“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” – Miriam Beard
I was born and raised in bucolic New Hampshire, and I recently returned home for a family event, with a quick one-night stay in Boston. There was no question where I would stay – the Mandarin Oriental, Boston, one of only six Mandarin Oriental hotels in the U.S. The brand offers consistently luxurious destinations, and the Mandarin Oriental, Boston does not disappoint.
One of the property’s impressive and attractive features is its proximity to shopping and dining, including the city’s famous Newbury Street, South End, and Boston Common – among other sites. Click Here to view the location of the Mandarin Oriental, Boston on Google Maps.
The Mandarin Hotel Group – Background
The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is deeply rooted in Asian hertiage, the group being the result of the merger of two famous Asian hotels – The Mandarin in Hong Kong, and The Oriental in Bangkok. The Mandarin Oriental was formed, and the famous Fan Logo is prominently featured at all Mandarin Oriental properties. To read more on the history of the Mandarin Oriental, Click Here. Here’s the logo, and a picture of the fan I took in Barcelona last year, and check out the napkin fan from the Mandarin Oriental, Miami. It’s all about the details.
The Mandarin Oriental, Boston – Awards and Accolades
The Mandarin Oriental, Boston is one of only three Forbes Five Star Hotels in Boston, and it features the only Forbes Five Star Spa in Boston. The property is also a AAA Five Diamond recipient. Precious few hotels maintain such exalted designations, and upon viewing the hotel, it’s little mystery as to why.
Click Here to view a short YouTube video overview of the Mandarin Oriental, Boston.
The Property
Mandarin Oriental hotels are well-known for Asian-inspired designs and decor, but the Mandarin Oriental, Boston succeeds in combining its signature Asian sophistication with classic American themes. The property’s exterior and entrance glisten in one of Boston’s most coveted areas – Back Bay, replete with high end shopping and dining destinations. Here are a few images of the entrance and main areas, courtesy of the Mandarin Oriental.
Here are a few images I captured of the lobby, full of Christmas cheer and enchanting shopping opportunities.
Accommodations
The Mandarin Oriental, Boston features 148 guestrooms, including 12 spacious suites and an astounding 2,600 sq ft Presidential Suite! Here are two images of guestrooms, a Suite Premier Corner Living Room, and a Suite Bathroom, courtesy of the Mandarin Oriental:
Here are images of my most luxurious space, note the dazzling appointments and expansive areas. Even for a luxury hotel like the Mandarin, I was pleasantly surprised as to the open feel of the room. Once I poured a cocktail, turned on the tv, and spread out on the couch, I didn’t want to leave for dinner!
Click Here to view a short YouTube video of my guestroom.
Dining
The Mandarin Oriental, Boston features the visually stunning and gastronomically renowned Bar Boulud as its signature restaurant. You can’t help but oooh and ahhh as you walk its manicured and divinely designed spaces. The multiple textures of light woods, glass, art and lavish appointments are a feast for the senses. I especially loved the wall of wine box sections upon entry from the hotel. I so want this wall in my house! Here are some images of the French-inspired bistro, courtesy of the Mandarin Oriental.
Here are some of my images, especially my new wall!
Bar Boulud is the creation of Chef Daniel Boulud, which you may also find his namesake restaurants in London and New York, and a number of other restaurant properties around the world. Click Here for a full listing. Chef Boulud has created a dazzling French menu that attracts locals and guests alike. Click here to view the Bar Boulud Dinner Menu.
Spa
The Mandarin Oriental, Boston Spa is simply one of the most magnificent spas I’ve visited in my travels. Forbes is notoriously stingy with its five star honorees, and this spa has earned every one. The Spa offers a grand 16,000 sq ft of exquisite spaces to rest, recharge, and simply luxuriate – including five private treatment rooms with showers, two couples’ suites, and men’s/women’s changing suites with wet areas that include Vitality Pools and “Experience” Showers. Here are some images of my experience, and you’ll notice that the “Experience” Shower changes colors. It also includes multiple settings which combine varying combinations of sounds, colors, and water flow.
One of the most popular and unique features of Mandarin Oriental Spas are their custom treatments, which combine the time you wish to spend, with an individualized selection of treatments to suit your needs and wants. Click Here to view the full Spa Menu. I was most fortunate to experience one of the Spa’s unique treatments, the Digital Wellness Escape, which is focused on helping business travelers, who are often using their phones and computers. I loved the insights it provided, including the therapist’s recommendation that I have more massages. Who disagrees with that?
Closing Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like going home. Your friends and family have married, had children and grandchildren. Your hometown has a few more houses and condominiums, and a few less factories. Things are different, but not overly so. Then you realize – maybe not then, maybe not until you return home – that it’s you who has changed the most.
Perhaps what’s changed most about me over the years, is my respect for the value of time and special experiences. I know now that I’ll look back one day and cherish all that I’ve done, and the people I’ve shared those experiences with. This is why I seek out luxury destinations, and share those experiences with my readers. This is why I am enamored with Mandarin Oriental hotels. They seek to make your time as rich and memorable as possible.
So go to Boston, book a room at the Mandarin Oriental, order a cocktail, lean back on your couch, and call the Spa and tell them you’d like a four hour spa experience. It will give you time to think about how to spend the remainder of your years, and how you should never forget where you came from.
The Mandarin Oriental, Boston – Location and Social
Mandarin Oriental, Boston (Website): 776 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199 (Google Maps)
Click on the links below to further learn about and connect with the Mandarin Oriental, Boston:
Click Here to read the reviews on Trip Advisor
More Pictures!
Also, Click Here to view additional high resolution images that show off the Mandarin Oriental, Boston.
Thanks so very much to everyone at Mandarin Oriental, Boston. I would also like to thank Sara for making this visit possible, and for the use of some of your high resolution images!
Please take note that the hotel welcomed me as a special media guest, but that my opinions are, as always, entirely my own.
Thank you so very much for taking the time to read this article, and happy dining and traveling!
#agp
