I'm travelling with another single mom and our two boys (ages 8 and 9) to Boston in mid-April (arriving either the 15th or the 16th of April). We're driving from Connecticut, so will have our car. We'd like to stay in a hotel with an indoor pool. I searched through the Fodors site for hotels in Boston with pools, and there are a bunch. Would you suggest even considering Cambridge, or would this make it too complicated to get to downtown? How about the Doubletree Guest Suites on Soldier's Road? We do have a budget (so the Charles' Hotel is out!), but would consider paying up to $180 a night per room. Any suggestions?

No specific suggestions, but be aware that those dates are Patriots Day weekend - Boston Marathon. An exciting time to be in Boston, but hotels get scarce and some are more expensive. Cambridge might be a good choice if near MBTA. Soldier's Field Road is not easily accessible to downtown.

What an exciting weekend to be in Boston! But also, an especially impossible one to DRIVE in Boston. I agree with Gail, your best bet is to find a place that's handy to a subway stop. Anything in Cambridge that's near a Red Line stop would be fine.

Also, I think that the Doubletree on Soldiers' Field Road, although not handy to the T, does provide a shuttle to Harvard Square (which is a destination in itself as well as having a subway stop in the middle), so just ask them. As I recall, their pool is on the roof in a big atrium, so much more pleasant than pools in dark indoors locations.

And don't forget to factor-in parking fees when you investigate hotel rates.

The Colonnade downtown Boston has a pool on their roof I believe..but as they are saying..it's a very exciting and busy time to be in Boston.

The Royal Sonesta in Cambridge has an outdoor and indoor pool, and even though it's in Cambridge, it is very convenient to all of Boston - just across the bridge. Also very close to the Science Museum (walking distance) which your boys WILL LOVE. The Hyatt Cambridge also has a small pool. You can also take the T.

The Westin Copley Plaza has a small indoor pool which my boys swam in last November when we went. They had it all to themselves which was great.

i would think the Marriot Long Wharf would be the ideal place for kids - large indoor pool, plus the hotel is right on the harbor, right next to the New England Aquarium, and there is a small park on the waterfront nearby. The T stop is in the basement of the hotel.

Just one more idea. The Holiday Inn on Beacon St. Brookline has an indoor pool. Parking is free I believe, and the marathon runs right past the hotel. It's on the T, about ten min. into town, and in a very nice, residential area. Don't know what the prices are, but if the Marriott Long Wharf is too expensive, this one may be fine. I agree that the Long Wharf would probably be the best for you and the boys, but it's fairly pricy. Have a great visit.