Christmas in Boston can be a magical experience. In December of 2023, I had the pleasure of staying at the Langham Boston located in Boston’s Financial District. This unique building, previously the Federal Reserve Bank, was the perfect base for exploring downtown Boston. I would stay here again and recommend this property to clients looking for a luxurious and historical Boston experience.

Location

The hotel is located in Boston’s upscale Financial District just a few blocks away from famed Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. The area is perfect for travelers looking for a quiet city stay yet walking distance to major attractions, trendy bars, and restaurants. The airport is located just a 10-minute drive away from this property making the Langham a convenient hotel for an overnight layover or short trip.

With a total of 312 rooms on property, the Langham Boston offers categories for every type of traveler. The entry level rooms are spacious for a city hotel with larger and more unique options, such as the Loft Suite, available for families. There are 9 floors in total with high floors boasting a unique slanted window overlooking other buildings and streets. While you won’t get a panoramic view of the city at this property, you can request rooms facing Post Office Square for a lovely green park view.

There is a large 19,000 sqft. function space on the second floor of the hotel, some rooms with historical significance, making this property a top choice for Boston weddings, events, and receptions.

Style

The hotel was originally known as the Federal Reserve Bank in the 1920’s until it became another popular luxury hotel brand in the 70’s. The Langham took over the property and went through an extensive re-design and overhaul just a few years ago debuting the new look and feel of the property during the pandemic.

The decor of the hotel is quintessentially Langham-style with neat, elegant, and modern finishes paired with the classic Langham pink accents. The hotel stays true to its historical roots with its untouched Federalist facade and clever nods to its banking past.

Service

The overall atmosphere of the hotel is luxurious yet approachable with smiling uniformed attendants waiting to welcome guests at the front entrance and lobby. There is always someone waiting to greet hotel guests and curious onlookers by the doors making for a comfortable and surprisingly un-stuffy first impression. Calls to the front desk are always met with a recognition of your name and a genuine inquiry as to anything that could be done to improve your stay, plus room cleanings and turn down service are on-time and efficient.

Restaurant

There are two restaurants on property – The Fed and Grana. The Fed is a British-inspired cocktail bar serving up creative beverages and small bites. The Fed is beautifully designed with dark mahogany wood paneling on the walls and bar accented with brass and pops of green. The menu is an ode to New England and British fusion with dishes such as a lobster roll with thick cut french fries or “chips”. Every cocktail is named after a significant British figure keeping on par with the theme.

Grana is a brunch-only restaurant located in the old former Federal Reserve’s grand hall – and grand it is! The decor of the restaurant is breath-taking and truly feels like you are dining in a piece of history. Grana is the perfect place to have brunch with friends or family before exploring the city of Boston.

The Club

A recent addition to the Langham Boston is the Langham Club Lounge on the 8th floor. The club is exclusive to guests who book particular room categories including club access with the additional option to buy a club lounge pass for non-eligible categories. The club lounge offers breakfast, lunch bites, and a small dinner sampling throughout the day making for a great dining option for guests who have a tight schedule. At dinner, the club offers complimentary wine and beer along with one of two signature cocktails of the day.

The club feels exclusive with panoramic slanted windows overlooking Post Office Square and a smiling attendant greeting you at the door. There is ample space to have quiet conversation or do work on your laptop away from the crowds in the lobby.

Amenities

It’s important to note that there is no spa at this hotel, though there are plenty of spas in the vicinity that the concierge would be happy to make an appointment at. On the 3rd floor is a large heated indoor lap pool and jacuzzi with ample seating and a beautiful colored mural on the wall. The 4th floor gym overlooks part of the pool and offers a large selection of high-tech equipment for those looking to workout.

There is a complimentary house car running on the weekends during the day offering one-way drop offs on a first-come-first-serve basis. The bathroom amenities are curated through world-renowned perfumer, Diptyque, with full sized bottles in the shower and at the sink.

Activities

Boston is known as one of the best tourist cities in the US because of its rich history. You could visit Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, the North End, and walk the Freedom trail in one day completely for free. The great thing about being a college city is that there are a ton of fantastic historians and guides that add rich context to what you’re seeing. For that reason, I highly recommend going on guided tours. Here are a few quintessential Boston activities I recommend, through Viator:

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Recommended Clients

I would recommend The Langham Boston for my clients who are looking to be in a prime location in the historical part of the city. The hotel is perfect for clients who enjoy luxury accommodations and great service without the stuffiness other luxury hotels exude. I would not hesitate to recommend this hotel to families, couples, business travelers, or group travelers looking to stay in Boston.

Final Thoughts

The city of Boston is small and the competition is tight among 5-star luxury properties in the city. The Langham is certainly an excellent choice for most luxury-inclined travelers, especially those who are loyal and familiar to the Langham brand. I would pair a stay at the Langham Boston during the holidays with a stay in Maine over Prelude Festival to enjoy a classic New England Christmas.

Have you ever stayed at a Langham property? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!