Mandarin Oriental, Boston

© Mandarin Oriental, Boston

Located on the edge of the Prudential Center complex in the stylish Back Bay, the 148-room Mandarin Oriental, Boston is a worthy rival to the Four Seasons. It’s also a perfect choice for shoppers, since the boutiques of Newbury Street are just two blocks away. Though the hotel is unassuming to the point of being banal from the exterior, the attractive lobby with a fireplace, potted orchids and understated tones immediately creates a refined and soothing mood.

This same elegant décor carries over to the accommodations upstairs. Featuring a proper entryway that somewhat insulated us from hall noise, our corner room was a smartly curated and very comfortable space that grew on us during our stay. A plump almond couch with a floor lamp was a perfect place to read, and a potted white orchid decorated the handsome mahogany desk. The bed was made up in Frette sheets, and the windows were done in thick silk damask curtains. A tub-side window in the beige marble bath allowed for views over the shoppers on Boylston Street during a good soak, and the separate stall shower had a rainfall shower head. As is true of almost every Mandarin property, this one has a superb spa offering a variety of treatments and a pleasant plunge pool.

We also enjoyed the excellent Eurasian/New England cuisine at Asana by chef Nicolas Boutin, particularly a wonderful veal loin with carrots and clams and a well-made Indonesian nasi goreng. Note for gourmets: L’Espalier, one of Boston’s best restaurants, is just a door down from the Mandarin Oriental’s entrance. In contrast to the staff of many American hotel groups, this Mandarin crew were impeccably trained and obviously encouraged to develop their own spontaneous but dignified sense of hospitality. This was a welcome relief from the antic pre-formatted chatter one runs into so often these days.

Returning to the hotel after dinner one night, we particularly enjoyed the well-mixed drinks and charming conversation of the bartender from Marblehead, Mass., in the hotel’s popular bar overlooking Boylston Street. Deluxe Room, $375; Mandarin Room, $475; Mandarin Back Bay Room, $525; Mandarin Corner Room, $575; Mandarin Premier Room, $600