Would like to put my "two cents" in.... everybody is right...Boston is expensive,your coming peak season for the Head of the Charles, leaf peeping, etc. etc. and now I have read that because of the new convention center Boston is a very, very desirable site.. Boston is walkable, try checking out bed and baths in the South End.Oh yes...if you have a favorite restauant in mind.. b ook it now..

Ackislander presents some interesting suggestions. I checked car rental rates for 1 week starting 10/13 at Logan and at 2 alternate city sites. You might save $30-50 for weekly rental, but I would not go thru the hassle for that much savings - and then you have to know where you are going on the drive thru Boston.

Many Bostonians would not share his/her romantic assessment of riding the Green Line to Riverside - but perhaps that is because we have to do it, and not choose to do it.

The airport is probably worth a look for your cost/location problem. The Airport location is ugly, not near anything - like most airports. But it can be a lot cheaper. A word of caution about the advertised "shuttles" - we have had several instances in other cities where they did not work as advertised - so be prepared to pay for a cab to/from MBTA if that happens - cost for cab should not be that much as it is close.

It's too early for fall discounts to be posted by many hotels nationwide. Last year, I couldn't find anything decent in San Francisco for under $300 when I was looking 6 months in advance. About a month before my arrival, many of these same places had specials for $150!

Gordon: Personally, I'd rather stay in a B & B, studio or event the B & B previously metioned on the T line in Somerville say, than Logan Airport - but that is personal - you can stay at Logan, there is a water shuttle that lvs from the Hyatt and goes across to the waterfront / Aquarium side of the harbor -
I take the bus shuttle when I fly into Logan, to the water shuttle, and then head into town or the south shore that way - so whether or not that bus that goes around the airport terminals, stops at the T stop, water shuttle, etc - stops at all hotels, you can check on line on logan airport or mbta websites

you can also when looking at lodging use
www.hopstop.com - and go to Boston as your city -
you can plug in addresses and it tells you how to get from point a to b by either walking, bus or T
so that might help you when lookign at places and options and add to it the water shuttle option.

Watch out for hotels with Boston in their name, but the address is not in Boston proper (could take you half hour to get in town) or address in Chelsea, which is the next town over from Boston (next to the East Boston which is where the airport is located.)

If you are only spending a long weekend in Boston you want to be close to the attractions you want to visit. Rememeber, public transportation can mean a bus, a train, another bus - plus its on a weekend schedule - which will mean less availability.

Dan makes a very good point. I booked a hotel in San Francisco several months ahead and could only get a "special" for one of the 2 nights...a queen-bed room for $169 for one night and $229 for the second night. A week or 2 ahead of the time, I re-checked their site and was able to get a king-bed room with a separate couch, seating area *plus* continental brkfst for $209/night. So no matter what you book---unless you do it thru Priceline or some booking service---periodically check to see if any specials or packages become available.

Also ditto to what Gordon said.

Sorry--I meant ditto to escargot!!

As noted above, many hotels with "Boston" in their name are not actually in Boston; some are in distant suburbs. Likewise, some hotels with "Airport" or "Logan Airport" in their names are not anywhere near the airport grounds, so check on the specific location.

The Head of the Charles is October 18 & 19 in 2008. The OP is traveling on October 10-13; since Columbus Day will be observed on Monday October 13, the OP is traveling on one of the busiest weekends of the year.

Hi anon....I also thought the 13th must be during Columbus Day week-end but when I looked it up on the interent calendar, it indicated that Monday the 8th is the holiday. I was surprised at how early it is.

http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/

Well, I am an idiot. As noted in my post above, I was looking at dates in 2008.

Well, it is hard to know the peak times in all locations we are interested. Though what I do, if I see a high rate in a city I check other dates. When we are locked into specific dates, often we will be paying high prices.
FYI, I've never been to Boston, but knew that was peak fall color season just by reading travel magazines/ forums.

Try the Chandler Inn hotel.Great neighbourhood.We paid 569 $ for 4 nights.It's located in the heart of Boston's historic south end.Since this is your first visit I advise you to book the Old Town trolley the first day.You can get on/off all day and the drivers our great guides.the next days you can visit the things you found really interesting in depth.Paul

Dear Anonymous--anyone can make a mistake! Don't be so hard on yourself!! :) You are always so helpful to Boston visitors.

Thanks, socialworker. But I did have a temporary attack of idiocy. Head of the Charles is always a week or two after Columbus Day.