Pros

  • Right on beautiful Copley Square in the heart of Back Bay
  • Elegant decor throughout blends historical and contemporary styles
  • Stylish, sophisticated rooms with marble bathrooms
  • Fairmont Gold floor includes free breakfast, snacks, and Wi-Fi
  • OAK restaurant has been beautifully restored, and offers tasty food and a lively bar
  • 24-hour room service
  • Pet-friendly, with two resident dogs
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Cons

  • Fee for Wi-Fi in standard rooms
  • Fee for valet or self parking
  • Lower-level rooms could experience noise
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Bottom Line

Dating back to 1912, the grand, iconic 383-room Fairmont Copley Plaza has the most opulent lobby in the city, the sophisticated OAK Long Bar & Kitchen restaurant, and a central location on Copley Square in the heart of Boston’s Back Bay. The property artfully blends the historical and the contemporary, and all rooms are elegant and stylish. There's also a modern fitness center with city views and ample event space for both meetings and special events. Just know that there are extra fees for Wi-Fi and parking, and the standard rooms are on the small side for a Boston luxury hotel.

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Oyster Hotel Review

Fairmont Copley Plaza, Boston

Scene

Boston's Grand Dame, with an opulent lobby and terrific location on Copley Square

Just as palatial as it was when it first opened in 1912, the storied 383-room Fairmont Copley Plaza remains as iconic to Boston as the Plaza is to New York City -- and no less grand, as they share the same architect. The lobby alone is 5,000 square feet, and has 21-foot-high gilded coffered ceilings, restored mosaic tile flooring, and plenty of gold and bronze accents. "Boston’s Grand Dame" has welcomed just about every U.S. president since Taft, celebrities from Frank Sinatra to Tom Cruise, and more than a few of the world's most powerful moguls.

These days the Fairmont Copley Plaza draws a wide range of guests, from conventioneers to college parents to Freedom Trail tourists. The location, right on Copley Square in the heart of Back Bay, is as good as any in the city. And the palatial lobby and the romantic OAK Long Bar + Kitchen restaurant have more extravagant impact than anything you'll find at Boston's other top luxury hotels -- the Ritz, the Four Seasons, and the Mandarin Oriental among them. And yet room rates here are reasonable, compared to those hotels, largely because the standard guest rooms are about half the size.

Entrances from several streets all lead to the large front desk, with concierge and valet stands beside it. The lobby opens right into entrances for the ballroom and several meeting rooms, as well as a small business center, and on the other side are entrances to the gift shop and restaurant. A seating area with jewel-toned couches and armchairs is nearby, thoughtfully arranged to allow guests some privacy, and elevators and staircases are close by as well.

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Location

Right in the heart of Boston’s Back Bay

Right on Copley Square, the hotel is easy to spot with its grand facade and bright red awnings. The Copley Square T stop is one block away, giving guests convenient and easy access to the rest of the city, and a number of popular areas are a short walk away, including the Prudential Center, Newbury Street, the Charles River, Trinity Church, and the Boston Public Library. The surrounding area is safe, clean, and well-lit at night.

See More Location

Rooms

Spacious rooms with Art Deco flair

While this property is over 100 years old, all guest rooms are up-to-date with a contemporary, elegant feel; most have a color palette of blue, silver, and white. The Moderate Rooms and Fairmont Rooms are on the small side for a Boston luxury hotel, starting at 210 square feet, but prices reflect this and this isn't unusual for a historical property. (The Commonwealth does have larger accommodations for around the same price, however). Upgrading to the Deluxe Room will get guests an ample 360-plus square feet.

The seventeen well-appointed specialty suites each have a different theme, from landmarks and events in Boston. Gold Club rooms are also available, and feature free Wi-Fi, private check-in, and a lounge that offers free breakfast, a small business center, a library, and free snacks. All rooms feature views of the inner courtyard or the city, and include mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and marble bathrooms. Due to the central location in a busy part of the city, lower-level rooms could experience some noise.

See More Rooms

Features

Large fitness center, restaurant, and club level with concierge

Although the Fairmont Copley Plaza may not have quite as many amenities on the property as some other nearby luxury hotels, the features that it does have are modern and convenient. The large top-floor fitness center was added in 2012 and includes separate areas for cardio, weight training, and aerobics, all with city views. Ballrooms and meeting rooms are available for conferences, weddings, and special events, and the OAK Long Bar Kitchen & Restaurant features local ingredients and modern American cuisine, as well as 24-hour room service. Guests on the Fairmont Gold level can enjoy a private check-in area, free breakfast and Wi-Fi, a library with books and DVDs, and their own business center, in addition to the small business center on the ground floor.

See More Features

Things You Should Know About Fairmont Copley Plaza, Boston

Also Known As

  • Fairmont Boston
  • Boston Fairmont
  • Fairmont Copley Plaza Boston

Room Types

  • Boston Public Library Suite
  • Boston Symphony Orchestra & Boston Pops Suites
  • Catie Copley Suite
  • Deluxe Room
  • Fairmont Gold Room
  • Fairmont Room
  • Freedom Trail Suite
  • John F. Kennedy Library and Museum Suite
  • Moderate Room
  • Museum of Fine Arts Suite
  • Museum of Science Suite
  • One Bedroom Corner Suite
  • One Bedroom Suite
  • Presidential Suite
  • Signature Copley Square Room
  • Signature Room

Address

138 St James Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02116-5002, United States

Phone

(617) 267-5300

Website

Oyster Hotel Review

Fairmont Copley Plaza, Boston

Scene

Boston's Grand Dame, with an opulent lobby and terrific location on Copley Square

Just as palatial as it was when it first opened in 1912, the storied 383-room Fairmont Copley Plaza remains as iconic to Boston as the Plaza is to New York City -- and no less grand, as they share the same architect. The lobby alone is 5,000 square feet, and has 21-foot-high gilded coffered ceilings, restored mosaic tile flooring, and plenty of gold and bronze accents. "Boston’s Grand Dame" has welcomed just about every U.S. president since Taft, celebrities from Frank Sinatra to Tom Cruise, and more than a few of the world's most powerful moguls.

These days the Fairmont Copley Plaza draws a wide range of guests, from conventioneers to college parents to Freedom Trail tourists. The location, right on Copley Square in the heart of Back Bay, is as good as any in the city. And the palatial lobby and the romantic OAK Long Bar + Kitchen restaurant have more extravagant impact than anything you'll find at Boston's other top luxury hotels -- the Ritz, the Four Seasons, and the Mandarin Oriental among them. And yet room rates here are reasonable, compared to those hotels, largely because the standard guest rooms are about half the size.

Entrances from several streets all lead to the large front desk, with concierge and valet stands beside it. The lobby opens right into entrances for the ballroom and several meeting rooms, as well as a small business center, and on the other side are entrances to the gift shop and restaurant. A seating area with jewel-toned couches and armchairs is nearby, thoughtfully arranged to allow guests some privacy, and elevators and staircases are close by as well.

See More Scene

Location

Right in the heart of Boston’s Back Bay

Right on Copley Square, the hotel is easy to spot with its grand facade and bright red awnings. The Copley Square T stop is one block away, giving guests convenient and easy access to the rest of the city, and a number of popular areas are a short walk away, including the Prudential Center, Newbury Street, the Charles River, Trinity Church, and the Boston Public Library. The surrounding area is safe, clean, and well-lit at night.

See More Location

Rooms

Spacious rooms with Art Deco flair

While this property is over 100 years old, all guest rooms are up-to-date with a contemporary, elegant feel; most have a color palette of blue, silver, and white. The Moderate Rooms and Fairmont Rooms are on the small side for a Boston luxury hotel, starting at 210 square feet, but prices reflect this and this isn't unusual for a historical property. (The Commonwealth does have larger accommodations for around the same price, however). Upgrading to the Deluxe Room will get guests an ample 360-plus square feet.

The seventeen well-appointed specialty suites each have a different theme, from landmarks and events in Boston. Gold Club rooms are also available, and feature free Wi-Fi, private check-in, and a lounge that offers free breakfast, a small business center, a library, and free snacks. All rooms feature views of the inner courtyard or the city, and include mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and marble bathrooms. Due to the central location in a busy part of the city, lower-level rooms could experience some noise.

See More Rooms

Features

Large fitness center, restaurant, and club level with concierge

Although the Fairmont Copley Plaza may not have quite as many amenities on the property as some other nearby luxury hotels, the features that it does have are modern and convenient. The large top-floor fitness center was added in 2012 and includes separate areas for cardio, weight training, and aerobics, all with city views. Ballrooms and meeting rooms are available for conferences, weddings, and special events, and the OAK Long Bar Kitchen & Restaurant features local ingredients and modern American cuisine, as well as 24-hour room service. Guests on the Fairmont Gold level can enjoy a private check-in area, free breakfast and Wi-Fi, a library with books and DVDs, and their own business center, in addition to the small business center on the ground floor.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pets Allowed

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.