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Hotels across the city are adjusting their programming and menus to honor the countries where the ships hail from.
Adirondack III from Boston in front of Boston Harbor Hotel during a previous tall ship celebration. Boston Harbor Hotel
City hotels are busy designing decor, food, and cocktails that compliment the countries of the tall ships visiting Boston next month for Sail Boston 2026.
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Everything you need to know about Sail Boston 2026
The Boston event, taking place July 11-16 as part of Sail250, is a global gathering of more than 60 tall ships representing over 20 countries in celebration of America’s semiquincentennial. More than 4 million people are expected to attend the maritime celebration. The last time tall ships visited Boston was in 2017.
“We take great pride in welcoming the world to this city,” said Martha Sheridan, CEO of Meet Boston, in a press conference.
Boston hotels are “adopting” ships from other countries and rolling out special programs and menus inspired by that culture, Sheridan said.
“It’s just another addition to what’s already going to be happening on the waterfront and it’s bringing all of the activity to all areas of Boston,” said Sheridan at a press conference. “So we’re excited that our community is embracing this the way they are. We know they’re going to roll out the welcome mat for this incredible event and for the visitors to this city.”
For some hotel managers, the celebration is especially poignant because the hotel is paired with a ship from their home country, hotel workers noted.
For example, Mandarin Oriental, Boston is the host hotel for the three-masted Gorch Fock from Germany, a 292-foot barque built in 1958. General manager Markus Lindner hails from Germany, noted his team. The hotel will host a public reception and meet-and-greet to honor the ship’s captain.
Raffles Boston will welcome the senior delegates of Juan Bautista Cambiaso from the Dominican Republic, a 178-foot barquentine built in 2009. Carlos Bueno, the general manager, is of Dominican descent, according to his team. The hotel will fly the Dominican national flag, play Caribbean music, and serve two limited-edition cocktails at Long Bar & Terrace and Blind Duck: the tropical Captain’s Punch and Back Bay Breeze. What’s more, $1 from each cocktail sold will benefit Boston nonprofit Community Boating.
Chilean-themed dishes will be served at the Seaport Hotel in honor of Esmeralda from Chile, a 371-foot barquentine built in 1953 docking at the adjacent Commonwealth Pier. The hotel will welcome the captain and crew and serve an Esmeralda cocktail named after the ship as well as a Pisco Sour at its TAMO Bistro + Bar.
Esmeralda, named after the Chilean ship, will be served at TAMO Bistro + Bar at the Seaport Hotel.
Guests at Hyatt Place Boston/Seaport District will sip Polish Mules and munch Polish pierogies in honor of the ship Dar Młodzieży from Poland, a 357-foot full-rigged ship built in 1982.
Over at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport, which is sponsoring Capitán Miranda from Uruguay, a 210-foot schooner built in 1930, guests will feast on Uruguayan empanadas and sip clerico (the South American version of white wine sangria) at its Lifted Rooftop Restaurant & Bar.
Boston Harbor Hotel will welcome Oosterschelde from Netherlands to Rowes Wharf, a 164-foot topsail schooner built in 1918, by offering a Dutch menu at its waterfront Rowes Wharf Sea Grille, as well as offering special nautical drinks and Dutch-inspired drinks at The Dark Bar.
The Newbury Boston is channeling Swedish culture as the official host hotel of HMS Gladan from Sweden, a 129-foot topsail schooner built in 1947. The hotel will feature a Swedish candy experience in The Library. Guests and visitors will enjoy a selection of Swedish candy in self-serve apothecary jars from Madeleine’s Candy Shop in Boston’s South End, known for its extensive collection of imported Swedish treats.
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A guide to the New England ships in Sail Boston 2026
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What to know about the USS Constitution ahead of Boston’s parade of tall ships
Kristi Palma
Kristi Palma is the travel writer for Boston.com, focusing on the six New England states. She covers airlines, hotels, and things to do across Boston and New England. She is the author of the award-winning Scenic Six, a weekly travel newsletter.
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