Dinogo Readers’ Top 10 Hotels in Boston for 2024

Boston presents a fascinating contrast. Founded in 1630, this historic city is rich in heritage, proudly showcasing its iconic sites along the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail from Boston Common to Bunker Hill. Yet, beneath its historic facade lies a vibrant sophistication, evident in its modern architecture in the West End and the trendy Seaport waterfront neighborhood. This blend of old and new is also reflected in its popular hotels.

Understanding the Voting Process

Each year, for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L invites readers to share their travel experiences from around the world, giving their insights on the best hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. In 2024, over 186,000 T+L readers participated in the survey, casting a total of more than 700,000 votes across over 8,700 properties (including hotels, cities, and cruise lines).

Hotels were categorized as resort hotels, city hotels, inns, or safari lodges based on their location and amenities, and they were rated according to the criteria listed below:

Room quality and amenities
Location
Service quality
Dining options
Overall value

Respondents could rate each characteristic as excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores represent the average of these ratings.

What Captivated Our Readers

Established luxury brands offering a unique Bostonian experience have excelled, with Raffles and Four Seasons claiming the top two positions. Raffles made its North American debut with Raffles Boston in September 2023, strategically located in the chic Back Bay area, the same as Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street Boston, which opened its second Boston location in May 2019. Another beloved spot in the neighborhood, The Newbury, which held last year's top position, has dropped to No. 7 but remains popular among locals, especially for its rooftop restaurant, the famed Contessa — still one of the hardest reservations to secure in town for delights like squash carpaccio paired with stunning views of the Boston skyline. Overall, Back Bay continues to be recognized as the most desirable place to stay.

Throughout the city, Boston’s welcoming nature truly shines. As one guest described The Whitney Hotel Boston (No. 3), the “entire staff treats you like family, exceeding expectations to accommodate your every need.” Others praised The Eliot Hotel (No. 4) for its hospitality. Whether you're a “solo traveler feeling very secure” or enjoying a “wonderful stay” with the “entire family, including our French bulldog,” this boutique hotel, also situated in Back Bay, “goes above and beyond to ensure you feel special and at home.”

The Champion

Raffles Boston

Image courtesy of Raffles Boston

Raffles has cultivated a unique allure since opening its first hotel in 1887, a quality that once seemed out of reach for the American market — until now, with the brand's latest venture in a 35-story tower at 40 Trinity Place in Boston’s most exclusive area. The location is pivotal; readers have described the address as everything from “incredible” to a “must-visit destination.” The experience begins on an elevated note at the 17th-floor Sky Lobby, praised by one reader for its bar and terrace. Overall, another guest referred to this inaugural North American Raffles as an “incredible luxury experience that Boston truly needed!”