Boston’s Oldest Hotel Gets $65M Renovation

The Omni Parker House in downtown Boston recently completed a $65 million renovation to mark its 170th anniversary. The refresh included improvements to 551 guest rooms, 57 suites, the lobby, Rooftop Ballroom, and 23,000 square feet of meeting space.

The renovated rooms feature muted colors, minimalist art, and nods to history — nightstands resemble travel trunks and artwork highlights founder Harvey Parker.

“The concept there was Harvey Parker drawing a self-portrait, and then drawing the history of the House throughout the years,” said Tonya Grine, senior director of interior design for Omni Hotels & Resorts, in a statement shared with The Boston Globe. “And it's broken up into different collage pieces just to give it a bit more interest.”

According to a Boston.com report, the hotel's Premier Suites are now “Legend Suites” that honor Boston figures, institutions, and landmarks. These suites include the “Freedom Trail Family Suite” and the “Harvey Parker Presidential Suite.”

In addition to guest rooms, the hotel's 19 meeting rooms have also been upgraded. The Dickens Room, named after the famous author Charles Dickens, who once regarded the hotel as his “home away from home,” is now a luxury executive boardroom.

Dining remains anchored by The Last Hurrah Bar and Parker's Restaurant, with Blitzen's at Last Hurrah returning as the Christmas bar for the season.

“From the spirited debates of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow at the Saturday Club to the camaraderie of Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, and David Ortiz, some of the world's most venerated figures have walked these halls,” said Susan Wilson, Omni Parker House historian and author of “Heaven, by Hotel Standards,” in a statement shared with Boston.com.

The hotel remains dog-friendly, with rooms accommodating dogs up to 25 pounds. Starting rates depend on the time of year, ranging from $250 to $500.