The Colonnade Roof Top Pool

Now that we can actually glimpse the beginning of another glorious Boston summer, hotels with rooftop pools have elevated to the pinnacle of popularity.  So, where can you cool off in the hottest pool locations?  Here are two of the most popular:

The Colonnade Hotel, 120 Huntington Street, Boston, MA

The Rooftop Pool (RTP) at the Colonnade Hotel is THE Boston hot spot for the summer. The RTP has received loads of awards, including Top U.S. Hotel Pool Bar in 2008 by MSNBC.com, twenty-five Best Al Fresco Spots 2008 by Boston Magazine and as “The Best Reason to Call in Sick”, America’s Best Poolside Bar A-List by Playboy.com – June 2007, Best Hotel Pool by Citysearch.com 2006 and 2007 and USA TODAY as the “Top 10 Great Places Built for Making a Splash” – August 2006.

The RTP offers a variety of events and concerts, and is open to the public during the week for a flat rate of $40 per day, or $20 after 3pm.  It’s open daily from 8am to 8pm.

The Hotel Indigo, 399 Grove Street, Newton, MA

The newest pool hot spot in Boston isn’t actually in the city of Boston – it’s in the neighboring suburb of Newton, MA.  The Hotel Indigo pool and pool bar is open seasonally, and offers a sunny relaxation deck, and luxury cabana rentals. It’s open to the public from Memorial Day through Labor Day, 11am to 5pm for a fee of $20 per person, cash only, based on availability.  Newton residents are free on Tuesdays with proper I.D.

Photo credit: The Colonnade

A Room at the Hotel Indigo

Visiting Boston this year with your family?  The Hotel Indigo, a boutique hotel located in the upscale Boston suburb of Newton, Massachusetts, is offering a family fun getaway package for the entire family.  While the Hotel Indigo isn’t directly IN Boston, it is conveniently located right next door to the Riverside MBTA station, where you can take a subway car right into Boston, which is about ten miles away.  In addition, the Hotel Indigo is located off of Route 128/Route 95 and is near Route 9 and the Massachusetts Turnpike.

The Family Fun Package at the Hotel Indigo includes the following:

• A one-night stay for two children and two adults
• Two complimentary in-room movies
• Soda and popcorn
• Continental breakfast for four
• Includes use of outdoor pool (in season), fitness center, and in-room WiFi

The movies and snacks are the perfect finish to a full day of visiting the family attractions in Boston.  This package starts at $175 plus tax, based on two adults and two children. It excludes taxes, and is based on availability.  The Family Fun deal is available Friday-Sunday March 5– September 6, 2010.  To book, call 1-877-8-INDIGO or visit www.newtonboutiquehotel.com.

Hotel Indigo
Boston-Newton Riverside
399 Grove Street
Newton, MA 02462
617-969-5300

Photo credit: Jodi Grundig

A Bedroom at the Hotel Indigo

After driving by the old Holiday Inn by the Riverside MBTA stop in the Boston Suburb of Newton countless times, I was surprised to see it closed and under major construction.  In fact, the hotel was closed about two years before reopening as the Hotel Indigo.  An upscale boutique hotel located in a suburb?  I was curious, so I stopped by for a tour of the hotel.

The Hotel Indigo is located by the Riverside MBTA stop on the Green Line, and is right off Route 128 and the Massachusetts Turnpike.  It does have some business-friendly amenities, such as a few conference rooms and complimentary high-speed internet access (both wired and wireless).

The rooms are on the small side, but contain everything you need for a comfortable night stay.  The decor is upscale and modern, and the beds and linens are nice and comfortable.  Portable cribs, if you need them, are offered at no additional charge.

The real draw to the Hotel Indigo is the outdoor pool.  It is adjacent to the on-site restaurant Bokx 109, and in the summer, an outdoor bar, cabanas, and fire pits on the pool patio keep guests and restaurant patrons entertained throughout the night.  Unfortunately, it’s closed in the winter, and the hotel doesn’t have an indoor pool.

While the Hotel Indigo isn’t in Boston, it is a short walk to the MBTA, where visitors can take a train to Boston.  The ride takes about 30-45 minutes and is very easy to navigate.

The Hotel Indigo
399 Grove Street
Newton, MA 02462
617-969-5300

Photo credit: Jodi Grundig