Sink into Serene Opulence at Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, Boston

My introduction to the Four Seasons hotel brand came almost 23 years ago, when my husband and I spent our wedding night at the Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta. Everything about our stay was pitch-perfect, and since then I’ve never met a Four Seasons I didn’t love. The impeccable attention to detail, gracious and personal service, posh trappings and strong sense of place bear out the brand’s reputation for best-in-class luxury no matter where you are in the world.

I recently spent a delightful fall weekend at the Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, Boston, a triangular glass-paneled skyscraper that towers over the Back Bay neighborhood just west of downtown. The newer and more contemporary of Boston’s two Four Seasons properties, it’s a fantastic home base for local sightseeing, but there are so many tempting amenities and creature comforts onsite that you could quite happily settle in without poking a toe beyond the door.

Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street Review and Highlights

Enviable Back Bay Location

A mix of historic architecture and modern office buildings, Back Bay combines equal parts atmosphere and convenience. The hotel is a stone’s throw from Newbury Street, a mile-long thoroughfare lined with Victorian brownstones that house independent boutiques, upscale chains and inviting restaurants. I love that the design of the property pays homage to this interplay of old and new through its artwork and decorative notes — a swirling mosaic by Bostonian Duke Riley recalls the Great Molasses Flood in 1919, and an installation of books covered in bold African fabrics is Yinka Shonibare’s tribute to the immigrants who have influenced the local arts scene.

Exploring the city from here is a breeze. The View Boston observation deck at the Prudential Center and the Mapparium are steps away; the Museum of Fine Arts is about 20 minutes’ walk; and just past that lies the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, a hidden gem with a first-rate collection of paintings, sculptures, textiles, antiquities and objets d’art. A quick stroll in the other direction brings you to the Boston Public Library’s flagship Central Library, worth a look for its lavish 19th-century entrance hall, galleries and reading room. Baseball fans can walk to Fenway Park for a tour or a Red Sox game — in fact, the on-field action is visible from some of the hotel’s higher floors. There’s a nearby public transit station where you can catch the T to Boston Common, Beacon Hill and the start of the Freedom Trail.

If you’re in town for college tours, you couldn’t ask for a better location. Berklee College of Music is across the street from the Four Seasons, while Northeastern, MIT, Boston College, Boston University and Harvard are a 10- to 20-minute ride away. It’s also an easy drive to schools in Boston’s western suburbs, such as Wellesley and Babson.

Chic, Understated Accommodations

Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street includes 215 rooms and suites, all between the eighth and 21st floors of its 61 stories (upper floors are occupied by luxury residences). It’s worth requesting a room on the highest possible level as the design incorporates floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase stellar views over the Boston skyline. Categories start with Superior Rooms that sleep two adults plus a baby and go up to suites that can sleep four guests. Most have a connecting option for family-friendly flexibility.

I stayed in a corner Premier Room, handsomely clad in textural surfaces, dark woods and tone-on-tone neutrals. The signature windows curve gently around the bedroom area, and the barrier between indoors and out seems to dissolve as dusk descends — it’s a treat to switch off the lights, nestle under the covers and admire the twinkling cityscape before you slip into sleep. As with all accommodations here, Premier Rooms are exceptionally spacious and thoughtfully designed, with large closets that conceal luggage and two-person tables that offer a comfortable perch to enjoy morning coffee or an in-room meal.

Technological touches are smoothly integrated into the decor. Tiny reading lights fold out from the headboard; bedside controls allow you to open and close the window sheers and full draperies, or turn on the “do not disturb” light outside the door. A tablet facilitates requests for room service, onsite restaurant reservations, housekeeping needs or spa appointments, and the staff is quick to answer questions via the chat feature.

Bathrooms are done in glossy marble with rain showers and freestanding vanities. Premier Rooms and suites include oversize soaking tubs positioned next to the windows so you can enjoy the vista (through privacy shades) as you recline in a hot bath.

Every suite has a living space and separate bedroom, and the trio of Specialty Suites each includes a full dining area and a guest powder room. If you really want to splash out, book the Charles Suite — its showpiece is a capacious outdoor terrace furnished with cushioned seating and enclosed by a wall of transparent panels.

TIP: Ciao Bambino is a Four Seasons Preferred Partner, which means clients who book through us enjoy access to exclusive perks and amenities. Reach out to our Travel Advisor team for more information or to discuss your stay.

Dining for All Tastes

Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street has three restaurants: One + One, an airy space for daily breakfast and Sunday brunch; Trifecta, which offers afternoon tea and cocktails plus an evening menu of updated New England favorites; and Zuma, the property’s signature dinner venue. An outpost of the London flagship, Zuma is a Japanese izakaya-style restaurant with a sultry aura and dishes designed to share. Plan on a leisurely repast — dining at Zuma is an experience not to be rushed.

The space is a stunner, wrapped in exotic woods and illuminated with a moody glow from bamboo sconces and soft downlights. Reserve if you want to be assured a table or wait for seats to open up at the robata grill, a Japanese fixture at which cuts of meat and vegetables are roasted on skewers over smoldering charcoal. Zuma has a lively bar scene even on weeknights; on weekends, a live DJ kicks the vibe and the volume up a few notches. Kids of any age are welcome, but if I were traveling with little ones I’d book a babysitter and enjoy a parents-only night out.

The menu ranges far and wide, leaning into classic Japanese flavors with a global twist. I recommend opting for an omakase, or a procession of dishes selected by the chef. Ours included a dozen separate plates, all exquisite: sea bass sashimi with paper-thin truffle slices and salmon roe, rock shrimp in a light tempura batter, nigiri with freshly grated wasabi, and melt-in-the-mouth slivers of wagyu beef, to name a few memorable highlights. Dessert brought a kaleidoscope of flavors: fresh fruit, coconut custard, a trio of ice creams and a rich, gooey chocolate cake.

If your appetite is lighter, choose from an ample selection of sushi or the array of small plates. You’ll find familiar snacks such as steamed edamame, grilled shishito peppers and fried calamari, but be sure to try the more inventive dishes like grilled scallops with pickled plums and shiso basil or gyoza filled with prawns and black cod.

Just off the main lobby, Trifecta feels bright and bustling, full of girlfriends catching up over drinks and families tucking into burgers and plates of pasta. The cocktail menu features some of the most appealing concoctions I’ve tasted in some time, such as the Flora and Fauna (white tequila and wildflower syrup with lemon and soda) and the Back Bay Brew (bourbon infused with coffee, espresso-tinged whipped cream and smoked salt).

Trifecta also hosts a lovely afternoon tea on Saturdays and Sundays. You’re greeted with a glass of Champagne as you settle in to peruse the menu of tea blends; each one is paired with a liqueur that complements the flavor (my choice, Lady Blue Earl Grey, arrived with a snifter of Grand Marnier to highlight its citrus notes). Then comes a three-tiered tray of delicate scones, savories and sweets, including a mini lobster roll, a cucumber sandwich with mint and whipped feta, a lavender profiterole, a truly decadent chocolate tuxedo cake and other tidbits. Every bite is delicious and so filling that it’s best not to plan on a big dinner that night.

While Trifecta seems more tailored to adults and older kids than babies and toddlers, guests of all ages get a warm reception. The staff couldn’t have been sweeter to the nursing mom seated next to me at tea, ensuring she was comfortable and cooing over her newborn, and they were equally kind to a little girl celebrating her birthday with friends.

Onsite Pampering

The seventh floor of the Four Seasons is dedicated to wellness in the form of a large indoor lap pool, 24-hour fitness center and full spa, a tranquil cocoon with five treatment suites and a relaxation area. The pool is family-friendly and open from early morning through late at night, though keep in mind that the atmosphere is on the quiet side and a number of guests come here to unwind and take in the Back Bay views.

If time allows during your stay, indulge in a calming ritual or a health-focused session at the spa. Massages and facials target a spectrum of muscle and skin needs and incorporate elements such as essential oils, semiprecious stones and fragrant yoga balm. Other holistic experiences focus on balancing body and mind, like a meditation set to gentle music and a sleep ritual that involves breathwork and aromatherapy.

The spa’s reception area includes shelves filled with luxury bath, body and wellness products used in treatments; just opposite, a petite retail boutique carries Four Seasons branded merchandise and a selection of goods by makers such as Simon Pearce glassware, Gloss Moderne fragrances and Sara Shala Design jewelry. And the perfect memento to take home? A One Dalton teddy bear, crafted from a patchwork of fabric that echoes that covering the books in Yinka Shonibare’s display downstairs.

Relevant Links:

Browse all accommodations and activities in Boston on Ciao Bambino

Top things to do on a Boston family vacation

Boston college tour & vacation itinerary

A tradition of bespoke luxury at Wheatleigh in New England

Photos by Lisa Frederick except where noted.

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.