Raffles Boston

This luxurious hotel is celebrated for its stunning Sky Lobby on the 17th floor, featuring a grand spiral staircase and panoramic city views, which serves as a memorable social hub. It offers an ultra-luxury experience, making it an ideal choice for luxury travelers, couples seeking a romantic getaway, and business travelers due to its central location and sophisticated ambiance. Families also find it accommodating, with amenities catering to children. Guests consistently highlight the exceptional service and the hotel's commitment to providing a refined stay. To enhance your visit, consider utilizing the highly praised butler service for personalized assistance and reservations, and be sure to explore the unique dining and bar venues within the hotel.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel boasts excellent facilities, including a well-equipped gym with modern equipment like Technogym and Peloton bikes, and a beautiful indoor pool that is often described as an oasis of relaxation, though some guests noted it might not be ideal for active family play. The spa is magnificent, offering a serene environment with sauna, steam room, hot tub, and high-quality Guerlain products. Guests appreciate the overall elegant design and the availability of Wi-Fi. The Sky Lobby itself is a significant amenity, providing a grand space for guests to enjoy. The presence of a hidden speakeasy also adds to the unique amenities available.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests consistently praise the impeccably clean and luxurious rooms, often described as spacious and well-appointed, providing a comfortable and restful stay. The beds are noted for being exceptionally comfortable with plush bedding, ensuring a good night's sleep. Bathrooms are frequently highlighted as large and luxurious, featuring rain showers, soaking tubs, and sometimes heated bathroom floors, complemented by premium Guerlain products. While many rooms offer stunning views, some guests reported rooms facing parking structures, impacting privacy. Some feedback mentioned occasional noise levels from hallways or the air conditioning, and issues with the control panel for lights and blinds.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel offers a diverse culinary experience with multiple venues. Amar, the Portuguese-inspired restaurant, receives high praise for its excellent food quality and sophisticated atmosphere. La Padrona is also noted for its delicious Italian cuisine. The Long Bar is a popular spot for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, offering great views and a lively ambiance, though some guests experienced slow service or inconsistent breakfast quality, with long wait times on weekends. The Blind Duck speakeasy is celebrated for its craft cocktails and intimate vibe. Room service is available, but some guests reported delays or order inaccuracies.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location in the Back Bay area is a significant advantage, placing guests within easy walking distance of popular attractions like Newbury Street and providing excellent public transportation links. Its proximity to the train station makes it convenient for arrivals and departures, and it offers good accessibility to the airport. While the location is highly praised for convenience, parking is available but can be expensive, with some guests noting slow valet service at times. The hotel is considered an ideal base for exploring the city on foot or by transit.

Staff & Service
The staff consistently receives high praise for their exceptional service, described as friendly, attentive, and going above and beyond to ensure a positive guest experience. The butler service is a standout feature, offering a personalized touch and prompt assistance with various requests, often communicating efficiently via text. Guests appreciate the smooth check-in process and the overall willingness of the team to accommodate needs. While most feedback on housekeeping is positive, a few minor lapses were noted. The valet service is generally efficient, though some guests expressed concerns about the high cost and occasional delays.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware that while the hotel aims for a seamless experience, some initial "kinks" have been reported, possibly due to it being a newer property. There have been instances of luggage delivery delays and issues with the control panel for in-room features. Some guests found the valet parking fees to be unexpectedly high or not clearly disclosed. Booking spa treatments can be challenging due to high demand. The hotel is described as having a "luxury residence feeling," which contributes to its unique ambiance but means the traditional lobby experience is different, with check-in located on a higher floor.