More photosStepping into The Liberty Hotel in Beacon Hill feels like walking through a piece of living history. Originally completed in 1851 as the infamous Charles Street Jail, this grand building once housed high-profile inmates like Malcolm X and former Boston Mayor James Michael Curley. In 1973, a prisoner revolt over poor conditions led to it being declared unfit, paving the way for its eventual transformation.
The master behind the building’s striking “Boston Granite Style” was Gridley James Fox Bryant, one of the city’s most accomplished 19th-century architects. Bryant partnered with leading penologist Reverend Louis Dwight to create a pioneering cross-shaped layout. This design featured a soaring 90-foot central octagonal rotunda and massive 33-foot arched windows, which were quite progressive for the era because they flooded the dark space with natural light and ventilation.
Today, the clever preservation work of CambridgeSeven and Ann Beha Architects keeps that history front and center. Guests can grab a drink inside the hotel’s bars and restaurants, which tongue-in-cheekily embrace the past with names like CLINK and Alibi. The former “drunk tank” is now a stylish lounge, and the old steel jailhouse catwalks serve as unique, elevated balconies overlooking the vibrant lobby below.
Expert reviews
“For a posh jailbreak, try the Liberty Hotel; once the Charles Street Jail, the 298-room hotel features five bars and dining spots and a captivating, multitiered lobby.”
Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Boston.
“All 298 guest rooms come with luxurious linens and high-tech amenities, while the 18 in the original jail wing boast floor-to-ceiling windows with amazing views of the Charles River and Beacon Hill.”
“You’d never think that people would be clamoring to get into a Boston prison, but the Charles Street Jail — now converted into The Liberty, A Luxury Collection Hotel — is one of the city’s hottest spots.”
“Since it opened in late 2007, the buzz surrounding the chic Liberty—formerly Boston’s Charles Street Jail—was at first deafening, with bankers, tech geeks, foreign playboys, and fashionistas all scrambling to call it their own.”
Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Boston.
“Spend the night in the slammer: unique and luxurious, the Liberty Hotel is set in Boston’s former Charles Street Jail, built in 1851. In this century, the striking granite building has rooms you won’t want to leave, and some of the city’s best bars and restaurants. The old drunk tank is where locals go to play.”
What guests liked
- Friendly staff
- Comfortable beds
- Boutique style
- Central location
- Excellent Wifi
Location
Recent guest reviews
30 April 2026
Great stay. Expensive but a nice birthday treat.
Location was close to Newbury Street an Charles Street. Room was super quiet
The gym was tiny and small
23 March 2026
Exceptional service. Wonderful stay from start to end
Historical, beautiful
Nothing
5 January 2026
Pleasant. Convenient to all my work/pleasure in town. Comfortable room, bed, and shower!
Just enjoyed the ambiance of the place -- the ways in which history was woven into a modern day experience, up to and including the decor in my room. Staff were extremely polite and helpful from the moment I walked in to the moment of my departure. (Also, very cool to stay in a hotel that has a 13th floor!)
Had to drive around the Charles St / Cambridge St overpass "octopus" a good three or four times to find a proper entry to the front of the hotel. Perhaps due to road work going on at the time?
28 December 2025
This property is in serious need of comprehensive training on guest relations
Room service location and property itself is great.
This property is in serious need of comprehensive training on guest relations.
10 November 2025
Wonderful one night stay - wish we could have stayed longer
Atmosphere
Location was a little far from main attractions
21 September 2025
Overall great, except for the parking
The inside was amazing
We were told parking was included but got charged
28 August 2025
An excellent stop with visiting friends
The interior design. The cleanest. The stafg
Nothing
24 June 2025
I regret booking this stay and wish I had planned a nicer hotel
Two things I liked about the property:
1) the history
2) the cleaning ladies & the valet men
1) very hot in the rooms (air conditioner says 65 but it feels like 75-80 the entire time)
2) no early check ins
3) pretty dirty and run down
3) late night room service randomly closes early (it’s supposed to be available during the weekend— and it wasn’t)
4) no coffee, water, or other amenities in the room
5) the worst pillows/ beds I’ve ever used
6) the front desk staff are cold and appear disassociated 90% of the time
***this place needs better management because it is a real mess***
12 May 2025
I was a very unique experience that I would do again!
The Concierge Marc Shiro was an absolute treasure to decorate our room for our Anniversary!
Receiving the keepsake or souvenir key for free as a courtesy. And having a Jazz Sunday Brunch
6 April 2025
It was fun staying there & being surrounded by the history of the Charles St. jail.
The breakfast was great, although I know now to order a small bowl of the oatmeal.
The lighting was rather dim in most of the common areas which caused me to move a little slower than usual. I booked this specific hotel because it was within walking distance to MA Eye & Ear Infirmary which was the reason for my trip to Boston.
17 March 2025
Fabulous hotel with easy access to everything in Boston
We requested an earlier check in and they were able to accommodate us. Check in was a breeze. Being so close to the subway was a huge plus.
31 January 2025
great hotel. would highly recommend
rooms were great.
Location was great.
Main floor was amazing
30 December 2024
There are lots of real luxury Hotels around Boston. Don’t waist your money for this one
Old fashioned style
Not luxury and not clean at all. Not recommended
26 August 2024
Celebrating a friend’s Birthday
Perfect location, the staff extremely cordial, atmosphere is fantastic. My favorite place to stay while visiting Boston.
23 July 2024
Very disappointed, I sent a present to the Hotel before my stay and was never thanked by Mirko.
There's not really anything good to say.
No drawers, very few hangers so I had a challenge with my wardrobe. The lighting in the room was horrible, especially in the bathroom.
18 July 2024
Do better, Bonvoy. If you’d like to continue to charge $600+ per night and $75 valet per day plus several destination f
The Clink and Scampo are good restaurants
Small shower, uncomfortable bed & pillows, small rooms, dirty hallway littered with garbage, high room rates for poor value.
27 April 2024
Clean, comfy, very short walk to Mass General
Very clean, comfortable, and super close to MGH.
Room was very cold!
15 April 2024
Like Instagram - a story you tell that doesn’t match reality it’s just a basic hotel
Unique backstory, interesting lobby and great small themes in things form the furniture to the rugs in the room.
TV didn’t work, phones didn’t work, toilet ran constantly (all of these I called about and were not fixed), the escalator went out day 2, cocktails at the bar are outrageously expensive as is stuff in the room. You stay here for a story and no more.
4 March 2024
I stay at the Liberty whenever in Boston. It feels like home
Staff
Nothing
19 February 2024
I would only stay here again if I received a discount because I was seeking medical treatment nearby
Free morning coffee. Facility is beautiful and well designed. Room was comfortable.
The price of the room and meals was exorbitant. We learned at check in that we would have been able to get a substantial discount if we had booked directly with the hotel rather than through Bookings.com because we were in Boston for a medical appointment at Mass Eye and Ear. It is unfortunate as we are of limited income.
3 February 2024
Just right for what I needed for this visit.
Location of hotel. Decor of the room. Restaurants of high quality
Comfortable chair for reading. Couch in room was not comfortable. I object to the $25 fee on top of the room rate. I received no value for that fee.
24 January 2024
It was all we could have wanted.
The location near Mass Eye & Ear Hospital made our medical crisis far less stressful than it undoubtedly would have been had we been unable to be right next door.
31 December 2023
Good location with good staff. A little pricey on the room.
Nice renovation from an old jailhouse.
The door of the toilet in the room is not good design. There is a big crack even when the door is closed. It can see clearly from the outside . It’s very embarrassing for me a a mother sharing a room with my son. As he walk past can see inside when I am in the toilet.
7 September 2023
Nice place, good people.
Location and history
Fitness Center lacked equipment - specifically, there were missing dumbbells and bars for the weight machine
1 August 2023
Great hotel with a lot of history, wonderful dining and outstanding customer service.
Excellent location. Within walking distance of a lot attractions
Flushing toilet very loud.
31 July 2023
it was fine.
staff was excelllent ...
Shower head pressure is weak, and the water has an unwelcome smell, like it's 'gray' or recycled water.
Hotel facilities
Food & Drink
- - Restaurant
- - Bar
- - Wine/champagne
General
- - Room service
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Facilities for disabled guests
- - Family rooms
- - Lift
- - Safety deposit box
- - Soundproof rooms
- - Car hire
- - Heating
- - Allergy-free room
- - Non-smoking throughout
- - Air conditioning
- - Minimarket on site
Business facilities
- - Meeting/banquet facilities
- - Business centre
- - Fax/photocopying
Reception services
- - 24-hour front desk
- - Express check-in/check-out
- - Currency exchange
- - Tour desk
- - Luggage storage
Activities
- - Fitness centre
- - Hiking
- - Temporary art galleries
- - Live music/performance
- - Bicycle rental
Outdoors
- - Terrace
Cleaning services
- - Laundry (additional charge)
- - Dry cleaning (additional charge)
- - Ironing service (additional charge)
- - Daily housekeeping
Parking
- - Parking garage
- - Accessible parking
Miscellaneous
- - 24-hour security
- - Key access
- - Key card access
- - Security alarm
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30 June 2026
We had a nice visit in Boston and will definitely be back!