Stonehill Taylor Transforms Raffles Boston: Discover the Stunning Botanical Narratives!

Ascending Elegance at Raffles Boston Back Bay Hotel

A graceful spiral staircase rises through the three-level Sky Lobby of the Raffles Boston Back Bay Hotel, drawing inspiration from the city’s historic cobblestone pathways with its copper-trimmed herringbone-patterned floors. Beyond its functional purpose, the staircase, encased by elegantly fluted columns, symbolizes a deeper narrative. This design element exemplifies how Stonehill Taylor, in creating the first Raffles establishment in North America, has woven Boston’s rich cultural tapestry into the very fabric of the building.

Stonehill Taylor’s Narrative-Driven Design

Under the leadership of President Paul Taylor and Principal Sara Duffy, Stonehill Taylor’s design philosophy was deeply rooted in uncovering and integrating locale-specific stories. The design narrative for the hotel is a celebration of key Bostonian elements: the city’s pioneering botanical gardens, the extensive plant collection of the Arnold Arboretum, and the historical significance of Paul Revere’s copper works. These elements are skillfully interlaced to create a thematic continuity that is evident throughout the property.

A Botanical Journey from Base to Summit

The experience at the 33-story tower located at 40 Trinity Place begins at the ground level, where dark stone tiles and an intricate hand-blown glass chandelier resembling flower petals set the stage for the botanical theme that continues to unfold upwards. By situating the main reception on the 17th floor, the architects effectively buffer the serene hotel environment from the bustling street noise below. The grand staircase not only facilitates movement but also enhances visual connectivity across the hotel, minimizing its structural impact to allow for clear vistas of the city through the iron and glass atrium.

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From the reception area, guests can directly access the Writers Bar, which offers a fluid transition from the process of check-in to a space of relaxation. Nearby, a special occasion restaurant stretches across a double-height space, providing views from various perspectives within the hotel. In contrast, the speakeasy presents a more secluded ambiance; it is accessed by ascending the grand staircase to the 18th floor, proceeding down a corridor that overlooks the restaurant, and finally entering through a discreet doorway.

Intimate Botanical Retreats within Guestrooms and Suites

In the design of the guestrooms and suites, Stonehill Taylor has meticulously balanced subtlety and detail, infusing the hotel’s botanical theme into these private quarters. The hotel houses 147 guestrooms, including 29 suites, where the global aesthetic of Raffles meets the local essence of Boston. The rooms feature white marble floors with mosaic details and bathrooms adorned with hand-painted botanical wallcoverings. The headboards, subtly embellished with leaf patterns, subtly nod to Raffles’ Asian roots, originating from Singapore, blending cultural reverence with local storytelling.