Clarendon Square Bed & Breakfast

This 1860s merchant townhouse,  Clarendon Square (from $165) has been fully gut-renovated, nineteenth-century townhouse. During the extensive renovation many elements of the house such as plaster medallions, mouldings, and doors were salvaged and restored. You can’t escape the 21st century however as there are flat-screen HD TVs, DVDs, surround sound, and wi-fi.

Clarendon Square
198 West Brookline St.
Boston MA 02118
617-536-2229

www.clarendonsquare.com/

Clarendon Sqaure B&B Parlor

We recommend, that of the 3 guest quarters (each has a private bathroom with shower, cable TV/DVD, and a queen-sized bed), you opt for the top-floor Albee Room and enjoy skyline views from the private terrace.

Encoure Bed and Breakfast is within easy walking distance of the Hynes Convention Center, Copley Square, Symphony Gall, the Theatre District, Black Bay, as well as the best in dining, galleries, and shopping in the South End.

Encore Bed & Breakfast  ·  116 West Newton Street  ·  Boston, MA 02118
617-247-3425  ·  info@encorebandb.com

198 West Brookline Street; 617-536-2229; www.clarendonsquare.com is a beautiful surprise. The rooms in this brownstone have been elegantly renovated with antique tubs, fine linens and serene furnishings. Every detail is lovely.

Rooms are $150 to $385, May through August.

Marriott’s Renaissance brand is the big chain’s attempt to grab the boutique traveler. The Waterfront is a sleek nautically-themed hotel with Marriott’s service-with-a-smile touch.

GREAT FOR CONVENTION GOERS

In the South Boston Waterfront area, hard by the Fish Pier and the new Institute of Contemporary Art. The Convention Center and the World Trade Center are a stone’s throw away, but getting to major tourist destinations can take multiple stops.

THE ROOM

Our fifth-floor rooms didn’t have much of a view — they both overlooked a deserted patio outside the hotel fitness center. But they were bright and comfortable. The desk, with a plug-in technology panel, was big enough to work at, and it came with a sleek Keilhauer desk chair. In addition to the flat-screen TV, there was an iHome dock for our iPod(s). Overall nothing really felt “boutique.”

ROOM SERVICE

Standard fare.

AMENITIES

The lap pool (open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.). The adjoining fitness center with treadmills and elliptical machines is open 24 hours a day. In addition to 606 Congress, the hotel’s “modern American” restaurant, there’s a Starbucks in the lobby and 24-hour room service. Wired and wireless Internet are available for $12.95 or $16.95 a day, depending on access speed.

THE BOTTOM LINE

If you’re in town for a convention or to do business in South Boston, the Renaissance would be a no-brainer — convenient, with high-end tech toys and a friendly, helpful staff. (Plus, an early run on the nearby Harborwalk is a delight. You can say hello to the seals outside the aquarium before turning around to come home.) For families or those looking for a classic Boston scene, the out-of-the way location may override the positives. Doubles run from $199 to $499.

Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel, 606 Congress Street, Boston; (617) 338-4111; www.marriott.com.

The completion of the Charles Street Jail in 1851 was a milestone of design, bringing the architect Gridley James Fox Bryant’s stately, rough-hewn granite style to the edge of the Charles River. The jail closed in 1990 and has been transformed into a luxury hotel after a $150 million restoration.

The result preserved much of the original stone and brickwork while adding touches like Gothic-style chandeliers that tower over a lobby lounge. Many cell bars remain as well, cleverly backlighted by ever-changing shades of lavender and chartreuse. And while most of the 298 rooms are stacked in a new tower, 18 are in the original jail, connected by catwalk-like terraces that guards once patrolled.

BEACON HILL LOCATION

Situated at the northern edge of Beacon Hill, overlooking the Charles River. It’s an easy walk to the Boston Common and the Back Bay neighborhood, and a stone’s throw from a subway station (Charles Street/Massachusetts General Hospital on the Red Line).

THE ROOMS

Book “Basic Jail” or “Breathtaking Jail.” The “jails” are both cozy and oddly airy, with exposed-brick walls and floor-to-ceiling windows that offered river and city views. The modern furnishings included an off-white divan, black lacquered desk and dresser and an earthy merino throw at the foot of the plush white bed. A 32-inch flat-panel TV sat above the mini-bar, and an elegant vase was filled with flowers. Instead of the typical “Do not disturb” card, the doorknob sign read: “Solitary.”

THE BATHROOM

Spacious and well-equipped, including a large bathtub, glass-doored shower with excellent water pressure, plenty of towels, Molton Brown products, two luffas and a couple of silky, terry-cloth lined robes. A granite floor matched the overall design.

RESTAURANTS

Scampo, the hotel’s upscale Italian restaurant whereas Clink, a cool and casual place with a lot of exposed brick and original cell bars, offered a delicious array of small plates, including artisanal cheeses served with grilled cranberry-pecan bread ($10 to $15). The same menu is also served at the atmospheric lobby bar, a clutch of red velvet banquettes and leather ottomans popular with post-work crowds in business attire.

Later, the cocktail action moves to the Alibi bar, housed in the former drunk tank that now features real, blown-up mug shots of celebrities like Mick Jagger (who was spotted at Clink in September) and Lindsay Lohan.

AMENITIES

The gym is small, and there’s no spa. The hotel offers Wi-Fi ($10.99 a day), local car service in rush hour at no extra charge and, remote airport baggage check-in screened by the Transportation Security Administration.

ROOM SERVICE

Very good room service. Try the tasty Cheddar and asparagus frittata ($20) came with delicious potatoes and copious toast triangles.

THE BOTTOM LINE

It’s a well-done theme hotel that plays its schtick to perfection, making you feel like one privileged inmate. Doubles start at $319. Liberty Hotel, 215 Charles Street, Boston; (617) 224-4000; www.libertyhotel.com.