Inside West End's New Pennyweight Hotel

The West End welcomes Pennyweight Hotel Boston, Curio Collection by Hilton.
Soft details juxtapose the lobby’s more industrial accents, such as blackened metal and copper.

While Boston’s rich history attracts travelers worldwide, the city’s contemporary and artistic spirit is commanding our attention. Capturing both the old and new is the Pennyweight Hotel (pennyweighthotel.com) on 155 Portland Street. The 112-room stay, designed by JCJ Architecture (jcj.com), sits nestled in Bulfinch Triangle, steps from TD Garden and historic North End. Inside, sophisticated urban decor and a locally curated art collection adorn every space, from the spunky lobby to guest rooms and the first-floor eatery. “The brand vision was born of the mix of heritage and modern invention that makes the city unique, and so our design needed a timeless character and quietly provocative personality,” says Carrie Nielsen, Associate and Senior Project Designer at JCJ Architecture. Whether checking in for a big game or weekend getaway, the lobby’s warm palette of autumn copper-painted walls and white oak flooring create a welcoming, living room-esque atmosphere. After checking in at the modern marble front desk, relax on plush seating and cocktail clusters. Mixed media art, curated by Alchemy Station, completes the interiors. Once securing their room keys, guests can venture upstairs or wander into 155 On Portland for a posttravel bite. The bar-forward restaurant and café transitions daily from an espresso to a cocktail bar, serving American bar fare in the chic space. While indulging, people watch from the outdoor terrace or through the inside’s floor-to-ceiling windows. Copper, verdigris green, rose gold and pale amber tones grace the restaurant, contrasted by back and white tile floors.

The minimalist guest rooms are perfect for unwinding before hitting the town.

This soft palette and metropolitan style continue to the guest rooms. Behind each door, find a minimalist aesthetic, green and neutral tones and ensuites with black-and-white newspaper wallpaper—including clippings from the iconic West Ender newsletter. “The guest rooms, intended to be an urban haven with eclectic styling, are a reflection of Boston’s brownstones with their timeless allure paired with a fresh modern twist,” notes Nielsen. After resting your head at the Pennyweight, only one feeling comes to mind for the team: “soul stirringly good.”