propita

I posted a thread before about Boston, but now it looks like Hubby checked his calendar. So we're looking at the end of March 2013. We're hoping to fly into Boston for 4-5 days, train to NYC for 4 days, then fly out of JFK. Or the other way around.

So now I'm looking for hotel ideas in the Boston area. Hubby's hoping for $150 or less per night. I want to be close to a T station. Reading threads and looking at maps, staying outside Boston seems doable with the T. Any ideas?

We're basically into walking around and looking at things. Museums, gardens, stores, buildings, people, etc. We want to see the Freedom Trail, MIT, Harvard, etc. I thought Hubby might enjoy a tour of Fenway Park and I saw that America's Test Kitchen is relatively nearby, so I'd have to check their schedule of tours (Hubby has a crush on Bridget). Maybe a tour of the Revolutionary War sites? Hubby is highly interested in that though I know there was NO WAY his family was in it.

We'll also need suggestions for food. We don't drink alcohol or party late (yeah, bo-ring, I know). I may have a shellfish allergy--I never had it but reacted to a medication. Hubby likes clam chowder.

You all were of great help this year for our DC/NYC vacation. I'm hoping for help with this one.

I've never used priceline. I'm a bit risk-averse for bidding on an unknown, but am willing to try if I actually knew what to do.

travelbuff

The Harborside Inn right downtown, should fit all your wish list. It is ON TOP of the Blue line T, so you can take it right from Logan and get off at the Aquarium stop, come upstairs and the hotel is right there.

The Freedom Trail is the best way to see Boston, and it starts at The State House and winds all the way 'round downtown out to Chelsea and Old Ironsides and covers most of the major historical sites in town.

The Harborside Inn is just off the Freedom Trail and across the street from Quincy Market, so lots of restaurants right outside your door.

Have a great time and enjoy Boston.

cw

$150 is a low rate for Boston even in March. Hotel room prices vary greatly depending on any conventions or events in town.

In addition to the bidding sites, www.lastminutetravel.com is pretty good for rooms in Boston. The hotels are not identified but usually can be named from the photos and the descriptions. If you do look and need help, check back here.

I would encourage you to stay in Boston rather than outside the city. It will be much easier to get around especially since March weather is unpredictable.

The train will be less expensive the earlier you book. The Acela is about 30 minutes faster but is more expensive than the Northeast Regional train.

dshamritsky

If you want to see some Revolutionary War stuff you should go to Minuteman State Park which is about 30 mins by interstate from boston. Bunker national monument is 10 minutes from the middle of Boston. Have fun with your trip.

Ackislander

You should be aware that March in Boston may still be coolish or cold and it may snow. That won't impact most plans but it is often a huge shock for people visiting from warmer parts of the country.

yk

If you keep checking, I think you have a decent chance of finding a hotel IN Boston proper (ie, downtown, Faneuil Hall, Waterfront, or Back Bay/Copley area) for $150 or less WITHOUT using Priceline. You just have to keep checking for deals (it's probably too early right now). In any case, it's too early to do Priceline for a March visit anyway.

I don't know where you live, but March is usually quite miserable here. It'll still be cold'ish, and brown/grey. Spring flowers don't start until mid-April. So dress warmly.

You can spread the Freedom Trail into 2 separate days. There are guided walking tours of the Freedom Trail if you're interested. The Boston Tea Party ship/museum has recently reopened so you should visit that too. MIT/Harvard/Cambridge can take up an entire day on its own.

Ozarksbill

I see several Bostonians have commented on weather in March which indeed could be dicey for your walking around. We've been in the area for two years now and explored many sites, Freedom Trail, Waterfront, Back Bay etc. But when you say MIT and Harvard I'm not sure there is that much to see walking around. Might mention the MIT museum and certainly Museum of Fine Arts. We often take trolley bus putting us into Harvard Square in 15 minutes but it is for a particular reason such as performance, lecture, dining. Just saying not much to really see regarding Harvard Yard. Well, there are tours giving you interesting info.

Seeing Fenway Park? Right now this long time but disgruntled Red Sox fan isn't much interested! I would agree that you can likely get a room in the city but should do so ahead of time. Though we do drive we use the T when possible. We do like history and go out to Lexington-Concord and such places every so often.

Bill in nearby Watertown

propita

Thanks for the info about places to stay. I will be checking them out soon. We really lucked out in DC, where aaa.com had $65/night for the Fairfax in Dupont Circle--it was supposed to be $265/night! aaa.com guarantees their online rates. YAY!! I do not expect I will ever get a deal like that again. sigh.

My husband works full-time, but also teaches at the local college--so we have to plan around his schedule. That week is spring break, so...well, that's kinda it. Unless he decides to stop teaching.

And thanks for the info about the weather. We're in Fresno, CA. It gets cold in winter--no snow but nights are often below 35 F. Summers are hot--we've been well over 100 F for a few weeks now, another week predicted. Amazing that this is an agricultural area with these extremes.

I'm sure we'll find the buildings themselves interesting to look at, at Harvard or wherever. We're pretty boring, so just walking around is interesting to us. Years ago, we were at Huntington Library/Gardens in San Marino, CA, and while everyone else was ogling the gilt furniture, Hubby and I were looking at the window frames! The docent was quite pleased to describe the building and architecture, she said she rarely got the chance and laughed when Hubby said the Louis XIV furniture was "too gaudy" for his tastes.

All help is appreciated!!

Deb15July

You might also check the College Club of Boston. It's more like a B&B (continental breakfast included) and it looks like the prices are comparable to Harborside. The rooms are large and it's very convenient...on Commonwealth Ave. near the Public Garden and a T station.

Cranachin

You could try the Hotel Buckminster. It is near Fenway and on the Green Line.

http://www.bostonhotelbuckminster.com/

cw

It's early to get a deal, but you might make a reservation you can live with in advance, that is refundable and that you can cancel without penalty. Then you can keep looking for a better deal.

Other lower cost options are the Newbury Guest House, the John Jeffries House, the Midtown Hotel, and the Boston Common Conference Center (though it's located in Copley Square).

That said, I plugged in random late March dates (24-28) on last minute travel. I see the the 3.5* Back Bay Hotel for $109 is the Marriott Copley Place.
The 4* Back Bay hotel for $135 is the Hilton Back Bay.
The 4* Back Bay hotel for $116 is the Colonnade. That would be my choice.

There are others and many can be id'd from the photos. You get better service if you phone LMT and read the fine print but I think they have a good cancellation policy.

Good luck!

propita

OMG! How do you know what photos to compare? That is so very cool!

This has really helped!

cw

Look at the photos on the hotel websites. For the Colonnade the restaurant in the hotel is identified in one of the photos--Brasserie Jo. The name is on the floor.
You can see the Marriott name in the atrium photo and the pool photo with the three vases is the same as on the Back Bay Hilton website.

I'm pretty sure these reservations can be cancelled without penalty, not sure of the timing.

Those are excellent prices for Boston.