allietoo

My daughter is captain of her Crew Team and her Ohio high school eight boat will be rowing in Head of the Charles this year. I would like to go and be supportive and though fairly "well-traveled," have never been to Boston. My husband hates everything about both Boston (business trips) and regattas he has attended so far, but we have Marriot points so he may be willing to go with me. Is there a nice Marriot -easy commute distance to the race (8-boat?)
We would like to avoid renting a car as we will be flying 3 people, an unplanned for expense. We do have a load of Marriot points so it can be an otherwise expensive, "nicer" Marriott though convenience is also a big consideration. Suggestions for a good seafood dinner and any recommended sites would also be appreciated.
(The team members are likely to be traveling earlier as a group and staying together so I may be able to "sell" this as a nice romantic weekend.
Thanks for your help.

wyatt92

You can walk down to the Charles from the Copley Marriott, it's a very nice hotel and centrally located.

For seafood, there's Atlantic Fish very close to the Marriott. The best might be Neptune Oyster in the North End, fabulous lobster rolls.

yk

My recommendation would be the Marriott in Cambridge (address: 2 Cambridge Center). It is located right next to the Kendall station, which is 2 stops from Harvard Sq.

I went to Head of the Charles last year and it was a beautiful day. I find the Anderson Bridge is the best spot for viewing, IF you don't need to be at the finishing line.

What's your budget for seafood dinner? In the Cambridge side, Dolphin's Seafood near Harvard Sq is a budget option.

yk

You can walk down to the Charles from the Copley Marriott, it's a very nice hotel and centrally located.

Head of the Charles races START at BU Bridge, which is about 2 miles from Copley. It ends 3 miles westward in Allston. The Mariott Copley will not be as convenient as the Marriott Cambridge.

yk

Let me clarify a bit, the Marriott property cloest to Harvard/Head of the Charles, is actually the Marriott Courtyard Cambridge on Memorial Drive. At that location, the Head of the Charles race actually goes past the hotel, and you can definitely WALK to the river to watch the race. However, I dislike that location because it's incovenient to get to without a car; or to get to anywhere else. The closest T station @ Central Sq is 0.8 miles; plus it's a Courtyard.

The Marriott Cambridge is at Kendall Square in Cambridge, on the Red Line. It is 2 stops from Harvard Sq where you can easily walk to the river to watch the races.

The Marriott Copley is at Copley Square in Boston, on the Green Line. To get to Harvard Sq, you need to take the Green line all the way into downtown Boston, change for the Red Line, and ride all the way back out to Harvard Sq.

wyatt92

OK, it's a long walk but it is centrally located within Boston. Anyway, you might have to check out several Marriotts because it's a very busy time of year and hotels do fill up.

travelbuff

Since that weekend in Boston is VERY busy, I'd suggest you call Marriott and find out which hotels that they will have available on points. Alot will be sold out for points already I am guessing.

Good luck and have a GREAT time.

yk

I just went on Marriott.com to take a look. If I put in 10/16- 10/18 (Fri check in; Sun check out) for 3 persons using Marriott Points, both the Marriott Copley and the Marriott Cambridge still have rooms available (Cat 6; 30k points per night). However, the Courtyard Marriott Cambridge is not available.

The other Marriott properties w/rooms available by points are NOT the ones I'd want to stay at. They are too far out and incovenient. So, please book your hotel ASAP if you still want to use your points. Hotel rates for that weekend are $300+.

socialworker

Very helpful on your part, yk. Sometimes it is hard for people to realize how small Boston is when an event such as this one strains the ability of hotels to accommodate the demand.

If that is the wknd after Columbus Day, then that is traditionally Parents' Week-end for Tufts and BC, as well, if I am not mistaken. Those events also have people competing for rooms.

socialworker

I just checked and it *is* the Tufts Parents' Wknd, but not BC's.

Ackislander

All of yk's advice is excellent.

The main thing is to book immediately. The city will be very full, and the alternatives to Marriott points will be expensive.

If you are on a budget, Atlantic Fish and Neptune Oyster are not for you. Dolphin Seafood (Mass Ave on the eastern edge of Harvard Square) is.

From the Marriott in Kendall Square, you can get anywhere in Boston quickly with a cheap T pass, including the airport, where you can buy a multi-day pass on arrival that will take you all around and get you back.

If the weather is good, this event is fabulous. Your daughter will be competing amongst the best in the world. Tell your husband that unlike many events, it is pretty well organized with relatively little down time between races. No particular need to get there early, as it is a long river bank and there is plenty of space to view the races, except on the bridges themselves.

allietoo

Thanks for all the advice. We have a booking using points at Marriott Copley Place. We can "splurge" for dinner-especially as I think daughter will have at least one team only dinner-she's not big on seafood; we are!