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The Massachusetts state capital Boston certainly displays all that classic New England style, and as the largest city in New England it forms the cultural, financial and administrative core for this popular and historic part of America. The city does however have a life and culture all of its own too defined largely by its important role in American history and the successions of people who have come to live, work and create a city renowned for its intellectual, cultural and financial power. It is a very special city and the top Boston hotels are very special indeed.
The city is one of the top visitor destinations in the States and with good reason. The original port and harbor around which the city was built has a very long history but the story for Boston really starts in December 16th 1773. Those who remember their history lessons will recognize this as the date of the Boston Tea Party, when colonials unceremoniously dumped British tea into the harbor in protest at paying taxes to a foreign power. This action sparked the American Revolution and ultimately Independence on the more memorable date of July 4th 1776.
There are many famous names and episodes of the period associated with the city and some of the most popular sights and attractions relating to this time can be followed today on the Freedom Trail, a great city walk following a red line marked out on the city streets. The incredible growth of the city since that time has been a direct result of self financing and self-determination, with wealth accrued through the famous harbor as ever. The Irish and Italians came, along with many others and built neighborhoods, both literally and figuratively. The top Boston hotels reflect the best of these neighborhoods and the city as a whole.
Boston has never been a large and expansive city, due to land constraints. Much of the modern city has been built on land reclaimed from the sea and it has brought all the old neighborhoods together. There is still plenty of green spaces and waterways though, including Boston Common, a city park which is the oldest in the country, and an 'Emerald Necklace' of further green spaces and open water which encircles the city, the largest of which is Franklin Park which contains a zoo. The seemingly endless rivers and waterways provide for a very pleasant city experience and some of the top Boston hotels occupy stylish waterfront locations.
The city certainly has no shortage of stylish architecture. After independence and filled with all the optimism of the period, many neo-classical Federal style buildings were constructed, drawing on the Georgian architecture of the time as well as the grand symmetry of classic Grecian and Roman styles. These remain today as a testament to the status and regard which which the city was, and is, held by the American public. The city also contains the largest unbroken area of Victorian style architecture in America within the South End Historic District and of course many more modern buildings depicting the city's considerable influences in business, finance, technology and intellectual pursuits.
Suffice to say, top Boston hotels are likely to be incredible architectural statements, whether built from 'old money' for high society or modern finance for big business. The grand old traditional hotels certainly have a charm and and elegance that is hard to beat and they form a superb backdrop to any city stay. The different architectural styles also lend themselves well to a terrific selection of boutique hotels, often smaller in size and with less in the way of extensive leisure facilities, but with no less history, charm or appeal.
The top Boston hotels for business travelers are likely to be found within the downtown Financial District amidst the skyscrapers, which themselves share the streets with more traditional properties. While most of the hotels in this area will cater for corporate guests the ultra-modern hotels will certainly have a greater degree of business services and facilities designed into the hotel. These often include boardroom and larger meeting spaces serviced by catering and event co-ordination personnel. They may also have dedicated hotel business centers containing equipment for office duties as well as providing access to computers and other business related services.
Business-oriented hotels are also found close to the Logan International Airport, in East Boston and these will typically have additional features relating to airport travel, such as flight information desks, direct airport transfers, and long stay parking. Often the top Boston hotels whatever their location or style will have parts of the hotel given over to executive use and with certain executive services and privileges forming a part of the hospitality on offer. General hotel features may also be of use to the business traveler, such as laundry and dry cleaning and in-room direct dial phones, internet connectivity and work desks.
What all top Boston hotels offer is access to what the city does best, whether that is fine dining and great bar and lounge spaces or the city attractions and events, from the ballet to the Boston Red Sox. Concierge services will be on hand with all the right information and services with regards to the hotel and the city and for those who wish to spend some time enjoying all the hotel has to offer there may be leisure aspects such as gyms and sports courts or simply some round the clock room service to enjoy with state of the art in-room entertainment systems.
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