Hi all,

We will be visiting Boston in March this year (29th and 30th) and I am having a hard time figuring out hotels so I'm hoping for some help please.

A lot of the hotels are $$$ for this timeframe but we want to be fairly central. We have been to Boston for a couple of days last year and stayed in Jurys then. It's $$$ now though and TBH we found it a little far from things such as shopping etc. This time we're looking for something a bit more central but I'm not sure where we should look.

I have found a couple of non-refundable deals - the first one is Nine Zero at $382 incl taxes (or $487 refundable) for the two nights. The second deal I have found is the Intercontinental at $360 incl taxes non-refundable ($551 refundable).

My question is, how are these hotels for location? I know that the Intercontinental is on the Harbour and is new but I can't remember how long the walk would be to say Filenes? Is the Nine Zero better located?
Secondly, should I just go ahead and book one of the non-refundable rates or wait and see if other deals appear nearer the time and just book the refundable Nine Zero rate as a backup?

Normally I don't like booking non-refundable rates but I don't want to be kicking myself later on for not booking them later.

Just to give you an idea, we will probably do a little shopping and will be doing some sightseeing too (not sure where exactly yet). We hope to go to the Improv Conedy Act on the Saturday night and have a return visit to Finales on one evening.


Thanks for all help!!

Nine Zero is certainly more centrally located, for Finale and for shopping in Downtown Crossing.

Alas, Filene's is no more: the regular store chain was absorbed by Macy's, and the original Basement store has closed. There's a new-ish Filene's Basement on Boylston Street, but I hear it's just like any other store in the chain.

Oh no, I'm VERY sorry to hear that Filene's Basement is gone - we got LOTS of fantastic bargains there last year.

What is your opinion re booking the non-refundable Nine Zero rate now versus waiting to see what appears nearer the time? What do you think the chances of some new deals appearing are?

Thanks for your reply!

Those rates seem high for March, unless something is going on that weekend. Since NineZero has a $169 promotional rate through March 23rd, that would be my guess.

In the winter, Nine Zero is probably the better location. But, the Improv is moving February 15th to Central Square, and the Intercontinental is convenient to the red line.

If you're talking about Filene's at Downtown Crossing - it's gone.

Try the Chandler inn.Great location.Paul

I'm not an expert on Boston, but I stayed at the Intercontinental for a couple of nights in August 2007, and I loved it. The hotel was beautiful with a beautiful view - clean, fresh, comfortable and modern. I also was worried when I booked it that it was not a convenient location. I was wrong. We walked everywhere.

The Intercontinental is a couple of stops away from the red line of the T. We easily walked to Quincy Market, Fanueil Hall and the Common. Of course, it was August, so I don't know how cold it would be at the end of March.

Nine Zero is a block or two from the Park Street station, which serves the Red and Green subway lines. As noted above, Central Square in Cambridge is on the Red Line.

There's nothing special going on that weekend, that I know of.

onlyme..
I think you should keep looking. For example Orbitz is showing a rate of $215 for the Nine Zero for those dates, so I'm not sure where you found your 'deal'. I believe the Orbitz rate IS refundable.

You should be able to find a good hotel in the Copley area for $200-250 which would be central. You could also try Priceline and Hotwire.

Jane

have you tried the Taj? It's the old Ritz carlton on the corner of newbury street and arlington. It is a GREAT location and the rates are always reasonable.

I just checked the taj and you can get a room for $165! i am telling you, it is the best kept secret in boston (well, maybe not anymore!)

The Taj! and Filene's Basement in its new location is fine if you hit it when the better stores have shipped the leftover sales.
In the new Filenés, I have bought a Chanel scarf, jacket and two skirts. a Lanvin silk/cashmere top.
An Etro and Gucci scarf for a good friend who has seen me through dark days.

Improv Asylum (North End) has not moved and you can walk there from the downtown hotels. Improv Boston(Cambridge) has moved from Inman to Central Square.

I think the OP said that Nine Zero was $382 for the TWO nights inc taxes so that's a good deal. It's in a good location and I love the hotel. The bar and restaurant are good too.

oOPS- yes, you're right. That is a good deal. The taj is also a good deal. Can't go wrong with either.

If you stay at the Taj, it overlooks the Public Garden
and sits on the corner of Newbury Street.(across from Burberry's) and a few steps to Boylston(Hermés) and further up Anthroplogie and Barney's in Coply Place Mall. These Streets are where all the better shopping is.

I would totally avoid the Park Plaza. Although the location is really nice, the value is minimal. One shock was the cost of the valet ervice -- about $25 a day. If you need to get something from the car, they charge you to bring the car down. Ouch.

The hotel was originally a hospital, and the size of the rooms reflects this -- they are small and narrow. For $275, we had a cramped room, although with wonderful linens.

I was also grossed out when I saw the accumulated gunk under the bed and beside the nightstand when I got down to retreive something I had dropped.

In this price range, I would pop for the Four Seasons.

WOW, LOTS of replies - thank you!

I haven't gotten through them all in detail but I just want to quickly make a few comments:

The rate for Nine Zero is through their own website and is indeed for the two nights fully inclusive of taxes.

I e-mailed a managers of one of the hotels in the Intercontinental chain and she can offer me a rate of $208+ taxes refundable for the INtercontinental Boston (not sure if that makes a difference ???)

Would you chose the Taj over Nine Zero??? I know they are different types of hotel but thoughts appreciated. Also, I read that some of the rooms are refurbished but the $169 rate seems to be for the un-refurbished rooms - would this make a difference?? Should I book the NIne Zero or hold off and book a back-up instead? Thanks for the tipoff BTW ecash!

GREAT that there are still some bargains to be had in the 'new' Filenes ... there's hope yet

TKT - I'm a bit confused over the two Improv places - do you have any idea which one is on on the Saturday night?? We were in Boston for First Night last year and saw one of the Improv comedy acts in the Convention Center and thought it was hilarious - are we right in thinking that this show will be the same kind of thing? OR ... is there some other show we could / should go to on either the Sat or Sun night? I'm having a hard time finding anything as we're not really into musicals (although REALLY enjoyed Jersey Boys ..prob because it's a 'different' kind of musical) and we have already seen the Blue Man Group twice (which we loved BTW).

Ok, this has turned out longer that I aimed ... hope there are still a few of you reading .

Again, advice is greatly apprecaited.

It won't help you on this trip, but the original location of Filene's Basement is due to reopen sometime in 2009. They are constructing a new building on top of, and next to, the existing building and so the store is closed temporarily during construction. Hope this makes you feel slightly better!

Ah ha, Slow_Wanderer - even more reason to return to Boston!!!!
Glad it isn't the end of Filene's - we couldn't believe the bargains we got there ... esp. coming from Ireland where prices are €€€€

I can't speak to the refurbished/not refurbished rooms (I'm assuming you meant that question for the Taj?), but the Taj is the old ritz carlton, which was the grand dame of Boston. I would think that even one of the non-refurbished rooms would still be prety nice, but, again, i can't say for sure. We have stayed there twice since it became the taj and we think it's a great deal. I was a big fan of the Ritz though. The lobby is the same, alot of the employees are the same, and the service is the same, at least for us. The first time we stayed at the Taj, we stayed in a suite that my husband said looked tired. I thought it was fine. Maybe that was a non-refurbished room? the second time, my husband said "this looks exactly like the rooms when it was a ritz" so maybe that was a refurbished one? Can't say for sure though and i'd hate for you to get a room that was really tired.

I have stayed at Nine Zero. The rooms are nice, but pretty small. It is minimalistic-- think a "W" type hotel. It's a totally different feel-- more hip- while the Taj is more old school.

If it were ME, i would absolutely stay at the Taj, but that is my personal preference. I love being on Newbury Street and I love the Ritz-feel, I mean Taj ;-).