Rana25

Hi everyone,

I'm planning a 4-5 day trip to Harvard for a conference so I'd like to make the most of my time there. Can you suggest an area to stay in for easy access to Harvard and other attractions? I won't have a car so walking or public transport are my option. Also, hotels are pretty pricey there, is there a way to get a good deal somewhere?

Thanks

nytraveler

You can look at the discount sites to see which hotels are offering deals on your specific dates, but to stay in a decent place in a central area of Boston is never really cheap.

What nightly budget are you looking for?

travelgourmet

Good deals without a car will be tough. Boston/Cambridge seems to have a real lack of hotel space. A new convention center was built a few years back and convention traffic has exploded. Unfortunately, hotel space hasn't kept up. Add in a strong economy and Boston hotel rates are among the highest in the country.

As to easy access... Well, that may not align with the "good deal" request. You can always check the hotels in and around Harvard Square, but I believe they tend toward the more pricey end. There are some hotels in Kendall Square that would work, but prices have become absurd there, and availability is tough at times. There is also a Meridien in Central, but it is less convenient to the Red Line.

Anything in Central Boston would work, though the Back Bay hotels will require a longer ride on the T to get to Harvard (or take an Uber). Still, they would be great as a location for any days outside the conference. Downtown hotels might work, and can be cheaper on the weekends than the Back Bay, though that is because the area is less suited to tourism (though still not terrible).

If you are really looking to save money, there are some hotels in Quincy that might have shuttles to the Red Line and there are some budget motels in Braintree near the T station. It is the Red Line, so a straight shot and decently quick to get into town and to Harvard. I wouldn't want to do it if I didn't have to, but if the alternative is the Marriott Kendall Square at $750 per night (yes, I have seen rates that high), then I'd seriously consider it.

SambaChula

There are several hotels in Harvard Square itself and many B&Bs quite close by. Choose a less expensive B&B.

You can get into Boston easily from Cambridge on the Red line subway of the T system.

The Boston area is a difficult one in which to find "good deals". Rates are usually high. Try Priceline or a similar site and maybe you'll get lucky.

travelgourmet

One other random option in the fringes would be the Hyatt Place in Medford Square. Medford Square is not exactly central, but the 96 leaves maybe a block from the hotel and takes you straight to Harvard Square - maybe 30 minutes or so on the bus during rush hour. Not ideal, but again it might save some money.

Ackislander

"when" is a crucial question in the Boston area. There are a number of annual events that make it nearly impossible to find any place to stay.

What is the conference hotel and what is their rate? It might be your only option during Head of the Charles and other events.

Are you comfortable with AirBnB? Some people have wonderful experiences, some have bizarre experiences, some have dangerous experiences. Most find it cheaper than staying in a hotel, though your conference hotel will be cheaper than most other hotels.

You need to be within walking distance of Harvard (unless you are going to the Med School it is in a different part of town) or preferably somewhere with easy access to the T Red Line. Buses are fine on some routes, others like the 66 are notorious. This really, really matters in an AirBnB. Nothing worse than being stuck in a dark part of Brighton a long uphill walk from the Green Line.

SambaChula

Google B&Bs Cambridge.
I saw The Friendly Inn, just outside Harvard Square, for under U$200 including breakfast.

Or Irving House nearby.

Or any of:
http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/cambr...achusetts.html

Or Homewood Suites just "over the border" in Arlington, and a short bus ride down Massachusetts Avenue to Harvard Square. (about U$260)

IMDonehere

If you have time be sure to see the glass flower collection at the Harvard Museum of Natural history. It is the most extraordinary craftsmanship I have ever seen.


http://hmnh.harvard.edu/glass-flowers

Rana25

My budget is $250 tops per night but I'm not really comfortable with AirBnB or B&Bs by myself so that makes it extremely difficult. The conference will be at Harvard but they haven't said anything about special hotel rates and I noticed some hotels have 1 room left so I want to make sure I have a plan B just in case.
My first priority is finding something close to Harvard and then I can take a bus if I want to explore somewhere else. If that doesn't work I'll have to venture further.

cw

When are you coming to Cambridge?

Rana25

November 5 to (8 or 9 depending on if I exceed my daily budget or not).
So far the best options are as follows (ordered starting with the lowest price):

Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites Boston Garden
Courtyard by Marriott Boston Cambridge
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Boston Cambridge
Hampton Inn Boston-Cambridge
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Boston - Cambridge
The Kendall Hotel

I'd go with the first option just because it's cheapest if they're all the same.

Thanks

travelgourmet

The Kendall will be, by far, the best location for combining Harvard and some sightseeing.

clarkgriswold

The Courtyard looks good @ $199 per night. If you use a corporate code such as ATT, they will include the wifi.

sf7307

We stayed at that Courtyard a few years ago. While it is a perfectly nice hotel, it is not in the most convenient location (but for the cost savings, you could get around by taxi or Uber I suppose).

lcuy

The Friendly Inn is not bad. Several friends who had kids at Harvard thought it was a great location and good price. I checked their website and they have rooms Nov 5-9. A room with private bath is $177/night then.

cw

The Kendall or the Friendly Inn are the best locations. You can walk to Harvard Square, or from the Kendall, take the Red Line. Easy to get to Harvard and easy to get back to the hotel after sightseeing or dinner.

The Doubletree Suites by Hilton, is across the Charles River in Boston. It is surrounded by major roads. I do think they have a shuttle to Harvard Square. This is convenient at the beginning of the day, but I don't know how well it works at night.

The other hotels aren't as well located for you.

clarkgriswold

The Courtyard is a half mile walk to Harvard, the Kendall is a bit over a mile.

The Kendall has a 15% discount for stays of 3 nights or more.

cw

The Courtyard is at least a mile walk to Harvard Square. It's on the other side of River St. The Kendall is next to the Kendall Square stop on the Red Line, and is in a busy area full of restaurant options.

clarkgriswold

cw is right about the distance and that the Courtyard is more isolated in regards to restaurants etc. But the Courtyard has a shuttle to Harvard, and the hotel just finished extensive renovations. So if the savings of $200 is meaningful to OP,still a decent choice.

cw

The Marriott is a good location too, especially with a shuttle. I guess when traveling alone, I like being in an area with more activity. But $200 buys more than a few cab rides. And in good weather it's a lovely location.