In mid-October, my mom, my sister Sammi, my seven-year-old daughter Mila and I checked into the InterContinental Boston for a one-night matriarch staycation. We live on the North Shore of Massachusetts, so this wasn’t exactly a far-flung adventure. In fact, I think we spent less time getting to the hotel than we typically spend getting all three of my kids out the door on a school morning.
I left my two boys at home with my husband, Dan, and got to experience something I don’t get nearly enough of these days: time with the incredible women in my family, including my daughter, without having to divide my attention three different ways.
Funny enough, I’d just written about the rise of the matriarch trip for Condé Nast Traveler—the idea of planning a getaway around the women in your family, particularly your mom or grandmother, and the places and experiences that matter to them. After spending weeks interviewing women who had traveled the world with their mothers, I was itching to do something similar with my own family. And while Greece or Italy would have been lovely, Boston felt pretty perfect for this particular chapter of our lives.
As a mom of three, I’ve come to appreciate that getting away doesn’t always have to mean getting very far away. So many of my trips with my husband and friends lately have been within a short drive’s distance, and this little Boston staycation turned out to be one of my favorite weekends of the entire year.
Why InterContinental Boston Is Perfect for a Multigenerational Girls’ Getaway
If you’re looking for a luxury Boston hotel that’s just as enjoyable for your mom as it is for your seven-year-old, let me introduce you to InterContinental Boston.
Located right on the waterfront at 510 Atlantic Avenue, the hotel overlooks Fort Point Channel and sits within walking distance of some of Boston’s most iconic attractions. You’re practically on top of the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, with easy access to the Seaport, the Boston Harborwalk and downtown.
We’d already had such a wonderful experience doing a family staycation at the Sheraton Boston’s Goodnight Moon Suite with all three kids, so I was excited to experience a completely different kind of Boston overnight this time around.
Anyone who lives in a city knows that it’s hard to experience it like a tourist. You know all the shortcuts, hidden treasures and how to get around. But in Boston, there’s always something new to explore and, with the right hotel, you can truly feel like you’re experiencing something new for the first time.
We checked in late Saturday afternoon, and the second we got to our room, I knew we were going to have a hard time leaving.
The room was absolutely gorgeous, with big windows overlooking the water and a historic-looking ship right outside. There’s something about looking out over the Boston waterfront in October that just hits differently. The city was in full fall mode, it was getting chilly outside and we had absolutely nowhere we needed to be.
I also loved that Mila got to experience the hotel with my mom and sister. Usually, when we travel as a family, so much of my energy goes toward making sure her little brothers (ages two and four) are fed, entertained and not attempting to throw themselves off the furniture. Being able to just hang out with my daughter, watch her get excited about our room and actually give her my undivided attention felt like such a treat.
And getting to do that alongside my own mom? Even better.
Dinner at Matria: Come for the Food, Stay for the Dirty Martinis
One of my favorite things about a hotel staycation is when the hotel itself is somewhere you genuinely want to spend time. Especially in New England in October, when you’re already starting to question whether you’re emotionally prepared for winter.
So we made dinner plans right downstairs at Matria, InterContinental Boston’s beautiful Italian-inspired restaurant.
Matria draws its inspiration from Northern Italy, particularly Piedmont and the Italian Riviera, with housemade pastas, steaks and an emphasis on seasonal ingredients. It’s upscale without feeling stuffy, which is exactly what you want when you’re dining with a mix of adults and kids.
Our dinner was delicious, the service was incredible and the dirty martinis were very much enjoyed by the three adults at the table.
Mila, meanwhile, was living her best life eating the bar olives. She was just so happy to be included in everything, and we loved having her there.
I also have to give the restaurant staff a shout-out. When you’re dining somewhere nice with a child, there’s always that little voice in the back of your head wondering whether you’ve chosen the right place. We felt so welcome the entire evening, which made the experience that much more enjoyable.
The Waterfront S’mores Experience Was the Highlight of Our Stay
If you ask any of the four of us what our favorite part of the weekend was, I’m pretty sure we’d all give you the same answer: roasting marshmallows by the water.
After dinner, we headed outside, where the hotel had set up a whole s’mores experience. And when I tell you this was the highlight of our stay, I mean it.
It was chilly, the waterfront was beautiful and we got to sit together roasting marshmallows and making s’mores. There’s something about a fire outside on a crisp fall night in New England that feels so quintessentially cozy.
It was also one of those rare activities that’s genuinely enjoyable for everyone. My mom loved it. Samantha loved it. I loved it. And Mila? Obviously, she was in heaven.
I think sometimes when we plan family getaways, we put so much pressure on ourselves to find the big, memorable experience. We buy tickets, make elaborate plans and research every possible activity. Meanwhile, one of my favorite memories from this entire weekend was sitting outside a hotel in the city I grew up near, roasting marshmallows with my mom, sister and daughter.
If you’re planning a fall stay at InterContinental Boston, I’d absolutely ask about the waterfront s’mores experience when you book. It’s weather-dependent and availability can vary, but it’s such a fun addition to a family staycation or even a romantic weekend away.
A Hotel Movie Night (Because We Had Already Done Enough)
After dinner and s’mores, we went right back upstairs to our room and put on Wicked.
And that was it. That was our big Saturday night in Boston.
As someone who loves going out in the city, I cannot overstate how nice it was to spend an evening doing fun things without having to leave the hotel property once. No getting into a freezing Uber, no walking around looking for somewhere to go next, no trying to squeeze in one more activity because we’re technically on vacation.
Just four of us hanging out in a beautiful hotel room watching a movie.
I think that was one of the things I loved most about this particular getaway. It felt indulgent in such a low-effort way. When you’re in the thick of raising young kids, even a vacation can feel like another thing you’re responsible for making magical for everyone else.
This was the opposite of that. I got to enjoy myself, too.
We’ve talked before on The Mother Chapter about why moms deserve to take girls’ trips, and even though I had one of my three kids with me this time, I came home feeling a lot of those same benefits.
Breakfast at Matria and a Morning in Boston
The next morning, we headed back downstairs to Matria for breakfast, and the buffet did not disappoint.
I’m a big hotel breakfast person. There’s just something about sitting down to a leisurely breakfast that someone else has prepared, especially when your usual morning routine involves getting three kids dressed, fed and out the door before you’ve had a chance to finish your coffee.
The spread was incredible, and Mila was particularly thrilled with the waffles.
After breakfast, we headed out to explore Boston. One of the biggest perks of staying at InterContinental Boston is that you’re in such a convenient location for a city weekend. You can walk along the waterfront, explore the Seaport or make your way into the heart of downtown without having to plan your entire day around transportation.
We made our way over to the Boston Public Garden to visit the beloved Make Way for Ducklings statues, which, no matter how many times you’ve been, never seem to get old when you have a little kid with you.
From there, we met up with more of our family to celebrate my grandmother Leeta’s 90th birthday.
And suddenly our three-generation girls’ getaway became part of a four-generation family weekend.
I don’t take for granted that my daughter gets to know her great-grandmother. Or that I still get to go away for a night with my own mom. As my grandmother celebrated turning 90, I couldn’t help thinking about how lucky we were to have this weekend together.
There’s a lot of talk about making memories with our kids, but I think sometimes we forget that we’re still someone’s kids, too.
Why I’m a Big Fan of the Matriarch Staycation
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about multigenerational travel, particularly what I like to call the matriarch trip: a getaway centered around the women in your family.
There’s something so special about taking a trip with your mom and your daughter at the same time. You’re someone’s mother and someone’s daughter, and for a little while, you get to enjoy both roles without the usual chaos of everyday life.
But what I loved about our Boston staycation was that it didn’t require a huge commitment. We didn’t need to coordinate flights or take days off work. We didn’t need to pack for an entire week or figure out how to entertain three kids on a plane.
It was one night. Less than 24 hours away from home and I came home feeling like I’d had a real vacation.
I also think there’s something to be said for taking trips with your kids individually. I adore my boys, but it felt so nice to spend that time with Mila without constantly being pulled in another direction. She got to have her own little adventure with me, her aunt and her grandmother. That’s something I want to make more of an effort to do with each of my kids.
If you’ve been wanting to plan a mother-daughter trip, a getaway with your own mom or a girls’ weekend that includes the next generation, consider looking a little closer to home.
You might be surprised by just how much one night away can do for you.
Is InterContinental Boston Worth It for a Family Staycation?
Absolutely. I’d give our stay a 10/10.
For me, what made InterContinental Boston such a great choice was the combination of a beautiful waterfront room, exceptional dining and enough to do on-site that we never felt the need to rush out and fill our evening with plans.
It works particularly well for a multigenerational family trip because everyone can enjoy the experience at their own pace. You can spend the afternoon exploring Boston, enjoy a really good dinner downstairs and end the night making s’mores or watching a movie in your room.
If you’re considering booking a Boston staycation, I’d recommend requesting a waterfront-facing room, making a dinner reservation at Matria and checking whether the hotel’s outdoor s’mores experience is available during your visit.
And if you live locally and have been waiting for an excuse to book a hotel in your own city, take this as your excuse.
Call your mom. Text your sister. Bring your daughter. The boys will be fine.
Read next: Planning another cozy New England getaway? Here’s how we spent a Christmas weekend in Portland, Maine, with our three kids.
What to Know Before Booking InterContinental Boston
Where is InterContinental Boston located?
InterContinental Boston is located at 510 Atlantic Avenue in downtown Boston, Massachusetts, along Fort Point Channel. The waterfront hotel is close to the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, the Boston Harborwalk, the Seaport District and South Station.
Is InterContinental Boston good for kids?
Yes. Its spacious accommodations, convenient location and on-site dining make it a great option for families visiting Boston. Our seven-year-old especially loved roasting marshmallows by the waterfront, enjoying a hotel movie night and eating waffles at breakfast.
What restaurant is inside InterContinental Boston?
Matria is the hotel’s signature Italian-inspired restaurant, serving breakfast and dinner. The hotel also has several other dining and cocktail venues, including Bar Fellini.
Does InterContinental Boston offer waterfront rooms?
Yes. The hotel offers accommodations with waterfront views overlooking Fort Point Channel and Boston Harbor. I highly recommend selecting a waterfront-view room when booking if you want to make the most of the location.
Can you roast marshmallows at InterContinental Boston?
The hotel offers an outdoor waterfront s’mores experience, subject to weather and availability. Check with the hotel before your stay for current offerings and reservations.
What is the best time of year for a Boston staycation?
Fall is my personal favorite. We visited in mid-October and loved the crisp weather, cozy evening activities and opportunity to explore Boston on foot the next morning. Spring and summer are also great choices if you’d prefer warmer weather and more time outdoors.
Explore rooms and book your stay at InterContinental Boston.
