By Kellie Speed Nov. 21st, 2011

You are planning a visit to the city and are looking for a hotel that is upscale, downtown and pet friendly but not sure where to stay — enter the Nine Zero Hotel located on Tremont Street across from the Boston Common that offers everything you need for a fun urban getaway.

As with all Kimpton properties, the Nine Zero is pet friendly and not only welcomes dogs but rolls out the red carpet for them with pet beds and specially designed treats and food bowls. With the holiday season upon us, this just might be the best time of year to book a stay here. Right across the street, you can check out the Boston Common Frog Pond for some ice skating or head over to the nearby Faneuil Hall marketplace for some holiday shopping.

This beautiful boutique hotel in the heart of the city also offers a fun wine hour in the lobby where guests are encouraged to relax and with a glass or red or white while mingling with other hotel guests. We loved the hotel’s variety of amenities that are included with your stay — from wireless Internet service to morning newspaper, wine hours and animal print bathrobes. When reserving a room here, be sure to request a room with a view that overlooks Tremont Street and the neighboring Boston Common.


There are a variety of suites available as well, including the coveted Cloud Nine Suite, the Nine Zero’s take on the 1,065-square-foot Presidential Suite complete with floor-to-ceiling windows with telescope, living room, dining room and office area. While there is no on-site spa, the front desk attendants are only too happy to arrange for an in-room massage from a local massage therapist to enhance your visit.


Dinner here is an absolute must at KO Prime. Named after the city’s James Beard award winning chef Ken Oringer of Toro, Uni and La Verdad fame, KO Prime is the place to go for steaks with a twist. For example, steak frites takes on a whole new meaning when topped with onion marmalade, but the enormous 30-ounce bone-in juicy ribeye cooked to perfection takes center stage. The New York strip was just as good with a side of requested expertly prepared chimichurri paired up with a side of creamy and cheesy potato garlic gratin.

Located on the second floor of the hotel, the main dining room is beautifully decorated with faux crocodile and cow skin in an intimate setting. Be sure to start off with a sampling of charcuterie, all made in-house and served alongside deliciously crusty bread. While this is the place to go for steaks (they slow cook all of their cuts of beef), there is also a good selection of seafood dishes (think red snapper with butter poached lobster). Other available entrees include short rib mac and cheese and their famous KO foie gras burger. For dessert, don’t miss the Oreo ice cream soup. For reservations or more information, call (617) 772-5800 or visit NineZero.com.