic spot.

For a historic stay

Copley Square Hotel is the oldest hotel in Back Bay — an Italianate building dating from 1891. 143 bold rooms and suites benefit from high ceilings and Art Deco-style furniture, blending historic architecture with modern colours, prints and textiles. A chic choice in a perfectly central location.
Fairmont Copley Plaza is Boston's landmark luxury hotel which has been in operation since 1912. Expect historic glitz and glamour with 5-star service and great amenities. A local favourite for upscale events, the lobby is always buzzing with a chic crowd. An indulgent choice.

For a rooftop pool

The Colonnade is a contemporary hotel offering stylish rooms with floor to ceiling windows lending wonderful city views. However, the rooftop pool and bar really steal the show at this property.

For the spa

Four Seasons One Dalton Street is a slick 61-storey glass tower in Boston's Back Bay; this is a luxury 5-star hotel with a lot to boast about. Rooms and suites are a master-class in contemporary design. However, book this property for the art collection, 3 buzzy restaurants, and the floor that is entirely dedicated to a spa.

For a brownstone

No. 284 is a smart guesthouse set in an 1881 brownstone. Stylish interiors feature a curated American art collection, Frette linen and a chic take on traditional design. Book the incredible Penthouse Suite for a little extra luxury!
The Inn @ St Botolph is a brownstone for those that like their design stylish and contemporary. Book this stay for a home-away-from-home — the feel is laid back, there is keyless entry and virtual check-in, and a kitchen that guests can use if they would prefer — ideal for an intimate stay.
Copley House is another good option for those who like an independent stay. Here a collection of apartment-style studios, suites and rooms offer a wide choice of accommodation styles in this historic Brownstone. Expect classic design with bay windows, spacious sitting rooms and oriental rugs. Ideal for longer stays.
Step into another world with a stay at The College Club of Boston — a slice of history in well-heeled Back Bay. This 1890 Victorian brownstone's 11 unique rooms were each renovated by a different local designer; think high ceilings, decorative fireplaces and antique furniture. Low in tech, high in charm.

For foodies

Eliot Hotel is like a little bit of Paris in Boston. Rooms are elegant and the location is unbeatable. However, at the heart of this property is the superlative French restaurant, Clio, and the sushi offering in Uni Sashimi Bar.

For Red Sox fans

Hotel Commonwealth is set in vibrant Kenmore Square, minutes from the city's best attractions and particularly well placed for Red Sox fans as it overlooks Fenway Park. Expect attentive service, spacious and light modern rooms and a highly popular restaurant and oyster bar.

Still not sure where to book?

Browse through our list of all the best places to stay in Boston.
Widen your search to include all our recommendations for the best waterfront hotels in Boston or the best spa hotels in Boston or the best boutique hotels in Boston.
Alternatively, feel free to call or email one of our gurus for advice.
- Hotel Commonwealth Boston (Fenway-Kenmore) 245 rooms from $199
  
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  Restaurant  -  Eastern Standard restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner and Island Creek Oyster Bar for super-fresh seafood.
  Lively area  -  At the western end of Back Bay, Kenmore Square is a busy place and close to the Boston University
  Sights nearby  -  Superb location with easy access to all of Boston's best bits
  Spa  -  In-room spa services available by appointment
  
  Soak up the atmosphere of vibrant Kenmore Square and enjoy excellent hospitality in this stylish hotel. A new wing of spacious rooms and terrace overlook Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox. Try the New England oyster bar, sip an award-winning cocktail, or dine in the hugely popular restaurant. See More
  
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- Eliot Hotel Boston (Back Bay) 95 rooms from $195
  
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  Restaurant  -  Clio Resaurant and Uni Sashimi. Top notch culinary destinations.
  Downtown
  Romantic  -  Good for couples.
  Sights nearby  -  Well located for major sights.
  Recommended by  -  Fodors, Frommers, Kiwi Collection
  
  A piece of Paris in Boston? This hotel on Commonwealth Avenue which was modelled on the Champs Elysee would like to think so. Comfortable rooms and a popular French restaurant give this hotel the ooh la-la factor. See More
  
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- Mandarin Oriental Boston Boston (Back Bay) 148 rooms from $464
  
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  Restaurant  -  Bar Boulud, a French-inspired bistro & wine bar with brasserie fare, seasonal New England dishes and signature charcuterie.
  Whirlpool Bathtub  -  Book the Royal Suite for a marble spa style bathroom with whirlpool tub
  Sights nearby  -  Boston Public Library
  Great walks  -  Boston Public Garden
  Recommended by  -  Fodors
  
  A luxury city hotel set in an elegant limestone and marble fronted building. Gorgeous suites and contemporary bedrooms with an exotic Asian feel. Modern luxuries and fine dining venues as well as a vast spa offering high end pampering. Fantastic downtown location. See More
  
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- Copley Square Hotel Boston (Back Bay) 143 rooms from $213
  
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  Close to nightlife  -  Start your night with a wine happy hour in the lounge, head on to drinks at Minibar before ending in the property's nightclub
  Local exploring  -  Boston's shops, restaurants, sites and night-life are all within reach in this well-located and fun property
  Sights nearby  -  Boston Public Library, Prudential Tower, 200 Clarenden Street and Trinity Church are all nearby
  Lively  -  Hip and happening.
  
  The oldest hotel in Back Bay, this Italianate building dates from 1891. 143 bold rooms & suites benefit from high ceilings and Art Deco-style furniture, blending historic architecture with modern colours, prints and textiles. Enjoy the warm lobby lounge, bar & restaurant and an on-site nightclub. See More
  
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- Fairmont Copley Plaza Boston (Back Bay) 383 rooms from $244
  
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  Weddings  -  Look out for grand formal weddings bursting with elite Boston families taking place in the ballroom
  Business meetings  -  There is over 25,000 square feet of grand Renaissance-style meeting space
  City Style  -  If you are looking for Boston's Grand Dame, then look no further
  Sights nearby  -  All of Boston's famous sites are on your doorstep: Trinity Church, Boston Public Library, 200 Clarendon Street & Copley Square
  
  Boston's landmark luxury hotel has been in operation since 1912. Expect historic glitz and glamour with 383 rooms, 5-star service and great amenities. A local favourite for upscale events, the lobby is always buzzing with a chic crowd. Make sure to visit the rooftop gym terrace and OAK restaurant. See More
  
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- The Colonnade, Boston Boston (Back Bay) 285 rooms from $164
  
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  Great walks  -  Boston Public Gardens
  Sights nearby  -  Boston Public Library
  Swimming Pool  -  Indoor/outdoor
  Restaurant  -  Recommended.
  
  A centrally located, contemporary downtown hotel with a gym, rooftop pool and bar. Bedrooms are stylish with floor to ceiling windows and city views. The Colonnade has a popular brasserie and plenty of local restaurants - this is an ideal spot for those looking to get out and see the best of Boston. See More
  
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- No. 284 Boston (Back Bay) 23 rooms from $203
  
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  City Style  -  Admire the best of Boston's cobblestone streets, grand boulevards and historic monuments from this classic townhouse bolthole
  Local exploring  -  WIth the nearest subway station just 500m from the property, it's easy to explore all that Boston has to offer
  Romantic Break  -  Book out the incredible penthouse suite for an uniterrupted weekend a deux
  Sights nearby  -  Boston's famous sites are just a few blocks from the property; sublime Public Library. Copley Square & Trinity Church
  
  Feel like a well-heeled local with a stay at this 1881 Brownstone in coveted Back Bay Boston neighbourhood. A chic blue colour scheme lights up this thoughtful renovation from private home to guesthouse, complete with a curated American art collection, Frette linen and stylish urban garden. See More
  
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- Four Seasons One Dalton Street Boston (Back Bay) 273 rooms from $655
  
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  City Style  -  Views have to be some of the best in the Boston. Look out over the city skyline from the pool, the bath, and even bed
  Local exploring  -  It's easy to visit all of the city's top sites on foot; Boston Public Library, Symphony Hall and Museum of Fine Arts
  Romantic Break  -  It's hard to beat the combo of slick dining venues, stand-alone tubs with jaw-dropping city views and sexy suites
  Foodies  -  Home to an outpost of world-famous Japanese restaurant, Zuma. Be sure to make a reservation, it's unmissable
  
  Located in a 61-storey glass tower in Boston's Back Bay, this a luxury 5-star hotel with a lot to boast about. Rooms and suites are a master-class in contemporary design; think slick but cosy with floor-to-ceiling city views. Enjoy the art collection, 3 buzzy restaurants & excellent central spot. See More
  
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- The Inn @ St Botolph Boston (Back Bay) 16 rooms from $295
  
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  City Style
  Chic
  Sights nearby - All Boston's highlights are easily accesible
  Designer - Designer furniture and fabrics throughout
  
  This stylish design-led 19th-century brownstone has a home-from-home feel in a prime Back Bay spot that’s ideal for Newbury Street shoppers and culture seekers alike. It’s sharp modern décor yet family-friendly amenities make it a great all-rounder. See More
  
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- Copley House Boston (Back Bay) 72 rooms from $115
  
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  Groups  -  Families or groups will appreciate the amount of adjacent apartments; meaning everyone can get their own space under one roof
  Local exploring  -  Boston's Back Bay is exactly where cultural visitors should base themselves
  Sights nearby  -  Some of Boston's most famous sites are round the corner: Christian Science Center, Public Library & 200 Clarendon Street
  Local markets  -  Good for local colour.
  
  Collection of apartment-style studios, suites and rooms housed in a historic Brownstone in the upmarket Back Bay. A great home-away-from-home option. Classic style accommodation with bay windows, spacious sitting rooms and oriental rugs. Plenty of restaurants and designer shopping close by. See More
  
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- The Newbury Boston (Back Bay) 286 rooms from $599
  
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  Weddings  -  The place where white fairy-tale wedding dreams come true; lavish ballrooms, chandeliers and views over Boston's Public Garden
  Romantic Break  -  Check-in for a weekend of fine-dining, rooftop drinks, expansive suites with views and beds you won't want to leave
  City Style  -  There's nothing quite like it in the city; upscale sophisticated boutique luxury at its finest
  Great walks  -  The hotel's prime location on Boston Public Garden means a quick stroll or jog couldn't be easier
  
  Mega-luxe hotel steeped in history in the exclusive Back Bay neighbourhood. Dreamy rooms look out over the city's esteemed Public Garden - they are contemporary, airy and exactly where you want to spend a weekend with a significant other. Make sure to dine at the Italian glass-rooftop restaurant. See More
  
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- The College Club of Boston Boston (Back Bay) 11 rooms from $114
  
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  Local exploring  -  The local area continues the time-travel theme. Explore the neighbourhood known for elite Boston Brahmin culture
  City Style  -  A totally unique offering that makes guests feel like exclusive club members while staying in the city
  Great walks  -  The city's historic Public Garden & Boston Common are a minute away. They are the oldest park & botanical garden in the country
  Sights nearby  -  The city's famous Boston Public Library and Christian Science Church are walking distance
  
  Step into another world with a stay at this slice of history in well-heeled Back Bay. The 1890 Victorian brownstone's 11 unique rooms (single & double) were each renovated by a different local designer; think high ceilings, decorative fireplaces & antique furniture. Low in tech, high in charm. See More
  
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