Area of Boston to find hotel for convenience to attractions
 

Hi,
We are going to Boston and wonder what area would be the most convenient to attractions. We want to do some of the "touristy" things, such as the Freedom Trail, trolley, Harvard Square, and the JFK Library and Museum.

Where should we search for a hotel?

Thank you for any tips you can give.

Areas would be called something like Downtown, Copley, Faneuil Hall. With caution they could be called Waterfront - but that could include parts too far south.

They would not include name of any town other than Boston in the actual street address, nor would description of location include anything like South Boston, Dorchester, Chelsea, or airport.

Freedom Trail and any of the trolleys would be walking distance to first suggestions. Also easy to hop Red Line to Harvard Square and JFK Library.

Do search here on Boston hotels and Boston lodging. Keep in mind that hotels in Boston are very expensive and staying outside central Boston area, although often much cheaper, comes with its own real costs in transportation in and time and aggravation costs. Ten miles from outside Boston can take an hour by public transit.

Great information from gail!

You can easily get anywhere by the T, but you don't want to be anywhere that advertises that it has a van to the T, except perhaps at one of the airport hotels.

I would also add that Priceline bidding works extremely well for Boston, unless you are coming during a big college weekend. The two worst times for finding places are the week of the Head of the Charles Regatta (world-class university rowing championships)around the third week in October and the month of May when so many universities have graduation ceremonies.

If you do Priceline, areas #4 and #6 on Boston list would be good options. Priceline's Waterfront/Convention Center would be a distant 3rd choice - public transit from there is more annoying and area is too big to be as sure a shot.

Do not pick from the list of areas on lower right - called something like other great nearby areas - they are neither. (Metro North, south, west, etc)

If you do Priceline, make sure you know what you are doing. Use one of the info sites (biddingfortravel or betterbidding) to get informed if you are not.

Boston Harbor .. Copley Plaza .. Marriot .. Charles Hotel in Cambridge .. Many wonderful hotels in Boston ! Depending on availability and your price range .. One other option you might want to consider if Boston hotels don't work out for you .. There is a Hilton Hotel in Dedham .. walking distance to commuter rail service to Boston .. which offers frequent trains (approx. 17 minute train ride) in and out of Boston to South Station .. which is very central to all areas of Boston .. The Hilton is a nice hotel and offers much should you not be able to book a hotel in Boston !

We stayed at the Marriot Custom House and the location was just perfect. It is a time-share place and can also be rented. They had called us months before we were going and offered it to us for $150 a night (total, no taxes) for two nights if we would go to the 90 minute sales presentation. We were out of there in about 45 minutes. The guy was very nice, but could see that we weren't into it. Anyway, if you put in their address, anything close to that is great.

When we were married in Boston, a few of our friends scored affordable lodging by going for B&Bs. You can do a web search and find some nice ones in the Back Bay. Also, the John Hancock Conference Center has very small, but affordable rooms right by Copley Plaza. Location is great if you're just looking for a clean place to sleep.

You have gotten great, detailed advice from gail. Last year there was someone who used Priceline and got a motel in a *terrible* location that had a very misleading description/name of the neighborhood/area. Pricline neighborhoods do not always correlate to the actual places they purport to represent. Do others on here remember the poster and where he/she ended up? I think it was a Ramada on Morrissey Blvd? I do know that one has to be careful when bidding.

Thank you so much for your help. As suggested, I tried Priceline for the Quincy area. We will be staying at the Hyatt Regency Boston. I am very happy to be near the fun things we want to do.

Colleen - you nearly gave me a heart attack when you said the Qincy area - now I see you mean the Quincy Market area - that is fine (Quincy is also a town some miles south of Boston)

This is a perfectly fine hotel. Be sure to have appetizers in the lovely bar if it fits in to your schedule. We stayed there over one New Years' Eve and it was very nice.

However, location-wise this is why I am leary of Priceline. I would never call that hotel the "Quincy Market" area. It is in downtown Boston.

Our favorite hotel is the Marriott Long Wharf. Views of the Harbor from the rooms.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...tt-long-wharf/

I would HIGHLY recommend the Harbourside Inn, which is across the street from Fanuiel Hall. The rooms are good size and the rates are VERY good.

Good info offered for others, but if the OP has done Priceline, she is already locked in.

BTW, Colleen, do you mind sharing how much your accepted bid was?

Hi,
I received the great rate of $91.00. However, when I tried to extend my stay they would do it for $273.00. The hotel is very nice and I am sorry I didn't book for two nights immediately.

Thanks all.

Did you bid on a 3 or 4 star to get the Hyatt? We are going for 3 nights this Friday, the 8th and have the Doubletree downtown booked at $141 a night right now just through Hilton's website. I think I'll try Priceline before we go and then if I get it then I'll cancel the Doubletree. I've read reviews on the Doubletree and it sounds ok but nothing great. If anyone has any input on it I'd be happy to hear it. thanks

According to the Hotels list at bidingfortravel.com, they Hyatt Regency in Boston is rated 4*, as is the Hyatt Harborside, but the Hyatt Regency in Ccambridge is 3*.

flygirl2 - I think your rate at Doubletree is pretty good actually.

And of course, if you use Priceline to bid for a 4*, even if your bid gets accepted, you are not guaranteed to get the Hyatt Regency.

Looking at the list on biddingfortravel, I think you can safely bid for a 4* for either Quincy Market or the Copley zones. If you want to try for a 3*, stick with the Copley zone only.

I was reading over the posts cause Im going up to Boston 9/20 to stay for a few days and Im going to see the Pats and Red Soxs...very exciting...but anyway..priceline sounds like they have good deals but Im scared that I wont know the hotel till I pay...do you think I should go with that site or just try another one where I know the hotel?? Thanks

I used Priceline for our 3 night stay in Boston this weekend after reading these posts. I tried 4 star at $91 in the Quincy Market area but was denied so I changed it to 3 star and bid $88 and got the Holiday Inn at Beacon Hill. I have stayed there before and it was fine. I had booked the Doubletee downtown earlier at $141 a night and just cancelled it. I saved $170!!

My favorite Boston hotel, in terms of both quality and location, is the Ritz Carlton.

My friend just sent me a link to the Days Inn Boston, anyone have any tips on this one. Im really wondering about the location

The Days Inn in the Brighton section of Boston is not a convenient location for tourists.

NO NO NO to the Days Inn in Brighton. It's in no man's land in terms of public transportation.

Ok thanks a lot! I'll tell her to try again...I might just try priceline. Take my chances