I first entered The Royal Sonesta over 7 years ago and on that day my love for it was born. Throughout the years since we have stayed at this hotel more than any other hotel so when I was invited on a media trip, of course I said yes!
THE VIEW
The hotel is situated on the border of Cambridge and Boston making it attractive if you want to enjoy the ambiance of both cities. Located right on the Charles river you get the splendor of the Boston city line with slightly less hubbub of traffic on the Cambridge side. The location also makes it a great for fireworks viewing and I’ve spent many stays at the hotel watching fireworks from my room. I feel like I’ve just given away my secret to you guys, and now the hotel will be fully booked the next time I want to go. Lucky for you I’m the sharing kind and I passionately love this hotel so i’m divulging this amazing secret.
THE ESPLANADE
There is nothing like waking up early and taking a run along the river and watching the sun rise. Nothing! If you stay at this hotel for this reason alone it is worth every penny. It made a pretty walk later in the day as we headed out to the city for a day in Boston. A view so pretty it deterred my teen and tween from whining, and if you have any of those you do know that that is a biggie. I loved having a city so accessible foot/train/car/doorstep yet feel the zen on staying right on the river.
THE MALL
Shopping is part and parcel of almost every vacation and having one directly opposite the hotel provides you with tons of shopping and dining opportunities.
THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE
Probably the only place I may love as much as the Royal Sonesta is the Museum of Science in Boston. It is a 5 minute walk from the hotel and also right on the river. Both these establishments I have been to as media guest as well as spending my own money there because they never disappoint. The hotel treated us to passes to the museum and it worked out great because while I’m an annual pass holder to the museum, my membership had just expired in the craziness of the holidays I had not renewed it. I consider it a fabulous deal that the hotel pairs tickets to the museum in their hotel stay packages.
The museum is state of the art with an amazing dome OMNI IMAX theater, a butterfly garden, and exhibits that span several floors. Even with entire day spent here you cannot see it all. We feel pretty fortunate in Boston to have this gem of knowledge. It is such an interactive museum with everything from a lightning show to planetarium!
THE ROOMS! THE HOTEL! THE STAY!
You would expect top notch toiletries and you would not be wrong. The rooms are spacious and have all amenities you expect from a highly rated hotel, with a view to boot! Simple things, like the sensor bed lights that light up as you step off the bed, make your stay much more pleasant.
In all the years I’ve been there the staff everywhere has been full of smiles and courteousness.
The hotel has several foyers so there’s many spaces to sit and catch up in a spacious yet cozy setting with the amazing magical gas fireplaces set in the windows. You can get taken away by their spectacle of flower bouquets which are a masterpiece, but more than that eye candy is the edible type. For guests they have treats out, especially baked in house obviously.
They have several places to eat in the hotel itself Studio which is a quick casual cafe perfect for your morning bite or afternoon pick me up. Dante which is a lovely Italian restaurant which we stopped by as a cozy date for happy hour.
Oysters and arancini
Art Bar which I will mention more in detail below, has an amazing weekend brunch. Pair that with sitting on their patio facing the water in summer and it screams vacation!
Cookies and milk? Yes, please! The hotel has the most amazing pastry chef. We have attended several of their classes and their cookies are not the regular ole cookies. When you’re indulged with a room delivery treat of milk and cookies you eat them, and if your kids behave, you can even give them one too!
THE POOL!
So living in New England you sometimes have to choose in or out and seldom do you get both. Well their pool has a retractable glass ceiling. Read that again, I’ll wait! I know!!! So no matter the weather you can see outdoors even when you don’t want to feel it. I’ve been there in summer too and it is ridiculously heavenly when they open that ceiling. They also have special days where they screen movies on a big inflatable screen on the pool at night complete with popcorn stand and all. I mean it feels like the ultimate experience and for a parent, a relaxing one too!
THE ART BAR!
I know I sound like an advert by now but if you’ve been going to a place for 7 years and it has never failed you, you would know how much I love this restaurant. There are few places that get food is art, here at The Art Bar they do!
Pita chips with house made hummus!
A little warning, these are addictive and you may want to skip dinner after eating a round, or 3, but don’t because they have an amazing menu!
Flatbread with artichoke and asparagus!
Calamari fried to perfection!
Spring pea risotto with pine nuts and shaved Parmesan, topped with micro greens for my youngest kid.
Creamy and delicious!
Rosemary chicken paired with asparagus and baby potatoes for my husband who was still reeling from the food at happy hour at Dante!
Lamb burger with pickled red onions, fried green tomato and feta for me! I’ve eaten this several times here and I keep coming back for more because it is that good!
Vegan burger with house made buns and fries was just what my teen wanted.
I love that both my girls opted for veggie meals out of choice.
Ultra decadence was the Crème Brûlée Trio:vanilla bean • chocolate • pistachio-honey
THE VERDICT
While the hotel is just 30 minutes from my home it is a go to destination for us for getting through a challenging week, to celebrate a milestone, or simply to pause life and spend focused time. This will remain a favorite for us for their consistency to providing a stay that is jam packed with happy memories.
Disclosure: The hotel stay, passes to the museum of science, and dinner and Art Bar were provided for this review. No other compensation has been provided. Opinions expressed here are mine!