A team of Oyster reporters spent weeks exploring 48 of the top hotels in Boston. We slept in the beds, ate in the restaurants, tested the service, and scoped out the neighborhoods, all with an eye toward selecting the most distinguished properties. Here's a list of hidden gems we came across -- charming hotels that are underappreciated, better than you'd expect, or off the beaten path.
One of the least expensive hotels near Copley Square is also one of the best, and not just because it offers free wine and coffee. An $18 million renovation in 2008 brought cute rooms, a fun martini bar, and free Wi-Fi to this 143-room boutique.
This French-inspired, 95-unit Back Bay boutique around the corner from Newbury Street offers elegant suites, a well-regarded French restaurant and sashimi bar, and high-tech in-room touch screens for service requests -- all for significantly less than comparable luxury hotels like Fifteen Beacon.
This family-friendy Kimpton hotel with a "discovery" theme and playful decor has terrific service -- an unexpected treat, at least for a hotel in this price range.
Yes, this Back Bay hotel is part of the Marriott Courtyard chain, but its 81 rooms -- housed in a romantic turn-of-the-century building -- are some of the best and biggest for the buck in the neighborhood.
You probably won't come across the out-of-the-way Hyatt unless you're looking for it, but it's well worth seeking out. It's much more than a bare-bones business hotel, with an indoor pool, well-equipped gym, and charming location overlooking the Charles River. It's a great value for those who don't need to be in the thick of things.