You might not notice it among the other shops and restaurants that dot Boylston Street, but the Charlesmark Hotel is quintessentially “Back Bay”—the neighborhood it calls home in downtown Boston. It’s a small boutique hotel on a busy street with a bar and lounge that could rival any of the nearby bars and pubs.
I was initially familiar with the Charlesmark because of its bar lounge. It was always a decent bar for after-work cocktails—serving up some truly creative concoctions like the Dancing Bear martini (Svedka Citrus vodka, Pama pomegranate liqueur, limoncello and fresh juices). Though the prices on their menu can be a bit steep, you’ll be sure to get a great cocktail. And if you sit at the bar, the company around you is sure to be entertaining.
During my stay in October, visitors seemed to be from every imaginable English-speaking country across the globe. And our bartender was the perfect amount of chatty—enough to be friendly and social, but also gave us our space to enjoy our Thai food dinner.
Besides drinks and a social bar lounge at night, the hotel offers free wifi, the most convenient location in Boston (at Copley Square) and spacious rooms. Just look at the view out my hotel room’s window! That’s the Boston Public Library, the Hancock Tower and Trinity Church all in one shot!
The room itself was well-designed and stylish without being stuffy. Little details in the bathroom, as well as surround sound in the bedroom made my stay that much more enjoyable. Typical me, I ordered in Vietnamese food from one of my favorite restaurants in nearby Chinatown and watched Mean Girls on HBO.
As a long-time fan of the Charlesmark’s bar, it was nice to finally get inside one of the rooms and see the details as a guest of the hotel (disclosure). It’s a bit funny to imagine a bar which also doubles as hotel. The elevator up to the rooms opens right into the lounge area (where a complimentary breakfast is served); it’s a great way to make you feel VIP.
More photos from inside Boston’s loveliest boutique hotel…
The Charlesmark Hotel
655 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
charlesmarkhotel.com
This is making me miss Boston! Heading home next weekend for the first time in FOREVER!
Aww, I love Boston, too Koren! Please have a burrito for me at Anna’s Taqueria and a cocktail at the Charlesmark!
Seems you had a great stay in Boston.
You know, sometimes we have to stop and have a bit of luxury on our travels, and this seems like the perfect kind. Enjoy!
Cheers Elle! I love staying in boutique hotels like these because they’re so often relaxing, comfortable and almost always unique. The cocktails at the Charlesmark were awesome—definitely reason enough for a visit.
[…] Bear martini — a cocktail with gummy bears at Charlesmark Hotel + Lounge in […]
[…] Dancing Bear martini — a cocktail with gummy bears at Charlesmark Hotel + Lounge […]