Will McDonough, <em>Boston Globe</em>
From the marathon scandal to Herschel Walker, an outstanding year.
Boston Design Center
Mirror, mirror, on the wall, whose bathroom looks like a dorm-room stall? Not yours—not after a spree at the Design Center. With 12 bath showrooms—open to the public via a designer-on-call program—the South Boston facility has options aplenty for making your loo fit for royalty, from handcarved basins to gleaming chrome fixtures by Billie Brenner to glass mosaics by Ann Sacks to Geologica's marbles and granites. One Design Center Place, Suite 337, Boston, MA 2210, bostondesign.com.
Boston Unique Events
It's your wedding and all you got was this lousy, rubbery chicken. Make your special day special by hiring Boston Unique Events. Owner Susan Callender puts together wedding menus with a chef s eye, and her seasonal dishes lemon-marinated grilled scallops, warm pumpkin-ginger bisque, seafood crêpes with thyme cream made with fresh ingredients and plated with a subtle flair, ensure the food looks as good as you do. 498 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA bostonuniqueevents.com.
The Boston Marathon's Turning Pro
There was no question that by remaining stubbornly amateur in a sport that had gone professional, the Marathon was dying. Then David D'Alessandro persuaded his employer, the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, to spring for $10 million to sponsor 10 Boston Marathons. A course record, a world-class field, and hundreds of runners later, today's Marathon is again one of the city's—and the country's—preeminent sporting events. "We've got athletes from 30 or 40 countries," said D'Allessandro, a senior vice president at Hancock. "I've got letters on my desk from the agents of guys who wouldn't even look at us last year."
InterContinental Boston
Considering the onslaught of just-opened and recently renovated hotels, it's a good time to be a guest in Boston (if a somewhat less good time to be a hotelier). How to stand out among the expected 300-thread-count sheets, Frette robes, designer bath products, and 24-hour room service? The glossy waterfront InterContinental outshines the competition (literally—its wavelike structure is swathed in reflective glass) with all of the above, plus a spa, a gym, three novelty restaurants, and one of the biggest ballrooms in town. The quick, courteous employees are a business traveler's dream; the mini esplanade along nearby Fort Point Channel, a stroller's delight. 510 Atlantic Ave., Boston, MA intercontinentalboston.com.
Boston Links Golf Shop
Pricey, but superior selection of high-end clubs, bags, shoes, and fashions, plus a commitment to sharing the wealth with worthy causes, including breast-cancer research. Check out the after-work seminars for women and the computerized golf-swing-analysis machine. 150 Federal St., Boston, MA .
The Tall Ship Boston
What do you do with a massive dilapidated pier jutting out into the harbor? If you’re the Navy Yard Hospitality Group, you turn it into the hottest waterfront party spot in town. On the deck of a refurbished tall ship turned oyster bar and an adjacent pier, hundreds of well-dressed revelers play lawn games, sip vodka-crans, and groove to live music in the summer sun — all on what used to be a weed-strewn slab. Quite the makeover, indeed. 1 E Pier Dr., East Boston, MA 02128, tallshipboston.com.
The Boston Sail Loft
It’s kind of a tease that the Sail Loft’s clam chowder comes in a handled mug, because — unless you want your beard or blouse to smell of seafood — it’s probably not advisable to just go ahead and drink it down. If etiquette didn’t exist, though, we’d absolutely toss out the spoon to chug this Über-creamy broth studded with potatoes, sweet dill, and, of course, plenty of briny clams. 80 Atlantic Ave., Boston, MA 02110, thebostonsailloft.com.
Encore Boston Harbor
Given the expansive gaming area, you’re not likely to see tons of kids at the Encore. But the resort offers pleasures well beyond slots and blackjack, from chef-driven restaurants to clubby lounges to couples’ massages at the spa. To really wow your SO, request the harbor-view suite — and be sure to add on the “bed and breakfast for two” package. One Broadway, Everett, MA 02149, encorebostonharbor.com.
Encore Boston Harbor
With travel outside the state still a gamble, we’re lucky to have this riverfront resort casino right in our backyard, providing top-notch dining options; gorgeous rooms with marble-tiled bathrooms; and, of course, a Vegas-worthy gaming floor to those in need of a break—preferably a lucky one. The one thing this place doesn’t roll the dice on? Guests’ well-being, with reopening plans developed in conjunction with public health experts. One Broadway, Everett, MA 02149, encorebostonharbor.com.
East Boston Oysters
Imagine rosé cascading down tabletop fountains during a springtime caviar "egg hunt." Silver platters loaded with watermelon at a rooftop pool party. Gin cocktails propelling raw oysters via an ice luge into partygoers’ waiting mouths. Memorable dinners are all about the details, something East Boston Oysters founder Alexis Cervasio knows all too well. The woman behind this secretive supper club—which anyone can snag tickets for by signing up for her email newsletter—isn’t just curating chefs’ dinners and corporate events, though the well-connected hospitality pro does both extremely well. She’s creating experiences worth shelling out for. MA eastbostonoysters.com.
Boston Yoga Union
Old World spirit mixed with New World magic: That’s the mantra of Boston Yoga Union, located in the former Back Bay Yoga space. In an inspiring environment that includes a tapestry in the lobby and a 300-year-old carved archway imported from Rajasthan, India, in one of the practice rooms, co-owners Emily Tevald and Tim Kelleher provide instruction that’s both relatable and empowering for all skill levels. 1112 Boylston St., Boston, MA bostonyogaunion.com.
Boston Common Band
Hire Boston Common Band, and they’ll treat you to a private concert. Watch as the lighting crew heightens the energy in the room with orange and red fixtures, and while the sound team keeps the music playing with state-of-the-art technology—all in the name of ensuring the eight-member group can focus solely on their music. Able to belt out anything from Adele to Queen, the band can even work with hometown hero Keytar Bear—available by request for cocktail hour—to start the evening on a high note. 290 Needham St., Dedham, Massachusetts 02026, bostoncommonband.com.