Name: Nathan D. Goff
Occupation: Chief Concierge - Boston Harbor Hotel
Twitter: @HarborHotel
Instagram: @bostonharborhotel
Where were you born and raised?: I was born and raised in Ayer, Massachusetts – a small town with less than 6,000 people back then. It’s about 35 miles West of Boston.
How long have you lived in Boston?: I have lived in Boston (Brookline actually) since 2002.
Why did you move there?: While attending college at Johnson & Wales University for a degree in Hospitality Management, I participated in an internship program at the Boston Harbor Hotel during the summer of 1999 and 2000. Once I graduated in 2002, it was the only place I wanted to start my career. I first moved to North Quincy, then Charlestown, and now have been living in the Coolidge Corner area of Brookline for the past eleven years.
What's your favorite thing about the Boston Harbor Hotel? What makes it stand out?: The Boston Harbor Hotel feels like an extension of my home. It’s where I belong. Every day I welcome guests into the hotel just as if I were welcoming them into my own household. We are an independent property so it allows us to do more and be better than many larger brand hotels. We are a fun 5-Star hotel in an unbeatable location. Simply put, the Boston Harbor Hotel is beyond compare.
Favorite restaurant in town?: There are so many amazing restaurants in Boston. Just recently I was able to experience Hojoko which is a Japanese-inspired tavern from Jim & Nancy Cushman. It’s a great place to have a bite to eat before going to Epic Saturdays – Boston’s biggest gay night. At Hojoko, have a little fun and order the Wasabi Roulette. It’s six pieces of sushi but one is packed with super wasabi! Don’t worry, if you’re the lucky one who gets the wasabi there’s a special accompaniment to put out the flames on your pallet. Their cocktails are great too for a little pre-gaming before dancing the night away at Epic. Order a Blue Hawaiian, it’s my favorite and will definitely get your night started off right!!!
Favorite bar/club in town?: My favorite bar is a Barbara Lynch establishment called Drink. Barbara grew up in South Boston and is now one of the city’s top chefs. Drink is in homage to the bars of yesteryear when you just walked in and told the bartender what you were in the mood for and they made it. All the bartenders, mixologists if you will, are incredibly knowledgeable about the art of cocktail making and, because of them, I’ve expanded my own repertoire of spirits at home with their help. If you get there early enough to order a secret burger, DO IT! You won’t be sorry.
Favorite place to unwind in your town?: I have been a member of the Museum of Fine Arts for almost 20-years. Besides the amazing Edgar Degas and John Singer Sargent paintings, my favorite spot is less-known. The Japanese Garden, Tenshin-en which translates to The Garden of the Heart of Heaven, is a perfect place to relax and forget all the stresses of life. With over seventy species of plants the garden is surrounded by a very tall wall, so you can completely forget that you’re practically in the heart of Boston. Best part is, the garden is free to enter during normal museum hours and weather permitting. Prepare to walk through the kabukimon-style entrance gate on the side of the back parking lot and forget all your worries.
Where’s the best place to enjoy the outdoors in Boston?: Few people know that the Boston Harbor has 34 islands. My two favorites to visit are George’s Island and Little Brewster Island. I love going to George’s Island to explore Fort Warren, a Civil War-era fort on the island. It’s great to just wonder around or lay on the grass of the parade grounds in the center of the fort. There is also a beautiful viewpoint of Boston Light, America’s oldest light station. The only way to get to the lighthouse is by joining a special tour to Little Brewster Island where Boston Light is located. Once in the lighthouse, climb the 76 steps to the top for an unforgettable view of Boston Harbor and the Boston Skyline.
What’s one thing that Boston has to offer that you can’t find anywhere else?: The Freedom Trail is absolutely a must do while here in Boston. Boston is the birthplace of the American Revolution and this tour, marked by a red line along the sideway, links the sixteen most important locations which started it. I personally like to walk the tour later in the day when there’s less tourists along the route. Start at the Visitor’s Center in the Boston Common to pick-up the Official Brochure of The Freedom Trail (free of charge) and walk the tour on your own. The brochure offers the perfect about of information for each location. The best part of doing the tour on your own is that you can take your time and veer off the beaten path to explore a bit. If you walk all the way to the USS Constitution, or Old Ironside as locals call her, continue a bit further along the waterfront to Pier 6 Restaurant. This casual restaurant offers one of the best views of the city. For something more historic, the Warren Tavern is just a few blocks off the trail. The tavern was built in 1780 and was often visited by Paul Revere and even once by George Washington.
Where is the gay neighborhood in your city? Tell us a little about it?: For many years the South End area of Boston has been considered the gay neighborhood of the city. It is the largest intact Victorian row house district in the country and offers a multitude of independent restaurants and shops as well. I love to go to this area for brunch on Sundays before going to the South End Open Market. Between May & October the Open Market offers three distinct areas for food tucks, a farmers market, and (the best part) an arts market. The arts market is where you’d find me. With only local artists and designers you are bound to find something you’re obsessed with. It’s a great place to find something unique as a keepsake or something to bring home for a special someone. After a libationous brunch at South End Buttery there’s no better way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
Best gay club/restaurant/attraction?: May 17, 2004 marks the momentous day when same-sex marriage became legal and equal in the United States right here in Massachusetts. On the steps of Cambridge City Hall was where it all began and I think there is no better “attraction” for a same-sex couple or LGBT traveler to take a selfie then in front of these steps.
What three things do I have to pack to enjoy your city?: First and foremost, good walking shoes. Boston is America’s Walking City and with cobblestone sidewalks and brick roads, good shoes are essential! Hopefully, you’ll pack an appetite as Boston has some of the best restaurants in the country… my waistline proves it! Lastly, bring a camera. Boston’s picturesque streets and architecture are one of a kind and you’ll want to digitally capture the beauty at every angle.
Best time of year to visit?: Hands down the best time of year to visit Boston and/or New England is September and October. September is great because the weather is perfect and it’s the first month when things quiet down a bit. October is great because the air is crisp and the trees are changing colors… it’s magical.
I’m in town for 24 hours: What are 3 things I absolutely have to do?: Take an off-the-beaten-path tour – one of my favorite things in life is food. If I wasn’t a concierge and able to talk about food every day to my guests, I would definitely be doing something in the food industry. Alyssa Daigle of Bites of Boston Food Tours offers an amazing food tour of the South End (remember from above… Boston’s gay neighborhood). I have been a concierge in Boston since 2003 and to this day it is still my favorite tour to tell people about. While walking through the South End, Alyssa tells the history of the area while stopping at mom-and-pop restaurants, everything from American comfort food to Puerto Rican and Venezuelan. It’s a very unique take on the area and one I know you will enjoy and want to tell your friends about. Wonder through Harvard Square and take a walk along the Charles River – Established in 1636, Harvard is America’s oldest institution of higher learning. Walk around the campus and through Harvard Square where you’ll find many unique shops and restaurants. Two of my favorite shops are the Harvard Coop (if you’re in the market for some Ivy League attire) and Leavitt & Peirce Inc. where you’ll find everything from games and tobacco products to toiletries and unique gifts. After spending some time in the Square, walk south on JFK Street and turn left along the Charles River. Cross the river to walk through the Harvard Business School (my favorite part of Harvard) or continue along the river for a panoramic view of the Boston skyline. Get lost on Beacon Hill – This area of the city is quintessential Boston with beautiful Brownstones along gas lit cobblestone streets. Make sure to find Acorn Street which is said to be the most frequently photographed street in the country (the best photos are from the top looking down the hill). Be care, the locals along this street bite! At the base of Beacon Hills is Charles Street. Here you will find great independent stores and cafes but my favorite spot is Toscano. Mingle with the who’s who of Beacon Hill at one of my absolute favorite restaurants in the city.
If you are here in the summer months, make sure to take a side trip to Provincetown, Massachusetts; known to many as Ptown. My hotel is only a few blocks away from the Boston Harbor Cruises high-speed ferry to Ptown so in just 90-minutes you will be in a town that has welcomed the LGBT community for decades. To get a true understanding of Ptown you have to stay over at least one night (although you’ll want to stay for one of the many theme weeks throughout the summer). The Red Inn or 8 Dyer are my two favorite hotels. Some must-do’s while there… Tea Dance at the Boatslip, a night of dancing at The A House (it’s been around forever… check out the wallpaper in the bathroom!), and finish your night with a slice of pizza at Spiritus (gluten-free folk need-not-worry… it’s worth going just for the after-club “show”).
What’s something people would be surprised to learn about Boston?: Boston is an incredibly open-minded city. As the capital city of the first state in the US to recognize same-sex marriages, you’ll be very comfortable here and I know you’ll want to come back.
Nathan Goff, Chief Concierge at Boston Harbor Hotel
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