Editorial score of 8.7 of 10, the composite average of the three factors above (Rooms, Service, Location). Method at our methodology page. Affiliate disclosure: booking links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you, and never change our verdict.
Why does The Colonnade earn a place among Boston's luxury hotels?
The Colonnade earns its place because it does one thing no other Boston hotel can claim and does the rest with quiet competence. The single thing is RTP, its rooftop pool: the only pool of its kind at a Boston hotel that opens to the public, set twelve stories up with cabanas, a bar and a clear run of skyline. For the weeks it operates, roughly from Memorial Day into the early autumn, it is the most sought-after poolside address in the city, and it is the reason a large share of guests book. The rest of the property is a well-run four-star that has been under single, independent ownership since it opened in 1971, which is now a rarity in a Back Bay dominated by national flags. That independence shows in service that feels a little more personal and a little less scripted than the chains a few blocks away.
The building itself is a product of its era, a squared-off concrete design from the early 1970s that reads as solid rather than pretty. The recent reimagining refreshed the interiors, added the LUCIE restaurant in place of the long-running brasserie, and updated the rooms without pretending the bones are anything other than what they are. For a summer bachelorette weekend built around the pool, a warm-weather anniversary, or an off-season business trip that wants a reliable Back Bay base at a fair rate, The Colonnade delivers. Set expectations for a capable independent rather than a five-star grande dame, and understand that the headline pool is seasonal, and it is easy to recommend for the right trip.
What are the best rooms to request?
Request a high-floor room facing Back Bay and the Prudential Center, and give the view priority over the exact category. The 285 rooms and nine suites were brought up to date in the hotel's recent reimagining, with muted, contemporary finishes, large windows and a calm palette that suits the concrete building better than a period scheme would. They are generously sized for the city, and the higher floors trade the streetscape for an open outlook across Back Bay on one side or the Christian Science Plaza reflecting pool on the other. For a couple marking an occasion, a corner room or one of the nine suites buys more space and a wider window, and the suites are the natural pick when a group wants a base for pre-pool gatherings.
One honest caveat is that this is a refreshed 1970s hotel, not a new-build tower or a historic mansion, so the rooms read as clean and current rather than characterful or grand. Bathrooms are practical rather than lavish in the entry categories, and a handful of lower rooms look onto the street or neighbouring buildings rather than the skyline. There is also a facilities fee to factor into the nightly rate, which is worth checking at booking. Treat the room as a comfortable, quiet base and put your budget toward a higher floor and a pool-season date, and the value holds up well against pricier Back Bay names.
If your trip lands in the pool season, book a cabana at RTP well ahead, because summer weekends sell out and cabanas go first. Ask for a high floor facing the Prudential Center for the best in-room view, and reserve at LUCIE downstairs for a group dinner so you are not competing for a Back Bay table on a busy night.
What is the dining like at The Colonnade?
The on-site restaurant is LUCIE drink and dine, on the ground floor beside the hotel on Huntington Avenue, and it is the current answer to a question older guides get wrong. The long-running Brasserie Jo that used to fill this space has closed, and LUCIE replaced it with a modern global menu rather than a French one. It serves across breakfast, brunch, dinner and late-night, with a full bar, private dining rooms and a relaxed, social atmosphere that is built for groups as much as couples. It is a capable neighbourhood restaurant rather than a destination dining room, which is the honest framing: useful for a client breakfast, a long lunch or an easy group dinner without leaving the building, and flexible enough for gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan tables. In-room dining and a Keurig-equipped room round out the everyday needs.
Is RTP really Boston's only rooftop pool?
Yes, with one precise qualifier: RTP is the only rooftop pool at a Boston hotel that opens to the public, and that public access, not just the height, is what makes it singular. The pool sits twelve stories up, ringed by private cabanas and daybeds, with a bar serving cocktails and small plates and an open deck that frames the Back Bay skyline. It runs seasonally, opening around Memorial Day weekend and closing as the weather turns in early autumn, so it is a summer amenity rather than a year-round one, and that is the single most important thing to know before booking around it. During the season the pool is the reason the hotel hums, and the front desk is well practised at handling the bachelorette groups and cabana bookings that come with it. Outside the season the property is a quieter, more workmanlike hotel, which is exactly why its shoulder-month rates are appealing.
Signature amenities
In the heart of Back Bay
Back Bay, across from the Prudential Center · minutes from the Hynes Convention Center
What's nearby
- Prudential Center
Shops & Skywalk2 min walk - Christian Science Plaza
Reflecting pool3 min walk - Symphony Hall
Boston Symphony5 min walk - Copley Square
Trinity Church8 min walk - Boston Public Library
Copley landmark9 min walk
The facade, the rooms, the rooftop pool
Exterior
Back Bay room
RTP pool
SuiteHow does The Colonnade compare with Boston's other Back Bay hotels?
Against the field, The Colonnade is the independent, pool-season pick, and the choice comes down to what you want the trip to be. Mandarin Oriental Boston is the five-star step up in the same neighbourhood, quieter and built around one of the city's best spas, for guests who want polish over a scene. Boston Marriott Copley Place is the reliable big-box option a few blocks east, directly connected to the Copley Place mall and convention space, better for pure convenience than character. InterContinental Boston trades Back Bay entirely for the Waterfront, with harbour views and a more corporate five-star feel. The Colonnade's own trade-off is that its headline amenity is seasonal and its four-star finish is a notch below the luxury names.
| Hotel | Style | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Colonnade | Independent Back Bay four-star | Rooftop pool, summer groups, value | Pool is seasonal; four-star finish |
| Mandarin Oriental Boston | Five-star Back Bay luxury | Spa, calm, top-tier service | Higher rates, less of a scene |
| Boston Marriott Copley Place | Large Copley convention hotel | Mall access, meetings, scale | Corporate feel, less character |
| InterContinental Boston | Waterfront five-star | Harbour views, spa, business | Away from Back Bay shopping |
Frequently asked questions
Is The Colonnade Hotel Boston independently owned?
Yes. The Colonnade is one of the few remaining independent hotels in Boston, run under single ownership since it opened in 1971 rather than under a national chain flag. It is a member of Preferred Hotels and Resorts, but the day-to-day operation and the character of the place are its own, which is a large part of why it feels less standardised than the branded towers around it.
How many rooms and suites does The Colonnade Hotel have?
The Colonnade has 285 guest rooms, including nine suites. The rooms were brought up to date in the hotel's recent reimagining, with large windows that look out over Back Bay, the Prudential Center or the Christian Science Plaza across Huntington Avenue.
Does The Colonnade have Boston's only rooftop pool?
The Colonnade's RTP is the only rooftop pool at a Boston hotel that opens to the public. It sits twelve stories up with cabanas, a pool bar and skyline views, and it runs seasonally from around Memorial Day into the early autumn rather than year round. For the weeks it is open it is the property's signature draw.
What restaurant is at The Colonnade Hotel Boston?
The on-site restaurant is LUCIE drink and dine, on the ground floor beside the hotel on Huntington Avenue. LUCIE serves a modern global menu across breakfast, brunch, dinner and late-night, with a full bar and private dining rooms. The long-running Brasserie Jo that used to occupy the space has closed.
Where is The Colonnade Hotel located in Boston?
The Colonnade is at 120 Huntington Avenue in Back Bay, directly across from the Prudential Center and the Christian Science Plaza. Symphony Hall, Copley Square, the Boston Public Library and Newbury Street are all within a short walk, and the Hynes Convention Center is a few minutes away.
Other luxury stays in Boston
#3 · Back BayMandarin Oriental Boston
#7 · WaterfrontInterContinental Boston
#8 · Copley