Boston Romantic Winter Getaway
A cold weather Boston romantic winter getaway? Why not. Boston is one of the most charming winter wonderlands, especially around the holiday season. Pack your long johns and get ready to spend some quality time getting your holiday spirit on!
Stay:
There are many wonderful hotels in the Boston area, but for this getaway, I am a guest at the Boston Colonnade Hotel. Now that winter has officially begun, the hotel is reintroducing it’s Signature Frosty Friday Package. With a two night weekend stay, Friday night you pay an amount equal to the temperature reading outside at 5pm. That’s right-the colder it is, the better the deal!!!!
photo via The Colonnade
Centrally located and impossibly chic, you find yourself in sophisticated surroundings with everything at your fingertips. While today the area is full of hustle and bustle, the Colonnade’s construction in 1971 was responsible for beginning the revitalization of a neighborhood I would once have termed on the edge. Sited on the corner of Huntington and West Newton St. the privately owned property in the heart of Back Bay is a luxury hotel for the modern traveler.
Built and owned by the Druker Corporation, all 285 rooms offer floor the ceiling windows that bathe the space in natural light.
Image via The Colonnade
Guests are greeted in the modern lobby by a wonderful artisan table illustrating Boston-Past and Present, a subtle reminder of the fact that much of the city was built on reclaimed land. Throughout the hotel, artwork reflects the city and features local artists.
Additionally suites are available with more space. State of the art AV systems have been installed. Beds feature the luxe Duxiana pillow top bedding, a sleeping dream. The 12 story building has wonderful views of the city and the active street life taking place below. Keurig was invented in Boston and true to their roots, The Colonnade has placed one in each room. When the morning paper arrives it makes for a relaxing wake up.
The award winning green business is a member of the Preferred Hotels’ LIFESTYLE Collection and is within walking distance of Newbury St., Symphony Hall and Fenway Park, not to mention across the street from the infamous Prudential Center.
Arrival is a simple affair and if you’re driving they have an adjacent parking garage. So….pack your bags and lets get a move on.
Boston Romantic Winter Getaway
Friday Night
- Skate at the Frog Pond
Walk through the park, enjoy the lights and have a skate. The Frog Pond is a charming area that reinvents itself as a ice-skating rink come December. Rentals are available, and what’s more romantic then skating arm in arm in the cold amongst the festive trees?
- Cocktails and Tapas at Barcelona Wine Bar
After warming up in your room with a hot shower and a little bubbly, head out to the nearby Barcelona Wine Bar. Nearly 400 wines and Mediterranean tapas, my favorite way to eat. Surely a winning combination. Plus I have this thing with Elderflower, and their Sangria Flora is the only sangria I’ll drink! If you can, make a reservation, it’s popular and very crowded.
- Eat at Brasserie Jo, The Colonnade’s on site French Bistro
One of the most authentic restaurants you’ll find in the area is the Colonnade’s Brasserie Jo. Recognized as a 3-star Certified Green Restaurant, Chef Nicholas Calias brings together a classic bistro menu with fresh local ingredients. Styled after a traditional 1940s French bistro, the restaurant is decorated with mosaic tile flooring, dark wood, and a nostalgic mix of vintage art prints and paintings throughout. The bar serves seasonally-creative craft cocktails, generous martinis, Alsatian-style beers, and an extensive wine list.
The tasting menu for the evening was a playful take on the garden experience with each course creatively presented in an “earthy setting”. A starter salad of carrots in the garden resting on a cracker soil set the mood for the rest of the meal; each course more delicious then the last. Scallops nestled on a bed of lentils was a soothing, simple blend of sea, earth and French sauce we all know and love. Chef Nick exudes a passion for his craft and community, playing host to the successful Top Chef Colonnade fundraiser series taking place in the summer and is an active member of Share our Strength.
On other visits to the restaurant I have enjoyed the traditional French fare of their Mussels Riesling Marinière, Onion Soup Gratinée, Alsace Brioche Bread Pudding, fresh Fruits de Mer and their specialty side of Haricot verts.
Saturday:
- Breakfast at Charlies
Catch breakfast at Charlies, a re-opened iconic Boston institution. Under new management in the same South End location, the lovingly worn diner style still frames the environment for memorable breakfasts. Don’t miss the turkey hash-the signature dish politicians and former presidents are known to seek out when visiting the city.
Not far from the well known Museum of Fine Arts in Boston is a hidden treasure of the city. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, completed in 1903, tops my list of favorite spots. In addition to the gorgeous courtyard and plantings, the vibrant collection of a woman who knew her way around the globe is housed inside. The new Renzo Piano designed wing brings the museum into the 21st century with performing space, additional galleries and a wonderful cafe and gift shop. The ever changing selection is international in flavor and reflects the wanderlust of this remarkable woman.
- Tour a Boston distillery
Founded by brothers Will and Dave Willis, Boston’s first craft distillery celebrates spirits with a complex and unique taste. The Bully Boy name pays homage to Teddy Roosevelt and his popular term “bully” which he coined as meaning superb or wonderful. The Willis farm’s favorite horse was named Bully and from an early age the boys became well versed in how using local ingredients can reflect the terroir of a region.
Their artisan gin is full of botanicals and herbs and makes a mean farm to bottle cocktail. Experiential tours at the distillery will soon get an upgrade with expanded space and a tasting room.
- Dinner at Tiffani Faison’s Tiger Mama
You don’t have to be a Top Chef fan to fall head over heels for the Asian fusion cuisine at Tiffani Faison’s hot spot Tiger Mama. A highlight of the weekend was seeing her in action creating in the open kitchen and having a chance to speak with her at the table. Tiffani’s travels have influenced the menu which takes the diner thru Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam. The cocktails are boozy and creative. Don’t miss the addictive Tiger Jam Clams. It’s one of those dishes you’ll think about long after you’ve left the ambiance of the successful restaurant.
Sunday
- Brunch Eataly Boston
After some coffee and Boston Globe time in your room, head downstairs and across the street to the Prudential Center and the newly opened Eataly Boston. You’ll find three floors of heady Italian goodness.
Salad bar, juice bar, coffee bar plus 2 sit down restaurants and a bakery. Breakfast options start at 7am weekdays (9am on weekends) including crepes and coffee. Over 10 quick counters offer grab and go selections. Wandering the massive space you will find everything you need to eat and/or take home and create your own Italian feast. Make sure to check hours of operation for restaurants.
In addition, if you need to finish off your weekend with a little retail therapy, you’ll find 40 plus retail brands inside the toasty, warm Prudential Center including Ann Taylor, Free People and a Detroit artisan favorite, Shinola.
Take a ride up to the Skywalk observatory for 360º views of the city before you leave. You’ll have a birds eye view of all the ground you’ve covered, plus you can make plans for the territory you’d like to explore when you come back in the summer!
Many winter activities in the Boston area make for a full schedule of weekends to enjoy the city. You can see a full list of dates and events here. I’ve made your gift giving easy. A Boston romantic winter getaway puts a smile on anyone’s face!
Details about the Winter Weather Hotel Package here and runs thru March 29th.
Disclosure: I was a guest of The Colonnade, but as always opinions and thoughts are 100% my own.
When we think of Boston we think more of Paul Revere and Fenway Park, but you really did find the romantic side. Very fun!
It’s hard to avoid the history in this city, it is everywhere. But there’s always a bit of room for romance available for you two!
Skating at the Frog Pond in Boston is fun, and it’s also a great stop in the summer. Those Eately Boston pictures have me craving cheese! Looks like a great winter getaway.
I did some major damage at Eataly Julie. Thank goodness it’s holiday time and gift giving was on my mind, rather then my stomach!
Gosh – Boston sure does have a lot to offer the visitor. And the downy duvets and soft pillow toppers make it a must visit to that hotel. I love a good night’s sleep and it’s worth the investment.
Those pillow top beds have me rethinking my current mattress Rebecca. What a good nights sleep! Boston is a great getaway any time of year.
Ah, Boston. I heard so many good things about it from my cousin who worked there. Your post just confirms my suspicion that I would love it there!!
Let me know if you come for a visit Claire. I’ve got tons of tips for you.
Ahh, so Boston ISN’T all just about tea parties and the Cheers Bar – I suspected as much! I so wish we had more outdoor ice rinks in the UK, there’s something magical about them 🙂
They’ve installed another one by City Hall this year. Haven’t made it to skate yet, but hope to get there soon!
I’ve only ever visited Boston in the summer and that was a really long time ago! Looks so pretty in winter – and like there are lots of good places to warm up inside too.
Warming up inside is key to winter travel Lucy. Boston is pretty with the snow and there are many great sites to vist inside from the weather. I’m sure all of us will be happy when we see spring arriving however!