Mandarin Oriental has been synonymous with luxury hospitality for more than six decades. The brand’s history reaches back to The Mandarin in Hong Kong and The Oriental in Bangkok, and today its hotels span many of the world’s great cities.
In Boston, Mandarin Oriental brings that level of service to the heart of Back Bay, and its location is one of its greatest assets. The hotel sits on Boylston Street, steps from fantastic shopping on Newbury Street and connected to the Prudential Center. Copley Place is nearby, as are beautiful Boston Common, the Public Garden and the Charles River Esplanade. Fenway Park is also close enough to make a Red Sox game an easy part of the weekend.
And then there’s Eataly inside the Prudential Center. We found ourselves stopping in while we were out exploring, whether for a quick bite or Italian dinner at one of their restaurants.
ARRIVAL
From the moment we arrived, the service was warm and easy. We were offered hot tea during check-in, and the concierge was always nearby when we needed a restaurant suggestion, directions or advice about what to do next.
The lobby is luxurious without feeling stiff. Warm wood walls, contemporary art and colorful seating surround a large center table filled with magnificent flowers. During our stay, the arrangement was overflowing with eye-catching pinks, purples and greenery and became the first thing we noticed each time we walked through the doors.
For parents, there is another smart detail. A small children’s area stocked with books and toys gives younger guests something to do while everyone gets settled.
A charming surprise was the hotel’s delivery robot named Mobi. The robot travels through the hallways, gets on the elevator and delivers items directly to guest rooms. Watching a robot arrive at the door with a delivery was a very entertaining experience.
THE ROOMS
Our room was spacious, comfortable and gave us room to spread out. We had two large beds, a table and chairs, and a green chaise by the window.
Guest rooms start at 410 square feet, with Premier Deluxe and Premier City View rooms offering 540 square feet. There are also larger suites and connecting-room options for families. The bathrooms are stocked with Diptyque products, which we loved, and rooms also include Nespresso machines and yoga mats.
After spending hours walking around Boston, the room was the perfect retreat to come back to.
DINNER AT RAMSAY’S KITCHEN
During your stay, you will want to enjoy a dinner at Ramsay’s Kitchen, Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant inside the hotel.
The dining room looks especially alluring at night. It is dark and intimate, with softly lit white banquettes, circular lights overhead and a huge, dramatic glass wine wall. There was a great buzz when we visited and it was perfect for a night out in Boston.
The menu mixes New England influences with dishes inspired by Ramsay’s travels. His famous Beef Wellington is here, along with tuna tartare and Sticky Toffee Pudding.
For guests who want a more exclusive experience, there is also a private dining room and a Chef’s Table near the kitchen.
THE SPA
The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Boston has held a Forbes Five-Star rating since the hotel opened. Along with massages, facials and body treatments, the spa offers an Amethyst Crystal Steam Room, Vitality Pool with hydrotherapy jets and a relaxation lounge. There is also a large fitness center with Peloton bikes, strength and cardio equipment, free weights and Pilates reformers.
OUT AND ABOUT IN BOSTON
The best part of the location is how much of Boston you experience within a quick reach of the hotel.
We walked through Boston Common and the Public Garden, explored Back Bay and spent time learning about the city’s history. The Freedom Trail is an easy way to see many of Boston’s best-known historic sites, and Newbury Street is close enough to wander without making a separate plan around it.
We also enjoyed a wonderful outing to Fenway Park.
We went to a Red Sox game and arrived early with special access that gave us time to explore the ballpark, go up on the Green Monster and watch the Red Sox pitchers warm up. It was also Kids Run the Bases day so children had the opportunity to step onto the field and follow in the steps of legendary players.
Fenway is worth seeing even if you aren’t a devoted baseball fan. It feels distinctly Boston, and being inside a ballpark that opened in 1912 adds something completely different to a weekend of museums, restaurants and shopping.
WHY WE LOVE IT
Mandarin Oriental, Boston combines true luxury with the ease you want from a city hotel. The Back Bay location, spacious rooms, Ramsay’s Kitchen and exceptional service made it as enjoyable to return to the hotel as it was to explore Boston. From tea at check-in and Diptyque bath products to the Five-Star spa and attentive staff, the details set it apart. For a luxurious weekend in Boston, it’s a hotel we would happily return to.
