I have such fond memories of staying at the Royal Sonesta Boston in Cambridge and dining at the restaurants there. I've enjoyed meals at ArtBar and Dante. I've had good times staying there with friends as part of a joint bachelorette party. And I had a nice stay there with my mom and sister as well. We were even motivated enough by the proximity to the Charles River to go for a morning run.
Recently, the hotel underwent a huge renovation and I was invited in to see the changes. The event was set up as a dine-around at the hotel, which was a nice opportunity to visit the old restaurants I know there and check out what's new.
We started off in one of the new meeting rooms and got to experience a small piece of the catering that the hotel can do (vegetables and dip, cheeses and honey, fruit), as well as the stunning views of the river and Boston skyline from the large windows in the room and the patio outside.
Next we strolled down to ArtBar, known for creative, seasonal American cuisine, and gathered in a private dining room to sample some bites and drinks from the restaurant. I loved the apple turnip bisque, a seasonal offering, and the hint of blush, a sparkling beverage made with Champagne, Lillet, and St-Germain.
After that we headed to the new martini bar, Motif, where the bartender was waiting by a sparkling new bar cart to mix us up some martinis.
Set out on the tables were bowls of house-made potato chips and dip as well as pita chips and hummus to sample. A gianduja dessert on the menu caught my eye, and I know I'll be back to try it at some point. Motif offers hotel guests and those who wander in for a drink a nice lounge space to hang out in and imbibe and snack.
The next stop was Dante, where we chatted about chef Dante's recent appearance on Top Chef Boston and tasted some Italian offerings (the meatball, arancini, and bruschetta) from the restaurant, as well as sipped a nice white wine.
Saving dessert for last, we made Studio our final stop. Studio is the hotel's new coffee shop. Here, you can grab a quick breakfast or lunch or some snacks, and of course a cup of coffee. I tried a salted caramel latte with soy milk, which had me wishing that Studio was close enough to stop by every day. Some apple cider doughnut pops and brownies were great sweets to end the night with.
If you're looking for a place to stay in the Boston area, I already would have recommended the Royal Sonesta, but with the new improvements to the hotel, I recommend it even more highly. Also, be sure to check out the hotel's holiday offerings, from a family-style Thanksgiving menu to breakfast with Santa, even if you don't need a place to stay.
Have you been to the Royal Sonesta? If you live or work close by, do you think you'll stop in for a martini or a coffee?
This tour of the hotel, including sips and bites, was complimentary, but as always, all opinions are my own.