The Newbury Hotel & Boston's Back Bay

The former Ritz-Carlton and later, Taj Hotel in Boston’s Back Bay has undergone a transformative experience while attempting to keep the same flair,. We were fortunate enough to stay at The Newbury a week after its official re-opening in May 2021. Let’s see how they did.

If there's one thing Bostonians revere (pun intended), it is history, be it people, places, events, and especially sporting victories! The Newbury Hotel took on a big piece of Boston's history by renovating a prestigious and storied city landmark where many of us have memories -- afternoon tea, people watching over lunch, and if you were lucky enough, an overnight stay in a fireplaced room, complete with a Wood Butler to keep the fire burning. I've done all of the above, and since we have reason to stay overnight in Boston just as the Newbury re-opened, I had to see for myself how she looked. Let's take a peek.

An overview of the entrance(s), lobby, street-level bar aptly named “The Street Bar”, and rooms at The Newbury. Its flagship rooftop restaurant, “Contessa” had yet to open, but the view alone would be worth the reservation!

The address of The Newbury is "One Newbury Street", but our GPS recognizes "Arlington Street" - the former Ritz address. Same place, no worries. We arrive and enter on the Arlington Street side and enter the beautiful lobby, decked out in shades of blue with some fantastic artwork on the walls. The Street Bar is off to the side in all its wood-paneled splendor. Newbury Street, home to ritzy shops (think Tiffany), upscale boutiques, art galleries and restaurants is just through the other set of doors. We take a quick look around, but it is May 31, 2021, COVID-19 is still a thing, and some are still a little wary. Staff is definitely masked and social distancing is a thing. After check-in we are escorted up to the room which is comfortable, but lacks a "wow" factor. We had booked the fireplace suite, but are told that fires are only lit September - April. Oh well, let's go for a walk, the Boston Public Garden is right next door and it is calling my name.

The Public Garden is a wonderful collection of garden beds, bushes, beautiful and unusual trees, plus much statuary and of course, the famed “Swan Boats’. Next time you are in town take a stroll, any time of year. It is always beautiful.

We take a leisurely walk through the Garden, identifying most of the trees which are in full bloom and on their finest spring display. There are signs on the trees, so the identification process is nearly fool proof. When we have seen all there is to see, we exit out the Commonwealth Ave. exit to walk down the pedestrian lane and enjoy the statuary, mostly of old white guys but there are a few old white women too, all of historical import, plus tributes to Boston firefighters, fishermen, abolitionists, African American authors, women suffragists, etc. Pretty impressive as well as educational. Long about Fairfield Street, we take a left for two blacks and continue down Newbury Street, past the twinkling open air restaurants and blooming flowerboxes until we arrive at our hotel, The Newbury. Tomorrow morning we are up with the sun to catch a plane. I hope to visit the Newbury again once she gets a little wind in her sails to see how they'v e come along, and to see the views from the rooftop restaurant Contessa.

Historic and lovingly tended-to homes, gardens, architecture, statuary plus a lively night scene along Newbury Street make Boston a special place in my heart. Part of it will always be home.