Lenox Hotel

Erected in 1900 in the Beaux Arts style, the storied Lenox Hotel is one of the city's most historic properties. After several facelifts over the past century, the facade and interiors are now a fusion of classic and modern design. The dimly lit lobby is bedecked in polished marble floors, tassel lamps, dark leather seating, rich wood furnishings, and large wingback chairs, all creating a look and feel that is rich and luxurious. Three on-site dining outlets -- City Table, Solas Irish Pub, and City Bar -- serve as the hotel's primary social spaces, attracting upscale travelers, locals, and businessmen all day and night. The hotel has a distinctly high-end finish and attracts well-heeled travelers of all stripes.

Owing it's compact size, Boston is an eminently walkable city, and The Lenox has an enviable address in the city's vibrant Back Bay neighborhood. The hotel sits right on the Boston Marathon route, just near the finish line, and has historically served as a hub of the annual race’s activities and events. Dozens of restaurants, shops, essentials, and tourist attractions -- including Newbury Street, The Shops at Prudential Center, Skywalk Observatory, and Boston Public Library -- are all within a five-minute walk. Boston Public Garden is a 10-minute walk from the hotel, while Boston Common will take 15 minutes to reach on foot. The swank Beacon Hill neighborhood is a 20-minute walk from the hotel, a lovely stroll in nice weather.

The hotel is one block from the Copley T stop on Boston’s Green Line. South Station -- the city’s main transportation hub for Amtrak, the commuter rail, as well as local and regional buses -- 15 minutes away by T and a short walk. Logan Airport is roughly 40 minutes away by subway and less than 15 minutes by cab or car.

Like much of the rest of the hotel, guest room interiors successfully pull inspiration from a variety of seemingly disparate sources. Elements of traditional Beaux Arts design, classic New England cottage decor, and French Country accents all combine to provide a warm, elegant atmosphere.

The Lenox offers 10 room types in a wide variety configurations. The entry-level Classic Rooms are on the small side, but typical of most Boston accommodations. Beyond the bed, the cramped rooms are only large enough to accommodate a small work desk and seating area. However, plush carpeting, upscale furnishings, and dark surfaces create a meticulous decor that’s both sophisticated and cozy. Square footage increases substantially in Superior Rooms, Executive Rooms, and suites, with the latter topping out at a massive (for Boston) 800 square feet (74 square meters). These upgraded room categories all offer a similar decor, but with larger, dedicated seating and desk areas.

Bathrooms are adequately sized in all entry level rooms, while suites feature spacious bathrooms, some with dual-headed, glass shower stalls. All bathrooms are clean and bright with polished fixtures, handles, and accents throughout. Creamy, Italian marble countertops and shower surfaces add a bit of extravagance across the board. L'Occitane bath amenities are a nice touch. 

Additional amenities in all room categories include free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and integrated power and networking outlets in the desks and nightstands. Suites add working, wood-burning fireplaces -- a rare and nice touch, particularly for an urban hotel. Beds in every category also offer pillow-top mattresses and are well reviewed as universally comfortable in every room category.

Given the hotel’s central location, many rooms offer excellent views of Back Bay or downtown. Even amid all the action, the rooms provide substantial soundproofing and receive high marks for picking up little street noise. The hotel’s eleventh floor is 100% hypoallergenic. Each room is specially sanitized and features a freestanding, medical grade air purifier, and bedding wrapped in microfiber to protect against dust mites.

The Lenox offers an array of amenities and dining options that rise above those found in many of its neighbors in a hotel-packed part of town.

The hotel has two restaurants and a cocktail lounge, though breakfast isn't included in the room price. Solas is an urban Irish pub with traditional Irish fare like shepherd’s pie and bangers and mash -- it's quite popular among locals as well. City Table serves lunch and dinner daily, breakfast every weekday, and Sunday brunch in an upscale casual atmosphere. For drinks, City-Bar is a plush, dimly lit cocktail lounge with a relaxed, but convivial atmosphere. The hotel offers 24-hour room service as well.

The fitness center is relatively small, however, it’s open 24 hours, and features a handful of modern cardio machines and weight-lifting equipment in a room painted with yellow walls and decorated with posters of athletes. 

While it's not primarily billed as a hotel for business travelers, The Lenox offers 5,000 square feet of meeting and private event space. The hotel also offers free Wi-Fi throughout, including the lobby and restaurants. The business center seems like an afterthought, with two basic computer workstations and a printer tucked into a tiny room under the lobby.

Valet parking is available for a pricey fee that's typical of downtown Boston; while self-parking is a slightly more affordable option in the adjacent garage. For those lacking a car or looking to forego driving altogether, the hotel also provides free in-town car service with local pickup and drop-off. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and the hotel is pet friendly, though there are fees for guests with pets.