5* XV Beacon Hotel

Hyatt Regency is one of the easiest places to base yourself for a first trip to Boston. It sits in the Theatre District, a few minutes from Boston Common and Downtown Crossing, with the historic centre, waterfront and South End all straightforward to reach on foot or by subway. Rooms are contemporary and comfortably sized, while the sixth-floor leisure area includes something increasingly unusual in central Boston — a heated indoor swimming pool. There’s also a sauna and 24-hour fitness centre with Peloton bikes. Avenue One serves New England-inspired food throughout the day, with the Lobby Bar handling drinks later on. This is very much a practical full-service city hotel rather than somewhere you book for boutique atmosphere, but the central location makes exploring Boston unusually simple. GayMapper tip: a particularly useful choice in colder months when having an indoor pool and plenty of the city within walking distance starts to feel like quite a luxury.

Staypineapple has one of the most useful locations on this list for LGBTQ+ travellers. It sits on Chandler Street in the South End, close to Club Café and other queer-friendly nightlife, while Back Bay, Newbury Street and Boston Common are all comfortably walkable. Rooms are compact but cheerful, with seriously comfortable bedding, walk-in showers and the playful pineapple touches that stop the hotel feeling too corporate. Downstairs, Trophy Room is a destination in its own right — a lively, inclusive neighbourhood restaurant and bar that draws plenty of locals as well as hotel guests. Weekend breakfast, cocktails and regular events give the place a much more social feel than the average small hotel. There isn’t a gym or pool, but for this location you may not miss either. GayMapper tip: one of the best Boston choices if you want to stay somewhere that actually feels connected to the local LGBTQ+ scene rather than simply being gay-friendly.

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.

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.

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.