Boston Hotels Reviews: Guide to Luxury, MidRange, Budget Hotels in Downtown Boston Massachusetts

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There are plenty of places to rest your weary head after a long day of sightseeing in Boston. From luxury properties with all the bells and whistles to budget digs with just the basics – mega-hotel chains to intimate B&Bs – you'll find the place that suits your needs and your wallet here. In the last decade, Boston has added more than 30 new properties, most of the high-end variety and several boutique accommodations – something unheard of before the year 2000. New hotels are opening their doors all the time, but we've picked our well-established favorites in each price category.

A familiar name in luxury tops the list: The Four Seasons (200 Boylston St.; 617/338-4400; www.fourseasons.com/boston) overlooks the Public Garden from its perch in Back Bay and visitors can expect to be pampered – complimentary limousine service to downtown, in-room exercise equipment on request, spa services, elegant interiors, and one of Boston's best restaurants (Aujourd'hui) are all part of the experience. Also in Back Bay, the Fairmont Copley Plaza hotel (138 St. James Ave.; 617/267-5300; www.fairmont.com/copleyplaza), opened in 1912, recently completed a major restoration, with a spectacular lobby and luxurious guestrooms with marble bathrooms. The hotel is home to The Oak Room (See Where to Eat) one of the city's top steakhouses; guests can order off this menu as part of the restaurant's 24-hour in-room dining program. XV Beacon (15 Beacon St.; 617/670-1500; www.xvbeacon.com) is a 60-room ultra-luxe boutique hotel in Beacon Hill where all rooms have gas fireplaces, queen poster beds, CD player and library, and rainforest showerheads. It's also credited with starting the boutique-hotel craze in the city. Complimentary chauffeured Lexus sedans are available to all guests for jetting around town.

In the mid-range category, our favorite is Jury's (350 Stuart St.;617/266-7200; www.jurysdoyle.com), the Irish hotel chain that arrived in Boston a few years back and quickly became popular for its upscale rooms, warm staff, and great location in Back Bay. Its home is the former police headquarters, but you'd never guess it from the luxurious linens, spacious bathrooms, and little touches like free wireless, multi-head showers, and heated towel racks that make this hotel an excellent value. In Beacon Hill, the intimate 12-room Beacon Hill Hotel (25 Charles St.; 617/723-7575; www.beaconhillhotel.com) has a great location on lovely Charles Street near the Boston Common and Public Garden. Think modern conveniences (flat-panel TVs and high-speed internet access) in a charming, old-world setting. Its on-site restaurant, The Beacon Hill Bistro, is a local favorite. Families love the Colonnade Hotel (120 Huntington Ave.; 617/424-7000; www.colonnadehotel.com) for its roof-top pool – the only one in the city – a guaranteed hit when the kids tire of sightseeing on a summer day. Rooms are comfortable and tastefully decorated, and its location in Back Bay near the Prudential Center is prime for sightseeing and shopping.

For a suitable stay at a budget price, the Midtown Hotel (220 Huntington Ave.; 617/262-1000; www.midtownhotel.com) offers affordable prices and all the basics in a great Back Bay location. The rooms, though not luxe, are large, clean, and comfortable. All have televisions, hair dryers, climate control, and coffee makers. There is an outdoor pool open in the summer months and on-site parking for $12/day – a bargain compared to other parking prices in the area. Nearby, on a quiet residential street, the 463 Beacon Street Guest House (463 Beacon St.; 617/536-1302; www.463beacon.com) offers 20 guest rooms in a turn-of-the-century brownstone mansion with architectural details common in this kind of home – high ceilings, hardwood floors, and ornamental fireplaces. The rooms are clean and basic; all but a few of the least expensive have a private bath.