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Boston hotel in May - Suburb and using the T-line

Boston hotel in May - Suburb and using the T-line

Old Mar 24th, 2017, 10:14 PM
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Boston hotel in May - Suburb and using the T-line

I am planning 7 days trip in southern New England this May with my daughter after her college graduation. We will drive from NYC on May 20th to be back on May 27th, planning to spend 3 nights s in Boston and 4 nights on a the a road trip in CT and Ri.

I started looking at Boston hotels for that week of May 20-27 and I am not sure I want to spend $400+ a day to stay in Boston downtown or the water front although I love to.

I will look into staying at Boston suburbs and outskirts, hoping to find a 3 stars hotels and use the T-line. As long as we will feel comfortable in the area, it will be fine if we spend 30-45 mins to commute to the freedom trail and other tourist sites. I hope that the hotel be near a T station with a parking so I can leave the car there but I am assuming this is a common and ‘safe’ practice. Saving several hundred dollars in 3 days will balance the inconvenience and the commuting time. Our itinerary is flexible so our 3 nights stay at Boston can be during any day between Saturday May 20 to Friday May 26 either on a week days or the weekend.

Does this make sense? Any thoughts and feedback are appreciated.
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Old Mar 25th, 2017, 05:16 AM
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Yes, it make sense, as long as you're OK with it. Others may be more helpful with specifics, but there are several areas in the western suburbs where hotels are near T stations, so it's a simple matter of a short drive from the hotel to the station lot and parking, then doing the reverse on the way back.

I think the last time I went to a Sox game, we used the Dedham station, and I'm pretty sure there was a hotel there. That's just one example.
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Old Mar 25th, 2017, 05:37 AM
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Hyatt Medford has availability for the last part of your trip for around 275/night. Medford square is safe with many restaurants in walking distance. They do have parking at the hotel. You will need to drive ( unless there is a bus to the T station Wellington station ) you can ask the hotel. The t station has outside parking and is a 10 minute drive from the hotel. Medoford is 10 minutes with out traffic into Boston.
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Old Mar 25th, 2017, 05:43 AM
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that should be a five minute drive with catching all the lights to the t station
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Old Mar 26th, 2017, 02:59 AM
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There is a Hilton within walking distance of MBTA commuter rail in Dedham.

There is a Holiday Inn and a Courtyard on the Green Line C branch in Brookline. Lots of places to eat in Coolidge Corner.

There is a "budget but stylish" hotel at the end of the Green Line D branch at Riverside. This is a very beautiful route, but it is a l-o-n-g way out there and not convenient for food.

There is a Residence Inn on Longwood Avenue in the Fenway. It basically backs up to the Fenway Park Green Line stop. Prices might be okay if there is no home game or graduation.

Actually, Medford Square sounds pretty good, especially if you have Uber to get to and from the station.
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Old Mar 26th, 2017, 03:15 AM
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Some general thoughts. You are traveling during peak commencement season in Boston - details below. Distance from central Boston does not always correspond to travel time, and the MBTA lots you are considering often fill with commuters by 8/8:30 AM. However, Uber works very well in Boston area, so add that is a possible transportation option. Beware of hotels that offer shuttle to MBTA - this often works well to MBTA in AM and not so well for return trip. Many of the suburban hotels are on major roadways - so distance to MBTA may be under 1/2 mile, but not genuinely walkable.

I checked some hotels I am familiar with north of Boston. They are listed at $175 range this weekend but $350+ the week you are traveling. You are not likely to escape higher prices during May, since in addition to commencements, it is also just a popular visit time.

As far as general locations, North of Boston I would check out Somerville/Medford area. West - Brookline, Newton. I would avoid Chelsea/Revere/Everett. Although closer to city, the areas can be sketchy and transportation can be more challenging. South of Boston (Dorchester - I would avoid). More south - Quincy/Dedham - people have reported staying there, but I am less familiar with this area.

Commencement dates and impact-
Boston University 5/21 - huge and will impact Boston and areas west

Tufts University 5/21 - impact Medford/Somerville, areas north

Boston College 5/22 - impact Brookline, Newton

Harvard - 5/25 Cambridge and higher prices in Boston. And it is just prior to Memorial Day weekend.

Of note is that Brown University (Providence, RI) is 5/28 and hotels in Providence and surroundings fill a year in advance.

So I would do your RI/CT portion of trip first and then head to Boston area. If you find a great deal on a hotel in Boston area, there is something wrong with it - I almost guarantee it. So check back here to get info before you commit.
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Old Mar 26th, 2017, 08:43 AM
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We stayed near Coolidge Corner when we'd visit Harvard Med. I think it was the Marriott Courtyard.
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Old Mar 26th, 2017, 09:05 AM
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Hyatt Medford has availability for the last part of your trip for around 275/night. Medford square is safe with many restaurants in walking distance. They do have parking at the hotel. You will need to drive ( unless there is a bus to the T station Wellington station ) you can ask the hotel

The 96 or 94 take you to Davis Square and the Red Line. Easier than driving or bussing to Wellington, depending where exactly in Boston you are trying to go. The 96 goes all the way to Harvard Square, as well. The 95 to Sullivan Square is also an option if you are looking to connect to the Orange Line.
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Old Mar 26th, 2017, 05:37 PM
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Thanks all for your responses and the wonderful tips and info. I couldn’t get to work on Boston hotel yesterday but I did that today. I couldn’t find a double bed room in 3-starts hotel for less than $300/night in Medford, Newton, Somerville, Brookline, ..etc. I found relatively less expensive prices at Dedham, Winthrop. I would like to stay at Winthrop if I found a dbl-bed room available and Dedham is a kind of long drive to Boston.

I ended up making two free-cancellation reservations at:
- Quality Inn- Revere: total $633 incl. taxes for 3 nights.
- Best Western TLC-Waltham: Multi nights special 5/23-5/26 total $545.

I was about to research the two area and the transportation options. The first is driving from Waltham to Boston and parking downtown, or driving up to the subway station and leaving the car there until we return from Boston. The second option is taking the T-line from Revere if we stay there.

Then I saw the informative post that suggests to avoid Revere. Gail, I really appreciate the advice and I will cancel Revere reservation. Also the commencement dates you provided are very helpful. Thank you.

Now there is a new option which is AirBnB. I found 1 room apartment in downtown crossing area in Boston close to Boston Common Garage. My daughter and I would like the convenience of being in downtown. Parking will cost me $32/day extra at the garage. It will end up about $850 total 3 days a little bit above budget.

Assuming the rent is legitimate, is there is a problem staying in this area? This will be vs staying at BW at Walthham.
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Old Mar 27th, 2017, 01:53 AM
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I just checked out location and TripAdvisor reviews of Revere hotel. I think you can add it back to your possible options. It is on a busy highway and seems to be an OK place to just sleep. Absolutely nothing in area except low-end chain restaurants, big box stores and traffic. They allege they have shuttle to MBTA Wonderland stop (check an MBTA map) - I think I might use that during the day and cab or Uber back from Boston at end of day.

Waltham location is fine - but commute in by public transit is more challenging. But there are some decent restaurants in Waltham.

The Downtown Crossing AirBnB is a wonderful location. You could save some money since it has a kitchen and be able to return during the day if you wanted to. It is walking distance to almost everything you would want to see and steps from MBTA stops. If you can swing the budget, I would pick that.

And I forgot to say before - enjoy this trip with your daughter. My daughter and I took a trip after her college graduation. Bittersweet and exciting time. When she falls in love with Boston and New England, remind her that winter lasts 6 months and most of us who live here are going a little nuts wince winter is not yet over (high temps this week 45-50, grey, rainy)
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Old Mar 27th, 2017, 08:42 AM
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Grab that Air BnB. Excellent location for the T and getting all over Boston.
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Old Mar 27th, 2017, 04:18 PM
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Gail and HappyTrvlr, I have reserved the Downtown Crossing AirBnB location. Thanks for your helpful feedback which validated the chioce. Although it went a a little over the budget but I believe it is worth it.

gail yes I expect the trip with my daughter to be bittersweet as you had experienced with your own. We had many road trip before. Now she fell in love with NY and looking for job there. Oh well they just grow up fast.

Thanks everybody who responded trying to help and res.
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Old Mar 27th, 2017, 04:31 PM
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While I generally think the Downtown Crossing AirBnB should be good to excellent, it would be helpful if you posted a link to the property. There are a handful of streets in that area that are nightlife oriented and could be less desirable as a result.
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Old Mar 28th, 2017, 04:09 PM
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Thanks travelgourment. I did some research before reserving the property, it is located across the road from Boston Common by Park st station. I hope this area is really as great as the reviews say.
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Old Mar 28th, 2017, 04:16 PM
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Sounds like an excellent area. I think it is just that there are many dark allies in the Greater Downtown area and quite a few vagrant areas the homeless hang out. If you're park front you will be fine. One of our favorite mid priced restaurants is down the street. Teatro. I find everything on their menu to be enjoyable and the restaurant group trains excellent staff

http://www.teatroboston.com
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Old Mar 28th, 2017, 04:52 PM
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I'm guessing it is fine. And being located near the Common is as central as can be. It isn't a safety issue in any case (IMO). It is just that there are some bar and club areas near Downtown Crossing where street noise might be a nuisance, especially weekends (including Thursdays). If you sleep soundly, it won't be an issue.

FWIW, I used to live 3 blocks from the Common and love the area. JM Curley's is definitely worth a stop for drinks and/or food.

I think it is just that there are many dark allies in the Greater Downtown area and quite a few vagrant areas the homeless hang out. If you're park front you will be fine.

Oh, I wouldn't make too much of that. I have never felt unsafe anywhere in the area, homeless people or not. And maybe I am willfully naive, but real estate prices in the area suggest that it isn't considered an issue by most. I mean, Millenium Place is maybe a block and a half from St Francis House, which always has homeless folks milling about, and (IIRC) every single unit in Millenium Place sold for over $1m.
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Old Mar 28th, 2017, 04:55 PM
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well tg it sounds like you weren't really concerned about the location but just nosing around for a link to the rental
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Old Mar 28th, 2017, 05:11 PM
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well tg it sounds like you weren't really concerned about the location but just nosing around for a link to the rental

Not in the least.

As I made clear, it isn't a safety issue, but a possible noise issue and the extent of the problem would vary street by street, so some precision is helpful. We lived 4 (short) blocks from one major club (and within a dozen blocks of several major clubs), and the neighborhood message board was always filled with complaints of noise and foot traffic from nightlife, even though we rarely heard or saw anything. It is just something to consider if you are in the area and in a building that may not be soundproofed.
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Old Mar 28th, 2017, 05:36 PM
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good, thanks!

I took it a little wrong I guess. I've worked ALL hours of the days of the week for the past 30 something years and know many sketchy roads. I have been stalked by a triangle gang and ran to a chinatown restaurant for protection. And I mean no disrespect lumping all homeless together. I've just run into plenty of junkies over the years and ladies and gentlemen of the night and bad scenes at nightclubs
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Old Mar 29th, 2017, 06:20 AM
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That location should is fine, as long as you use common sense. Downtown Boston is very safe. I used to walk or take the T from Back Bay to the North End at 11 PM at night and never had any problem.

The area is fantastic - you can't really have done any better. It's right by the State House, the Omni Parker Hotel, the Freedom Trail, everything. Check out the Marliave for drinks and food http://marliave.com/home/ (at night), Clover Food Lab for a quick bite https://www.cloverfoodlab.com/, and Paul for coffee. http://www.paul-usa.com/en/
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