It wasn't until I looked out of the floor-to-ceiling windows of my room at The Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common, that I realized why I always get lost navigating the streets of Beantown. The view revealed a circular layout — a cow town gone wild radiating outward from its original core.

Happily, I had no desire to leave the contemporary yet cozy sanctuary of the hotel. Like its counterpart in downtown Manhattan, this new style of Ritz-Carlton reflects a modern design hand, softened by natural hues and enlivened by a $1 million abstract art collection. Opened in 2001, the hotel's 193 guest rooms have all the comforts of the Ritz-Carlton brand such as feather beds, Frette linens, and deep, marble tubs. If you're looking to pamper top producers, treat them to a themed bath drawn by a bath butler (one option: a Boston Tea Party bath of lavender and sea salt, accompanied by herbal tea).

Meeting space in seven high-tech conference rooms includes a boardroom with a built-in plasma screen. Planners can reserve four adjacent movie theaters for up to 654 people.

A huge asset for the hotel is its partnership with The Sports Club/LA, an expansive sports and spa complex, with direct access from the hotel elevators. A dedicated conference concierge can help planners set up customized teambuilding activities at the club.