Susan Butterwork’s Beacon Hill B&B. 14’ ceilings, antiques, unbelievable location near Charles Street and Boston Common. Perfect balance of help & privacy. Truly a home, elegant and warm. Lots of light, quiet. Huge room, like a studio apartment almost. The bells from the church across the street toll. Charming!

This is the second time we stayed here. The first was the summer, everything was so nice we decided to stay again for parents weekend in October. At 2:45 the room wasn't ready, so we left. When we got back at 10, the sheets were messy and there are no drinking glasses in the room. The next day the bed was not made, just the covers pulled up as we left them and there was only one set of towels in the bathroom. The king bed in this room was quite uncomfortable, unlike queen bed in the original room in the summer. We have another function in Boston next spring and will not be staying there. This B&B is too inconsistant.

We stayed for four nights, and wished it were longer. Susan Butterworth's elegant home is ideally situated in a beautiful brick terrace on a lantern-lit street close to Boyleston, Newbury and the delightful Charles Street, and has high ceilings, quality antique furniture, a veritable library of books. This lady takes hospitality seriously. Articulate and informative, she is welcoming without being in the least intrusive - these last qualities shared by her two impeccably behaved dogs. Delicious breakfasts feature as much good, fresh strong coffee as you could wish for, and begin with the very best toasty granola I have ever tasted - don't ask for the brand name, your host prepares it . Having previously stayed at a huge hotel in Boston, I would opt for the personal touch of this charming house every time.

The area of Boston this Bed and Breakfast is in is certainly the best in which to stay, lovely brownstone buildings and charming shops and cafes. Susan Butterworth greeted us with her friendly dogs Chloe and Trushka (we are cat people ultimately, however nobody could dislike these dogs, smell-free, endearing and very well behaved) and put our cases in a really cool lift, very American movie, to the first floor. The room was enourmous and she had turned it into a twin for us. This is Susan's home, and it has a grand and cosy feel at the same time, a beautiful building with antique furniture and hundreds of books in the room. At night we wondered where the sweet smell of incense was coming from, and discovered on our last day that Susan makes her seriously delicious granola breakfast cereal herself, in the oven. There is no breakfast menu, she decided each day what she would offer, which didn't bother me as her french toast and waffles with maple syrup were to die for, (diabetics beware!) however if you want something else she is very obliging, and will continue to top up the mugs of excellent coffee until you have had enough. Because the house only has 2 rooms for rent, you share a breakfast table with other guests, which is fun if you are social at that time of the morning, and if not then you will be after a sip of Susan's strong coffee. It's nice to have a chat with other holidaymakers and share tips about where is nice to go and what you have enjoyed in the city.
One room faces the quiet street to the front and one to the back, which has a fast road, so if the swish of traffic bothers you then ask which is available, we were in the latter and I found it quite soothing! The en suite was clean and had a good shower. Towels changed daily. The only thing that would have made it better would have been a kettle in the bedroom for an evening cuppa, but that might just be a British thing.
If you fancy an autumnal city break staying somewhere elegant, welcoming and memorable with the best of Beacon Hill right on your doorstep then this is the place.
This was the tail end of our trip and I was sad to have stayed only 4 days, Boston is a beautiful, safe feeling city with lovely people, Susan included.