Travel Spotlight

Boston’s trendy Back Bay neighbourhood

BOSTON- On a recently family weekend trip to Boston, we decided to stay in the trendy Back Bay neighbourhood. This is “the” destination for culture, cuisine, couture, and commerce, touted as the shopping, dining, cultural, and nightlife destination in the heart of Boston. It has everything from historic homes and churches, art galleries, fashionable clothing boutiques and hair salons, fabulous restaurants, and charming neighborhood life.

We stayed at the magnificent Back Bay Hotel, part of the prestigious Doyle Collection (www.doylecollection.com). Located in the former headquarters of the Boston Police Department, it is now an even more arresting proposition after a stunning renovation program that has created a modern-day landmark in this magnificent city. The stylish interior of The Back Bay Hotel offers vibrancy and warmth unique to this luxury Boston hotel. Their team complements that warmth with a highly engaging and personal form of service that makes your stay a genuinely luxurious experience.

The Doyle Collection boasts a selection of 10 “collectively individual” hotels set in the most fashionable quarters of six major cities across Ireland, the U.K. and the U.S. Each hotel has its own unique and contrasting character. Their portfolio of luxury hotels can be found in prime city centre locations in Dublin, Cork, London, Bristol, Boston and Washington DC. Guest rooms at the Back Bay feature lush fabrics in tranquil shades, down-filled pillows and comforters, and bathrooms with marble and oak. The hotel has a restaurant, the stylish Stanhope Grille and Cuffs, an Irish Bar.

The hotel has valet parking, evening turndown service in deluxe rooms, 24-hour room service, five dedicated meeting rooms, in-room safes, full audio, visual and complimentary wired and wireless internet service, a complimentary 24-hour fitness gym with state-of-the-art equipment, a 24-hour business center, 37″ LCD TV’s , all natural bath amenities, free bottled water, ADA accessibility and all non-smoking rooms.

There are 225 rooms and suites here in all: superior, deluxe, luxury and the Presidential Suite. We had a unique connecting room setup: one with a king bed and the other with two doubles; plus a mini fridge and a microwave that we requested. There was one main entrance leading to a small hallway with two more doors on each side. You then have the option of leaving them open or ajar or completely closing them. We loved the setup.

From the doorman to those at the front desk, the staff are extremely polite and helpful.
When in Boston, my first choice for dinner is always Legal Sea Foods (www.legalseafoods.com). We dined at the Boston Copley Place restaurant, located at the upper level of Copley Place (100 Huntington Avenue), with direct indoor access to both the Westin and Marriott hotels as well as to the Prudential Center. Keep in mind that there is also a Legal Seafoods in the Prudential Center and people often show up to the wrong locale. This can be a problem if you have reservations.

Panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows overlook Boston’s historic South End. Here the views and the seafood are second to none. Operating hours here are Monday to Thursday, 11 am. to 10 pm; Friday and Saturday, 11 am to 11 pm; and Sundays, noon to 10 pm.

Our party of three enjoyed a fabulous meal. We started off with a Caesar salad and two bowls of clam chowder, one of which was a clear broth with a lower calorie count. The main menu has so much to choose from. On the night we visited, specials included swordfish, salmon and haddock – all good choices if you are keeping a kosher-style dining choice. I went for the double stuffed baked shrimp with rice pilaf on the side while the other two members of my party chose pound and a quarter steamed lobsters, nicely cut up and brought to the table with butter, mashed potatoes and coleslaw. Next time I might opt for the surf and turf, filet mignon, marinated grilled chicken, crab cakes or crispy fried fillets.

Well, we definitely have to go back to Boston. This was our first visit in about10 years. While we had a chance to do some shopping at Copley Place, the Prudential Center and Macy’s, we want to return to walk famous Newbury Street and see the various museums, the aquarium and ride the “T” subway to places like Harvard University. Yes, a story to be continued.