One of the city's top hotels, the Four Seasons offers unrivaled service, a great health club with a beautiful pool, an iconic restaurant, and a Public Garden-facing location. The 272 rooms are comfortable and understatedly luxurious; their traditional decor may seem dated, but all of the rooms are scheduled to be renovated in 2017 (the beautiful marble bathrooms, some with separate rainfall showers and soaking tubs, were all renovated in 2015). Luxury travelers willing to swap a pool for a spa should consider Mandarin Oriental Boston, which houses a 16,000-square-foot award-winning spa (but lacks a pool).

The four-and-a-half-pearl Boston Harbor Hotel is among the city’s most iconic hotels, with a distinctively tasteful blend of ancient Roman, modern, and colonial styles throughout. Its list of features is long for any hotel, especially one that's downtown. Two gourmet restaurants, a wine bar, a health club and spa, and a heated indoor pool are all among the highlights. The 230 large rooms have antique and traditional touches plus Bose Wave music systems, marble bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, and minibars. The property’s prime location is within walking distance of Faneuil Hall and the North End, and many rooms have Boston Harbor views. For a slightly cheaper luxury alternative, the Langham Hotel is a nearby historic option with a Chinese-inspired spa and a swanky restaurant inside of the old Federal Reserve Bank.

Situated in an early 20th-century Federal Reserve Bank building, the Langham Hotel Boston is among the city’s most beautiful luxury options. The exterior is an exercise classic Renaissance Revivalism, while interiors include 18th-century English decor and furnishings. The 318 rooms are elegant and have an antique look that won't please everyone, and all include modern amenities like free Wi-Fi, large flat-screen TVs, and iPod docks or Bose sound systems. Noteworthy features include an indoor heated pool -- a rarity in downtown Boston -- plus swanky Bond restaurant and a modern, Chinese-inspired spa. The free local cab service is a unique service. Back Bay’s Lenox Hotel offers a similarly priced and appointed alternative that's within walking distance of amazing shopping, but it lacks a pool.

This 25-year-old, 201-room hotel, with its recessed driveway, security-focused doormen, and loungy living-room-like lobby, is a relative oasis across from the tourist-filled Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Large, stylish rooms and a great location for sightseeing make up for underwhelming features.

The upscale Nine Zero Hotel is a stylish member of the trendy Kimpton chain. It has a convenient location on the Freedom Trail and across the street from Boston Common. Characteristic Kimpton warmth and trendiness is evident in the free evening wine hours, free loaner bikes, and dedicated pet concierge. The 190 guest rooms are clean and fun, but compact, with an Art Deco meets Industrial vibe. Expect to pay extra for parking; Wi-Fi is free for Kimpton loyalty program members (it's free to join). Visitors who need more space (and a pool) may prefer the nearby Revere Hotel Boston Commons.

The upscale, 502-room Hyatt Regency Boston is a contemporary high-rise hotel located in the downtown Boston theater district, a spot that's convenient for both tourists and business travelers. Features include a large gym and indoor pool, several bars, and a farm-to-table restaurant. Guest rooms are spacious, understated, and sophisticated, with pillow-top beds and large flat-screen HDTVs. Nearby are the similarly priced Ames, which has a trendier feel but no pool, and the Intercontinental Boston, which has a waterfront location. 

This high-design property exudes sophistication. Period details -- the building, Boston's first skyscraper, dates back to 1889 -- are juxtaposed against sleek David Rockwell design. Rooms are gorgeous, with a black and white motif, comfortable beds, and modern technology. Bathrooms are similarly stylish, with Malin + Goetz toiletries and rain showerheads. The fitness center is small, but well-equipped, a continental breakfast is served daily, and meeting spaces are pleasant. There aren't many features besides the restaurant, but the service is solid and the location near Faneuil Hall and Beacon Hill is great. It's a first-rate choice for business travelers, trendy singles, and couples.