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The Best Bed and Breakfasts in Boston

The skyline at Boston Harbor, capital of Massachusetts and one of Americas great cities
The skyline at Boston Harbor, capital of Massachusetts and one of America's great cities | © Vlad Ghiea / Alamy Stock Photo

While they may be less flashy than the big city hotels, there are some charming mansions and bed and breakfasts in Boston offering quintessential New England hospitality by the Charles River, great for exploring highlights of the city such as Newbury Street and Fenway Park. From a former student house at Harvard to a pair of houseboats moored at Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston Harbor, check out the best bed and breakfasts in the Massachusetts capital of Boston.

Irving House at Harvard

Bed and Breakfast

The front entrance to Irving House at Harvard is lined with various plants, flowers and statues
Courtesy of Irving House at Harvard / Expedia

This one-time family home was converted into accommodation for Harvard students in the 1920s. New owners came in and found the youngsters a bit rowdy, booting them out and converting the premises into the friendly hotel it is today. With an old-timey feel, Irving House at Harvard is the type of place where guests mingle in the parlor poring over the free newspapers. That said, there’s a thoroughly modern approach to energy, with LED lighting, solar panels and a focus on recycling and composting. You get fresh fruit, scones, cakes and pastries for breakfast.

The Gryphon House

Bed and Breakfast

A double room at the Gryphon House has a large bathroom with a bath, historic decor and antiques
Courtesy of the Gryphon House / Expedia

Embrace tradition with a stay in The Gryphon House, an old-school B&B inside a turn-of-the-century brownstone. The eight suites are individually furnished, but each comes with a gas log fireplace and a wet bar. Families should opt for the largest room, the North Tower, which has views of the Charles River and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) campus. Start your day with the continental breakfast, before exploring the surrounding Back Bay neighbourhood. There you’ll find designer boutiques, art galleries and cute patio cafes along leafy streets, not far from early 19th-century landmarks like Trinity Church and the Boston Public Library.

Clarendon Square Bed and Breakfast

Boutique Hotel, Independent Hotel, Bed and Breakfast

A double room at the Clarendon Square Bed and Breakfast is filled with blue and white furnishings and a chequered floor
Courtesy of Clarendon Square Bed and Breakfast / Hotels.com
The Clarendon Square Bed and Breakfast presents offers luxury in the historic setting of a six-storey townhouse built in 1867. The property was restored in 1998 and redecorated between 2016 and 2018. There’s a garden terrace, library, parlor and a roof deck hot tub with views of downtown Boston. There’s plenty to see and do within walking distance, including the shops and restaurants of Newbury Street and one of the most legendary ballparks in the US, Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox.

The College Club of Boston

Boutique Hotel, Bed and Breakfast

A double room at the College Club of Boston is decorated in light green and white furniture and walls
Courtesy of the College Club of Boston / Hotels.com

The College Club of Boston, located in the heart of the Back Bay neighbourhood in a historic brownstone, is as elegant and sophisticated a hotel as you’ll find in the city. The Club boasts 11 guest rooms, all designed and styled after women’s colleges and local universities, including Boston University, Simmons College and Connecticut College. Located right on Commonwealth Ave, the College Club is within walking distance of Boston Common, Copley Square, Beacon Hill and numerous historic stops in the center of the city. The building still hosts the longstanding College Club of Boston, the first women’s college club in the US, though doors are open to both members and non-members.

14 Union Park

Bed and Breakfast

A double room at 14 Union Park is decorated in old American style
Courtesy of 14 Union Park / Hotels.com

You’re assured of an elegant and intimate stay at 14 Union Park in one of Boston’s most popular neighbourhoods, South End. The brownstone townhouse has been extensively updated to provide private bathrooms and modern comforts while retaining its historical detail. If the trendy, nearby restaurants aren’t enticing enough, foodie paradise Back Bay is just a short walk away.

The Bertram Inn

Bed and Breakfast

A double room at the Bertram Inn has a four poster bed, tall ceilings and large floral curtains
Courtesy of the Bertram Inn / Hotels.com

Built as a wedding gift for the daughter of a wealthy Boston tobacco merchant, this 14-room mansion retains the decor and architectural details from when it was built in 1907, including an elegant staircase. You’re about two miles from the center of Boston, easily accessible via the T subway, and just minutes from Coolidge Corner, a pedestrian friendly neighbourhood full of independent cafes, shops, boutiques and restaurants. The larger Samuel Sewall Inn, Bertram Inn’s sister accommodation, is just across the street.

Green Turtle Floating Bed and Breakfast

Bed and Breakfast

The modern wooden exterior of the Green Turtle Floating Bed and Breakfast is lined with flower baskets and red deckchairs
Courtesy of Green Turtle Floating Bed and Breakfast / Expedia

The Green Turtle takes up two houseboats right in Charlestown Navy Yard, with views across Boston Harbor. You can stay in a modern houseboat with two queen suites or a 45ft (14m) motor yacht that holds two queen staterooms. Combined, both boats can accommodate up to 10 people. While the B&B won’t leave the dock during your stay, you’ll be close to Boston’s North End, home to numerous Italian shops and restaurants, or you can always take a water taxi to a harborside joint.

Prospect Place Bed and Breakfast

Bed and Breakfast

A double room at the Prospect Place Bed and Breakfast features eclectic design and an old fireplace
Courtesy of Prospect Place Bed and Breakfast / Booking.com

Across the Charles River in Cambridge, Prospect Place is a historic, graceful bed and breakfast within walking distance of two of the the most elite colleges in the US, MIT and Harvard. Each guest room is unique in size and layout, decorated with tasteful antiques that represent the home’s Civil War-era history. The shops and restaurants of Central Square and Harvard Square are nearby and numerous museums and attractions are easily reachable on public transport thanks to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.

Sam Murray contributed additional reporting to this article.

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