11 Boston Most Expensive Hotels

While Boston in the wintertime is something everyone runs from, it’s an extremely charming city during spring, summer, and even the beginning of fall. This New England city is everything; scores of charming preserves and parks, world-class museums, and loads of fine dining restaurants. Did you know that Boston had the most expensive hotel rates for the third year in a row in 2023? Yes! So, it’s not surprising that when it comes to Boston, most expensive hotel options have outrageous prices. Of course, there’s no denying that their hospitality and amenities are also top-notch. Imagine this – rooftop cocktails, soothing spa treatments, and lavish suites overlooking the city. What’s more, these luxurious properties span the entire city, right from the heart of Downtown to the North End district and even Back Bay.

What makes it all the better is that there are so many things to see and do in Boston, whether you’re a baseball ball or a culture vulture. So, if you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime, all-out New England sojourn, we’d suggest you check out these amazingly spectacular Boston hotels.

XV Beacon

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The vibe might be sexy as hell, but the flavor is undeniably Boston at XV Beacon; say “Fifteen Beacon” if you’re talking about it. The foundation dates back to pre-Revolutionary Boston, but the gilded Beaux Arts cast-iron-and-limestone facade at the turn of the century. Today, it occupies an enviable position near Boston Common, with Beacon Hill, North End, and the Financial District being a stone’s throw away.

This luxury boutique hotel pairs ultra-modern comforts with elegant original features. For instance, the reception leads to the concierge desk in the low-lit lounge, complete with a fireplace and a zebra-printed rug, making it feel more like a club. Even the original wrought-iron and marble staircase was an Instagrammable dream. That said, the amenities here were superb, to say the least. Besides a 24-hour gym, spa treatments, boxing classes, and in-suite yoga were available by appointment. When we wanted to step out, there was a hot tub right on the seasonal roof deck. There was even a complimentary town car which was available to shuttle us around the immediate Back Bay neighborhood. But it was the dining offerings that impressed us the most, especially modern American steakhouse Mooo with its Romanesque private wine cellar.

The fact that every room has a personal fireplace already had us wowed, but adding to that is the fact that there are only seven rooms on each floor. Every detail feels luxurious and special, right from the pillow menu to the Frette linens. And what better way to unwind after a long day than to soak in the white-marble Jacuzzi tub? If you’re looking for something really special, the Gilbert Stuart Suite, the most expensive room in the house, costs a cool USD 2,800/night.

The Langham

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The Langham might have been built back in 1922, but this historic Boston hotel, shaded by American oaks and beautiful big birches, is anything but antiquated. Tucked in Boston’s financial district, this National Historic Landmark has had a famed former life as the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. So, while it boasts a sophisticated and modern look on the inside, it also retains many historic details, including N.C. Wyeth murals.

The experience begins right from the immaculate and gleaming marbled lobby, which has check-in and concierge desks and a comfy lounge with a fireplace. We loved spending time at the heated indoor pool (there’s no other kind in Boston), with a handy sauna right next to it. Coming to the dining and drinking, the ground-floor cocktail bar was our favorite haunt, which had many interesting cocktail combinations. Breakfasts and other meals happen in the gorgeous cavernous Italian restaurant, which sits in what was the former bank’s grand hall.

What we loved about the digs was that all 300+ rooms and suites have local art and not-so-mini bars that are stocked with delicious Massachusetts-sourced goodies. Of all the abodes here, the lavish Chairman’s Suite is fit for modern royalty, with a piano, a fireplace, and an eight-seater dining table. Oh, and it costs USD 3,000/night.

The Liberty, a Luxury Collection Hotel

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Boston is all about grandiose architecture, and The Liberty Hotel is no exception. This 1851-built structure was formerly the eyesore known as Charles Street Jail. Today, this granite-style institution has a far more lavish setting, and it’s like spending the night in a very ultra-glam slammer – trust us, you don’t want to leave. Today, this former drunk tank is a party palace and on the National Register of Historic Places – talk about a transformation!

Staying at the Liberty was like attending a 24-hour party. For instance, the lobby offers morning coffee and tea, a necessity, and evening entertainment in the form of fashion night, an artist’s gallery, and a mix of acoustic jazz and DJs spinning music. How cool is that! For those who want to stay active, there are even complimentary yoga classes and a fitness center. Liberty’s hive of bars furthers the party atmosphere, whether it’s the guests-only Catwalk Bar, the low-lit Alibi, or the Liberty Bar. When the hunger pangs come calling, the elegant Italian-inspired Scampo, with a grand central bar, is perfect. Heck, even the late-night menus are on point, and you can dig into any cuisine before hitting the sack.  

Since the renovation, a new wing has been added that includes most of the 280 rooms. So, not everyone gets to sleep in an actual jail – sorry about that! Nevertheless, all rooms come with 55-inch flatscreen TVs and minibars stocked with Veuve Clicquot. For something really special, the Ebersol Presidential Suite offers 270-degree panoramic views of Boston and has an outdoor balcony, a butler’s pantry, and even a library!

Encore Boston Harbor

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Encore Boston Harbor can only be described as the maximalist luxury of the Wynn brand in a Red Sox hat. If the curved bronze glass looks familiar, brand-new casino resort with its curved bronze glass looks familiar, then you’ll remember it because of its likeliness to the ritzy Wynn Las Vegas. And this East Coast sister is phenomenal, given that every surface is gold and flowers bloom here throughout the year. Arriving in the multi-lane entryway and having bellhops whisking your luggage away feels decidedly NASCAR-esque. When you step inside, a massive carousel holds court in the light-drenched central atrium and is made entirely from crystals and silk flowers.

The entirely smoke-free resort is all about maximalism, whether it’s the sheer numbers or the amenities. The food scene here is superb; start with breakfast at the Mezzanine Level Garden Café and enjoy a grab-and-go lunch from Bru. Steak dinners happen at Rare, and Dunkin’ is about good, old-fashioned coffee. Three more restaurants, Sinatra, The Buffet, and Waterfront, complete the scene. When you want to unwind, the massive spa and wellness floor feels like decadence calling out to you. There’s even the glamorous Wynn Collection boutique, which is filled with all kinds of jewel-encrusted Jimmy Choos and Manolo Blahniks.

With 600+ rooms and 60+ suites, the Wynn feels like a city within a city. In fact, the Signature Harbor View Suite was larger than most apartments in Boston! Awash in whites and creams, the rooms have lots of gold and gold-trimmed mirrors. The apex is the two-bedroom residence, which has all the trimmings of every other suite in the place, along with sweeping views of the Boston skyline. Oh, and it costs USD 4,500/night – yeah.

Fairmont Copley Plaza

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No hotel sums up grand old Boston better than the luxurious Fairmont Copley Plaza. Few Boston facades are as iconic as this 1912-built Back Bay hotel, which has long been the hangout of the moneyed crowd. Did you know that Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton spent their second honeymoon here? Yes!

As you step inside, your jaw will drop at the spectacular interiors with Italian marble columns, glittering chandeliers, gilded mirrors, and intricate murals. There’s no way you won’t notice the double P insignia throughout the hotel; after all, once a Plaza, always a Plaza. While liveried doormen hark back to the olden times, everyone’s favorite staff member is adopted black lab Carly Copley, who hangs around her lavish bed in the gilded lobby. The large private lounge not only has a fireplace and games and books but also serves complimentary hors d’oeuvres in the evenings. The drinking and dining scene is helmed by the aptly named OAK Long Bar + Kitchen, which is also a great place to get started on cocktails at the grand bar. Plus, it serves an elegant and sumptuous buffet, and its Sunday Brunch is said to be very popular.

The digs are modern-classic with floor-to-ceiling grey drapes, blue and silver carpets, and luxe bathrooms with slippers and cotton robes. Rooms overlooking Copley Square are obviously amazing, but the Presidential Suite is the real ticket. Costing USD 5,100/night, the expansive space is modeled after Back Bay’s incredible brownstone homes.

The Ritz-Carlton, Boston

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Sitting on the southeastern edge of Boston Common, the Ritz-Carlton, Boston, is distinguishing right at the street level, thanks to the prominent marquee and a liveried doorman. As you step inside, you’re welcomed by the grand toffee-coloured marble lobby.

Not only does it have a check-in and concierge desk, but it’s also home to the Avery Bar with its glowing elevated fireplace. It’s all about perfectly made cocktails and quick bites, but the day-to-night Artisan serves delicious meals, including the most sumptuous and delicious breakfast spreads. What’s more, the Rirz has a direct connection to the Equinox Sports Club and hence, its spa and swimming pool. So, heading here was the best way to unwind without any hassles. What guests like about the Ritz are the thoughtful gestures, like complimentary coffee, towels, apples, and water in the lobby in the morning.

Rooms at the Ritz are, well, rooms at the Ritz: spacious, a playfully elegant yellow and silver-grey palette, a load of high-tech mod-cons, and grand toffee-hued marble bathrooms. If you’re looking for a classic Boston stay, it can’t get any more iconic than the rooms overlooking Boston Common. The Park View Suite is what you should spring for if you want all-out sophistication, but the real ticket is the 1,700 sq. ft-huge Presidential Suite that costs USD 9,500/night.

The Newbury Boston

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A former 1927-built, superbly located landmark Ritz-Carlton property transformed into what is now the Newbury Boston in 2021. This long and celebrated history has seen many eminent and esteemed guests like Shirley Temple and Winston Churchill. Surrounded by lush pleasure gardens, the location of the hotel is really special.

However, what’s inside the Newbury is far more interesting. For instance, the popular Street Bar was the first place to open in Boston when Prohibition ended! Even today, it retains the clubby atmosphere blended with an all-day heady buzz. What’s more, the 17th-floor rooftop is home to the wildly popular Contessa Ristorante, complete with a wraparound design with sensational views. Breakfast takes place at both locations, and you can even order in your room. Bibliophiles will love the library, which has an ancient marble fireplace and a book collection curated by the Boston Public Library. An impressive fitness center aside, we really loved retaining the old-time wedding cake of a ballroom with white-and-blue chandeliers and the original mail chute in the lobby, where guests can post letters from any floor!

If you get lucky, don’t miss staying in one of the 42 suites with original fireplaces. Why? They all have a fireplace butler who’ll help you choose the wood (birch/oak), light a fire, and tend to it according to your needs! What’s more, room service in all rooms includes tea for two. The stately Mansion, the hotel’s Presidential Suite, costs a cool USD 12,000/night and has a wood-burning fireplace, a butler’s pantry, and floor-to-ceiling park views. It’s no wonder Newbury is considered one of Boston’s best luxury hotels!

Raffles Boston

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When it’s the very first American outpost of the famed Singapore-founded Raffles hotel brand, you know it has to be special, innit? The brand’s splashy North American debut in the form of Raffles Boston hits all the right notes, whether it’s the soaring 3-storied Sky Lobby on the 17th floor or the 3-storied floating staircase right there. Check-in takes place in the plush living room-like Writer’s Lounge, and the entire hotel is all about panache and élan. So much so that one can’t help but feel like a jet-setter!  

It’s all smiles and good energy with the staff, but the fourth-floor, five-star amenities will take your breath away. Aside from an airy fitness center with an unusual but rather welcoming green wall, there’s an impressive indoor lap pool. After a swim, visit the Guerlain spa, complete with a relaxation room with a fireplace. That said, there’s a lot of F&B for foodies and non-foodies to get excited about here. At the helm is the glamorous dinner place Amar, along with the 17th-floor buzzy Long Bar and the two-floor speakeasy Blind Duck for drinks. Wrapping up the F&B scene is La Padrone, which is the ground-floor restaurant serving delicious Italian fare.

Did you know that every room in this Raffles outpost comes with a butler? Yes! His first task will be pouring you a Boston Sling with an innately New England twist of cranberry and apple. What’s more, the rooms feel like Raffles and quintessentially Boston, too, with marble bathrooms, wood paneling, and custom cabinets with a minibar. The Presidential Suite, which costs a whopping USD 12,750/night,

Four Seasons Boston

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The Four Seasons Boston has one of the prettiest locations on a quiet stretch right opposite Boston Common. The former site of the Playboy Club, the 1980s-built hotel boasts a reimagined lobby rife with Parisian bohemian-chic décor. From the rich, velvety sofas of the Library Lounge, you can admire the mural of the Public Garden’s bucolic scenery above the check-in desk.

Amenities

What we loved most about this Four Seasons outpost were some of the amenities that added a unique touch. For instance, the outdoor courtyard Sanctuary has a faux British telephone box, complete with a rotary phone! We could use it to order food and drinks at that too. What’s more, every floor has whimsical walk-in cubbies with complimentary snacks and sweets and filtered water stations. Of course, there are traditional amenities, too, like the eighth-floor pool deck with a pool, hot tub, and superb views of the Public Garden. In fact, it’s one of the best hotel pools In Boston. There’s even a fitness center with steam and sauna rooms, but why work out when you can eat, especially in Boston – and that too on a holiday? The Parisian brasserie-like Coterie is perfect for drinks, while Aujourd’hui offers excellent breakfast classics with soothing garden views.

Another thing we liked here was the masterful concierge who could arrange for everything from private yoga lessons to in-room spa treatments in a jiffy.

Rooms

Undoubtedly, the best rooms in the house boast tranquil views over the Boston Public Garden. While the views and the decor are amazing, the custom mattresses, which were designed exclusively for the hotel, take the cake. Between the luxurious bedding, soundproof double-walled windows, and blackout shades, this Four Seasons outpost takes sleep very seriously. The best of them all is the expansive sixth-floor Royal Suite, which costs a heart-stopping USD 13,000/night! We see how it can cost that much with offerings like an eight-seater dining room, a baby grand piano, and a media room.

Boston Harbor Hotel

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Five-star waterfront luxury comes to Boston in the form of the iconic Boston Harbor Hotel. This modern classic stay offers a unique and memorable experience, with the gorgeous Rowes Wharf on one side and the city of Boston on the other. In fact, taking a Boston Harbor Sunset Cruise couldn’t be easier, as most of them, including this one, leave from Rowes Wharf.

Amenities

As Boston’s original five-star waterfront hotel, this AAA Five Diamond grande dame has a big reputation to uphold- and uphold it does. What’s most distinctive about it is the 1987-built 60-foot tall stone arch overlooking the harbor. On the inside, the marbled open-plan lobby impresses you right off the bat with framed antique maps.

To say that the service and amenities here are excellent is an understatement. Aside from a gift shop and currency exchange, there are many other thoughtful and international touches that have guests oohing and aahing. For instance, guests have complimentary access to the Rowes Wharf Health Club, which has a fitness room, an enormous pool, and a whirlpool. Unwinding here after a long day of exploring the city seems ideal, especially since the club even has a full spa. When the weather is nice, there’s even a floating stage on the marina which hosts free films and concerts.

Since it’s home to the renowned Boston Wine Festival, the F&B scene here is nothing short of legendary. While Rowe’s Wharf Sea Grille is for wharf meals, the real ticket is the Meritage restaurant, with fabulous food and romantic water views. Don’t miss having drinks at the Alley Bar and Rowe’s Wharf Bar.

Rooms

We’re in love with the hotel’s sandy beige and calm, fresh duck egg-blue palette, along with the spacious, natural light-filled rooms, of course. Even entry-level rooms are 500 sq ft huge. But when it comes to expensive digs, nothing can beat the John Adams Presidential Suite – it costs USD 15,000/night! Not surprisingly, this 4,800 sq ft foot haven has an expansive primary suite, a bar area, a freestanding soaking tub with harbor views, and a private theater room.

It’s no wonder that it’s one of the best boutique hotels in Boston, MA.

Mandarin Oriental, Boston

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Elegant minimalism has long made the Back Bay mainstay, the Mandarin Oriental, Boston, a favorite with new and returning guests. As soon as guests step into the gleaming marble lobby, they’re transported from Boston’s hustle and bustle to quiet and hushed elegance. A temple in urban grandiosity, this Mandarin Oriental outpost has brought an unapologetic splurge of international luxury to travelers who are seeking something special in the City on the Hill.

Amenities

This 21st-century tower boasts an opulent, welcoming, and classic early 20th-century interior. Of course, there are some touches that are unexpected and even delightful. The MO staff anticipates the guests’ every move, right from booking tickets or tours to offering contactless check-ins. Did you know that the hotel has a resident robot, MOBI? Yeah! It can even escort those who are keen on zero human contact rights to their rooms.

When it comes to the amenities, the fourth-floor spa, which is Bsoton’s best, brings unparalleled luxurious wellness to Back Bay. Not only does it have a fantastic menu of rituals and offerings, but it also has a massive marble-clad couple’s suite, which is a sumptuous private retreat. That’s why it’s one of Boston’s best spa hotels. Going further, the F&B offerings here are splendid, with Bar Boulud being a Back Bay hotspot and famous for its New England coastal cuisine. The Lobby Lounge, with its fireplace and armchairs, is perfect for nightcaps, but it’s equally enchanting for afternoon high tea with bubbly and beautiful pastries.

Rooms

The rooms have both an Art Deco influence and an Art Nouveau nod, are spacious, and boast gorgeous and huge bathrooms. But it’s not a cluttered embellishment, but rather complete, with practical items like plush slippers and tobes and the likes. The palatial Royal Suite at the Mandarin Oriental is at the apex, with unmatched Back Bay views and an opulent design. What’s more, the interiors beautifully blend New England and Oriental design elements, with chinoiserie and stunning chandeliers, a grand living/dining room with a gas fireplace, and even a separate media room. There’s even a spa-inspired marble bathroom with a massive soaking tub and dual sink vanities, all for USD 15,000/night. 

What hotel do celebrities stay at in Boston?

That would be the Copley Plaza, which is now a part of the Fairmont Hotels group of luxury hotels. Since it epitomizes refined taste and glamour, you can spot not just celebs but even royalty staying in Boston here. In fact, the place is also a favorite with filmmakers, with Bride Wars and The Firm having been shot here.

What was the first luxury hotel in Boston?

The 1829-opening Tremont House, a.k.a. The Tremont Hotel, is widely considered to be the first luxury hotel not just in Boston but also in t the whole country.

What hotel did the Royals stay in Boston?

The Waleses’ have stayed at the Four Seasons Hotel in the past.