Boston, Newport, Capecod, Martha's vineyard...final help needed
Feb 24th, 2008, 02:48 PM
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Boston, Newport, Capecod, Martha's vineyard...final help needed
Continuing planning our family trip of 10 adults (my parents anniversary-5stars level)the more I read...the more confused I get...it's very hard to decide when you don't know the area, the distances between places, etc...
First question: I've narrowed the Boston Hotel to The Lennox, The Boston Harbor Hotel, the Eliot or the Fairmont Copley...¿?
second: where is it better to sleep?? in Newport or in Cape cod?? which is the nicest hotel? (I loved the Castle Inn, but escargot was right and it's better to be walking distance instead of being so far away...)
please help me...
First question: I've narrowed the Boston Hotel to The Lennox, The Boston Harbor Hotel, the Eliot or the Fairmont Copley...¿?
second: where is it better to sleep?? in Newport or in Cape cod?? which is the nicest hotel? (I loved the Castle Inn, but escargot was right and it's better to be walking distance instead of being so far away...)
please help me...
Feb 25th, 2008, 09:45 AM
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OK, I have no idea about your itinerary but of your Boston choices I'd go with either the Fairmont Copley or the Boston Harbor Hotel.
Probably the nicest hotel on the Cape is the Chatham Bars Inn in Chatham.
Other than Castle Hill, the Chanler in Newport is the nicest, closer to downtown but not super close.
In the Portsmouth area, stay at the Wentworth Hotel in New Castle, it's very nice.
Probably the nicest hotel on the Cape is the Chatham Bars Inn in Chatham.
Other than Castle Hill, the Chanler in Newport is the nicest, closer to downtown but not super close.
In the Portsmouth area, stay at the Wentworth Hotel in New Castle, it's very nice.
Feb 25th, 2008, 12:25 PM
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Try www.gonewport.com for info. There are several hotels on the harbor: Marriott is prob best. Right downtown.
Feb 26th, 2008, 07:46 AM
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sorry! as it's my 2nd post on this Boston trip I just continued narrowing down my choices and didn't repeat my itinerary:
trip to celebrate my parents anniversary: 10 adults-5 couples. all flying to boston. the idea is to spend 5 days there, make a day trip to cape cod and then go to newport (or some other place) for another 2 days (one of them probably make a day trip to martha's vineyard) As soon as I decide the hotels I'll ask them to help me with the city tour of boston, the mansion tour, the Boston-Newport with luggage departure and everything as I don't know how else to get this service...
thanks
trip to celebrate my parents anniversary: 10 adults-5 couples. all flying to boston. the idea is to spend 5 days there, make a day trip to cape cod and then go to newport (or some other place) for another 2 days (one of them probably make a day trip to martha's vineyard) As soon as I decide the hotels I'll ask them to help me with the city tour of boston, the mansion tour, the Boston-Newport with luggage departure and everything as I don't know how else to get this service...
thanks
Feb 27th, 2008, 05:18 AM
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You might try to do a little research to help narrow your questions. Use the SEARCH option at the top of this page to narrow your search. This will allow you to read previous posts which may answer many of your questions. Also, you might try reading tripadvisor.com forums. I always find that a good guide book or two that I can travel with, helps immensely when going to a new location.
Feb 27th, 2008, 06:15 AM
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I'm not quite sure what your question is, but you should spend at least one night on Cape Cod. There is a lot to see on the Cape, and you won't be able to do much as just a day trip from Boston. Realize that Newport is a small city, and can be seen in 2 days, the Cape is about 60 miles long with many small towns, beaches, lighthouses, etc. Spend a night or two in Chatham, Wellfleet, or another town on the Cape.
Feb 27th, 2008, 10:45 AM
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Carlota:
I would choose the Eliot or the Fairmont Copley.
For a group your size, both of those are easy walking to many things, esp if one or two want to shop for an hour or so while others rest or if some want to go to , say the Boston Public Library and see the Sargent Murals and the new exhibit, while others shop - lots of options nearby
The Gold floor at the Fairmont offers a good 'meeting space' when there is a group - to 'regroup' , discuss, have coffee, cocktail, etc - which is nice. The Eliot does not have this specifically, but the suite rooms have living room areas with a bar, etc - but if you'd rather be able to do that, have that 'meeting and hang out space' outside of your rooms, I'd vote for the Gold Floor at the Fairmont.
I forget, did you say you would fly to MV or wanted to do a day trip from the Cape? MV is a day trip from the Cape by ferry - and at that one long day to see the island, but is doable - sorry, my memory fading - what month is this?
This matters in the where to go from Boston - and what your interests are most -
Newport can also be a day trip from Boston, as can the Cape - depends on what you want to see.
Sorry this post might be too late to help, I was away without my laptop
Sleeping in Newport or Cape Cod depends on what you want to do - site seeing on the Cape (dunes, beaches, small shops, musuems of certain types, hiking, golfing) vs. Newport (mansions, museums, shopping, etc) are there certain historic preferences?
Total days I forget: Can you do 4 nights Boston, 2 Newport, 2 or 3 Cape?
If not, and you don't want to move around that much, I don't know that I think you can see enough of the Cape in a day or two to really 'feel' the Cape, but that depends on your interests -
a day trip to the Cape is doable (mid week better) depending on the month - if high season, I'd say take at least 2 dys b/c of traffic and amount of people
Boston: Fairmont or Eliot - unless water view is important to you , you can then go with Harbor Hotel but I think location of other two are better for walking and 10 adults if they want to run and see some things separately or someone wants to return to hotel
Newport: maybe you can all stay in Francis Malbone House - if not, Viking Hotel or any of the others along the waterfront and get your waterfront hotel here - Goat Island has a lovely hotel and easy transport over to downtown but you wouldn't walk from there -
Cape: if you are going to do day trip to MV, stay near ferry unless you are flying - then look at options via Cape Air
or fly Cape Air from Boston to MV and do your overnight there and forget the Cape and really enjoy the island
- make a day trip to Newport
to celebrate my parents anniversary: 10 adults-5 couples. all flying to boston. the idea is to spend 5 days there, make a day trip to cape cod and then go to newport (or some other place) for another 2 days (one of them probably make a day trip to martha's vineyard) As soon as I decide the hotels I'll ask them to help me with the city tour of boston, the mansion tour, the Boston-Newport with luggage departure and everything as I don't know how else to get this service...
thanks
I would choose the Eliot or the Fairmont Copley.
For a group your size, both of those are easy walking to many things, esp if one or two want to shop for an hour or so while others rest or if some want to go to , say the Boston Public Library and see the Sargent Murals and the new exhibit, while others shop - lots of options nearby
The Gold floor at the Fairmont offers a good 'meeting space' when there is a group - to 'regroup' , discuss, have coffee, cocktail, etc - which is nice. The Eliot does not have this specifically, but the suite rooms have living room areas with a bar, etc - but if you'd rather be able to do that, have that 'meeting and hang out space' outside of your rooms, I'd vote for the Gold Floor at the Fairmont.
I forget, did you say you would fly to MV or wanted to do a day trip from the Cape? MV is a day trip from the Cape by ferry - and at that one long day to see the island, but is doable - sorry, my memory fading - what month is this?
This matters in the where to go from Boston - and what your interests are most -
Newport can also be a day trip from Boston, as can the Cape - depends on what you want to see.
Sorry this post might be too late to help, I was away without my laptop
Sleeping in Newport or Cape Cod depends on what you want to do - site seeing on the Cape (dunes, beaches, small shops, musuems of certain types, hiking, golfing) vs. Newport (mansions, museums, shopping, etc) are there certain historic preferences?
Total days I forget: Can you do 4 nights Boston, 2 Newport, 2 or 3 Cape?
If not, and you don't want to move around that much, I don't know that I think you can see enough of the Cape in a day or two to really 'feel' the Cape, but that depends on your interests -
a day trip to the Cape is doable (mid week better) depending on the month - if high season, I'd say take at least 2 dys b/c of traffic and amount of people
Boston: Fairmont or Eliot - unless water view is important to you , you can then go with Harbor Hotel but I think location of other two are better for walking and 10 adults if they want to run and see some things separately or someone wants to return to hotel
Newport: maybe you can all stay in Francis Malbone House - if not, Viking Hotel or any of the others along the waterfront and get your waterfront hotel here - Goat Island has a lovely hotel and easy transport over to downtown but you wouldn't walk from there -
Cape: if you are going to do day trip to MV, stay near ferry unless you are flying - then look at options via Cape Air
or fly Cape Air from Boston to MV and do your overnight there and forget the Cape and really enjoy the island
- make a day trip to Newport
to celebrate my parents anniversary: 10 adults-5 couples. all flying to boston. the idea is to spend 5 days there, make a day trip to cape cod and then go to newport (or some other place) for another 2 days (one of them probably make a day trip to martha's vineyard) As soon as I decide the hotels I'll ask them to help me with the city tour of boston, the mansion tour, the Boston-Newport with luggage departure and everything as I don't know how else to get this service...
thanks
Feb 27th, 2008, 12:30 PM
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thank you escargot and everyone for your really useful posts!!!!!
thank you for suggesting the fairmont copley. Just one question, why does nobody say anything about the lennox? it was my initial choice and nobody seems to mention it...(just out of curiosity) I tried the 4 seasons but it's to the expensive. From the Eliot and the Fairmont, the Fairmont seems nicer on the website. A friend of mine recommended the Meridien but I think it's now the Lagham...
I just received an email from the Viking saying they are full those days...the other option is the marriott, the location is great, but I don't really like the hotel too much..
One question. If we sleep in Capecod instead of Newport, can we go to Newport just for a day (from Capecod? or is it better from Boston?)
Is it better to sleep in Portsmouth?
....
I really can't decide which is the best place (apart from Boston) to spend 2 nights...
If I were travelling alone with my husband I'll without doubt try the castle inn for a night and then go to cape cod and maybe even spend another night in MV, but with a group of 10 it's far mor complicated
Apart from the concierge in the hotels do you know who can arrange the tours and transportation? we will need this at least for a city tour of boston, to take us to newport, and be with us 2-3 days while we visit newport, capecod, MV, portsmouth...
thank you for suggesting the fairmont copley. Just one question, why does nobody say anything about the lennox? it was my initial choice and nobody seems to mention it...(just out of curiosity) I tried the 4 seasons but it's to the expensive. From the Eliot and the Fairmont, the Fairmont seems nicer on the website. A friend of mine recommended the Meridien but I think it's now the Lagham...
I just received an email from the Viking saying they are full those days...the other option is the marriott, the location is great, but I don't really like the hotel too much..
One question. If we sleep in Capecod instead of Newport, can we go to Newport just for a day (from Capecod? or is it better from Boston?)
Is it better to sleep in Portsmouth?
....
I really can't decide which is the best place (apart from Boston) to spend 2 nights...
If I were travelling alone with my husband I'll without doubt try the castle inn for a night and then go to cape cod and maybe even spend another night in MV, but with a group of 10 it's far mor complicated
Apart from the concierge in the hotels do you know who can arrange the tours and transportation? we will need this at least for a city tour of boston, to take us to newport, and be with us 2-3 days while we visit newport, capecod, MV, portsmouth...
Feb 27th, 2008, 12:32 PM
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sorry, the dates are from the 26th april till the 3rd may
one last question: in that time of the year is it worth taking a boat to go anywhere? (apart from the ferry to MV that is...)
thank you again!
one last question: in that time of the year is it worth taking a boat to go anywhere? (apart from the ferry to MV that is...)
thank you again!
Feb 27th, 2008, 02:00 PM
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I would also give a"second" to staying at Chatham Bars Inn. I think of it as First Class on an Edwardian Era Ocean liner. She's a fabulous Inn and the fact that a jacket and tie are required in the main dining room harkens an era that unfortunately seems to have gone by... Your parents should love it!
Feb 27th, 2008, 02:17 PM
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thanks, I'll take a look at the website. Is it in the middle of nowhere like the castle inn in newport? or is it in the midle of a town (walking distance from shops, restaurants...)
Feb 27th, 2008, 02:24 PM
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ok, April/May :
The reason I personally recommend the Copley or Elliott is because I've stayed at both with groups of family and they worked well, I've never stayed at Lenox, have eaten at Azure, the restaurant, and enjoyed it. It is a good location - if you are happy with that then go with that one. I personally can't speak for it, check out if you want on tripadvisor.com and read the reviews here, and put a new post up - "any info on Lenox HOtel, boston, ma and others" with your other choices if you want specific hotel opinions.
Chatham Bars Inn is lovely.
I am thinking maybe you are better off staying there for two nights and forgetting MV in April/May - the ride over on the ferry - the weather - all iffy in April and May in the sense that it is not warm, island weather (could be, might not) - spend the time exploring Chatham and surrounding area - at least you are on land, can bundle up if you have to, and have more alternatives if weather doesn't go with you.
Newport and Chatham are both about 90 minutes, give or take, from Boston.
Newport to Chatham about 90-120 minutes give or take -
Maybe you would consider 5 nights in Boston, 2 in Chatham, 2 in Newport, and fly out of either Logan or TF GReen - have you made flights yet? Maybe you can fly into TF Green, if the hour of landing is a good one - it is an easy 90 min drive max to Boston - spend the 5 nights there, drive to Chatham, spend 2 nights, on to Newport, and fly out of Providence, which is about 30 min from Newport - or maybe I've just confused your more !
or drive back to Boston adn fly out of Logan....
As far as taking a boat anywhere: at that time of year, seeing what the weather is, I would say check out the schedule of Boston Harbor Isands
www.bostonislands.com
some are not open until May 1 or JUne, but I think George's is open earlier, but I could be wrong - check it out online - or take the salem ferry one day from Boston to Salem, MA to get on the water -
also look on the links above for private group tour boats, etc, there are many and there are links on the boston islands page as well
Then you posted:
"we will need this at least for a city tour of boston, to take us to newport, and be with us 2-3 days while we visit newport, capecod, MV, portsmouth..."
***
As far as looking for "someone" to take you all, ten people, to Newport, Cape, etc and stay with you and take you around - there used to be a Boston Private Tours which would pick you up/drop off at hotel and put together what you wanted - I have no personal experience with any since I live here, but if you google you will likely find some and search and ask on this board if anyone has used any
I would like to think if there is such a service, that the hotels you are thinking of staying in, the concierge would know
As far as someone who goes with you from there to the Cape and on to Newport, I have never heard of such a thing -
I am sure you can get a private guide in each city - but again, have no knowledge.
Why wouldn't you just rent a van or two vans and do the driving yourselves? It is SO easy to drive that time of year from Boston to Newport and/or to Chatham any which combination ??
Then you can stop when you want, great sites along the way, do a drive tour with help from here, AAA, McNally road map online tours, etc -
I can't imagine needing someone in Newport
everything is right at your fingertips and they have a great Transportation Center with all tourism info and transportation options - the mansions are all, for the most part, on Bellevue Ave, a 5 minute drive from Downtown at most - it's just all so easy to get to on your own and walking......
Is there some reason you want to pay a fortune for someone else to drive all of you and plan every day all your stops and trips? There are such nice day trips in each city - tours /guides - and at , for instance, each mansion, museum, these places are so set up for tourists and easy access and parking or public transportation, I would think it would be easier to do on your own
The reason I personally recommend the Copley or Elliott is because I've stayed at both with groups of family and they worked well, I've never stayed at Lenox, have eaten at Azure, the restaurant, and enjoyed it. It is a good location - if you are happy with that then go with that one. I personally can't speak for it, check out if you want on tripadvisor.com and read the reviews here, and put a new post up - "any info on Lenox HOtel, boston, ma and others" with your other choices if you want specific hotel opinions.
Chatham Bars Inn is lovely.
I am thinking maybe you are better off staying there for two nights and forgetting MV in April/May - the ride over on the ferry - the weather - all iffy in April and May in the sense that it is not warm, island weather (could be, might not) - spend the time exploring Chatham and surrounding area - at least you are on land, can bundle up if you have to, and have more alternatives if weather doesn't go with you.
Newport and Chatham are both about 90 minutes, give or take, from Boston.
Newport to Chatham about 90-120 minutes give or take -
Maybe you would consider 5 nights in Boston, 2 in Chatham, 2 in Newport, and fly out of either Logan or TF GReen - have you made flights yet? Maybe you can fly into TF Green, if the hour of landing is a good one - it is an easy 90 min drive max to Boston - spend the 5 nights there, drive to Chatham, spend 2 nights, on to Newport, and fly out of Providence, which is about 30 min from Newport - or maybe I've just confused your more !
or drive back to Boston adn fly out of Logan....
As far as taking a boat anywhere: at that time of year, seeing what the weather is, I would say check out the schedule of Boston Harbor Isands
www.bostonislands.com
some are not open until May 1 or JUne, but I think George's is open earlier, but I could be wrong - check it out online - or take the salem ferry one day from Boston to Salem, MA to get on the water -
also look on the links above for private group tour boats, etc, there are many and there are links on the boston islands page as well
Then you posted:
"we will need this at least for a city tour of boston, to take us to newport, and be with us 2-3 days while we visit newport, capecod, MV, portsmouth..."
***
As far as looking for "someone" to take you all, ten people, to Newport, Cape, etc and stay with you and take you around - there used to be a Boston Private Tours which would pick you up/drop off at hotel and put together what you wanted - I have no personal experience with any since I live here, but if you google you will likely find some and search and ask on this board if anyone has used any
I would like to think if there is such a service, that the hotels you are thinking of staying in, the concierge would know
As far as someone who goes with you from there to the Cape and on to Newport, I have never heard of such a thing -
I am sure you can get a private guide in each city - but again, have no knowledge.
Why wouldn't you just rent a van or two vans and do the driving yourselves? It is SO easy to drive that time of year from Boston to Newport and/or to Chatham any which combination ??
Then you can stop when you want, great sites along the way, do a drive tour with help from here, AAA, McNally road map online tours, etc -
I can't imagine needing someone in Newport
everything is right at your fingertips and they have a great Transportation Center with all tourism info and transportation options - the mansions are all, for the most part, on Bellevue Ave, a 5 minute drive from Downtown at most - it's just all so easy to get to on your own and walking......
Is there some reason you want to pay a fortune for someone else to drive all of you and plan every day all your stops and trips? There are such nice day trips in each city - tours /guides - and at , for instance, each mansion, museum, these places are so set up for tourists and easy access and parking or public transportation, I would think it would be easier to do on your own
Feb 27th, 2008, 02:30 PM
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Feb 27th, 2008, 03:10 PM
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Ok, now it makes more sense to me that you want someone perhaps to drive you, - are you not comfortable driving in a foreign city, etc - buonos noche !
I will ask a few people in town tomorrow if they know of such services - I do know one who used to do it years ago, I will see if she is still around but I think not.
Also, there are other ways to get from point A to point B. For instance, you don't really need a car in Newport - to do the Ten Mile Drive perhaps, but we can find you that in Newport no problem.
Perhaps it would be better for you to go from Logan to hotel - you can do a few day tours once in the city, and a few "self tours" if you like - or have tours planned for each day -
Then, you can get to Newport a number of ways - may even make more sense to go by driver and then on your own or again a few pre planned tours in Newport and again private car service to Chatham or however you plot it all out.
Personally, I think I would take Portsmouth out - unless there is some specific reason you want to see it - Boston, Chatham/Cape and Newport will give you many things Portsmouth would - coast, beach, New England towns....is there a specific reason you want Portsmouth? It is north of Boston while Newport and Chatham are in the opposite direction..... just a thought.
have you looked at gonewport.com and the cape web pages to see what your specific intersts are?
and in the search this forum bar of this page, type in newport, ri and you should see lots of past posts on what to do in Newport. I can't tell you how small and easy it is to navigate - one main road - Thames, off of it all the wharfs (Banister, Bowen, etc) with shops and stores - all the mansions, tennis hall of fame and restaurants/stores on Bellevue Ave - all within walking and/or trolley/taxi easily - walk to Newport Art Museum, old Synagogue, churches....sail the harbor on the Adirondack -
www.sail-newport.com/
also, if you want just a one day private guide - a knowledgeable, historical person who will plan some of it for you and take you, there is one woman I know who can do this - as it gets closer.
was the Frances Malbone house booked? it is such a lovely place to stay - www.malbone.com
how about the Hyatt on Goat Island? that would also give you the few days w/ the water/harbor view
www.hyatt.com
www.marriott.com - (401) 849-1000
Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina - www.newporthotel.com
www.historicinnsofnewport.com
The Chanler at Cliff Walk - www.thechanler.com
I will ask a few people in town tomorrow if they know of such services - I do know one who used to do it years ago, I will see if she is still around but I think not.
Also, there are other ways to get from point A to point B. For instance, you don't really need a car in Newport - to do the Ten Mile Drive perhaps, but we can find you that in Newport no problem.
Perhaps it would be better for you to go from Logan to hotel - you can do a few day tours once in the city, and a few "self tours" if you like - or have tours planned for each day -
Then, you can get to Newport a number of ways - may even make more sense to go by driver and then on your own or again a few pre planned tours in Newport and again private car service to Chatham or however you plot it all out.
Personally, I think I would take Portsmouth out - unless there is some specific reason you want to see it - Boston, Chatham/Cape and Newport will give you many things Portsmouth would - coast, beach, New England towns....is there a specific reason you want Portsmouth? It is north of Boston while Newport and Chatham are in the opposite direction..... just a thought.
have you looked at gonewport.com and the cape web pages to see what your specific intersts are?
and in the search this forum bar of this page, type in newport, ri and you should see lots of past posts on what to do in Newport. I can't tell you how small and easy it is to navigate - one main road - Thames, off of it all the wharfs (Banister, Bowen, etc) with shops and stores - all the mansions, tennis hall of fame and restaurants/stores on Bellevue Ave - all within walking and/or trolley/taxi easily - walk to Newport Art Museum, old Synagogue, churches....sail the harbor on the Adirondack -
www.sail-newport.com/
also, if you want just a one day private guide - a knowledgeable, historical person who will plan some of it for you and take you, there is one woman I know who can do this - as it gets closer.
was the Frances Malbone house booked? it is such a lovely place to stay - www.malbone.com
how about the Hyatt on Goat Island? that would also give you the few days w/ the water/harbor view
www.hyatt.com
www.marriott.com - (401) 849-1000
Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina - www.newporthotel.com
www.historicinnsofnewport.com
The Chanler at Cliff Walk - www.thechanler.com
Feb 27th, 2008, 04:39 PM
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If traveling to newport the chandler is definitely the most beautiful hotel in newport by far. the breath taking view, rooms and dining experience definitely 5 star. But it isnt in walking distance to town. But it is at the beginnig point of cliff walk so u can see the mansion and walk to beach. Since u are traveling with a lot of people u might want to look into the vanderbilt hotel it isnt as classy but it is very nice. the rooms are all renovated. they are designed like a loft they have a bathroom down stairs with living room and bar, upstairs bed and another bathroom. plus a plasma tv upstairs and down. there is a roof top where u can have beautiful views of the water. they also have a beautiful courtyard in the back. The greatest part is that it is all two blocks from all the shops bars and food (thames street)Basically if u want to slurge go to the chandler, but if u want to be able to have more accessibility to everything than the vanderbilt should be the spot. Especially with ten people, u should consider being closer to town so everyone can explore at their own pace. good luck.
