31-03-2025
Seasons Greetings
Anyone who has ever had the privilege of staying at five-star hotels knows what to expect from a Four Seasons. Though they may differ based on local flavor and the lens of a particular owner, there's always an expectation of top-notch service and accommodations—and, usually, a bit of formality.
In the best way, the Four Seasons Hotel Boston breaks that mold.
While maintaining that elevated level of care, luxury and attentiveness associated with the brand, the property is also infused with a kind of warmth and whimsy. A playful spirit abounds.
I headed to Beantown recently while on book tour for my new novel Pick-Up. If I'm honest, I hadn't been to the city since I was in seventh grade on a school trip. I know, I know. That's insane, especially since I grew up in New York City. But I spent college and my twenties in California and, well, I guess I was traveling to places like Palm Springs and San Francisco instead.
Anyway, that's all to say that I didn't know anything about where to stay in the city, only that the Four Seasons Boston wasn't far from my event at Cambridge's new all-romance bookstore, Lovestruck (also not to be missed—seriously, run don't walk! There's a full bar and a billion cute accessories!).
What I discovered was delightful. And—much like the bookshop too—the magic was in the details from the get-go.
Not to be confused with the sleek Four Seasons One Dalton, which sits only a mile away, but might as well be in another hemisphere for how much the vibes vary, this property overlooks the Public Garden, established in 1837 as the first public botanical garden in the U.S. Next door is Boston Commons, created in 1634 as this country's first public park. So, right away, you're immersed in some serious history—not to mention beautiful views. But, at the same time, the hotel is just steps from Newbury Street, one of the city's most beloved shopping stretches. So—a win-win for all types!
Inside the hotel, the lobby—which was dramatically reimagined by designer Ken Fulk in 2023—is awash in rich jewel tones. The walls are an unapologetic green, accented by rich amber and rust-hued furniture upholstered in lush fabrics with textured stitching and fringe. Black and white checkered tile contrasts with patterned rugs, ornate wallpaper and myriad plants, creating an Art-Deco-meets-modernist vibe that feels more like a grand parlor in Clue than like the requisite cold white marble alternative. The object was to mimic but also update the intimate grandeur of the Back Bay and Beacon Hill area's upscale historic homes, as if guests here have been invited into a stately private living room. Mission accomplished. The welcoming space manages to feel at once of another era and entirely now.
Behind the front desk is a mural of the Garden just outside, but also a secret door that it would be easy to miss (if, in my case, the concierge hadn't pointed it out). This is just the first in a series of thoughtful and joyful surprises peppered throughout the property. The Mystery Closet is a destination for kids, who are surreptitiously handed an oversized key for entry (though it's hard not to get sucked in by the magic as an adult too). Inside the small room is a child's fantasy, the opportunity not only to choose a toy, but also to begin the process of a hotel-wide scavenger hunt—to enchant throughout the stay. Standing inside, marveling at that special space, I could only imagine the elation on my children's faces had they been there for the experience!
To one side of the front desk is Coterie, a chic and cheerful brasserie with a similar design as the lobby and a menu inspired by New England. (Don't miss the cocktails or seafood—I had amazing oysters!) On the other side of the ground floor is Sottovento, an onsite espresso shop where all the beverages are complimentary for guests. I don't know why that feels so luxurious when a coffee costs very little compared with what visitors are paying to stay, but…it does. They even have a coffee concierge, who will have guests' drinks brought up to their rooms. And they make a mean matcha latte with oat milk (my drink). I wish I had one right now.
The rooms are lovely and pristine, as one would expect—with an aesthetic that's more sedate than the lobby, but with large windows that let in nice light and of course that plush white bedding we all look forward to in hotels. All the specialty suites have also been revamped, including the Royal, which is often a home-away-from-home for celebrities and features a full bar, dining room, screening room and a Wyoming king-sized bed which truly does seem to be the size of Wyoming.
Upstairs, off the fitness center, is a sleek indoor pool and hot tub, with saunas and steam rooms in the locker area. There's also an open-air atrium called The Sanctuary, where guests are invited to convene in nicer weather and even order food to eat using a London-style red telephone box. But perhaps most exciting to children and adults alike are the Vaults on each floor, which exist in place of minibars. Designed with cheeky themes and playful details like Benjamin Franklin blowing pink bubbles, these onetime ice closets are now stocked with complimentary snacks like popcorn, chips and candy, in addition to a seltzer machine where guests can select flavors and even fizz level. I mean…what could be more fun?
In short, when it comes to the Four Seasons Hotel Boston, just like the characters in my book, I have fallen in love.
