Charles Street Inn

This 1860 Beacon Hill inn—hidden on a cobbled street fittingly lined with gas street lamps—is an enchanting urban refuge. The town-house property was once a "show-home," where the monied Brahmin set could ogle 19th-century architectural styles. It remains Victorian through and through, brimming with furniture, fixtures, and original details that keep the past alive—plaster cornices and ceiling medallions, handsome walnut doors, brass chandeliers, and original rose-hued Italian marble fireplaces. Beyond the intimate reception area, and spread over five floors, are nine guest rooms named after such famous renaissance-era Bostonians as John Singer Sargent, Louisa May Alcott, and Ralph Waldo Emerson, with inspired décor to match. There's no on-site dining, but bountiful continental breakfasts are delivered to your door. If not holing up for the weekend, take the opportunity to amble around the tony Beacon Hill neighborhood, known for its historic corners, sniffy antique shops, and some of the best dining in the city.

Insider Tip: The inn is located on the four-block-long historic shopping district; don't miss Gary Drug Co. (59 Charles St.), an old-fashioned apothecary that's been selling top-of-the-line lotions and potions since 1935.

Coziest Room to Book: The Henry James Room takes comfort to regal heights; the king canopy bed dressed in the finest Frette linens faces a working fireplace with exquisite carved marble mantel, and the bath is big enough for a court of royal subjects. Gilded mirrors, intricate moldings, and sumptuous fabrics round out the royal accommodations.