Many of the momentous events leading up to the Revolutionary War happened in Boston, not least the Boston Massacre and Boston Tea Party. You can still see the steeple of Old North Church, famous for holding Paul Revere’s “one if by land, and two if by sea” lanterns, and stand beneath the balcony of the Old State House, from which the Declaration of Independence was proclaimed to the city in 1776.

For a place that’s so deeply American, Boston sometimes feels like a small version of London, with winding pedestrian-friendly streets, often lined by old row houses, and history seemingly around every turn. Exploring its past is fascinating, but Boston is a pleasure even if your goals are just to relax, dine on superlative seafood and maybe enjoy a scenic harbor cruise. 

Raffles Boston

Beantown has its share of big brand-name luxury hotels, many of which I’ve previously eschewed in favor of hideaways. But when Raffles opened its first hotel in the U.S. here, in the Back Bay neighborhood, I had to have a look. The company runs several favorites of mine elsewhere, both old (Raffles Singapore) and new (Raffles London at The OWO). All my Raffles recommendations are in historic buildings, but the 147-room Boston property occupies a gleaming glass skyscraper. If this location is any indication, the brand does contemporary just as well as it does classic.