What’s one of the best ways to passively enjoy a city’s history? Stay at one of its historic hotels.
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Historic hotels cover a range of categories. Some are officially part of the Historic Hotels of America collection, which is part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. These properties must maintain the grounds to preserve their historic authenticity, meaning you can stay in a time capsule-esque hotel that makes you feel like you’re stepping into the past.
Other times, a hotel might not have official status as part of HHA, but they still come with a unique backstory—even if the property hasn’t been carefully maintained with its original features. They also tend to be smaller, boutique hotels that deliver on charm and service.
If you’re heading to New England, you can enjoy added intrigue at historic hotels in Boston where national history abounds. From museums to the Freedom Trail, the city is crisscrossed with attractions and placards that showcase the country’s colonial history and the fight for independence.
Unsurprisingly, you can also find historic hotels in Boston that let you dig even deeper into the city’s storied past—from the Revolutionary War days to more recent eras, like the Gilded Age. Here’s where to stay if you’re looking for hotels with a memorable backstory.
Best historic hotels in Boston if you want a memorable backstory
The Dagny
- The backstory: The Dagny was once known as The Batterymarch Building and, before that, the Public Services Building. It became Boston’s first Art Deco skyscraper to define the city’s modern skyline when it was completed in 1928. In 1995, it became an official city landmark.
- What to expect: The Dagny is a luxury hotel that pays many odes to its Art Deco architecture, giving it a Gilded Age, Gatsby-like feel. It’s a love letter to design history.
Fairmont Copley Plaza Boston
- The backstory: Originally, the hotel grounds were occupied by Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, which was moved in 1909. When the Fairmont Copley Plaza was completed in 1912, Boston’s mayor (who was also John F. Kennedy’s grandfather) inaugurated the site. Afterward, it would become a hotel of many firsts, including being the first Boston hotel with AC, the first to create a system of international reservations, the first hotel in the world to accept credit cards, and more.
- What to expect: This Fairmont Copley is a member of Historic Hotels of America, meaning many of its features are original. Its grand rooms feel lush, harkening back to an era of Gilded Age excesses.
XV Beacon
- The backstory: Originally built in 1903 as one of Boston’s first Beaux-Arts architectural projects, XV Beacon has taken on many roles over the last century, serving as a Rapid Transit Commission office and the Boston School Committee. Its foundation dates back to the pre-Revolutionary era when a mansion from a local merchant stood on the site.
- What to expect: Despite its long history, XV Beacon has been renovated with contemporary tastes in mind. The rooms maintain their elegance, but now include many bold design choices and modern art pieces throughout. It’s a five-star luxury stay that is part of the Historic Hotels of America collection.
Omni Parker House
- The backstory: You might already know about the Omni Parker House, which is the oldest continuously operating hotel in the United States. It opened its doors back in 1855 and introduced a European hospitality plan that charged separately for meals and lodging. It’s also the birthplace of the Boston Cream Pie, which was first served in 1956. Major literary writers like Nathanial Hawthorne and Ralph Waldo Emerson also gathered at the Omni Parker back in the day.
- What to expect: Expect an elegant ode to the past at this luxury stay. Almost two centuries after its opening, Omni Parker House still caters to some of the city’s most prominent guests.
The Eliot Hotel
- The backstory: In 1925, Harvard University’s president decided to build a guesthouse dedicated to the university’s guest lecturers and visiting students. It was constructed next to the Harvard Club of Boston, which still stands today. However, the original owners were devastated by the Depression, and the hotel was sold to its current owners, the Ullian family.
- What to expect: This four-star hotel has less than 100 rooms, giving it an intimate boutique feel. Rooms have been updated with modern, tasteful décor.
Hilton Boston Park Plaza
- The backstory: This hotel opened in 1928 and, thanks to its massive size and ‘city within a city’ approach, made it the eighth-largest hotel in the world. It once housed a mini-hospital, barber shop, and even a broadcasting station. It has welcomed almost every US President since FDR took office, along with famous names from Winston Churchill to Katharine Hepburn.
- What to expect: Though you can still feel the hotel’s grandeur in its large shared spaces and its design choices, this isn’t a pretentious property. It’s a reliably comfortable four-star property with some of the most affordable room rates of any historic hotels in Boston.
The Liberty, a Marriott Luxury Collection Hotel, Boston
- The backstory: Originally opened back in 1851, this property was designed and built as a prison. Its large windows were designed to bring in plenty of light and air. During its nearly 150-year tenure as a prison, it housed famous prisoners like Malcolm X and Whitey Bulger, before being closed in 1990 and eventually turned into a luxury hotel.
- What to expect: This is now part of Marriott’s The Luxury Collection, meaning you can expect excellent service and facilities. But there are still plenty of prison elements in use, including the original cell doors and iron guard catwalks.
The Lenox Hotel Boston
- The backstory: Built in 1900 in Boston’s newly burgeoning Back Bay neighborhood, The Lenox was a testament to modernity. It was built of fireproof materials and featured service elevators, electric lights, and ensuite bathrooms. At 11 floors, it was also one of the tallest buildings in the city.
- What to expect: The rooms are modern and comfortable, and the hotel has three great dining choices on-site. Some communal areas and rooms also have functioning fireplaces, adding to the cozy charm, especially in winter.
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