
Boston Harbor Hotel
Best for harbor views, waterfront dining, and traditional five-star Boston hospitality.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Boston Harbor Hotel is a five-star waterfront hotel on Rowes Wharf offering refined maritime-elegant rooms, a year-round indoor lap pool, and large waterfront event spaces. The Liberty, a Marriott Luxury Collection Hotel, Boston is a distinctive five-star lifestyle property in a converted historic jail near the Charles River—read this if you’re choosing between classic waterfront luxury and an upscale, design-forward city stay.
Updated · about 1.2 km apart

Best for harbor views, waterfront dining, and traditional five-star Boston hospitality.

Best for travelers who want a distinctive, design-forward stay in a central West End location close to the Charles River and city sights.
When Boston Harbor Hotel wins: choose Boston Harbor Hotel if you want direct access to the Harborwalk, harborside dining (Rowes Wharf Sea Grille), year-round indoor lap pool and a more traditional, formal five-star hotel experience—also the stronger pick for weddings and large waterfront events.
When The Liberty wins: pick The Liberty, a Marriott Luxury Collection Hotel, Boston if you want a memorable stay in a converted historic jail with distinctive design, more bars/lounges on site, and a central West End location within easy walking distance of the Charles River Esplanade and Boston Common.
Bottom line: Both are five-star city hotels for upscale travelers; Boston Harbor Hotel is the choice for waterfront views and classic luxury amenities (pool, full spa facility, marina access), while The Liberty is the choice for a striking, lifestyle-focused stay in a historic-conversion property in the city core.
| Category | Boston Harbor Hotel | The Liberty, a Marriott Luxury Collection Hotel, Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Refined, maritime-focused classic five-star hotel | Distinctive lifestyle luxury in a converted historic jail |
| Location (neighborhood) | Rowes Wharf / waterfront, steps from Long Wharf and Aquarium | West End / near Charles River Esplanade and Boston Common |
| Size | 232 rooms and suites across 16 floors | 298 guestrooms (listing) |
| Historic character | Modern hotel built on Rowes Wharf (maritime setting) | Converted historic jail building |
| Pools | Indoor 60-foot lap pool, Jacuzzi; open daily 5:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. | Not published |
| Restaurants & bars | Rowes Wharf Sea Grille (waterfront) + The Dark Bar + Dandelion café | Number of restaurants - 2; Number of bars/lounges - 4 (on-site) |
| Spa & wellness | Rowes Wharf Health Club & Spa with saunas, steam room, massages | Not published |
| Known for | Waterfront views, harbor access, large wedding/event spaces | Unique jail-to-hotel conversion and Marriott Luxury Collection branding |
| Family policy | Family-friendly; children welcome (pool rules for kids) | All-ages property (not adults-only) |
| Nearby highlights | New England Aquarium, Faneuil Hall, Long Wharf ferries | Charles River Esplanade, Boston Common, TD Garden within walking distance |
Boston Harbor Hotel sits on Rowes Wharf directly on the Boston Harborwalk, minutes from the Aquarium and Long Wharf.
Best if you prioritize harborfront access and short walks to waterfront attractions.
The Liberty is in the West End at 215 Charles St, within easy walking distance of the Charles River Esplanade and Boston Common.
Best if you want a central city location near the Esplanade and parks rather than direct harborfront.
Boston Harbor Hotel offers a mix of harbor- and city-view rooms and a range of multi-bedroom suites, including a presidential suite.
Choose Boston Harbor Hotel for larger suites and guaranteed harbor-view room options.
The Liberty lists a wide selection of Superior, Deluxe, Grand rooms and multiple suite categories in a converted jail footprint.
Choose The Liberty for a wide range of room categories and an interior design-focused, historic setting.
Boston Harbor Hotel centers dining on Rowes Wharf Sea Grille, plus The Dark Bar and Dandelion café.
Best for traditional New England seafood and a scenic waterfront dining experience.
The Liberty lists two restaurants and four bars/lounges, plus limited room service hours.
Best for guests who want multiple on-site bars/lounges and a lively, social hotel atmosphere.
Boston Harbor Hotel offers a year-round indoor three-lane, 60-foot lap pool with adjacent Jacuzzi and spa facilities.
Best if an indoor pool and comprehensive on-site wellness facilities matter to you.
The Liberty's listing highlights its converted-jail architecture and on-site F&B and bar offerings; pool details are not published in the supplier listing.
The Liberty is best if the novelty of the building and its social spaces are your priority; pool details are not published.
Boston Harbor Hotel focuses on wellness with a full health club, spa services, and a quieter bar scene.
Best if you want a full-service spa, extensive wellness options, and calmer evening drinks.
The Liberty lists multiple bars and a nightclub among amenities, positioning it as a more nightlife-forward option.
Best if you want an energetic on-site nightlife scene and multiple bar options.

Boston Harbor Hotel — direct location on Rowes Wharf, marina access and harborside dining.

The Liberty — a converted historic jail with distinctive architecture and Marriott Luxury Collection branding.

Boston Harbor Hotel — indoor lap pool, full health club & spa services, family-friendly policies.

The Liberty — multiple bars/lounges and a nightclub listed among amenities.
Boston Harbor Hotel is steps from Long Wharf and about a 5–6 minute walk to the New England Aquarium; The Liberty is farther away.
Boston Harbor Hotel has a year-round indoor three-lane, 60-foot lap pool with Jacuzzi; The Liberty's supplier listing does not publish pool details.
No. Boston Harbor Hotel is family-friendly; The Liberty is listed as all-ages (not adults-only).
Boston Harbor Hotel — it has about 20,000 sq ft of waterfront event space, large ballrooms like the Wharf Room and Foster’s Pavilion, and is commonly used for weddings.
Explore how Boston Harbor Hotel stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·