New England is such a magical place to spend the holidays. And Boston in particular is the perfect place for a quick romantic escape this time of year. Here are my hotel, dining and activity recommendations for the quintessential couple’s weekend in Boston during the Christmas season.

Where to Stay

As 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 relax with bae, so you need to make sure your choice hotel exceeds expectations. And my top recommendation for a romantic getaway during the holidays in Boston is XV Beacon.

Located on Boston’s historic Beacon Hill, XV Beacon screams old world Boston class, laced with luxurious touches such as a bath salt menu (with more than 5 options I have to add, I tried the Lavender relaxation blend).

But what delightfully surprises more than anything is the excellence of the on property steakhouse, Mooo.

Dining

Long ago, Boston was not known for its innovative dining scene and was just a splattering of unimaginative good old boys clubs, many of which were steakhouses. But now with our city full of world class international dining options, the steakhouse sometimes gets a bad rap. And it’s for that reason that as a born and bred Bostonian it took me until 2016 to visit Mooo, which has been around for almost 10 years.

And I have to say, I was utterly amazed at how well our meal both gave us what you expect from a steakhouse, i.e. the perfect cut, sear and flavored steak, and what you don’t always see but wish that you would, i.e. a buzzing modern atmosphere and an exciting menu. Again, in line with the feel of XV Beacon, Mooo not only respected its Beacon Hill address, but also pushed what we should all expect from that zip code in the best way possible.

Another cozy restaurant this time of year is Trade on the waterfront. Located in one of the city’s hottest neighborhoods, Trade attracts a vibrant crowd every night. And with a tasty drink menu and amazing food it is great for a December date night.

Start off with the salmon poke and a flatbread. Then go with the steak frites and duck for mains. And to finish it all off, you need to try their innovative Baked Alaska.

What to Do

The trick to a romantic weekend is refraining from making too many plans. However, one holiday activity that you just have to check out is Gingerbread House Decorating at the Fairmont Copley Plaza. Feel like a kid again while drinking adult beverages—the perfect Christmastime combination!

When was the last time you decorated a gingerbread house? We visited the Fairmont a few days ago and made this one, and it was honestly a blast! The perfectly festive couple’s activity!

And for a sophisticated finale to your weekend getaway, finish off the weekend with a nightcap at the Avery Bar in the Theatre District on your way back to Beacon Hill. Avery Bar is beautifully decorated this time of year, so treat yourself to one more drink and maybe some charcuterie before bed!

Hope you enjoyed my top recommendations for a romantic holiday weekend getaway in Boston! Happy Holidays!