The Ames Hotel officially opened on November 19 and has been a highly anticipated addition to the city’s growing hotel cache, most recently expanded by a W Hotel. Set inside the city’s first skyscraper, the circa-1889 Ames Building, the 15-floor hotel is in downtown Boston, near City Hall and Downtown Crossing.
Developed by Morgans Hotel Group, owners of the Hudson Hotel in New York and the Mondrian in South Beach, the Ames is a boutique hotel unique to Boston that will not be replicated in other cities.
The hotel’s interior, designed by the Rockwell Group and Morgans' in-house team, is a mix of old-meets-new: a spin on classic Boston Brahmin culture with modern trappings. Plush pillows, sleek sofas, and a chandelier made of mirrored discs are all anchored by traditional touches, including a black wooden bench and the original vaulted mosaic ceiling in the lobby.
The highlight of the hotel’s 113 guest rooms is an apartment that can accommodate 70 guests, has soaring ceilings, views of downtown, and one and a half bathrooms. All rooms feature oak floors, picture windows, and high ceilings. A 50-seat 520-square-foot boardroom is also available for meetings.
A modern-day take on the tavern owned by the Ames family more than a century ago, Woodward is the hotel’s bilevel restaurant. The interior features black tufted leather seating, rustic gray-stained wooden tables, refurbished versions of the original mosaic tile floors, and a large bar with a white multi-shelved backdrop. The visual mainstay on both floors, “cabinets of curiosities” are a nod to the Victorian era, with eight original pieces of quirky sculpture by local artist Sally Moore. The 4,000 square feet of space includes a bar on each level. Buyouts are available for as many as 400 guests. Two private dining rooms on the second floor are also available, seating 20 and 50.
