What to expect: Guests enter the Boston hotel through a grand archway where attentive doormen are always ready to hail a taxi. The Boston Harbor Hotel's spacious lobby is adorned with hand-carved wood, Italian marble, and framed historical maps of Boston. Elaborate floral arrangements give off splashes of color and delicately scent the air. At the back of the lobby, huge bay windows look out onto a lively yacht marina and a gold-domed pavilion, which can be booked for private functions.

Amenity highlights: All guestrooms have a work desk, two dual-line speaker telephones, high-speed Internet connections, and Bose radio/players. The hotel can accommodate intimate gatherings or groups of 500 in its 9,600 square feet of meeting space. Guests can indulge in the 60-foot lap pool or with a yoga class; Swedish massages and herbal body wraps are also available. Traveling pets are welcome to stay in the guestrooms, and all get a free basket of toys and treats.

Insider tip: In summer, the hotel’s waterfront terrace opens for drinks, dinner, and entertainment. It’s a trendy spot, so it’s best to get a table by 5 PM. On Tuesday nights, the sweet sounds of summer soul echo throughout the harbor. On Wednesday nights, the dance floor comes alive with the sounds of swing music. On warm Thursday nights, the terrace is alive with jazz. On Friday nights, guests enjoy outside dining and a classic movie on an outdoor screen. From January through April each year, the hotel sponsors New England’s largest wine festival; it’s wise to book early because tickets sell fast.