I just checked into this iconic luxury hotel in Boston—it has a dark and twisted past!
Liberty Hotel Beacon Hill is grand, ornate, housed in a historic building and stylish at the same time – it was once a prison. But I’m happy to be locked up here again!
Here are my thoughts, and why I suggest you check it out too.
I also wrote this A Comprehensive Beginner’s Guide to Boston. It covers everything from the best historical tours to the best lobster rolls and tons of other stuff in between!
*My stay was at the invitation of the Free Press, but this review is entirely my own.
From lockdown to luxury
The Liberty Hotel sits on the edge of the leafy Beacon Hill neighborhood in what was once the Charles Street Jail.
Built in 1851, this majestic granite building was designed by architect Gridley James Fox Bryant, an architectural rock star in Boston at the time. The building was revolutionary for its time. It was a collaboration between Bryant and prison reformer the Rev. Louis Dwight, who believed that prisoners should be given humane conditions, natural light and fresh air. A novel concept in the mid-1800s.
The prison has a dramatic central rotunda that rises 90 feet high, flooded with light from huge arched windows and balconies around its interior perimeter—the hall below is now furnished with comfortable lounge chairs for people-watching.
It houses approximately 220 units and is considered one of the finest examples of the “Boston Granite Style.” It even became an international model for prison architecture throughout the second half of the 19th century.
But the story gets darker. By the 1970s and 1980s, the Charles Street Jail had deteriorated into a place of deplorable and inhumane conditions. In 1973, due to concerns about the welfare of inmates, the prison was ordered to close, and it finally closed in 1990.
Fast forward to 2001, and a $150 million renovation breathed new life into its gloomy walls. Historians and conservationists helped restore the exterior, rebuilding the striking dome, preserving the history but updating the architecture of the luxury hotel. Seven years later, the Liberty Hotel opened.
Check in
Located on a busy corner overlooking the Charles River and opposite the Charles MGH train station, it was an impressive arrival but luckily the doorman was there to greet rather than handcuff me.
Taking the escalator from the entrance to the first floor reception, your eye is drawn to the stunning atrium that extends upwards four floors above.
The building’s past is revealed through the original brickwork and huge windows – some with balustrades – and architectural details that tell the stories of thousands of people who have passed through it under very different circumstances. There is also an information corner for the truly curious.
But they balance the rich history with contemporary elegance, modern art, plush furnishings and lighting, making the entire space feel warm and welcoming.
Our room was on the eleventh floor of the new extension (they added a 16-story tower during renovations). The room was very spacious and had a marble bathroom with walk-in shower and deep bathtub. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Charles River and a super king-size bed.
bar
The hotel’s most famous drinking spot is alibiwhich occupies the former “drunken tank” on the ground floor. Original wrought-iron prison bars guard the windows, and the speakeasy is dark and intimate, full of energy.
this Liberty Lobby Bar The reception is also on the first floor and is where the hotel really comes alive at night. We grabbed a few high-back chairs and a cocktail to listen to a trio of live music that filled the huge space.
Both locals and tourists come here in the evening. The next night, a local artist showed her paintings there.
For dinner, we went to clink., the hotel’s signature restaurant. Set against a backdrop of original brick walls, the restaurant features a cellar bar and open kitchen, serving seasonal New England cuisine using local ingredients.
During the warmer months they have an open air bar outside called yard.
Explore Beacon Hill
One of the Liberty Hotel’s biggest selling points is its location in leafy Beacon Hill, one of Boston’s most charming neighborhoods, with Charles Street lined with quaint shops and boutiques.
The cobbled and brick streets, historic row houses, and fall pumpkins on the doorsteps (when I visited) make you feel like you could live here!
stroll Charles Street (Beacon Hill). Antique shops, independent boutiques, cafes, and grocery stores line one of Boston’s most photogenic streets. Stop at Beacon Hill Books and Cafe. It’s small and may require a wait!
cheers! Yes, of course we do. After flying from Chicago, when we picked ourselves back up, we changed shoes and walking half a mile to cheers bar.
In fact, the iconic TV sitcom starring Ted Danson, Woody Harrelson and others used just the look. But when they offer merchandise, they know it’s a good thing and have the license to sell it.
So we went down the stairs and walked into the almost completely reconstructed Sam Malone’s Bar, where middle-aged people were tapping their feet to 1980s music and eating Boston clam chowder, Reubens, and burgers. And, of course, a Cheers pint.
Acorn Street + Place Louisbourg. Postcard-perfect cobblestones and elegant squares are just a short walk away (get there early to take photos).
Boston Common and Public Gardens. Take a stroll through the Public Park (the fall colors are stunning and the frog pond for ice skating in the winter) and say hello to the Public Garden’s “Make Way for the Duckling” statue. You can also meet your guide here and walk the Freedom Trail. Or just look down to find the brick path and take a self-guided tour.
TD Garden. We went to watch Celtic play at the Garden. They won! The Bruins play here the next night, then it’s over on the ice, and then it’s back to the basketball court the next night. If you like the hustle and bustle of live sporting events, this is a great night out.
If you are interested in Revolutionary War history, road to freedom Easily accessible from the hotel. This 2.5-mile trail connects 16 historic sites, including the Massachusetts State Capitol, Paul Revere Home, and Old North Church.
We took this guided tour Walk from the Public Gardens to the North End while learning the story of America’s fight for independence, one milestone at a time.
my final verdict
I think the Liberty is a great hotel that respects its complex past and creates something luxurious and modern.
Would I stay here again? Absolutely. The location is great for walking and sightseeing, the rooms are amazing, the vibe is cool, and the Beacon Hill neighborhood is charming. Also, where else can you say you spent the night in jail?
Transportation: The hotel is just steps away from the Charles/MGH Red Line station and about 10 minutes from Boston Logan. AIRPORT drive. If you walk from downtown, you can easily stroll through some of Boston’s most historic neighborhoods.
Best for: History buffs, architecture enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates a hotel with character and story. It’s also ideal if you’re visiting Massachusetts General Hospital next door.
Read my article on the best things to do when visiting Boston for the first time.
Then we took the train to New York.
Here are some of my popular posts from New York, in case you’re thinking about this too.
