Four Seasons Hotel, Boston

This contemporary brick landmark offers a truly prime location: it’s literally across the street from the glittering and meandering walking paths of the Public Garden (Newbury Street’s shops are also just a few blocks away). A $50 million renovation of the interiors, completed in April 2006, has given the common areas and the 273 rooms an airy, modern look. The color scheme of eggshell, pale gold, and icy blue is accented by great views, especially if you get a room with fully opening windows fronting the garden (and you should). Take a dip in the eighth-floor indoor pool, which overlooks the gold-domed statehouse, then have dinner at the Aujourd’hui restaurant, where even locals head for refined, Euro-inspired cuisine. An after-dinner brandy in the clubby, firelit Bristol Lounge is nearly mandatory.