The Lenox Hotel

"Why book? Originally built as Boston’s answer to New York City’s Waldorf-Astoria (and by the same owner), this historic hotel has been a symbol of Boston hospitality for over a century–and, thankfully, has had plenty of modern updates along the way. Set the scene After hitting the shops on Newbury Street, promenading the mall down Commonwealth avenue, and perhaps wandering the stacks at the neighboring Boston Public Library, there is no more quintessential Back Bay experience than checking in at The Lenox. The backstory In 1900, hotelier and owner of New York’s Waldorf-Astoria Lucias Boomer set out to build the grandest hotel Boston had ever seen: and he succeeded. At eleven stories tall, The Lenox was, at the time, the city’s highest building. While the surrounding cityscape has since grown and changed with the times, The Lenox has remained an enduring symbol of Boston’s own Gilded Age–and is to this day one of the neighborhood’s best places to stay. The rooms As a historic property, the rooms vary in scale, with entry-level rooms on the more intimate side and others feeling truly spacious. Some of the larger rooms come with wood-burning fireplaces that the staff will gladly operate at your convenience–a perk that’s absolutely worth splurging on if you’re visiting during the chillier months. But fireplace or no fireplace, the rooms are outfitted with thoughtful amenities that suit leisure and business travelers alike, including complimentary newspapers, same-day laundry and dry cleaning services, Bluetooth radios, Google Chromecast on the TV’s, and a 24-hour gym with Peloton bikes. Food and drink There are three solid F&B outposts on site: Solas, a quintessential Irish pub; City Table for breakfast, weekend brunch, and dinner; and City Bar for a more loungey atmosphere for drinks and dinner. 24-hour in-room dining is available.The neighborhood/area The location couldn’t be better, sandwiched between the Boston Public Library and the Prudential Center right on Boylston Street. The Lenox stands just a few yards up the street from the Boston Marathon finish line, and offers their own dedicated viewing area for hotel guests visiting on Marathon Monday (which, as anyone who has tried to navigate those race day crowds can attest, is invaluable). The service The Lenox’s many repeat guests love this hotel not only for its well-appointed rooms and perfect location, but for the warm service–which is professional yet never imposing. Ask for jogging routes and they’ll draw you a map, or request a dinner reservation and they’ll get on the phone to make it happen. The Lenox is part of Boston’s history, and they’re eager to make this city accessible for their guests. Eco effort The hotel offers filtered water stations on each floor to encourage the use of reusable bottles. Accessibility The hotel offers several ADA-compliant rooms, including one suite. Anything left to mention? The hotel loves to support regional businesses wherever possible. That’s why the bath amenities are from Beekman 1802 (upstate New York), the complimentary lobby coffee is by Share Coffee Roasters (western Massachusetts), and the adorable “Mercantile” miniature gift shop is stocked with all sorts of local goodies to take home, like peppermint patties from Seacoast Sweets (from Rhode Island)."