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Forbes
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
5 Hot Boston Rooftop Bars
Toast Massachusetts' capital from new heights at these amazing alfresco spots. iStock-Sean Pavone Escape the steamy bustling streets of Boston in the summer by heading to one of the city's sleek rooftop bars to cool off and take in the sunset and the sparkling night skyline. As more roof deck bars pop up, there's a style and a vibe for everyone, from lively and fun venues to cozy and romantic settings. Here are five taking the outdoor experience to new heights. The Long Bar & Terrace is a 17th-floor stunner. Raffles Boston Luxury hotel brand Raffles chose Boston for its first foray in North America, and the Back Bay hotel is simply a stunner. It gives several dining and drinking options, but the unique 17th-floor Long Bar & Terrace provides unparalleled city views alongside impeccable service, bespoke cocktails and elevated snacks. Sip on a signature Boston Sling, a riff on the original Singapore Sling created at the first Raffles, made with Blind Duck gin, Pama liqueur, Drambuie, Amaro Nonino, cranberry compote and housemade apple shrub, or try a refreshing spritz or mocktail. Appetizers include whipped ricotta and smoked bluefish pâté. Comfortable couches and chairs invite you to stay awhile. At Beacon Hill Hotel, you can sip while taking in the sights. Beacon Hill Hotel Ideal for people-watching, the somewhat-hidden rooftop terrace at the boutique Beacon Hill Hotel is a lovely spot for a drink or a meal. A few floors above upscale Charles Street, the terrace welcomes hotel guests and anyone else in search of a bite with a vista. Order a dozen oysters or the burrata flight with a glass of bubbles, sit back and enjoy the breeze. Of course, you could make a night or even a weekend of it at the charming European-style property. The Butterfly Effect is one of the Revere Hotel's fun cocktails. Revere Hotel Revere Hotel In the vibrant Theater District, the Rooftop at Revere Hotel is one of the largest scenic rooftop lounges in the city. Whimsical drinks — the Butterfly Effect is a particularly fun concoction with a seasonal popsicle plunged into a mix of Suntory Roku Gin, limoncello, Aperol and butterfly pea flower — are refreshing on a hot summer's night. Batch cocktails, such as the Blush Hour (Whispering Angel Rosé, Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto, St-Germain, yuzu and grapefruit), are perfect for sharing. Delicious flatbreads, topped with everything from wild mushrooms and pesto to fig and prosciutto, are wonderfully paired with sides like grilled street corn and dips. And if you're looking for an exclusive experience, book a private cabana for you and your companions. Envoy Hotel The Rooftop at the Envoy is one of the Seaport District's hot spots, with gorgeous harbor views and a chic clientele. The seventh-floor bar is known for its creative craft cocktail menu and sophisticated small plates. Try a Lycheé Froseé, a frozen blend of Absolut Vodka, lychee puree, rosé and Aperol. Or, if you're a group of four, order the Papaya Party, with Espolon Tequila, papaya puree, pineapple and prosecco. Then add on the tempting truffle Parmesan fries, fried chicken sliders or Buffalo cauliflower bites. The venue offers reservations for special spots, including couches and fire-pit seating. And the rooftop is open year-round, so even in winter, you can comfortably enjoy the view from seasonal igloos or wherever else you've reserved a seat. Enjoy drinks from the top of the Prudential Center. View Boston View Boston If you want the best and highest views of any roof deck in the city, Stratus, the signature bar at View Boston, is the answer. The three-floor observatory, on floors 50 to 52 at the top of the Prudential Center, hosts a variety of exhibits, a bistro and the Stratus bar. Situated on the observation deck's 51st floor, the 360-degree, open-air space allows you to watch the sun set with a glass of wine or a Wicked Passionate (Flecha Azul Blanco, Cointreau, passionfruit puree, pineapple juice, lime juice, coconut water and agave). Take photos on a clear night, when you can see everything from Fenway Park to the Charles River from a bird's-eye perspective. A variety of tickets is available, but the Sips & Sights Experience offers access to the decks and exhibits, along with a beverage of your choice. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes 27 Hotels With Luxury Car Collaborations By Melinda Sheckells Forbes Forbes Travel Guide's Best Hotel Bars For 2025 By Jennifer Kester Forbes 18 Undiscovered Beach Getaways By Forbes Travel Guide Forbes 6 Breathtaking New York City Rooftop Bars By Spencer Whaley
Boston Globe
09-07-2025
- Boston Globe
Seven boutique hotels in Boston to check out (that you won't want to check out of)
.bofbpic img { width: 100%; height: auto; } The Boxer The accommodations are not frou-frou at The Boxer Boston, but the hotel hits the boutique sweet spot because it's small (80 rooms), unique (located inside the historic Flatiron Building in the West End), in a desirable area (a 5-minute walk to TD Garden), and offers personalized services (bicycles for exploring the city). The rooms have a calm, tailored, industrial vibe about them. If you're looking for opulence, the Boxer is not a fit. But if you appreciate uniquely designed urban hotels with attentive staff and a jovial, laid-back lobby bar, then the Boxer is ideal. Address: 107 Merrimac Street, West End Phone: 617-624-0202 Find online: .bofbpic img { width: 100%; height: auto; } The Eliot Hotel The Eliot Hotel Jared Kuzia From the uniformed valet outside the hotel's entrance to the vaulted marble lobby with a crystal chandelier, the Eliot is the closest Boston has to an old-world European hotel. Even the keys are traditional — no plastic cards here. Housed in an elegant 1925 neo-Georgian building in a plum location on the corner of Commonwealth and Massachusetts avenues, the hotel wouldn't look out of place in a historic Paris neighborhood. Rooms have been recently updated, but charming details such as picture frame wainscoting and well-placed objets d'art remain. What matters in a hotel room is a comfortable bed and a powerful shower, and the Eliot has both. But what sticks with you after a stay are sweet touches, such as the chocolates left in your room, and the architectural details, like the lovely brass dial position indicators above the elevators that are straight out of the 1920s. Address: 370 Commonwealth Avenue, Back Bay Phone: 617-267-1607 Find online: .bofbpic img { width: 100%; height: auto; } Raffles Boston Raffles Boston Jared Kuzia for the Boston Globe Boston's priciest luxury hotel opened in 2023, and it does not disappoint. Raffles Boston exudes opulence, from the live orchids, bowls of citrus, and fresh macarons in the rooms, to the gorgeous three-story winding staircase in the hotel's 17th-floor lobby. Guest rooms start at a generous 400 square feet and include butler service — yes, butler service — a custom-made leather bar that resembles a 1940s steamer trunk, and a writing box with embossed stationery and postcards to brag to friends where you're staying. No detail is ignored, and no bed linen thread count is under 300. The level of impeccable service works in harmony with the quality of the rooms. Address: 40 Trinity Place, Back Bay Phone: 617-351-8888 Find online: .bofbpic img { width: 100%; height: auto; } The Row Hotel at Assembly Row The Row Hotel at Assembly Row Aram Boghosian for the Boston Globe In 2019, readers of Travel + Leisure made the unexpected move of naming a Marriott in Somerville the third-best hotel in the United States. As it turns out, they weren't wrong. The Row Hotel is part of the Marriott Autograph Collection, which means it's more posh and design-forward than a standard Marriott, and the Row is an outstanding example. The staff is consistently attentive, the rooms are quiet, and the beds have deliciously comfortable pillow-top mattresses. The Row has features that aren't common in city hotels, such as a heated indoor pool, a sun terrace, and an expansive fitness center. Just as importantly, it's a fun place to stay. The chic decor pays homage to the building's past life as a Ford Motor Assembly Plant — a steampunk feast for the eyes. Address: 360 Foley Street, Somerville Phone: 617-628-1300 Find online: Related : .bofbpic img { width: 100%; height: auto; } Sonder 907 Main Sonder 907 Main Although the words 'boutique' and 'Central Square' don't seem to belong in the same sentence, Sonder 907 Main oddly works. There are just enough quirky design features (the gold tile in the bathroom is a nice touch) that make it feel like a part of the edgy neighborhood. The exterior of the 1867 building is nearly the only original part of the structure still intact. The once-rickety interior was gutted and rebuilt with stylish results. Rooms have plush beds, blond hardwood floors, 55-inch TVs, and, if you wisely choose a king room, a bay window from which you can view the locals and the sun. Toscanini's, which makes some of the best ice cream in Cambridge, is steps away from your room. Address: 907 Main Street, Cambridge Phone: 617-300-0956 Find online: .bofbpic img { width: 100%; height: auto; } The Whitney Hotel Boston The Whitney Hotel Boston Christopher Muther/Globe staff/file The 1909 brick building was once a dormitory for nursing students, but it found a second, more stately life in 2019 when it debuted as The Whitney Hotel, a 65-room boutique hotel with views of the Charles River. Every tweed-upholstered daybed and piece of art was thoughtfully curated, giving the hotel a smart, soothing residential quality. On each floor, guests can find the Whit Pantry, which offers complimentary cookies and soda water throughout the day. In the rooms, alabaster-on-gray geometric carpeting leads to elegant slate-colored wood flooring, which flows into a large bathroom with rain showers. The cumulative effect, from the textured wallpaper to the Australian-made bath amenities, is an oasis for relaxing after a day of urban exploration. Address: 170 Charles Street, Beacon Hill Phone: 617-367-1866 Find online: Boston Globe Best of the Best winners for 2025 were selected by Globe newsroom staff and correspondents, and limited to Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, and Brookline. We want to hear from you: ? 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