The Lenox Hotel, Boston’s Beaux-Arts gem, enchants with timeless elegance, boutique charm, and an unbeatable Back Bay location. Here’s why it’s our pick for your next stay in Boston.
It’s midnight when I spill out of the taxi, travel-weary and half-stumbling. A doorman swoops in, sharp in his uniform, catching me mid stumble and relieving me of my bags before steering me through the revolving doors of The Lenox Hotel.
Tired as I am, I can’t help but release an audible gasp as I enter the foyer, its moody lighting revealing ageless antiques, extravagant details, and a marble fireplace crackling away, even at this hour.
Velvet seating lurks in shadowy corners where Boston’s rich and shameless have likely plotted who knows what for generations, while the dark timber front desk stands like an altar to discretion, bathed in the amber glow of brass lamps that flatter even the most jet lagged complexions. The atmospheric foyer speaks to me, ‘Yes, we’ve seen things, darling, but we’ll keep your secrets too.’ Or maybe that’s just my jet-lagged brain, punch-drunk with exhaustion, narrating my night like I’m a washed-up noir detective?
Regardless, I am enchanted. And though my room, and sleep, beckons, I am tempted to sink into one of the plush sofas and let the hotel’s character wash over me. Eyelids growing ever heavier, I push the thought aside, promising myself that whatever this place holds, it can wait until morning. I slide into the lift and press the button for my floor. As the doors glide shut, I am unable to shake the feeling that I’ve stumbled upon the world’s best-kept secret.
The Lenox legend
Except that this iconic hotel is hardly a secret. In fact, it is something of an institution. Housed in a building that has witnessed over 100 years of Bostonian history, The Lenox was born during Boston’s Gilded Age, an era that demanded luxury, opulence, and a touch of drama. The building itself is a stunning example of Beaux-Arts architecture, and one of the first grand buildings to rise in the city’s then newly developed Back Bay neighbourhood, to serve as Boston’s answer to grand European hotels. So grand that The Boston Post even crowned it “the Waldorf-Astoria of Boston”.
Word obviously got around, because over the years the boutique beauty has played host to some big names, from George H.W. Bush and Babe Ruth to Ryan O’Neil and Judy Garland, who called the hotel home for several months. You can follow in her ruby slipper-clad footsteps by booking a stay in her old digs, the glam Judy Garland Suite.
Rooms at The Lenox
While I don’t get to click my heels three times and say, “There’s no place like the Judy Garland Suite,” I am thrilled with my spacious Executive Corner Fireplace room. With its soaring ceilings, vintage chandeliers and yes, a working wood-burning fireplace (complete with a fireplace concierge who will come to build or stoke your fire), it’s tempting to cancel all my plans for tomorrow and spend the day curled up in bed with a book. Speaking of bed, the King-sized number with its opulent quilted headrest and pillow like mattress is so insanely comfortable that I’m ready to fall into it fully clothed.
At least I am until I notice a coffee table adorned with treats, including a somehow still-warm salted chocolate chip cookie that simply must be eaten. Riding the chocolate rush, I spend the next 20 minutes gazing out the windows, taking in the impossibly pretty view of Back Bay shrouded in a soft midnight mist.
The location
The Lenox is conveniently located on Boylston Street, one of Boston’s most famous thoroughfares, in the charming Back Bay neighbourhood. Known for its historic Victorian brownstones and pretty, tree-lined streets, the hotel places you in the heart of Boston’s best. Step outside, and you’re only a short walk from Newbury Street’s chic boutiques, Copley Square’s architectural beauty and the must-see Boston Public Library. Just steps from the iconic Boston Marathon finish line, the historic hotel also offers front-row access to one of the city’s most legendary events. And if you need a dose of greenery, Boston Common and the Public Garden are just a leisurely stroll away.
Dining at the Lenox
When hunger hits, The Lenox spoils me for choice. City Table (now Willow & Ivy) serves up dishes that feel indulgent without trying too hard in a gorgeous dining room. The bouillabaisse is a thing of rich, saffron-kissed perfection, and the truffle fries prove that potatoes can aspire to greatness. If you’re looking for an excuse to stay another night, their breakfast of Eggs Benedict topped with smoked Atlantic salmon and drizzled in lemon hollandaise, served with a side of Maine breakfast potatoes, should do the trick.
For a casual bite and a pint of Guinness, head to Sweeney’s Irish Pub (formerly Sólás) for hearty Irish fare that feels like a warm hug. And when the siren call of cocktails beckons (and doesn’t it always?), there’s City Bar (now The Irving), where the cool kids (and me) savour martinis and brood over whiskey, pretending we’re the star of our own personal film noir. (Okay, so that’s just me again, my inner monologue off on one again).
Oh, and if you can’t be bothered to put on pants? Room service delivers 24/7, judgement-free.
The little things
You’ll find plenty of little touches at The Lenox Hotel that will make your stay feel personal. There are filtered water stations on each floor to encourage the use of reusable bottles. There’s free, locally roasted, ethically sourced coffee by the lobby lifts, for those who need a little assist in the morning (me again), and a miniature gift shop, the Mercantile, stocked with fabulous treats to take home.
There’s also the fact that, after a busy day of Boston-ing, you can simply retreat to your comfortable room with a glass of wine, soak in the city lights, and just breathe. I’m here for it.
Service & sustainability
What really seals the deal for me, though, is the staff. Despite the old-world formality of its uniformed doormen, there’s no stuffy concierge vibe at The Lenox Hotel, just a warm, hospitable team that makes you feel like you’re staying with friends who happen to be experts on all things Boston. They care so much about their guests they even offer a dedicated Pure Floor for people with allergies and sensitivities where rooms undergo a five-step process using medically approved hypoallergenic products and feature state-of-the-art air purifiers.
But the Lenox Hotel’s crew aren’t just opening doors and serving pillow mints; they’re serving the planet. While you’re living it up in Beantown luxury, this savvy establishment is quietly offsetting 100% of its electricity and gas. The dapper uniforms? They’re made from recycled bottles. And if you skip the daily sheet change, they’ll reward you with sleek water carafes to use at the water stations! Meanwhile, on the rooftop, five buzzing beehives are working overtime, turning Boston Common’s finest blooms into liquid gold. And for the EV crowd, there’s a charging station right outside.
The verdict
In a city filled with incredible hotel options, The Lenox struts its vintage charm like that effortlessly cool friend who throws on a vintage coat and somehow looks red-carpet ready. While other places reek of trying too hard, The Lenox just exists in its own fabulous bubble, graciously allowing you to temporarily upgrade your life by association.
The Lenox Hotel
61 Exeter St,
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Tel+1 617-536-5300
Disclosure: I was a guest of The Lenox Hotel and Meet Boston, but all imagined conversations, brooding over whisky and opinions are my own.
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Note: Originally published in September 2024, this post was updated in February 2025 to reflect recent changes to hotel dining.
An award-winning travel writer and photographer, Aleney de Winter was fresh from school when she first set off to explore the far reaches of Australia with a two-man tent and a beaten-up Kingswood for company. Three decades, and two kids later, and she's still on the go, with her itchy-footed offspring in tow. 