The Best Room At... Four Seasons Hotel Boston (2024)

“Formality and luxury don't necessarily have to go hand in hand,” says Michael Pedder, the general manager of the Four Seasons Hotel Boston. And who’d know better? Pedder oversees the stalwart Boston property, which despite being one of the town’s most popular properties for 40 years approaches high-end hospitality with a wink and a smile.

Take, for example, the hotel’s recently refreshed, totally charming public spaces, designed by Ken Fulk, and whimsical touches like Sottovento, the lobby coffee bar where guests can order their gratis morning cortado and an excellent muffin sent up to their room, or the Vaults, former ice-machine rooms on each guest floor that are now stocked with beverages, candy, and snacks. “When I first started working in the industry, in a luxury property you would have to wear a jacket and tie to be able to have dinner,” Pedder says. “Today, I think guests are surprised and delighted to find something a something a little more relaxed—but that doesn't mean we're not focused on the highest levels of service and delivery.”

That’s apparent everywhere from Coterie, the lobby-level restaurant open for lunch and dinner, to its eighth-floor indoor pool, event spaces, and the Sanctuary, an interior courtyard garden where guests can relax and recharge. There’s seemingly nothing the property hasn’t thought of in terms of gracious touches, but none of it comes with the fuss that one might associate with a grand hotel of yore. In an effort that mirrors the spirit of Boston itself, Pedder says the hotel is “trying to blend elegance and approachability.”

Here, Pedder shares the details of his own favorite room and advice on where to go if you ever do decide to venture out of the property.

What do you consider to be the best room at the property and why?

It's our new Royal Suite, because it's taken what we've done in the lobby area and brought it up to the guest-room level. The suite is more than 2,500 square feet, but it’s not just about the size; the room has an approachability, one of our goals was to make it feel elegant but comfortable, without being overly formal. My favorite part of the suite is the screening area, which is designed just like a screening room in a private home—there’s even a bubblegum machine next to the screen with a roll of quarters, so you can slip in a coin and get whatever you’d like out of the machine. I love that there are touches that set it apart from just being a big room, which is too often the case.

How much does it cost per night?

It starts at $14,000 per night.

Inside the new Royal Suite at Four Seasons Hotel Boston, where guests can enjoy not only spacious living and dining areas, but also a screening room, bar, and unmatched views of the city’s Public Garden.

How would you describe the guests and the vibe at the hotel?

Our guests are a diverse group, from business travelers to vacationers and people visiting colleges, and they are, as a group, discerning. Still, I get a lot of comments about the approachability of the property and the things that separate us from most luxury hotels with very nice rooms and all the expected amenities. We try to make our guests feel at home, and we try to be sophisticated and welcoming at the same time—a little refined and a little playful. Really, it’s about trying to find the balance to ensure that all of our guests feel at home in this iconic building.

What feeling about Boston do you hope to give to guests?

I think we offer a sense of place and a sense of authenticity. I try to recognize, having worked in multiple cities, that once you’re inside a city-based property, you need to remind your guests where you are. There’s a charm and elegance to Boston, and particularly our location in Back Bay, and we reflect that in details like the black-and-white tiled floor, the ladders in the library that roll back and forth, the design by Ken Fulk, and even our sixth-floor sanctuary, an interior courtyard garden. I want our guests to really remember that they’ve been spending time in Boston.

What’s a local attraction that you always recommend?

I think I would be torn among a few. Fenway Park is just awesome, in a great neighborhood and a wonderful reflection of everything that Boston is about. I also think the Public Garden, across the street from us, is magnificent. The last one is the North End, just the whole neighborhood. Walking around the North End, particularly in the evening, gives you a sense of the community and the approachability of the city. Every time I go there, I love it. It's just what Boston's all about.