by Rachel – VGP Guest Blogger
I am originally the Boston area and now live in the Southeast. Fall is the season I miss most while living in the South. I try to get to Boston during the crisp, cool months of October and November before the winter chill sets in. My favorite hotel to stay at is The Liberty, a Starwood property. I choose The Liberty because of its ideal location and an interesting, well preserved history.
The Iconic Liberty Hotel Copyright: The Liberty Hotel
Until 1973, The Liberty was an operating city jail. In 1990, the last prisoners were moved to the new Suffolk County Jail. The jail’s granite exterior and light-filled interiors remain largely unchanged. The jail’s central atrium forms the core of the hotel and is filled with original windows, historic catwalks and preserved jail cells. The onsite dining and nightlife options speak for themselves and are busy any night of the week. They include CLINK, a modern restaurant perfect for brunch and Chef Lydia Shire’s Scampo for high end Italian. Alibi downstairs is a dark, sexy late night spot for Boston locals with a packed patio in the summertime.
Copyright: The Liberty Hotel
Upon arriving you are welcomed with a glass of champagne. The staff is always helpful and accommodating. I appreciate that despite the numerous excellent on site dining options, they still make an effort to recommend other places rather than always keep the business on site. The closest restaurant to The Liberty is Antonio’s on Cambridge street which I think is one of the best authentic, cheap, no frills Italian restaurants in Boston.
The Liberty is at the epicenter my favorite spots in Boston. It is located next to Boston’s historic Beacon Hill. Beacon Hill is a one square mile neighborhood filled with quintessential cobblestone streets, brownstones and preppy shops.
Beacon Hill. Copyright: Author
The on ramp for Storrow Drive is right next to hotel, which is an easy access point to all other neighborhoods in the city such as the Back Bay, Fenway and Cambridge. There is a T (subway) stop next to The Libery as well. The Charles river which divides Boston and Cambridge has a 17 mile bike and running path with an easy access point across the street from The Liberty. The hotel has free bikes that are perfect for exploring the river and nearby neighborhoods.
The only downfall of its location is that it is next to Mass General Hospital so many rooms (even those on higher floors) look directly at hospital windows and you can expect sirens at all hours of the night. The rooms that don’t face the hospital overlook the beautiful Charles river and as far as Cambridge so I would recommend asking for a river view when booking.
The size of the rooms are what you would expect for a 5 star hotel in the heart of Boston. They are comfortable and large enough for a desk, large dresser and sitting chair. The bathrooms are spacious and luxurious with sleek dark tile and white accents. I love the Molton Brown bath products and high powered hair dryers that they have. I would highly recommend The Liberty for your next Boston stay!
Hotel Room. Copyright: The Liberty Hotel
Featured Image Copyright: The Liberty Hotel
I’ve been meaning to stay at this hotel for some time… hopefully soon!