Gay Boston

Harborside Inn is a characterful alternative to Boston’s big downtown chains. The hotel occupies a converted 19th-century mercantile building on State Street, with exposed brick, granite walls, high ceilings and oversized windows giving many of the rooms a genuine sense of history. Its location is excellent for sightseeing. Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, the waterfront, North End and Freedom Trail are all close, and Aquarium subway station is practically outside. Rooms are fairly straightforward but comfortable, with large TVs, fridges and free Wi-Fi. Some Atrium rooms face the hotel’s internal lightwell, while Cabin rooms on the lower floor have no windows — worth knowing when choosing the cheapest rate. The former lounge is currently not serving food or drinks, so plan on eating out. GayMapper tip: a very handy choice if sightseeing location and price matter more than hotel facilities — just check which room type you’re booking if natural light is important to you.

Boston can be brutally expensive, which makes HI Boston particularly useful. This large, modern hostel sits on Stuart Street in the Theatre District, just a few minutes from Boston Common and within easy walking distance of Jacques’ Cabaret and the South End. Dorms come in several sizes and now have privacy curtains, individual power points and lockers, while private rooms are available if you want the hostel atmosphere without sharing your sleeping space. There’s a large communal kitchen, game room, work areas and plenty of organised activities and walking tours, making it much easier to meet people than at a conventional hotel. The location also means you can cover a surprising amount of central Boston on foot, with Chinatown, Downtown Crossing and Back Bay all nearby. GayMapper tip: easily one of the most sensible options for solo travellers who want to keep Boston accommodation costs under control without staying miles out of town.

Eurostars The Boxer occupies one of Boston’s more unusual hotel buildings: a narrow, triangular Flatiron-style landmark dating from 1904 in the historic West End. The 80 rooms mix industrial details with warmer New England touches, and the small scale gives the hotel more personality than the larger properties around nearby North Station. There’s free Wi-Fi, coffee machines and a 24-hour gym, with continental à la carte breakfast available each morning. TD Garden is only a couple of minutes away, making this an especially useful choice for concerts, Celtics or Bruins games. Beacon Hill, the North End, Freedom Trail and Faneuil Hall are also comfortably walkable. There’s no pool and the hotel doesn’t have its own parking, although discounted parking is available nearby. GayMapper tip: a good option if you want a distinctive little hotel and plan to explore the historic northern side of central Boston on foot.

Hotel AKA Boston Common has changed considerably since its days as Kimpton Nine Zero. The newly transformed hotel now has a calmer, more residential feel, with contemporary Scandinavian-influenced rooms and a polished new look throughout. The location remains excellent. You’re on Tremont Street beside Boston Common, with Downtown Crossing, Beacon Hill, the State House and Freedom Trail all within minutes. Rooms range from smart standard categories to spacious suites and an impressive penthouse with panoramic skyline views. There’s also a 24-hour Technogym fitness centre, intimate a.bar cocktail lounge and The Bosworth restaurant, which mixes New England ingredients with Mediterranean influences. Despite the central address, the overall atmosphere is more grown-up and relaxed than many of Boston’s livelier downtown hotels. GayMapper tip: particularly good if you want sophisticated modern design and an exceptionally central location without the formality of a traditional grand hotel.

Hotel Commonwealth is the standout option if Fenway rather than Downtown is where you want to be. It sits directly in Kenmore Square, with Fenway Park almost in the back garden and the House of Blues, MGM Music Hall and Boston University all close by. The 245 rooms are noticeably spacious by Boston standards, with contemporary interiors and plenty of higher categories offering views towards Fenway Park or the famous Citgo sign. Food and drink have changed considerably in recent years. Blue Ribbon Sushi now sits at the hotel entrance, while Row 34 brings excellent New England seafood to the other side of the lobby. There’s also a 24-hour fitness centre and in-room dining. Kenmore subway station is right beside the hotel, so Downtown and the South End remain easy to reach even though you’re staying farther west. GayMapper tip: particularly good for baseball fans, concert trips or anyone who prefers the energy of Fenway and Kenmore Square to the historic downtown core.

XV Beacon is small, discreet and very polished — exactly the sort of hotel that suits Beacon Hill. Set in a handsome 1903 building opposite the State House, it has just seven rooms per floor and feels considerably more private than Boston’s larger luxury hotels. Every room has a gas fireplace, Frette linens and a rainfall shower, with custom artwork and understated contemporary interiors. During the warmer months, the rooftop deck looks across Beacon Hill towards the Charles River. Downstairs, Mooo…. is one of Boston’s best-known steakhouses and also provides the hotel’s room-service menu throughout the day. Boston Common and the Freedom Trail are almost outside, while the cobbled streets, brownstones and independent shops of Beacon Hill are immediately around you. GayMapper tip: a lovely choice for a romantic weekend or special occasion if you prefer quiet, personal luxury to a large hotel with dozens of facilities.