Compare and Contrast: Boston’s Two Four Seasons Hotel Locations

Illustration by Jon Reinfurt

One Dalton

Best Hotel Room in the House: It’s the oldest rule in real estate: The higher the floor, the better the view, the more you pay. If staying in the 1,627-square-foot Presidential Suite on the 21st floor doesn’t give you a nosebleed, the price per night just might. But who knows? You won’t find the cost on the website—it’s only “available upon request.”

Lobby Luxuries: What this lobby lacks in size and splendor it makes up for in artwork. Curator to the stars Kate Chertavian has made it a veritable gallery of pieces by acclaimed artists.

The Residences: Please stop bragging about your condo at Millennium Tower—One Dalton is the hot new address in town. The only downside to the $65,000-a-month rental penthouse is that it can be tricky to hang your art collection when most of the walls are windows. Notable residents: Dell CEO Michael Dell, developer Richard Friedman, and Herb Chambers.

Bar scene: The in-house izakaya, Zuma, has become the new home for Boston’s most social lads and ladies, who post up for rosé-fueled lunches, pre-gala drinks, post-gala nightcaps, and just about any other excuse they can come up with.

Spa Scene: Easily the nicest of the two relaxation havens, it still has that new-spa smell. With 10 rejuvenating facial treatments on offer—including one that incorporates black diamonds—you can practically get a facelift here.

200-220 Boylston

Best Hotel Room in the House: The 2,590-square-foot Royal Suite features reclaimed-hardwood floors, a separate kitchen, a formal dining room, a private balcony, and a baby grand piano. It’ll set you back a cool $13,000 a night, but who wouldn’t pay that much to sleep with the piano Sir Elton John and Billy Joel are rumored to have played?

Lobby Luxuries: Traditionally uniformed bellhops, shiny stone floors, an opulent wooden reception desk, and a grandiose staircase translate to Old Boston at its best.

The Residences: The 86 condos range in size from one to four bedrooms and start at around $1 million. Penthouses go for about $10 million, or rent for $45,000 a month. Notable residents: Peter Lunder, heir to the Dexter shoe company, General Catalyst’s Joel Cutler and, once again, Herb Chambers, who apparently is a man for eight seasons.

Bar scene: If you’ve lost a successful middle-aged business exec somewhere in the city, chances are you can find him or her wheeling and dealing in a corner booth at the Bristol.

Spa Scene: This spa actually needs a facelift. Thankfully, it’s closing in January for renovations. (Not surprising, considering the shiny young competition that just moved to town.)