10 of the Best Hotels in Boston, According to AAA
Updated: April 25, 2024
AAA Travel Editor, CW
History, culture, sports, shopping, entertainment — you name it and Boston has it. One of the oldest cities in the United States, it's also one of the most popular, annually attracting almost 23 million visitors eager to take in the sights and experiences of America's City on a Hill.
Boston's most distinguishing feature might be its ability to reinvent itself, seen in everything from its cityscape and culture to an ever-evolving variety of hotels and lodgings. If you are looking for the top luxury hotels in Boston, there is no shortage of choices — of course with all of them being AAA approved and Inspected Clean.
Consider these top picks when planning your next Boston getaway for the top Boston hotels, according to AAA.
1. The Newbury Boston
- AAA Five Diamond
- Hotel Class: 5 star
- Price: Starting at $476
- Location: 1 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02116
The Newbury is a sterling example of Boston's unique ability to combine old and new. The building itself, designed by George B. Post - one of the country's most highly-regarded Beaux-Arts architects in his day - first opened in 1927 as the first Ritz-Carlton in the United States. Despite changing owners many times over the last century, the Newbury has retained its elegant appearance while consistently offering guests some of the most comfortable accommodations in town.
Reopened in May 2021 following a two-year renovation, the updated hotel combines design elements paying tribute to its Art Deco roots with exceptional service and comfort. Guests can choose from any of 286 rooms or 90 luxurious suites, many complete with wood-burning fireplaces, overlooking spectacular views of the downtown skyline. And if you're looking for an essential Boston dining experience, you can't afford to miss Contessa, the Newbury's elegant rooftop restaurant.
2. Boston Harbor Hotel
- AAA Five Diamond
- Hotel Class: 5 star
- Price: Starting at $608
- Location: 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA 02110
The heart of Boston has always been its historic harbor, which is why, on any given day of the year, you can find visitors from across the world exploring the waterfront. If you're looking for a place to stay that's both picturesque and within walking distance of some of the city's most beloved landmarks and cultural institutions, the Boston Harbor Hotel, at Rowes Wharf, is the perfect destination.
Guests can choose from spacious rooms - starting at 500 square feet - with views of the harbor or the downtown skyline. Besides placing you at the heart of Boston's historic center, the hotel hosts a regular rotation of entertaining events, including the annual "Summer in the City" concert series.
3. The Whitney Hotel
- AAA Four Diamond
- Hotel Class: 4 star
- Price: Starting at $467
- Location: 170 Charles St, Boston, MA 02114
Perched on Beacon Hill and overlooking nearby Kendall Square across the Charles River, the Whitney Hotel is a great option for visitors looking for a sleek modern setting only minutes away from Boston's most storied sites. With 65 guest rooms and four comfortable suites, the hotel offers amenities like free bicycles for guests, WRIGHT mattresses, Frette bed linens and Grown Alchemist bath products.
Aside from must-see local sites like Boston Common and the Massachusetts State House, guests should check out the in-house Mediterranean-style restaurant, Peregrine. Featuring an excellent wine list, first-class service and meals prepared using locally-sourced ingredients and Catalonian-, Sardinian- and Sicilian-inspired cuisine, it's the perfect way to end a day in town.
4. Mandarin Oriental, Boston
- AAA Five Diamond
- Hotel Class: 5 star
- Price: Starting at $785
- Location: 776 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02199
The Mandarin Oriental is one of the top-rated hotels in Boston and a destination in its own right and it's easy to see why. The recipient of numerous awards, including a 5-star rating from Forbes Travel Guide and a AAA Five Diamond rating, this elegant modern building contains 148 expansive guest rooms and suites.
Part of the Mandarin Oriental group of hotels, the Boston location underwent an extensive $15 million renovation in 2020, mainly focused on updating the rooms and making them as comfortable and luxurious as possible. Visitors can take in the skyline through floor-to-ceiling windows, relax in the sanctuary spa, or marvel at the building's elegant marble lobby during their stay.
5. Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, Boston
- AAA Five Diamond
- Hotel Class: 5 star
- Price: Starting at $630
- Location: 1 Dalton St, Boston, MA 02115
One of two Four Seasons hotels in Boston, One Dalton, located in the city's famed Back Bay neighborhood, offers 215 comfortable rooms and suites. Other amenities and features include a spa and pool, two restaurants and easy access to attractions like Fenway Park, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Boston Symphony Hall and the Boston Public Library.
6. The Eliot Hotel
- AAA Four Diamond
- Hotel Class: 4 star
- Price: Starting at $295
- Location: 370 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215
The Eliot is a testament to the elegance and grace of a century ago. https://www.aaa.com/tripcanvas/article/historic-hotels-in-boston-CM60 Housed in a neo-Georgian building completed in 1925, it originally hosted Harvard professors until its purchase, in 1939, by the Ullian family, who operate it as a public hotel ever since. The Eliot only has 95 rooms, most of which are suites decorated with Italian marble and toile fabrics, giving it a calm, quiet atmosphere.
7. Hotel Commonwealth
- AAA Four Diamond
- Hotel Class: 4.5 star
- Price: Starting at $246
- Location: 500 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215
Situated between Kenmore Square and the mouth of the Back Bay Fens, the Hotel Commonwealth boasts 245 pleasant rooms and suites, including six signature suites, many facing onto neighboring Fenway Park. As the only official hotel of the Boston Red Sox, it's a must-stay for baseball fans. Plus, it's only minutes away from Boston University, the House of Blues and other exciting attractions and guests can pick from an extensive selection of bars and restaurants nearby.
8. The Liberty, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Boston
- AAA Four Diamond
- Hotel Class: 4.5 star
- Price: Starting at $531
- Location: 215 Charles St, Boston, MA 02114
Long one of Bostonians' least favorite locations, the building which now houses The Liberty began as the Charles Street Jail, opened in 1851. After a lengthy, infamous history hosting such notable inmates as Malcolm X, Sacco and Vanzetti and one-time governor James Michael Curley, it was reinvented as a distinctive luxury hotel in 2007. Situated across the Longfellow Bridge from the Charles River Esplanade, the reimagined building now combines modern decor with subtle nods to its colorful past, as well as spectacular riverfront views from many of its 298 rooms and suites.
9. Fairmont Copley Plaza
- AAA Four Diamond
- Hotel Class: 4.5 star
- Price: Starting at $359
- Location: 138 St James Ave, Boston, MA 02116
Easily one of Boston's most famous and well-loved buildings in Boston, the Fairmont first opened in 1912 next door to the Boston Public Library. Belying its long history, the interior has been regularly updated and reinvented to showcase modern decor and amenities. With 383 rooms and suites, it offers plenty of space and options for guests, along with a rooftop gym and OAK Long Bar and Kitchen, the hotel's in-house bar and brasserie.
10. The Colonnade Hotel
- AAA Four Diamond
- Hotel Class: 4 star
- Price: Starting at $449
- Location: 120 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02116
Family-owned since opening its doors in 1971, the Colonnade is as renowned for its proximity to Boston's top attractions - including Fenway Park, the Public Garden and the Prudential Center among them - as its exceptional customer service. Situated between South End and Back Bay East, it's ideally positioned to reach the North End, the Harbor and Fenway-Kenmore to the east.
Join the over a million people who are AAA members and start planning your trip to Boston today. Dream up the perfect trip with our Trip Canvas research tool and use your membership to get the best discounts on hotels, rental cars and entertainment tickets.