A sweet symphony of pulsing water rained down on my body as the Vichy shower washed the deliciously scented scrub off of my body. Although the rinse portion of my Lime and Ginger Salt Glow treatment at the Bliss Spa Boston at W Boston was brief, it was easily my favorite part of the experience.
I recently flew up to Boston to get away for a day and opted to stay here thanks to its Back Bay location — and the fact that it’s home to one of my favorite spa brands, Bliss.
Here’s why I recommend you head to Boston for a little bliss and make this sleep spot your home away from home.
Make Yourself at Home at W Boston
What. A. View. As I walked into my corner room at the W, I was immediately impressed with the bird’s-eye view I had of the streets below. One of the reasons I chose the W Boston is it’s convenient to the airport (just four miles from Boston Logan International Airport) and is blocks away from spots including Newbury Street and Boston Common.
The room itself was equally as impressive as the view, as the property recently underwent a $10 million room revamp. The W motto is “Whatever, Whenever,” and it’s obvious that this Marriott Bonvoy brand has tried to anticipate your needs before you’re even aware of them. In the bathroom, I found a deep soaking tub and stand-alone shower, and goodies like a sleep mask and facial cleanser. In the spacious bedroom, there were touches like a bedside wireless charging pad for my phone, and cozy robes and slippers.
There was also a brochure outlining the daily programming that the property offers for guests, including a Kick Back Hour on Tuesday nights where guests can enjoy a complimentary glass of wine. Oh, and the property has its own W Insider, a conciergesque individual who is available to connect you to local experiences and assist in your “Whatever, Whenever” needs.
[Editor’s note: With new policies recently put into place, some items may no longer be in the rooms. Please see our related story on changes in the hotel experience.]Get Your Spa On
The signature Bliss colors of sky blue and white, and the natural light flooding in through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Boston location greeted me when I arrived for my treatment. I was escorted to the changing room, complete with a steam shower, to don my spa robe and slippers. In the relaxation room area, I found brownie bites, cheese and crackers, and tea to enjoy.
Before I knew it, I was being shown to the treatment room for that blissful treatment I described earlier. Over the course of 45 minutes, I enjoyed a full-body dry brushing, followed by the salt scrub, and a rinse by the wonderful Vichy shower. The treatment ended with a warm oil massage. I left with soft skin and a relaxed spirit that was ready to take on the real world again.
Savor the Flavors
A beautiful bowl of soup — that’s how my dining experience began in Boston. I opted to enjoy lunch at the bar of Bistro du Midi Boston, overlooking the Boston Public Garden. Tastes such as a few plump oysters, a bowl of black truffle cauliflower soup, and a glass of Chablis were the perfect combination to keep me full until my dinner reservation. And the cozy-but-chic vibe made it a perfect place to sit at the bar and do a bit of work on a dreary Boston afternoon.
Dinner that evening was at No. 9 Park. The restaurant came recommended to me by the hotel, given its partnership with Barbara Lynch Collective, which No. 9 Park belongs to. After about a 15-minute walk from the hotel, I was treated to a cozy table overlooking Boston Common.
Although the restaurant offers a tasting menu and individual entree options, I chose to stick with small plates to try as much as I could. And the dishes did not disappoint. I dined on Maplebrook Farm burrata, served with heirloom chicory, cashews, puffed rice, and a foie gras vinaigrette; peekytoe crab with beautiful lady apples, topped with a fried Ipswich clam; and No. 9’s signature prune-stuffed gnocchi topped with tiny pieces of foie gras.
I was a bit disappointed that I didn’t have room for another one of the restaurant’s signature dishes, chocolate soufflé. But, I figured needing to try it would be an excellent excuse to return in the future. Last, I should mention my breakfast spot, which was in the W.
Of course, The Gallery offers a variety of indulgent breakfast food including cinnamon bread pudding French toast. But, after all that I’d eaten the day before, I wanted to go a bit lighter. I opted for the avocado toast with a sunny side up egg, and the green fuel smoothie (a blend of romaine, celery, spinach, apple, pear, banana, and lemon). They were the perfect bites to ease me into a new day.
– Amelia Pavlik, The Fit & Well Atlanta Belle