America’s first Raffles hotel is the pinnacle of modern glamour

It’s said the key to happy travels – indeed the key to a happy life – is letting go of expectations. I try to live by the principle. Yet when invited to stay at Raffles Hotels & Resorts’ first North American hotel, off I go to Boston, full of expectations.

The Writer’s Lounge at Raffles Boston, the hotel’s first foray into North America.Credit: Photography by Brandon Barré

I conjure images of Sikh doormen in immaculate white turbans, chalky marble colonnades and an opulent 19th-century facade, bartenders pouring cherry-red slings – so well etched into travel lore is the original Raffles Hotel in Singapore.

Of course, Raffles Boston is not at all what I had imagined. It’s nowhere near Asia, for starters, and it opened more than 135 years after its Singapore namesake.

But Raffles Boston is a pinnacle of modern glamour in a US city that knows a thing or two about old money and new luxury hotels. The hotel opened in September last year in a sleek, 35-storey tower in the Back Bay neighbourhood of Boston, near upscale Newbury Street.

As American as the new property is, it remains true to the renowned Raffles legacy. On arrival on a sunny Saturday, I’m ushered to the Writer’s Lounge on the 17th floor to meet Raffles butler PJ. He’ll be on call during my stay, reachable by SMS.

Through the windows of the lounge, I see the open-air Long Bar & Terrace is packed, the well-dressed crowd enjoying some of the best views in the city.

On the pool deck at Raffles Boston.Credit:

On the Long Bar menu is a Singapore Sling, naturally. There’s also a local version, a Boston Sling, made with gin, Drambuie, Pama liqueur, Amaro Nonino, cranberry compote and house-made apple shrub.

There’ll be time for drinks and dinner later. A reservation has been made at Amar, the hotel’s modern Portuguese fine dining restaurant under acclaimed chef George Mendes. His five-course tasting menu celebrates New England seafood in unexpected ways.

Afterwards, a prized table at Blind Duck, the hotel’s speakeasy bar, has my name on it. Hidden away on the 17th floor, it’s become one of Boston’s hottest nightlife destinations.

Before the night’s revelry begins, I head to my room. There are 147 hotel rooms (including 29 suites) from floors six to 14, and 146 residences from floors 20 to 34.

City views from the open-air Long Bar & Terrace.Credit:

I’m staying in a deluxe room with two queen beds, a marble bathroom (its deep, freestanding tub looks inviting), a Nespresso machine, fancy teabags and Guerlain bodycare products. It’s a lovely room, warm and inviting.

Two days and nights is never long enough to stay in a place as special as Raffles Boston. Luxury hotels are another world, one I love retreating into.

On the morning of departure and in a hurry to pack, I realise one of my bags is missing. I text PJ, the butler, seeking help to find it. As the housekeeping team searches, I draw back the curtains and there it is, my Coach tote, resting on the window ledge.

“Sorry to worry you!” I message PJ.

“There is no need to apologise,” he replies. “I understand how anxiety-inducing having a lost item can be.”

It’s the Raffles service, with a distinctly American accent.

THE DETAILS

STAY
Deluxe rooms with one king or two queen beds and butler service from $US995 ($1480) a night. Mobility access and hearing access accommodation available.

The Guerlain Spa has three treatment rooms, hydrotherapy baths, a sauna, steam room and ice showers. A stunning 20-metre lap pool gives spectacular views of the city. See raffles.com.

FLY
Qantas flies from Sydney and Melbourne to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX); codeshare partner American Airlines operates several flights a day from LAX to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). See qantas.com, americanairlines.com.au

MORE
meetboston.com

The writer stayed as a guest of Raffles Boston.