Boston Magazine again recognizes historic, romantic Charles Street Inn as “Best of Boston,” but is it an Inn, a Bed & Breakfast, or Something Else?

Something unusual happened when the Charles Street Inn was selected “Best of Boston” for the second time in three years in the most recent issue of Boston Magazine. Hotels are usually honored in three categories: Overall Excellence, Boutique, and Bed & Breakfast. What made this award remarkable was that the Charles Street Inn has now been named “Best of Boston” both as a Bed & Breakfast, and as an Inn.

The romantic Charles Street Inn opened January 15, 2000 with a great location in the heart of Beacon Hill. It won an historic renovation award at that time, and today, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Charles Street Inn offers a combination of personal attention, extraordinary luxury, and lavish detail. Each room has an original working marble fireplace, a whirlpool spa, and elegant, comfortable antiques. Breakfast is brought to guest suites each morning as the Inn has no shared dining room (perhaps that is why Boston Magazine first labeled it an Inn).

In 2003, Boston Magazine selected the Charles Street Inn as an “Inn.” In 2004, Boston Magazine limited the “Hotels” category to establishments on Cape Cod. In 2005, the Charles Street Inn was selected as best “Bed & Breakfast.” Thus, it is fair to say that the Charles Street Inn has held the title of “Best Small Lodgings in Boston” since 2003.

Whether inn, B&B, or hotel, the Charles Street Inn is certainly romantic: it has been selected as “Most Romantic” by five independent media outlets since 2003. It seems that offering good all-around quality, a great location, and luxurious accommodations is a fine way to create the “best” romantic get-away in Boston, whatever you want to call it.