In today’s fast paced world, we all need to take just a little bit more time for ourselves and our loved ones. And you don’t need to travel across the globe (even though we like that too) to have a fun weekend treating yourself. So lets explore how to have the ‘stay-cation’ of your dreams, this is a guide to the ultimate staycation in Boston! Find out where to eat, where to stay and what to do on this perfect trip to Boston!

staycation in boston fairmont hotel
The Copley Fairmont Hotel in Boston, the perfect place to treat yourself to a luxury staycation

Getting Started

For any successful staycation, you must plan it with the mindset that this is an actual vacation, but just in a place near where you live. Everything else about a vacation is the same, you will be trying new places, seeing new things and unplugging as much as possible from the real world. So calm down, open your mind and get started!

staycation in boston copley square
View of Copley Square in Boston

Staycation in Boston Step 1:

Go to a restaurant that you’ve never been before. For our staycation in Boston we will be headed to Terramia in the North End. Terramia is a candlelit Italian restaurant on Salem Street and truly reminds you of the types of restaurants you’d find in Italy. With its intimate space and lively service you will feel like you are in a Trattoria somewhere in the Italian countryside. Starting off the night with one of our Sicilian favorites, arancini, we were very pleased with the lightly fried crust and soft cheesy interior.

Moving on to the “Primi” course, i.e. the pasta course, we spilt the daily special, a fantastic fig filled ravioli dish.

Terramia Boston ravioli north end
Ravioli from Terramia in Boston’s North End

Then for a main course, we did an Ossobuco and a grilled Halibut.

grilled Halibut terraria
The Ossobuco from Terramia in the North End of Boston
grilled halibut terraria
The grilled halibut from Terramia in Boston

Every time I order Ossobuco I forget exactly how big a lamb shank is and as it turned out we were too stuffed even for dessert! Always a hallmark of a good Italian meal!

Staycation in Boston Step 2:

Go to the spa. Every vacation should always include a spa day and staycations are not excluded! For a truly indulgent spa day in Boston you must go to G2o on Newbury Street. This spa has everything you could ask for: a hair salon, nail salon, massage, body wraps, facials, sauna, hot tub, and it even has a fabulous penthouse level lounge and roof deck (sadly it was too chilly for the roof deck, so we will definitely be back!).

G2o Spa Boston staycation
Relaxing with some tea before the Bali Paradise Experience

We started off with something called the “Bali Paradise Experience”, which is an amazing full body treatment. You enter a private sauna room, where you then absorb the steam for a few minutes, where you proceed to apply a body mask (it feels like you are dipping your whole body into the creamiest of moisturizers, it feels great!), and then after another few minutes you exfoliate your skin with an herbal scrub. And then you finish off with a nice rinse and you walk out with baby soft skin.

Next we had a few minutes until our next appointment so we took some time to relax in the “Brine Inhalation Room”. This is basically like the opposite of a sauna, it was a cool room with a 3-tired salt-water waterfall and we were told that the salt air is great for your respiratory system; it felt like we were relaxing on a cool day at the beach. Finally, it was time for our massages. A couples massage is always a good idea for any vacation, especially a staycation. Just something to relieve all the tension from the work week will really get you in a relaxed mindset.

G2o Spa staycation Boston
Relaxing by the fireplace in the Penthouse Level lounge after our massage.
G2o spa staycation boston
G2o has a full makeup, nail and hair salon as well.

Staycation in Boston Step 3:

Stay in a hotel. Even if you can walk to everywhere you’re going from your home, this is a weekend “away” so make sure you treat it like one and pick a romantic hotel. We choose the Fairmont Copley Plaza.

fairmont copley plaza
The Lobby of the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel

The Fairmont is gorgeous; it’s one of the most historic hotels in Boston—perfect for a little weekend staycation in Boston.

boston back bay
Shot of the Newbury Street sign in Back Bay in Boston

Located right in Copley Square, the Fairmont is close to Boston’s famous shopping area, Newbury Street as well as many great restaurants and actually the G2o spa too!

Remember, you are on vacation, so you deserve at least one night out! And actually Oak Long Bar, located in the Fairmont is a great place to start your night. A very stylish bar and restaurant, Oak is a place where you want to dress to impress as night after night it is filled with trendy clientele.

Oak Long bar boston
Oak Long Bar in Boston, perfect place for dinner on a Boston Staycation

Our dinner on Saturday night was fantastic! Starting with some appetizers: tuna tartar and lamb meatballs, we knew the night was off to a great start, delicious!

Oak Long Bar in Boston, perfect place for dinner on a Boston Staycation
Oak Long Bar, Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel – Tuna tartare

Then for entrees we did a steak frites and the swordfish. We were impressed with the impeccable level of service and the superb executive of the dishes! We will certainly be back soon!

oak long bar halibut
Oak Long Bar, Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel – Grilled Swordfish
steka frites
Oak Long Bar, Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel – Steak frites

And for a finale, the dessert sampler is a must!

desserts
Oak Long Bar, Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel – Desserts

Finally, remember a staycation is all about pampering yourself, so breakfast in bed is a great way to wrap up the weekend!

Oak Long Bar, Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel - breakfast
Oak Long Bar, Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel – Breakfast

2 responses to “Guide to a Staycation in Boston”

  1. […] I have discussed previously in my Ultimate Staycation Guide, the key to a successfully romantic weekend is always your choice in lodging. The goal here is to […]