Sherman's Travel

Expert Review

The Charles Hotel offers all of the extras that you'd expect at a high-end hotel without sacrificing its New England charm. Get cozy in the renovated lobby (completed summer 2009) and soak up the hotel's multi-million dollar art collection on display or curl up with one of the lobby library's novels. Nobody will fault you for it – the hotel feels like home. Guests also have access to the adjacent fitness center, with three floors of exercise rooms and a heated indoor pool, or opt for a treatment at the spa and salon next door. The hotel is also home to stellar dining and nightlife options, including a jazz club and martini bar. Henrietta's Table serves a popular weekend brunch; the hotel also hosts Rialto, a fine-dining, Italian establishment. The 294 guestrooms possess an old-fashioned, Shaker-inspired aesthetic – evident in the hand-made quilts on every bed – without overlooking such essential modern touches as high-speed Internet, DVD players, or high-tech Bose Wave radios. The king-size beds feature a goose-down comforter and 330-thread count striped damask linens. The floor-to-ceiling windows provide impressive views over Harvard Square, the Charles River, and/or the Cambridge and Boston cityscapes.

Tags: luxury | swimming pool