The Esplanade park, stretching along the edge of Back Bay, is home to Boston's famous July 4th celebrations.
Boston's historic and elegant Back Bay neighborhood stretches for approximately a mile along the Boston side of the Charles River. Built as a neighborhood of luxury homes and businesses in the 19th century, Back Bay is the home of Copley Square, the Prudential Center, and the Boston Public Library. The wide range of Back Bay lodging --- from refined boutique hotels to grand high rises --- tend toward the expensive, although careful planning can result in good bargains. Below is a selection of Back Bay's more captivating lodgings.
5-Star Back Bay Hotels
The Taj Hotel overlooks Boston's Public Gardens, at the edge of Back Bay.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel
The Mandarin Oriental is a newly constructed hotel attached to Back Bay's Prudential Center complex. Like other hotels in the Mandarin Oriental chain, it's a luxurious, pricey experience from the moment you step into the lobby. Rooms and suites are large and elegantly decorated; food tends toward the pan-Asian, and the spa features customized treatments. 2010 standard rates for two adults: $400-$700/night.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Boston
776 Boylston St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 535-8880
http://www.mandarinoriental.com/boston/
Taj Boston Hotel
The Taj, part of an India-based international chain, is situated at the eastern, and perhaps most elegant and exclusive edge of Back Bay, in the old Ritz Carlton Hotel. The building combines old and new, Eastern and Western, with afternoon teas, children's rooms, and butler service. 2010 standard rates for two adults: $150-$250/night.
Taj Boston
15 Arlington St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 536-5700
http://www.tajhotels.com/boston/
4-Star Back Bay Hotels
The Fairmont Copley Plaza stands diagonally from the historic Boston Public Library, and shares its architectual style.
Copley Square Hotel
Situated in a historic building, the Copley Square Hotel has been extensively renovated, and caters to young hipsters. Billing itself as a "luxury boutique hotel," the Copley Square offers a wide range of room and suite styles and configurations, personalized service, and the Saint "boutique nitery," a combination restaurant, dance club, and leisure lounge. 2010 standard rates for two adults: $150-$250/night.
Copley Square Hotel
47 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 536-9000
http://www.copleysquarehotel.com/
The Eliot Hotel
Billing itself as "a touch of Paris in Boston," the low-key Eliot Hotel, at the western edge of Back Bay towards Boston University and Fenway Park, is rated by _Travel and Leisure_ as the #1 small urban hotel in the US and Canada, and #19 worldwide. _Boston Magazine_ has rated its two restaurants among the highest in the Boston metropolitan area. The Eliot Hotel has a sterling reputation among locals, who recommend it to guests --- if they can afford it. 2010 standard rates for two adults: $195-$245/night.
The Eliot Hotel
370 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 267-1607
http://www.eliothotel.com/
The Fairmont Copley Plaza Boston
The century-old Fairmont Copley Plaza is full of old-Boston glitz and glamour, from its elaborately designed public spaces and enormous crystal chandeliers to its carefully uniformed doormen. Situated in the very center of Back Bay, across from Copley Plaza and the Public Library, the Fairmont Copley Plaza has a history of hosting elaborate weddings. The Copley Plaza even has its own "canine ambassador" to take care of visiting dogs. 2010 standard rates for two adults: $180-$250/night.
The Fairmont Copley Plaza Boston
138 St. James Ave.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 267-5300
http://www.fairmont.com/copleyplaza
3-Star Back Bay Hotels
At the Charlesmark, you can stand next to the Boston Marathon's finish line.
Boston Park Plaza Hotel and Towers
Not strictly in Back Bay, but a block or two south of the Back Bay grid, the 75-year-old Park Plaza deserves mention for its grand exterior architecture, history, and relatively low price. Nine restaurants are located inside the hotel building; the rooms are older but elegant. 2010 standard rates for two adults: $135-$250/night, depending on whether breakfast is included.
Boston Park Plaza Hotel and Towers
50 Park Plaza
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 426-2000
http://www.bostonparkplaza.com/
The Charlesmark Hotel
At the Charlesmark, the Boston Marathon ends right at your doorstep. This newer, small (40 room) hotel won a Fodor's Choice award in 2009. Rooms are well-designed but a little tight. 2010 standard rates for two adults: $99-$129/night.
The Charlesmark Hotel
655 Boylston St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 247-1212
http://www.charlesmarkhotel.com/
2-Star Back Bay Hotels
Commonwealth Court Guest House
Commonwealth Court is located in a single-family brownstone on primarily residential Commonwealth Ave. As it doesn't serve breakfast it's not a traditional B&B, but its few rooms and studios with kitchenettes are bright and retain much of the building's _belle epoque_ details. Rooms can also be rented by the week or even by the month. 2010 standard rates for two adults: $79-$140/night, depending on the time of year.
Commonwealth Court Guest House
284 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston, MA 02116
(888) 424-1230
http://www.commonwealthcourt.com/
Tags: 2010 standard, 2010 standard rates, Boston 02116, rates adults, standard rates, standard rates adults, Copley Plaza