If you think a bed and breakfast is an antiquated home, maybe a little old-fashioned, maybe a little heavy on the tchotchkes and frills, it's time to reconsider. Today's B&Bs are modern, sleek, and luxurious: Think top-of-the-line linens, minimalist décor from renowned designers, and breakfasts to swoon over. And in Boston, the bed and breakfast options cater to sophisticated travelers from around the globe, with experiences that depart from everywhere-the-same corporate hotel chains.


Here are my picks if you're looking for a bed and breakfast in Boston.

The Beech Tree Inn Bed & Breakfast

Brookline's Beech Tree Inn, not far from Coolidge Corner and Longwood Medical Area, is a former Victorian home with 10 tastefully decorated guest rooms. In addition to daily breakfast, guests can request complimentary movie and book rentals, newspapers, and homemade snacks, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate.

Boston Yacht Haven Inn and Marina

Situated right on Commercial Wharf, The Boston Yacht Haven Inn and Marina has great views of both the waterfront and the city. Ten guest rooms and a penthouse feature nautical-inspired décor, some with private decks. Daily continental breakfast is included. And by staying here, you're also just a short walk from Faneuil Hall, the New England Aquarium, and the Seaport District.

Clarendon Square Bed and Breakfast

Set in a historic brownstone in the heart of the South End, the ultra-chic Clarendon Square Bed and Breakfast may be Boston's most sophisticated inn.

Restored in the late '90s to its original glory, the building features distinctive details such as vaulted ceilings, marble fireplaces, chandeliers, and moldings. Rooms have private baths, designer linens, and flat-screen TVs. And for great views of the city, head up to the rooftop sun deck and take a soak in the hot tub (open 24/7 to guests). With a reservation here, too, you're just a stone's throw away from the South End's fantastic restaurants and boutiques.

The Gryphon House Bed and Breakfast

Baseball fans, the Gryphon House is the place for your next Boston getaway. Just a few blocks away from Fenway Park, this B&B features eight gorgeously appointed—and very spacious—guest rooms in a Kenmore Square brownstone. Every suite has a fireplace, HD TV with DVD player, separate living area, and private baths. Guests can also access the inn's DVD library at no extra charge. The Gryphon House is also a short walk from Newbury Street and all its shops and restaurants, plus a few blocks from the Kenmore Square T stop on the Green Line, offering easy access all around Boston.

The Mary Prentiss Inn

For those wanting to stay in Cambridge, the Mary Prentiss Inn is an excellent choice. Just a short walk from Harvard Square, this inn (included on the National Register of Historic Places) has 20 guest rooms with antique furnishings and private baths; some rooms have fireplaces. If you're planning to take public transportation while visiting, ask about the inn's "T Package", which includes a discounted weekly T pass included with your room rate.

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