August 6, 2021 By Shivani Vora Architectural Digest
Boston is a quintessential New England destination packed with elegance and attractions: visitors can look forward to historical sites that are a tribute to the American Revolution, classic food gems such as Quincy Market juxtaposed with buzzy new eateries, and many green spaces such as Boston Common, the oldest city park in the United States.
On the hotel front, Boston has always had a lineup of properties to pick from, but Cali Hersh, an advisor with the luxury travel company Embark Beyond, says that they’ve been typically more traditional than trendy.
Now, no more.
“The city has a bunch of new or refurbished properties with a young and energetic vibe,” says Hersh, who recently visited Boston and stayed at several of these hotels. “They’re fresh and fun and get you excited about visiting a place where there is so much to see and do.”
This May, for example, The Newbury Boston made a splash in the Back Bay neighborhood, known for its shops and restaurants, and has a backstory dating to 1927 when it was first a Ritz-Carlton. With 286 rooms, the hotel’s modern, clean design keeps some of the building’s original details such as the cobalt blue chandeliers from the main dining room.
Architect Jeffrey Beers is behind the public spaces while interior design firm Champalimaud Design conceived the neutral color palette in the guest rooms. Ken Fulk, a celebrated designer and Boston resident, created the va-va-voom interiors. The rooftop restaurant, Contessa, is courtesy of Major Food Group and serves Italian cuisine.
The Newbury’s lobby features a collection of contemporary artworks, and the hotel has a library and a large gym.