Elite Traveler: Bostonian Boardrooms

ELITE RECOMMENDS

ELITE

PRESIDENTIAL SUITE TERRACE/LIBERTY HOTEL

RECOMMENDS

Bostonian Boardrooms With alums from Harvard, MIT and Tufts long laying the foundation for a competitive job market, Boston’s reputation for churning out business tycoons warrants no newsflash. One could even contend that Boston is the birthplace of America’s meetings—Sam Adams, Paul Revere and John Hancock all proved important business minutemen here.

Today, it’s the film industry that benefits from local tax relief, and this seacoast town is quickly gaining ground as ‘Hollywood East.’ Whether for the movie mogul, biotech or finance exec, Boston offers some of the best places to get down to business.

By Victoria Rivers 1

ELITE RECOMMENDS

PRESIDENTIAL SUITE LIVINGROOM/INTERCONTINENTAL BOSTON

ROTUNDA/BOSTON HARBOR HOTEL

InterContinental Boston

Boston Harbor Hotel

One of Boston’s newest additions, this $330-million, 424-

Probably the most heralded hotel comeback story in Boston’s

room hotel and 130-unit luxury condominium morphs his-

recent past, 230-room Boston Harbor Hotel fought its way

tory into reflective modernity. The AAA Four Diamond lux-

back from being demoted to a Mobil Three-Star rating (from

ury hotel and spa opened in November of 2006 and is only a

Four) in 2004 to making Boston one of only five cities through-

five-minute stroll from South Station and a 10-minute drive

out the U.S. and Canada with more than one five-star hotel.

from the airport along the burgeoning Four Point Channel

Obtained in 2008, this elite status was achieved by pouring $12

(the downtown waterway famous for one hell of a tea party

million into renovations the year prior, as well as fine-tuning

in 1773). Architect Howard Elkus designed the dual-winged,

service standards. The property’s grand 60-foot arch and

curved-glass façade of InterContinental Boston to emulate

impressive rotunda loom over Rowes Wharf, imparting some

the giant masts of turn-of-the-century tall ships. Companies

of the city’s best harbor views. Over 15,000-square feet of

like Fidelity Investments and Exxon Mobile as well as the

meeting space welcomes a number of financial players from

NBA have convened behind the floor-to-ceiling glass in the

bulge bracket investment banks to venture capitalist firms—

nine meeting rooms and two ballrooms, which comprise the

given their prime location next to the financial district. But it’s

32,000-square feet of function space—80 percent of which

the celebrities and socialites that truly appreciate this locale,

hosts a water view. The two-bedroom Presidential Suite is

mooring their yachts in the marina’s pristine slips along the

a massive 3,300-square feet and boasts a water view, fire-

hotel periphery to partake in the many food and wine events or

place, and baby grand piano, an amenity that was music to

overnight in The Presidential Suite, configured as a one-,

the ears of guest Stevie Wonder [$6,000].

two- or three-bedroom suite [$4,000, $4,500, $5,850].

Contact: Timothy Kirwan, General Manager

Contact GM: Paul Jacques

Direct Line: 617-217-5051 Fax: 617-217-5055

Direct Line: 617-856-7701 Fax: 617-439-0464

Emsil: tim.kirwan@ihg.com

Email: pjacques@bhh.com

FBO service arrangements: Chef Concierge Marc Simoneau

FBO services and celebrity client arrangements:

Email: marc.simoneau@ihg.com

Gary Sloper, Director of Rooms

Website: www.intercontinentalboston.com

Direct Line: 617-856-7721 Fax: 617-345-6799 Email: gsloper@bhh.com Website: www.bhh.com

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ELITE RECOMMENDS

WASHINGTON ROOM/THE RITZ-CARLTON

ROTUNDA/BOSTON HARBOR HOTEL

The Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common

Taj Boston

Built in 2001, The Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common coexisted

Anchoring Boston’s Newbury Street—the Rodeo Drive of New

with their heritage sister property until 2007 (see Taj Boston).

England—and overlooking the swans gliding peacefully across

Today, Bostonians still refer to it as “The New Ritz-Carlton,”

the pond in the Public Garden, Indian hotel group, Taj Hotels

which accurately describes this contemporary glass hotel,

Resorts and Palaces, secured one of the most sought after ad-

comprised of 193 guest rooms and skirting the Theater Dis-

dresses in Boston. Flying their flag over the city’s former Ritz-

trict. A 19-screen AMC Loews Theatres adjacent to the hotel

Carlton since January 2007, the Asian group displays a nearly

makes it a unique option for videoconferencing meetings host-

white-gloved dedication to service with a touch of British for-

ing up 654 guests. The hotel also features 10,000-square feet

mality that works seamlessly in this traditional town. Timeless

of onsite meeting space, including a newly renovated Ball-

opulence fills the over 18,000 square-feet of event space, divid-

room overlooking the city park, Boston Common—part of the

ed into 15 function rooms, some festooned with wood-burning

$11 million that went into freshening up a bit earlier this year.

fireplaces and a Fireplace Butler. However, the most exciting

A favorite amenity—and perfect place to cross paths with buff

development for business travelers at Taj Boston foregoes this

celebs like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and most of the

otherwise faithful adherence to period details for a new Video

professional athletes in town—is The Sports Club/LA,

Conferencing Suite. This is a welcome addition for companies

a 100,000 square-foot gym and spa connected to the hotel via

such as American Express Business Travel and Norkom Tech-

private elevator access. Out-of-town VIPs like Leonardo

nologies, who held meetings here in the past. Guests from the

DiCaprio, Kate Hudson, and Matthew McConaughey, all found

likes of Bill Gates and Senator John McCain can also be found

respite in the Presidential Suite, an impressive 1,680 square

here enjoying high tea between meetings or perusing the on-

feet with gas fireplace, separate office and wall-to-wall views

site Chanel boutique. Of the 273 guestrooms, 45 are suites,

of the park [$5,500].

including the newly renovated Presidential Suite, spanning a

Contact: Erwin Schinnerl, General Manager

luxurious 1,540-square feet and designated as the hotel’s best

Direct Line: 617-574-7104 Fax: 617-574-7200

[$4,500.], as well as a Children’s Suite [$1,295] with pint-sized

Email: Erwin.schinnerl@ritzcarlton.com

furnishings and adjoining nanny quarters.

FBO/concierge services: Evan Tesiny

Contact GM: David Gibbons

Phone: 617-574-7100

Email: david.gibbons@tajhotels.com

Email: Evan.tesiny@ritzcarlton.com

Phone: 617-598-5226 Fax: 617-536-1096

Website: www.ritzcarlton.com

Website: www.tajhotels.com/boston

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ELITE RECOMMENDS

WASHINGTON ROOM/THE RITZ-CARLTON

ROTUNDA/BOSTON HARBOR HOTEL

Four Seasons Hotel Boston

The Fairmont Copley Plaza

This prestigious hotel was the only five-star option in Boston

Little sister to The Plaza in Manhattan, Boston’s 383-room

until earlier this year. Its strategic location juxtaposes the

Fairmont Copley Plaza recently underwent a $34 million

Public Garden, Financial District and Back Bay, makes it an

renovation. Serving as an icon of city extravagance since 1912,

easy choice to justify on any expense account. Perhaps trump-

guests are transported to opulence from eras past as soon as

ing proximity for businesspeople is the $50 million put into

they pass through the gilded doors. The 23,000-square feet of

renovating the hotel, including the fifth-floor meeting space in

meeting space ranges from the Grand Ballroom, with ornate

the new Residential Wing earlier this year. The four intimate

Louis XVI décor to the Baroque-style Venetian Room, which

meeting rooms range from 440 to 625-square feet, where hi-

imparts a grand entrance to what many consider the prop-

tech accoutrements like built-in projection blend magically

erty’s most desirable meeting space, the Classically-styled

with Italian chandeliers and crown molding. The ten meeting

Oval Room. Overlooking historic Copley Square and Trinity

spaces on the hotel’s second-floor are better venues for larger

Church, this space can host a reception of 500 and has served

meetings and events, including the Grand Ballroom, Phillips

as a favorite place to convene for the prestigious likes of Har-

and Stuart rooms, all of which provide stunning views of the

vard University and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Perhaps

Public Garden. But it’s probably The Bristol at Four Seasons

most well-known celebrity to grace this hotel’s space in Bos-

Hotel Boston that the most business transpires, over Maine

ton’s Back Bay is resident Canine Ambassador, Catie Copley,

lobster frittatas in the morning or cocktails at night. The res-

the black Labrador whose paw-tograph rivals some of the

ervation list is essentially comprised of Fortune 500 power-

most famous guests ranging from Tom Cruise to Senator Ted

houses from companies like Putnam Investments to those on

Kennedy. Eight tastefully themed suites celebrate Boston’s

the Hollywood hot list like Madonna and Ellen Pompeo (star of

cultural heritage, such as The JFK Library and Museum Suite,

Grey’s Anatomy). The hotel boasts 76 suites, but the crème de

which features family photographs and collectables—but

le crème is the 3,000 square-foot Presidential Suite [$9,400].

many high-profile guests still prefer the hotel’s crown glory,

Contact: Bill Taylor, General Manager

the 1,200-square-foot Presidential Suite [$3,500.]

Direct Line: 617-351-2006 Fax: 617-351-2250

Contact Regional VP and GM: Paul S. Tormey

Email: bill.taylor@fourseasons.com

Direct Line: 617-867-8522 Fax: 617-437-0194

FBO/concierge services: Maggie O’Rourke, Chef Concierge

Email: paul.tormey@fairmont.com

Direct Line: 617-351-2041

FBO/concierge services: Jim Carey, Director of Concierge

Website: www.fourseasons.com/boston

Phone: 617-267-5300 Website: www.fairmont.com/copleyplaza 4

ELITE RECOMMENDS

WASHINGTON ROOM/THE RITZ-CARLTON

The Liberty Hotel Just outside the winding cobblestone alleyways within the charming Beacon Hill neighborhood and centrally located

Booming Beantown

within the city of Boston, The Liberty Hotel did justice to the

Perhaps the impetus behind all of Boston’s multi-million-dollar

historic Charles Street Jail built in 1851. Opened in Septem-

hotel renovations is the greatly anticipated arrival of newcomers

ber of 2007, $150 million went into transforming this site into

Mandarin Oriental, Boston in the Back Bay and another luxury

four-star accommodations, with bars packing in the young

hotel and residence under construction on Battery Wharf in the

and beautiful, and popular restaurants Clink and Scampo.

North End. After a few setbacks, Mandarin was preparing to open

The façade in gray granite redefines jailhouse rock into a

their doors in early October, just as we rolled the presses. With

gleaming testament of luxury, topped by a 90-foot cupola and

10,000 square-feet of onsite meeting space—comprised of several

adjacent 16-story guest room tower. Natural light floods the

technologically advanced executive boardrooms, meeting spaces,

humble 6,000-square feet of meeting space and provides a

and a 4,200 square-foot ballroom. The 136 guestrooms will be the

stunning view of the Charles River, especially from the West

city’s largest on average and the 12 suites will rival Boston’s con-

Cedar meeting room. The onsite Swank Audio Visual Services

cept of posh. The Dynasty Suite spans over 2,600 square-feet, offers a working fireplace, private study, pantry, and adjoining room

oversee the operations of LCD projectors, drop down screens,

options, not to mention an oversized spa bathtub [$8,000].

wall-mounted control panels and smart podiums in the high-

Contact Susanne Hatje, General Manager; Direct Line: 617-

tech interiors. Most unique for functions is renting the entire

603-2905; Fax: 617-535-8890; Email: dmclean@mogh.com;

fifth-floor, with lunch or cocktails being served overlooking

Website: www.mandarinoriental.com/boston

the expansive rotunda atrium, then retreating to an enclosed boardroom seating 33 u-shape style, then providing the ulti-

The Hotel at Battery Wharf

mate privacy for behind-lock-and-key discussions by biotech

If all goes as planned, the biggest spa rival will be the 18,000 square-

giants such as Genzyme Corp as well as numerous other

foot luxury Spa at The Hotel at Battery Wharf. This waterfront prop-

pharmaceutical and technology companies—headquartered

erty with 150 rooms and 104 luxury residences had yet to announce a

only one stop away on the subway just outside Liberty’s doors.

new hotel management group at press time, subsequent to a contract

The 2,200-square foot Presidential Suite appropriately hosted

dissolution with Regent Hotels. Regardless, the name that will probably serve as the biggest draw for both business and leisure travelers

Former President Clinton and served as home base for Bruce

is three-star Michelin chef, Guy Martin of Le Grand Véfour, Paris, who

Willis for three months [$5,500].

is currently planning the menus for the 84-seat restaurant, and addi-

Contact Stuart Meyerson, General Manager

tional seating for 48 on the waterfront terrace. The hotel is scheduled

Direct Line: 617-399-4221, Fax: 617-399-4259

for completion by end-of-year 2008.

Email: stuart.meyerson@libertyhotel.com

Website: www.batterywharf.com

FBO services: David J. Sargent, Chef Concierge Website: www.libertyhotel.com 5