Charles Street location near Boston Common and the Public Garden
Classic 19th-century brick building with historic details
Rooms with attractive contemporary decor, flat-screen TVs, and iPod docks
Popular French-style bistro; room service available
Cozy bar drawing locals and guests alike
Tempting third-floor terrace with street views
Made-to-order bistro breakfast included in rate
Free in-room Wi-Fi and communal computer available
Small pets welcome (for a fee)
Small guest rooms (most are about 270 square feet)
Potential for street noise, especially in the morning
No on-site parking (the nearest garage is beneath Boston Common)
No gym or business center
Originally built in the mid 1800s, the three-pearl Beacon Hill Hotel and Bistro scores high marks for its heritage character and coveted central location. With only 12 small rooms and one suite, the boutique property is more charming and intimate than the Wyndham Boston Beacon Hill, a larger mid-range alternative in the area; however, it has far fewer amenities. Seamlessly blending old and new, the inviting guest rooms have a soothing vibe, although street noise may disrupt the apparent calm. A fortifying free breakfast is served each morning in the on-site bistro, which also serves other meals and room service. A cozy bar is also on-site.
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Scene
A welcoming heritage hotel on a trendy street in a tony neighborhood
Housed in a pair of renovated 19th-century brownstones, the Beacon Hill has a vintage reception desk rather than an imposing lobby, and, adjacent to it, a popular neighborhood bistro that adds a welcome buzz. From its classic brick facade to its wood-paneled public areas, the hotel exudes a sense of warmth and solidity that's in keeping with its Charles Street address. Thanks to the central location, this boutique property has broad appeal; however, room sizes coupled with bed configurations (each room has only one King or Queen) make it an unlikely choice for families. It's also a small, intimate property, meaning it lacks the features found in the looming high-rise hotels.
Location
A prime location within walking distance of many major attractions
This handsome hotel sits at the foot of Beacon Hill on a commercial block of Charles Street, the thoroughfare separating Boston Common from the Boston Public Garden. As a result, it not only offers easy on-foot access to the city’s two premiere green spaces (both mere minutes away), it provides a convenient location for visitors wishing to explore historic Beacon Hill itself as well as a range of other favorite sites -- assorted Freedom Trail stops among them. Proximity to the Theater District means evening entertainment options are also close at hand. - Three-minute walk to Louisburg Square
Rooms
Small rooms with a style that combines past and present
No two rooms are exactly alike at the Beacon Hill Hotel; however, all are comparatively small and stylish. Clean-lined, contemporary furnishings offset old-school architectural features such as plantation shutters and wainscoting or perhaps a deeply-sloped gable. All of it combines to create a calming look that's at once hip and historic. Upholstered headboards and plump bolster pillows accentuate duvet-topped beds while flat-screen TVs share wall space with arty black-and-white photographs. Rooms also feature iPod docks and free Wi-Fi. Ample windows lend lots of natural light, and, in an age when many hotels feel hermetically sealed, the fact that they open literally offers a breath of fresh air. The downside of those windows is noise, particularly in rear rooms during the early morning delivery period. Like the guest rooms, bathrooms are small but serviceable with a standard shower/tub combo. Subway tiles add vintage appeal, as do the pedestal sinks. Gilchrist and Soames toiletries are an added bonus.
Features
A popular bistro leads the short list of on-site amenities.
This is a Lilliputian heritage property, so don't come here expecting perks like a swimming pool, a fitness center, or meeting rooms. That said, the hotel does have a well-regarded restaurant -- the Beacon Hill Bistro. Paneled in dark wood and adorned with mirrors, the long, narrow dining room has a French-inspired look. Ditto for the menu: Picture French toast with spiced crème fraîche for brunch, a frisée salad for lunch, and duck confit followed by steak frites for dinner. (Room service is available when the restaurant is open.) There is also a cozy bar where locals are known to gather. In the hotel proper, a third-floor street-view deck is reserved exclusively for guests. Those who prefer to linger indoors can retreat to a comfy little lounge with a communal computer and a solid selection of magazines. Hotel freebies include a hot bistro breakfast and in-room Wi-Fi. Traveling with a pet? Dogs under 30 pounds are accepted for an added fee.
