XV Beacon lobby
The ‘staycation’ was the top travel trend word for most of 2008 and into 2009, and while I wasn’t entirely on board with the concept (I’m a firm believer that you need to escape your town/city in order to really ‘escape on vacation’) the idea started growing on me. I’ve lived in the same apartment for more than a decade, and while nothing comforts me quite like coming home, I’ll admit I’m envious of fireplaces, mini-bars and free HBO. Sure, I could get movie channels in my apartment and redesign my wine rack to look more like a mini-bar, but there’s something special about these little indulgences one gets while on the road.
This year started off with a bang – it’s fair to say that 2010 is showing some promise, and while I’m excited about the opportunities ahead, the planning is somewhat exhausting! So, I decided to treat myself to ’time out’ – a much needed break in my backyard where a flick-and-switch fireplace takes priority over trash night, and my Kindle provides the only ‘book’ I’m focused on for the night. Enter: XV Beacon, one of Boston’s best business hotels and a hidden gem among leisure travelers looking for a quiet hideaway.
I checked into room 1006 and thought the following (in this order):
1. I could live in this room. It’s roughly the size of a small studio apartment and has a shower built for 10. I understand perfectly why business travelers stay here because the room is awesomely oriented into sections: office, living area, bedroom while taking up the same space. Bravo, XV Beacon interior designers.
2. I love Boston. I looked out the window from the desk and was treated to a gorgeous view of the city. The Back Bay skyline over Boston Common always makes me smile.
View from room 1006
3. I want a fireplace. Each of the rooms at XV Beacon come with a fireplace and it’s the perfect way to spend a cold winter night in Boston. I want a fireplace in my apartment, but only for the winter months – who do I speak to about this?
Flick-n-switch fireplace in all rooms
I set up my Internet connection (priority!), freshened up my face and went to meet a friend at Mooo, the hotel’s restaurant, which was empty early-evening but picked up pretty quickly as Beacon Hill offices closed for the evening. Mooo is decorated in soft brown and gold tones, which provides a great contrast to the sea of blue pinstripe suits that take over the tables.
Dinner is served!
To be honest, I was generally against visiting Mooo when it first opened. I’m not a vegetarian, and I do enjoy a good piece of meat every now and again, but dining at a restaurant that so blatantly displayed the sounds of the cows I was chowing on just didn’t settle well. I’ve since been converted. Forget about the name and focus on the menu.
We started with a 2005 Cotes du Rhone – a wonderful year that opened and got a little smoother as the evening went on. First up, 1/2 dozen oysters from Duxbury and salads with warm bread. The main course of filets, surf-and-turfs, spinach and garlic, steamed vegetables, and truffled fries was served to perfection, and could have also fed half the suits in the restaurant. Thankfully, another bottle of wine was breathing to help get us through the main course.
I walked back into room 1006 and was pleasantly surprised by the turn-down service. The lights were dim, the stereo was playing soft music throughout the room, the shades were drawn and the fire was on. It was the perfect ambiance for any guest to wind down, or any work-a-holic to cuddle up with their laptop for the evening (guilty).
Now, at 1:30 a.m., it’s time for me to hop into the king-sized bed that awaits and curl up with the cashmere blanket.
