Skip to main content

The Liberty Hotel: A One-time Jail Turned Luxury Boston Hotel

Hokey theme hotels are best reserved for traditional family amusement parks. But Boston’s five-star Liberty Hotel is an entirely different matter. After 120 years as the city’s most notorious prison, the one-time Charles Street Jail was carefully renovated into a stunning luxury hotel worthy of a true gentleman. Today, the unique property is among the city’s best destination hotels — home to five great restaurants and the area’s most lively afterhours scene.

The Liberty Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts (exterior)
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Thankfully, many architectural details of the original prison were left intact. The most prominent and noteworthy is the soaring, 90-foot central atrium that now serves as the hotel lobby. Exposed brick walls and wrought iron fixtures have all been meticulously blended with glass, tile, and polished black wood. The result is a spectacular, one-of-a-kind atmosphere unlike any other hotel in the city. It stands as one of the best preserved examples of 19th-century “Boston Granite Style” architecture.

Guestroom at The Liberty Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts
Image used with permission by copyright holder

In addition to the expected amenities of a luxury hotel of this caliber, the Liberty is home to five of the city’s best restaurants. The flagship eatery is the aptly named CLINK. where guests can dine inside the remnants of the prison’s original cells. The decor has of course been updated with contemporary touches like butcher block tables, gold leather chairs, and granite floors. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, all with concise menus of upscale comfort food. As a New England eatery, it’s no surprise that the house made CLINK. Lobster Roll is fantastic.

CLINK. Restaurant at Boston's Liberty Hotel
Image used with permission by copyright holder

As part of the hotel’s Liberty Affairs series of events, CLINK. also provides guests with exclusive access to their Craft Culinary Series. These monthly workshops provide amateur chefs with expert kitchen tutorials from Chef Bradford Rainville. Each hour-long session focuses on a single kitchen skill or recipe, such as dry aging rib eye & butchering, making fresh butter, or knife sharpening.

Recommended Videos

Most hotels boast a clientele that mixes travelers and locals alike; but few deliver. The trendy Liberty Bar at the base of the lobby is the rare exception where Boston locals gather alongside hotel guests almost every night of the week. The bartenders are hip to the city’s burgeoning cocktail scene and offer a rotating menu of clever, house-infused classic cocktails. The hotel’s newest bar, Catwalk, is situated on the prison’s original catwalk overlooking the nighttime action in the atrium, lobby, and bar below. This exclusive guest-only space offers cocktail service, as well as a full dining menu.

The Liberty also offers seasonal and promotional packages that rotate throughout the year. For the sophisticated man, The Bespoke Suit Package is an ideal way to spend the weekend in Boston. Along with overnight accommodations, the package includes a private, one-hour fit and style consultation, including a 3D body imaging scan, with the experts at bespoke luxury clothier Alton Lane. Guests leave with a complete, tailored ‘Black Label’ suit and shirt custom-crafted to their liking.

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Kruger Shalati Train Lodge Is a Luxury Boutique Hotel Atop a South African Bridge
Kruger Shalati

Given the current state of affairs, it’s hard to imagine taking a week-long African safari vacation. But, there’s never been a better time to update your bucket list. This year, one of South Africa’s most exciting new hotels is set to open in an unusual location that combines history, world-class wildlife viewing, and breathtaking scenery.

The all-new Kruger Shalati Train Lodge will be a boutique hotel inside of a train parked above the Sabie River on the outskirts of Kruger National Park. The one-of-a-kind luxury property will feature 31 guest rooms, 24 of which will be inside their own private train car. Floor-to-ceiling windows will afford unobstructed views to the Sabie River and surrounding safari park. Seven additional Bridge House rooms will be built on land next to the bridge. In-room appointments will be typical of a five-star hotel, including king-sized beds, luxurious en-suite bathrooms with oversized soak tubs, and private balconies.

Read more
Hotel Supetar Cavtat reopens with SupetART, a living gallery of Croatian contemporary art
Enjoy immersive art installations at this Dubrovnik hotel
CAVTAT

If you’re visiting Croatia and want to immerse yourself in culture, start with a stay at Hotel Supetar Cavtat. The boutique hotel officially reopens for the season on April 19, and with it comes the return of SupetART, an artist-in-residence program that transforms the property into a living gallery.

Launching in May and curated in collaboration with Croatian art consultancy SHPIGL, SupetART features month-long exhibitions by rising contemporary artists from the Dubrovnik region.

Read more
A Florida campground just won top “hidden gem” in North America—here’s why
Campspot names The Cove Resort & Pub as the best "hidden gem" campground in North America
The Cove Resort & Pub in Inverness

Are you planning your summer camping trips? The 2025 Campspot Awards have been announced, and a resort in Inverness, Florida, just snatched the coveted title of North America's Top "Hidden Gem" campground. The Cove Resort & Pub captured the hearts of the public through a rigorous analysis of over three million data points, including glowing guest ratings, reservation trends, and standout park features. Let's dive into what makes this campground a must-visit.

One of the major highlights of The Cove is the waterfront access to Lake Henderson. Visitors can drive or float or drive in, and once you're there, you'll never want to leave. With boat rentals and free kayak use for visitors and the Withlacoochee Bike Trail nearby, there's plenty to keep you and your crew busy. Don't forget to stop in the town of Inverness, which is a short three-mile drive away, with all kinds of shops and dining.

Read more