Housed in a stunning 1903 Beaux Arts building, the XV Beacon hotel stands confidently at the top of Beacon Hill in historic Boston.
In the midst of the Freedom Trail, in a neighbourhood dating from the early 1600s, the XV Beacon is just along the road from the ‘new’ Massachusetts State Building. This elegant brick structure, built in the mid-18th century and with a distinctive golden dome, faces the ancient Boston Common which is just around the corner from the hotel. Surrounding this area are historic neighbourhoods which still boast original brick sidewalks and even gas lamps. Walk down the hill toward the harbour and you are soon in the historic Faneuil Market Hall, famous for its grasshopper weather vane. and famous as well for its adjoining shopping precinct. The Omni Parker Hotel (oldest continuous running hotel in the U.S.) is also just down the street and boasts the opulent Omni Parker Hotel Restaurant which is famous for inventing Boston cream pie.
The décor in this 63-room property is sleek and modern which, remarkably, suits this historic building very well. The guest rooms have earth-toned colours and are striking in design without sacrificing comfort. The lobby is distinctive with contrasting colours of white and black with brown and silver accessories.
The building is decorated through-out with works of fine art. On our floor was an unusual collage using distressed images of the American flag. There is gym on the top floor as well as decking on the roof with two separate seating areas, plus Jacuzzi. But the amenities really do stand out. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, complimentary in-town Lexus courtesy car service, iPad rentals, Puravair air purifiers for hypo-allergenic rooms, 24-hour valet laundry, daily ice delivery, customized bath salts, complimentary overnight shoe shine, complimentary newspaper delivery, 24-hour room service (including the complete menu from Mooo Steakhouse), 24-hour concierge/bell service and dog sitting and walking can be arranged through the concierge.
What I particularly liked about our room, a Beacon Hill Studio, was the instant fire (obviously in the fire place) at the press of a button. And the enormous desk made work a pleasure. There is a 42-inch flat screen TV and mini-bar stocked with premium spirits and (half-bottle) wines, including Ketel One and Bombay Sapphire gin. You can even get a Nespresso machine on request.
Our large room had an ample sized comfortable bed with very soft 400 thread Frette linen luxurious sheets and there was a small sofa at the foot of the bed. The bathroom was absolutely enormous and boasted Italian white marble throughout. The walk-in closet may have had only one rail but that is more than sufficient to accommodate most travellers’ needs.
The hotel really does offers distinguished and discreet personalized service. The receptionists, valets and doormen were all very pleasant and helpful, as was the concierge. It seems that no request is too small or too large for this team to deal with. The concierge helped me with a package, a present that I needed to post. When, by mistake, I forgot to turn off the privacy button for the housecleaning staff, they put a note under the door to ask whether I would or wouldn’t want turn down service.
The room rates are not cheap but it is well worth the cost for this very exceptional hotel in the best part of Boston.
The Details
XV Beacon, 15 Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02108, USA
Tel: +1(617) 670-1500 / Toll Free: 1-877 XVBEACON
Website: www.xvbeacon.com
Email: concierge@xvbeacon.com
Located just a 10-minute drive from Logan International Airport. Take State Hwy 1A S to Beacon Street (2.6 miles). Keep left at the fork and follow signs for Government Centre, then turn left onto Market Street/New Chardon Street and continue to follow New Chardon Street. Continue onto Bowdoin Street before turning right onto Derne Street, and then take the 1st left onto Hancock Street, then the 1st left onto Joy Street before turning left again onto Beacon Street. Overnight Valet parking available at $46 per day.
Type of Hotel: Luxury Boutique Hotel
Number Rooms: 63 rooms and suites and complimentary Wi-Fi
Insider Tip:
XV Beacon is in the middle of the Freedom Trail which includes all Boston’s major historic sites. Definitely take a Freedom Tour which meets at the Visitor’s Centre in Boston Common just a 10-minute walk away.
Price Band: High
Reviewer’s Rating: 9/10
Author Bio:
Lynn Houghton is a Travel Writer and Photographer based in London
Photographs courtesy of XV Beacon, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts
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