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The Verb Hotel in Boston too far from downtown and great restaurants?

The Verb Hotel in Boston too far from downtown and great restaurants?

Old Sep 3rd, 2014, 06:13 AM
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The Verb Hotel in Boston too far from downtown and great restaurants?

My hubby and I are tentatively planning a trip in October to Boston and read great reviews on The Verb Hotel. With the close proximity to Fenway Park, is it too far from downtown and great restaurants?

We are looking to do a lot of walking (vs public transit) and spending time exploring Boston's architecture and enjoying restaurants and shopping!

Can we stay at The Verb and explore on foot or do we need to take public transit to tour the areas around it?

Feel free to recommend any other hidden gems that are in the same range of $300ish including parking (ie. are there any other hotels less than $400 or $500 ++ per night?) that are contemporary and downtown.

The Verb looks unique and one of a kind. We are also open to staying at The Verb for a few nights midweek and a downtown hotel on the weekend.

Thanks for your help!
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Old Sep 3rd, 2014, 07:12 AM
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Wow, I think that's the old Howard Johnson's, completely refurbished. It must have opened recently. The location is fine. Its not as central as the Back Bay places, but its really not too far. You would be about 15 minutes walk from Back Bay/Copley place. There are some very nice restaurants in walking distance, that area having been renewed quite a bit in the last couple of years. Island Creek Oyster Bar, Eastern Standard, Deux Ave, Petit Robert Kenmore, Trattoria Toscana, Citizen's Oyster Bar are all within easy walking distance and are quite nice. There are a number of more casual choices as well.

You could easily get a cab to points further downtown. Or pick up the green line at the Kenmore T stop (maybe a 10 minute walk) or the Yawkey stop (a 5 minute walk, but trains are a little less frequent there).

If you do stay there, please do come back and let us know how it is. I'm very curious as it is so new.
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Old Sep 3rd, 2014, 08:03 AM
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Yes china_cat it's the old HoJo refurbished so it looks cool and rates are not as high altho valet parking is steep ($39 per nite).

I posted my q on TripAdvisor too and got one response so far (not recommending) so your response is encouraging. I will check out the restaurants you mentioned too!

What is the area like for walking at night? Guess we like to be central altho may be we will stay here a couple of nites mid week and try to book somewhere either:

Back Bay ... or Downtown/Faneuil Hall/Waterfront Area

for the weekend and just expect to pay outrageous rates

Any of the above areas you would recommend over another to be central and in walking distance to see lots of architecture and tour the city on foot, with great foodie options?

Thanks china_cat!!
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Old Sep 3rd, 2014, 08:10 AM
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I think it opened in August. It looks nice from the outside and has gotten some good press.

Another good nearby restaurant is Sweet Cheeks, which serves barbecue. But you are near lots of good eating places.

Besides the subway, there is a bus that goes right by, and, I think goes to the Boston Common through Copley Square.

I'm not sure it's worth changing hotels. Parking costs will be high unless you leave the car in the Boston Common Garage, which has somewhat reduced weekend rates.
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Old Sep 3rd, 2014, 08:12 AM
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You don't need to move.

You can get anywhere from there easily, there are excellent restaurants nearby, as you have heard, and there is mall-type shopping galore in the Landmark Center and new trendy developments nearby.

I would not walk in the Fenway Gardens after dark. Otherwise the area is fine, and the Fenway gardens ( not the term locals use but it explains what they are) are fine during daylight hours.
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Old Sep 3rd, 2014, 10:24 AM
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yeah, $39 for valet parking is pretty normal in Boston, you won't save much by moving. You might be able to find cheaper parking nearby, at least for the weekend. Not so much on weekdays when you are competing with commuters for parking.

I have to admit, I'm generally in the neighborhood for Red Sox games, and there are always lots of people around. I'm not sure what its like when the Sox aren't playing. I don't think its sketchy at all though. The area around Fenway has definitely become a little bit gentrified. Plus there are lots of students from nearby BU, Berklee, and Boston Conservatory. So I think its fine to walk around at night.

I probably wouldn't bother to change locations, I really do think you will find it fine. I wouldn't move to Back Bay, that's just so close, it doesn't make much sense. I suppose somewhere inthe Faneuil Hall/waterfront area might be nice (NOT the Seaport, which is even less central than Fenway, and harder to catch mass transit). Someplace like the Marriot Long Wharf would make for a nice change, and put you close to the Freedom Trail. Or maybe someplace near the Common, such as the Omni Parker House. (both those hotels just offered as location possibilities, not particularly recommending them although I have stayed at both and they are fine).
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Old Sep 3rd, 2014, 05:44 PM
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Thanks cw, just checked out Sweet Cheeks menu, yummy pork belly tray!

Ackislander and china_cat, we don't usually consider more than 1 hotel in one trip. It looks like The Verb is booked for the weekend so we may have no choice so will look at a different area for the weekend, altho keeping in mind we will probably be paying a lot more per nite!

china_cat, quickly checked out dinner menus for Island Creek Oyster Bar and Deux Ave. Looks like our kind of restos and walking distance too!!
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Old Sep 3rd, 2014, 07:53 PM
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I live in the very middle of Boston. I have walked from the Verb to my house. It takes around half an hour. Even shorter to the Back Bay. I have walked home from there after dark without problems and would do so again. Not an issue.
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Old Sep 4th, 2014, 02:46 AM
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Try not to come the third weekend in October, which is Head of the Charles Regatta. The hotels will be filled with tall, muscular rowers of both genders from around the world. What's not to like, right? but there will be no room in the inn!

On weekends, without special events, the downtown/ financial district hotels may be more available and cheaper.
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Old Sep 4th, 2014, 06:42 AM
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oooh, Ackislander has bingo...I bet that weekend you looked at was booked because of Head of the Charles. That's going to make it very hard to find rooms, even downtown. And pricey.
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Old Sep 4th, 2014, 03:57 PM
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Yes Ackislander, I guess I will be checking out the tall muscular rowers. china_cat, there is availability, it's just finding options that are not $500 + per nite and yes you're right $40 per nite for parking is the norm. Also trying to book one hotel vs 2 (so may not be able to report on The Verb) as don't think we want the hassle of switching hotels and having to move the car

Also, I am not impressed with The Verb's customer service as I sent an email over a day ago asking a couple of questions and have received no reply!!
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