Fairmont Copley Plaza Ribbon Cutting Today

opened 100 years ago. After completing a , today they celebrate their centennial with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the main entrance at 11 a.m. 

It's open to the public, followed by a private luncheon, and Mayor Thomas M. Menino is expected to attend.

The major renovations and restorations include restored guestrooms, suites, lobbies and a rooftop health club. They also opened the highly anticipated OAK Long Bar & Kitchen

“This is one of the most exciting times in the 100-year history of The Fairmont Copley Plaza,” said Paul S. Tormey, regional vice president and general manager.  “This investment will enhance the hotel’s preeminent position in the marketplace, while preserving much of the architectural detailing that has made the hotel a Boston landmark since its grand opening in 1912."

Celebrate!

Memorabilia Display

The hotel also asked people throughout New England to dig through their basements and closets, and collected countless treasures from over the years - from silver and china to historic photographs to postcards and menus to glassware and art. The items will be on display in the lobby vitrines from August 16 through September

Hotel Tours

As part of the weekend, the hotel will offer hotel history tours on Sunday, August 19, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  These tours are free and open to the public and include access into the public spaces and ballrooms.  The hotel will continue to offer its public history tours on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. through September 19, 2012.

Afternoon Tea

Historically, The Fairmont Copley Plaza hosted afternoon tea in its famed Tea Court and, in honor of its anniversary the hotel will be recreating the Tea Court in the lobby with an Afternoon Tea service from 2 p.m. -4:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, August 16 and 17 and Sunday, August 19.  The Tea Court will serve a three tiered afternoon tea including assorted finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with Devonshire cream and fruit preserves, and mini pastries.  Teas will be selected from Fairmont’s extensive tea menu.  The price is $19.12 per person. For reservations, please call (617) 267-5300 extension 1063.

Renovation Details

• The extensive renovation of all 383 guestrooms and suites and Fairmont Gold Lounge. The new rooms and guest corridors incorporate the marble colors and elegant plum and blue color schemes for a sophisticated design palette that leverages the hotel’s rich history.
• Eight themed suites, which are mini-museums celebrating one of the city’s iconic institutions. Suites include the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Pops, Boston Symphony Orchestra, The Freedom Trail, the JFK Library and Museum, Boston Public Library, The Museum of Science and The Catie Copley Suite.
• The hotel’s Lower Lobby Meeting space has been completely renovated into a new state-of-the-art conference facility, featuring built in A/V and technology capabilities, complemented by rich wood paneling.  The five meeting rooms comprise 5,600 square feet of function space and feature ergonomic conference chairs, new conference tables and built in buffets.
• The new 3,000 square foot Rooftop Health Club features state of the art TechnoGym equipment including cardio vascular machines with individual entertainment systems, weight machines, free weights and benches, an expansive stretching area and resistance training and core strengthening equipment. Designed as a contemporary urban loft space, the health club features floor to ceiling windows with views of the Back Bay. The facility will also include an outdoor deck.
• The hotel’s public Lobby Lounge received lavish furnishings and wall coverings that include impressive art such as signed lithographs by Matisse, Picasso and Chagall. Catie Copley, the hotel’s canine ambassador, has even received a new custom-made dog bed as part of the renovation of this space.
• In Peacock Alley, adjacent to the Lobby Lounge, the original hand-laid mosaic tile floor from 1912 has been restored creating a dramatic new feeling to the grand entrance of the hotel.
• Following an extensive restoration, OAK Long Bar + Kitchen makes its debut with a neoclassical space, hand-crafted cocktails and farm to table inspired American menu. The space features vaulted ceilings, cerused oak palette (the first real oak to actually be brought into the space), fireplaces and leather bar stools, and a seasonal outdoor patio.