A look inside Clarendon Square, ranked the No.1 bed & breakfast in Boston

A historic six-story townhouse in the South End with a rooftop jacuzzi is a standout getaway in Boston, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Clarendon Square was named the No. 1 bed & breakfast in Boston in the publication’s inaugural Best Bed & Breakfast rankings, released earlier this month. U.S. News evaluated more than 250 bed-and-breakfasts, inns, and small hotels in 17 cities and small towns for the ranking. Boston was one of the focus destinations based on researched traveler interest in B&Bs.

Clarendon Square, built in 1867 for a Boston merchant and his family, has been painstakingly renovated by owners Stephen Gross and Bobby Ciletti. They modernized the building while preserving architectural features such as doors, moldings, and ceiling medallions.

“B&Bs typically offer a unique atmosphere, a complimentary breakfast and a cultural experience authentic to their given location,” said Zach Watson, senior travel editor at U.S. News, in a statement.

Clarendon Square’s luxury accommodations on West Brookline Street are “quietly tucked away,” as the website puts it, but also convenient for exploring downtown Boston and Back Bay.

“We believe our success comes from our passion for hospitality and travel,” wrote the owners on their blog. “While our inn and city are historic, our mindset is one always looking toward the future.”

Guests can enjoy a glass of wine in public spaces such as the parlor or library.

Clarendon Square offers two room types: a deluxe queen guest room and a luxury suite. Each room boasts premium Frette linens and bath robes, designer bedding, and Molton Brown bath amenities.

The queen rooms have a sitting area and a private marble and tile bathroom. The apartment-sized suite offers guests 720 square feet of living space on a private floor with a bathroom that features a soaking tub for two and a walk-in shower with dual heads.

“We are always looking to improve the guest experience, whether that means renovating our bathrooms, adding new technology, sourcing new furnishings and decor from our own travels, or refreshing the property with new touches and amenities,” wrote the owners on their blog. “We want our return guests to arrive somewhere familiar and intimate, but to keep them curious for what we will do next.”

The rooftop jacuzzi, complete with views of the city, is open year round, 24 hours a day. Guests can lounge in the sun during the day and relax with a bottle of champagne and a lit up view of Boston at night.

“With stunning views of Back Bay hotels, downtown Boston, and the South End, you will be truly captivated,” according to the website.

The hotel is not currently serving breakfast, according to Ciletti. Since the pandemic, the owners have been supporting neighborhood restaurants by referring guests there for breakfast.

“We find our guests are enjoying lounging in the room and not feeling pressed to get up in the morning at a certain time,” Gross wrote in an email.

However, each room does provide “morning bites” like oatmeal cups, Belgian waffles and granola bars, according to Ciletti, as well as La Colombe coffee and a selection of Rishi teas. Cookies and bananas are also available each day.

Clarendon Square has received national recognition and awards by Forbes, Conde Nast Traveler, and The New York Times.