A Weekend in Boston: Where to Stay

Where to Stay in Boston: The Fairmont Copley Plaza

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My first trip to Boston coincided with my first summer in New York; I was 22 and new to the Northeast and took the Chinatown bus over to Massachusetts to visit friends. We did all the things you’re supposed to do when in Boston: the Freedom Trail, Fenway Park, Bunker Hill, the Harvard campus. And then I returned to gritty New York and wondered if I’d made a mistake: Was Boston where I was supposed to live? It was so clean, so manageable, so nice.

A Weekend in Boston: Where to Stay

In the decade and change since that inaugural visit, I’ve been back to Boston a handful of times, usually in 48-hour chunks here and there. This past visit was no different; SVV and I chose to head up to Massachusetts the second the weather warmed and the Northeast would (hopefully) be in bloom. While we would have liked to have stayed longer, the city was indeed welcoming its first days of spring, in addition to preparing for something much bigger than our arrival just days later: the Boston Marathon.

A Weekend in Boston: Staying at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel

Where to Stay in Boston

And as the Fairmont Copley Plaza is the official marathon hotel, we got a preview of the action just days before the runners arrived. Let me just say that if this is the type of place that runners get to stay before and after a race, then I clearly need to get back into distance running!

A Weekend in Boston: Staying at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel
A Weekend in Boston: Staying at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel

A Weekend in Boston: Where to Stay

A Weekend in Boston: Staying at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel
A Weekend in Boston: Staying at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel

From the moment we were dropped off in Back Bay at the hotel’s front entrance where the  canine ambassador Carly greeted us—she’s kind of a big deal—and the bellhop rolled our bags through Peacock Alley, I was reminded of why I’ve always been drawn to Fairmont properties.

They exude a certain elegance while striking that fine line between being sophisticated and not stuffy. If memory serves me correctly, this was my 7th stay at various Fairmont properties around the world—Vancouver, Banff Springs, Lake Louise, Hawaii, Shanghai, San Francisco—with my 8th falling later in the same week in New York City.
A Weekend in Boston: Staying at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel

I love me a proper hotel; bonus if it’s a Fairmont!

A Weekend in Boston: Staying at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel

A Weekend in Boston: Staying at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel
A Weekend in Boston: Staying at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel

A Weekend in Boston: Staying at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel

We arrived to find our room overlooked Copley Plaza, a fascinating network of crisscrossing businessmen, fitness buffs, tourists and hipsters. The Fairmont’s confluence of modern art and accents from the gilded age makes it attractive to both those who crave luxury, as well as seasoned travelers like us who desire something unique in a hotel. Plus, it’s got a century’s worth of history to boot, having first opened its doors in 1912.

A Weekend in Boston: Where to Stay

Checking out the Fairmont Gold lounge

We stayed on the Fairmont Gold level, which is always my favorite way to stay at any Fairmont with its private lounge boasting free nibbles daily and an honor bar so you can fill your glass with whatever booze your heart desires without having to venture downstairs to the bar (though we did make that trip several times, as well). In the Gold lounge, there’s also a pretty extensive morning breakfast spread, which came in handy on our final day when we had an early train departing for New York.

A Weekend in Boston: Where to Stay

A Weekend in Boston: Staying at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel
A Weekend in Boston: Staying at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel

A Weekend in Boston: Staying at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel

Eating our way through the Fairmont Copley Plaza

Downstairs, there’s the OAK Long Bar + Kitchen with its kicking happy hour nightly that’s brimming with off-duty executives and hotel guests alike, all served by the bespoke bartenders, who are some of the best at their craft, whipping up unique drinks like the Smoked Chai Manhattan at the ready. For the road warriors who are more dedicated to working out while traveling than I am, there’s also a rooftop fitness facility, though I can’t say that I stepped foot inside of it—too few days, too many drinks to try at OAK instead!

A Weekend in Boston: Staying at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel

A Weekend in Boston: Staying at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel
A Weekend in Boston: Staying at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel

Exploring Boston beyond the hotel

Yes, the Fairmont Copley Plaza was one of those places where we found it hard to draw ourselves out of the hotel confines, but eventually we did because a gorgeous 85-degree spring day in Boston awaited us.

A Weekend in Boston: Where to Stay

A Weekend in Boston: Staying at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel
A Weekend in Boston: Staying at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel

A Weekend in Boston: Staying at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel

A Weekend in Boston: Staying at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel
A Weekend in Boston: Staying at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel

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A Weekend in Boston: Staying at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel
A Weekend in Boston: Staying at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel
A Weekend in Boston: Staying at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel
COMMENTS
  • May 4, 2017

    I’ve always wanted to stay at a Fairmont property – they all look amazing! I love the new trend of house dogs at hotels – was just at the Hilton Milwaukee and they had a goldendoodle pup. So nice when you are missing your own dog!

  • May 4, 2017

    I’m a big fan of Fairmont hotels. I just stayed at the Olympic in Seattle last weekend. I LOVE the one in San Francisco and their property in Acapulco is very special.

  • May 4, 2017

    ohh swanky! – looks so luxurious

  • May 4, 2017

    And I thought I had it good here in Egypt! We treated ourselves to a Marriott for our 4 days in Hurghada, it’s been lovely, but your Fairmont looks superb!

  • May 6, 2017

    What a gorgeous hotel! Snazzy is a word I’ve almost never used, but it’s the first word that comes up when I see this hotel!

  • May 6, 2017

    These pictures are amazing! I am so happy to discover your blog! Fairmont in Boston is definitely a luxury hotel and I cannot wait to visit and explore the city!

  • May 6, 2017

    Wow this hotel is stunning. I think that is the prettiest lobby I have ever seen.
    I’ve always wanted to stay in a Fairmont but have yet to do so.
    This post makes me want to even more!

  • May 6, 2017
    Casey

    I was listening to Vivaldi while reading this, which turned out to be so incredibly fitting for the grandeur of this hotel.

  • May 9, 2017

    Fairmont hotel looks great … can you tell me Accommodation price in summer

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