About Clarendon Square – Boston Luxury Accommodations

The Clarendon Square Bed and Breakfast is a unique Boston hotel nestled in the exclusive South End, a neighborhood renowned for its historic architecture, authenticity, award-winning restaurants, and beautiful gardens. Quietly tucked away from the main avenue on beautiful West Brookline Street, the B&B offers intimacy, but also makes it convenient for guests to explore Downtown Boston and the Back Bay areas. The house is Stephen Gross and Bobby Ciletti’s life work: they have painstakingly renovated and decorated the property, balancing its rich history with a commitment to modern comforts of travel and a fresh take on design. Embracing the values of the South End, the duo provides one-of-a-kind hospitality to their guests. Gross and Ciletti’s own travels – as well as their guests’ – serve as constant inspiration to deliver an exceptional lodging experience for anyone traveling to Boston, MA.

Property History

A gem among historic hotels in Boston, Clarendon Square Bed and Breakfast was constructed in 1867 by builder Silas Merrill. The first owner of 198 West Brookline Street was Mr. Josiah Loring Fairbanks, founder and operator of the J.L. Fairbanks Company in Downtown Boston. He was a prominent stationer providing stationery, bank notes, and bookkeeping materials to some of Boston’s most notable businesses, including the National Union Bank of Boston. Fairbanks died in 1875 at 65 years of age.

After the turn of the century, 198 West Brookline Street fell into disrepair. Many of the townhouses in the South End were abandoned and forgotten, as many Bostonians took residency in the newly developed Back Bay neighborhood. Read More

Following its purchase in 1998, this New England townhouse underwent an extensive renovation, which took a full year to complete. To ensure the finest environment for guests, Stephen Gross and his crew preserved many architectural features of the period historic inn like ceiling medallions, moldings, and doors. You will find that these historic touches were seamlessly integrated with new modern materials and finishes to produce interiors focused on style, sophistication, and comfort. In March 1999, Clarendon Square Bed and Breakfast opened its doors, and since then has hosted thousands of guests from all around the world. Because decorating is never truly complete, each guest room has been redecorated in the last two years to meet our evolving design standards and the changing needs of our clientele.

Please enjoy these photos from the renovation process.

Stephen Gross - Proprietor

Stephen began Clarendon Square as a hobby in 1996 with just one room in another property in the South End. A few years later he purchased and re-developed the property you see today. He was hands on acting as builder and contractor in the year long renovation and is responsible for updating and maintaining the newly fitted property you see today. A lifelong entrepreneur, Stephen’s background includes stints in mortgage banking, commercial real estate, residential construction and historic preservation. Stephen spent many years in Ithaca NY, first as a student of marketing and finance at Cornell University, then as a historic preservation contractor. His time there gave him a strong appreciation for community, architecture, art and nature. It takes skills in all these areas to own and manage a successful historic inn, but by far Stephen’s primary passion is speaking with guests about their families, their lives and their personal adventures. Stephen enjoys, sailing, photographing people, modern dance and traveling to all parts of the world. He is fascinated by the unique design qualities of specialty inns and boutique hotels that are being developed worldwide.

Bobby Ciletti - Proprietor

Bobby moved to Boston from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 2004 to attend Boston University where he earned a degree in Public Relations with concentrations in Spanish & Psychology. Since 2004 Bobby has been a proud resident of Boston and has always been captivated by its beautiful, historic properties. His contributions at Clarendon Square can be found throughout the property including interior design, brand partners as well as our marketing and public relations.

While attending Boston University in 2006, Bobby became a licensed real estate agent. He is currently very active with Boston real estate. Feel free to reach out by phone or text with any questions on the local market 617-933-9373.

Bobby previously served as Executive Editor of Beverly Hills Lifestyle Magazine, a luxury quarterly publication available online & in print. When he is not assisting clients, he enjoys townhouse living in the South End, cooking, practicing pilates reformer and spending time with his partner & Pomeranian Botticelli.

Press

In addition to our cherished guest reviews, we have been honored to receive media coverage, awards and accolades.

CONDE NAST TRAVELER, read article here
Best Big City B&Bs – November 2008
“Contemporary decor, warm colors, vibrant artwork”

FORBES MAGAZINE, read article here
“Ten Best Urban Inns”

RACHEL RAY
Every Day With Rachel Ray 2008
“You’ll feel like a local at the Clarendon Square Inn”

NEW YORK TIMES, read article here
“36 Hours in Boston” Read More

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
July 2008
“Modern design with authentic historical touches”

PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
July 2008
“Sits in the heart of the South End; plus, there’s a hot tub on the roof.”

WASHINGTON POST, read article here
May 2008
“You’ll feel like a local at the Clarendon Square Inn”

V&S ITALIAN TRAVEL
September 2008
Editor’s choice in the Italian Travel Magazine

ARIZONA REPUBLIC
September 2008
“heart of the South End, charming neighborhood”

APARTMENT THERAPY,
Boston House Tour: 2008
“The Style of Success – A South End Entrepreneur Shares His Home and Business”

“Contemporary décor, warm colors, vibrant artwork”