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Hotel Commonwealth  

Luxuriate in Boston ’s pride

500 Commonwealth Avenue , Boston (617) 933-5000 $229 and up

As one of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Boston ’s The Hotel Commonwealth has a lot to live up to.  Set in the cultural environment of some of the country’s most prestigious learning Meccas like BU, the inconspicuously small haven is located on Kenmore Square which is abuzz with activity and history.

Old world charm and cutting edge technology converge at this hotel that has also been named one of the Top 10 New Business Hotels Internationally by Forbes.com.  The hotel’s 150 luxurious guest rooms are designed to offer state of the art communication amenities like complimentary T3 high-speed internet access and wireless phones which work throughout the hotel so you can enjoy dinner at their award-winning seafood restaurant, Great Bay , and still stay connected.

The lavishly appointed rooms, like the hotel itself, are tastefully decorated so that the design sensibilities of the Shraggers and Dodd Mitchells are bypassed for a more classic look that aptly bears the hallmark of its culturally rich environment.  Divided into three types, the rooms either face the celebrated Kenmore Square , the legendary Fenway Park or in the luxurious 500 ft. Commonwealth rooms, the historic Commonwealth Avenue .  But, if you are feeling a little more indulgent, opt for a presidential suite which offers sweeping views of Boston ’s Bay Back and boasts a gas fireplace, oversized luxurious bathroom with a whirlpool spa, private kitchen and a large dining room that comfortably seats eighteen of your closest friends.

No matter where you hang your hat, you will find upscale marble bathrooms stocked with L’Occitane products to pamper you, 27” televisions with dvd/cd capabilities with a complimentary DVD movie library.  Frette linens and in-room refreshment centers make this a cozy haven that you may never want to leave except to relish the delights of Chef Jeremy Sewall and James Beard-winning Chef Michael Schlow at Great Bay , Boston ’s top-rated seafood eatery.

A mermaid unfurls and welcomes at the front window, the curtains look like billowing sails and all around, shades of sunset and the aquatic bath the room in an ode to the cuisine.  A ceviche bar holds court in the center and the main dinning room extends into an inner sanctum that feels more formal.  Chef Sewell’s menu changes daily and although fish and seafood dominate, there is also the New York strip, but why bother?  Chilled Duxbury Oysters open the feast and are followed by what is arguably the best New England clam chowder around, the rich but light broth poured from teapots and onto mounds of shallots, pancetta, parsley, cubed potatoes and clams.  While everything on the menu is notable and sure to delight the palate, there are the standouts like the Gulf of Maine wolffish which is heartily flavored, crisp on the outside and moist and flaky on the inside, and comes in a coriander infused broth.  Let Sommelier Scott Fraley do the wine pairings and accentuate the flavors and experience.

Be warned, leaving the Hotel Commonwealth won’t be easy.  As if the romantic charm of Boston with its real seasons, intellectual discourses and genuine conviviality isn’t enough to make you consider extending your stay, this little hotel will become the second home you won’t want to give up.

Jetsetters, why not let American Airlines complement the experience by flying you first class where even small pleasures like a bowl of warm mixed nuts, a bottomless glass of wine and sumptuous four-course meals zap away travel time? 

Four Seasons Canary Wharf

London Style

Four Seasons Canary Wharf , Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf , London E14 8RS , England

Tel +44 (20) 7510-1999, Fax +44 (20) 7510-1998

When the commotion of Central London with all its shoppers and tourists leaves you weary, and you’re craving a more subdued atmosphere, Canary Wharf is the ideal getaway.  With restaurants, wine bars, and shopping as well as river front beauty, Canary Wharf is morphing into a new epicenter of activity on the London map. During the week, Canary Wharf is bustling with life, mainly due to its business clientele.  On the weekends, however, the pace slows down and it’s possible to walk along the river front enjoying the cool breeze of the Thames without bumping elbows with hordes of tourists.

In choosing a hotel, the contemporary Four Seasons Hotel Canary Wharf is the most luxurious option. The hotel rests along the River Thames just a short, scenic ferry ride away from Central London (or a 20 minute ride along the famous London Underground).

Upon entering the property, the attentive staff is ready to assist you from handing you an umbrella for the unpredictable weather to planning an evening out on the town. As with any Four Seasons property, your comfort is their top priority.

The lobby sets the tone for the weekend: London style minus the attitude. It’s a perfect place for an evening nightcap after a long day in the city or a pre-theater aperitif to get your evening started. Or dine at the adjacent Quadrato, the hotel’s signature restaurant featuring hearty Northern Italian cuisine – perfect for a sumptuous Tuscan Brunch on Sundays!

The hotel caters to businesspeople and carries an air of formality which is softened once you enter the privacy of your room.  Splashes of wine red and forest green, taupe and gray are juxtaposed against walnut woods creating a soft ambience in an otherwise modern room. Your attention immediately tracks to the bay widows that frame picturesque views of the river and London skyline.

Sink into the silky white cotton sheets and fluffy duvets and erase jetlag. The marble bathrooms with spacious sit-in tubs, power showers, and L’Occitane products will not only revive your senses but give you the feel of a private spa.

If you’re looking to de-stress after a busy week of meetings or sight seeing, the Holmes Club Fitness Center offers guests state-of-the-art fitness equipment as well as specialty spa treatments. Or if you prefer the outdoors, weather permitting, a jog along the river front is always a welcoming option.

www.fourseasons.com/canarywharf 

Rooms from £320 or $600

-Shayan Rayani

European Desk Editor