I know when I walk into a hotel room and immediately want to extend my trip an extra month that I’ve chosen the right place. I never really thought that “hotel living” would be something for me until I set foot in my room at the XV Beacon. So, with my most recent Boston visit, I have a fully renewed affinity for Boutique hotels and the indulgence of  a personalized service experience.

 As your average upscale  hotel, yes they make strides to treat each guest as special, but in a place such as this, from the moment you check in, you feel welcome beyond welcome. Actually, I take that back – I felt it the moment I called the front desk on my layover in Cincinnati and spoke with Mitchell, the Front Office Manager, to see about an early check-in. It wasn’t just Mitchell’s overall pleasant demeanor… I truly felt as though they were excited for my arrival, and when I did arrive, they genuinely were.

{Don’t miss “The Boston List” at the bottom – Hand-picked for you by an XV Beacon Expert.  PLUS, our Readers get a special 10% off when calling to book a room}.

I was given a room on the 10th floor of the 10 story hotel. With only 62 total rooms and 7 per floor, the hotel is quite intimate. Every room is slightly different and every room is equipped with a stereo and a fireplace. Amenities, to name a couple, include a rooftop patio with a hot tub {turned on at guest’s request} and a fitness room with an amazing view. If you want more “fitness” the hotel also offers guests a complimentary day by day membership at Fitcorp across the street.

In any hotel room, there are a few important things I look for: Ample space to place my bags, check, a closet, check, a mini bar or refrigerator, check check, a robe, check, a second robe, double check!  No matter if I’m there for a night or a week, a month, I unpack immediately and put things in their place {I am a Virgo AND a bit ‘Type A’ after all}. Here at the XV Beacon, unpacking was a most pleasant task, given their spacious closet and a desk conveniently nestled into the wall. The bathroom products were also more than impressive – an array of soaps, shampoos, even lip gloss – all made exclusively for the XV Beacon.

After settling into my amazing hotel room I conducted my first order of business; A tour of the hotel with Meredith, the Manager of Sales and Catering. While she showed me around this fabulous place, we talked about life in Boston and travel. Meredith’s inspiration in life was her Grandmother. Meredith described her Grandmother’s love of travel as being a big factor in her entering the world of hospitality. In school she spent a semester in Rome and has since traveled all over Europe. The one place she has not yet been and would most like to travel to is Panama {Meredith, we’ll be sure to have a little something on Panama soon!}. Being that she is so versed in travel and hospitality, I asked that she provide our readers with some tips on Boston. That insightful list is provided below!

THE DEETS:
What:  The XV Beacon Hotel
Rating:  5 {a&b} stars (out of 5)
Website:  http://www.xvbeacon.com
Where: 15 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108 {617-670-1500}
Pack Accordingly Special:  Get 10% off when calling to book a room!

THE BOSTON LIST {According to Meredith}:

{ Points of Interest }

• Boston Harbor Cruise
• The Freedom Trail {has great running segments as well}
• Newbury Street/Back Bay {my favorite too}
• The Waterfront! and I’ll add the Boston HarborWalk {because I love exercise}
• Fenway Park {If you’re into sports}
• Faneuil Hall
• Quincy Market

{ Dining }

• Mooo Restaurant {XV Beacon’s award-winning steak house}
• Oishii or O Ya for Sushi
• Mistral or Sorellina for French/Italian Combo
• Grill 23 for Seafood
• Lucca or Tresca in the North End for Italian
• Best Clam Chowder – ’cause isn’t that what you should get when in Boston!? Chart House {I’ve tried it – amazing}
• Union Oyster House

{ Bars/Lounges }

• Emmet’s and The Times for local Irish Pubs
• The following are places whose chef is Barbara Lynch and they are fantastic:
• No. 9 Park  {I’ve tested this one – talk to Ted, the Bar Manager, on Weekends – he’s the best!}
• Menton
• Sportello
• B & G Oyster

{All photographs by Anna L. Coats}