Boston
 

I am planning a girls trip with a friend for the month of November. Probably the week of November 9th. We are in our 40's and like hip restaurants with great food and atmosphere. Shopping and museums. We have both been when we were younger

Can anyone suggest area where to say that is near shopping and good restaurants. I was kinda surprised at how pricy the hotels where. More than NYC. I guess out budget would be in the $ 400 range. Something close to the subway line.

Any suggestions on restaurants. Again, we like trendy. Of course we will want to do lobster that Boston is so known for. Any suggestions? Any neighborhoods we should see?

Any advise would be helpful. Thanks

Maybe if you give your exact dates, people can make exact suggestions within your price range. Is sharing a bed an option?

I've been to Boston twice. The first time I stayed at Boston Marriot Long Wharf which is within walking distance to the North End. The second time I stayed at the Courtyard Boston Copley Square which is in the Back Bay area. Both near subway lines. I liked both areas.

I have used a website called Last Minute Travel for hotel bidding. You won't know the hotel until you book it and you have to pay up front. However, there is often a cancellation option (read it before hitting submit) so you are not necessarily stuck with it. Also, it's often possible to figure out which hotel is being offered based on description and photos. I actually used it for my second trip to Boston but then cancelled (and got my money back) when I got a better deal with a Marriott discount.

I recommend seeing the North End neighborhood. I also think walking Commonwealth Avenue is nice.

<i>Can anyone suggest area where to say that is near shopping and good restaurants.</i>

The best shopping is in the Back Bay. The best restaurants are kind of scattered, so hard to recommend. On the bright side, everything is pretty close, so you won't be far if you stay centrally.

<i>I was kinda surprised at how pricy the hotels where. More than NYC. I guess out budget would be in the $ 400 range. Something close to the subway line. </i>

There may be some sort of convention or other event that week. Prices are somewhat high. Is the $400 per room/per night? If so, then there are some good options under $400, including the Eliot, the Sheraton, and the Taj. The Charles Hotel or Hotel Veritas in Cambridge wouldn't be terrible locations either.

<i>Any suggestions on restaurants. Again, we like trendy.</i>

What do you mean by trendy? Hipster? Swanky, nightclub feel? Modernist cuisine?

I'm into the first and the last, but if you are looking for a see-and-be-seen place, I'd probably not be much help and, frankly, that isn't really the Boston food scene.

With that in mind, and with a focus on food quality, restaurants that I would still consider current in one way or another (cooking, buzz, etc.), off the top of my head would include: Clio (been around for ages, but the cooking remains very current), Hungry Mother, Puritan & Co, Asta (love this place), Journeyman, Island Creek Oyster, Blue Dragon (no reservations), Row 34, Bronwyn, Bergamot, Alden & Harlow, Bondir, West Bridge, Myers + Chang, and O Ya.

<i>Of course we will want to do lobster that Boston is so known for. Any suggestions?</i>

How do you want it? A lobster that you crack open and eat with corn, etc.? In that case, the best places tend to be out of town, but Yankee Lobster, which is a big commercial seller of lobster has a small restaurant. Alternatively, Legal Sea Food is reliable - with my preference being for the first floor of Legal Harborside.

If you want something different, I like the lobster BLT at B&G Oysters. Island Creek also usually has a lobster dish or two, though not whole lobster that I am aware of.

I have had a number of friends stay at The Liberty and they all enjoy it. It's not cheap - $300 / $400 a night, so I'm not sure if that was your budget for the night or the week. It has a great location on Charles Street and used to be a former prison, so it's a very neat design concept. Plus it's not too far a walk to mass transit and the shops and dining in the neighborhood are very cute!

Have fun! :)

Thank you all for your suggestions. I will most likely be going the November 9-12 or 3 days the week of Nov 17. The cost of hotels don't seem to vary for either week. I know we will spend at least $400 a night and it is what it is. I am now trying to figure out what part of town to stay in and a nice hotel suggestion.

Thank you Travelgourmet for your detail. Perfect! You nailed it seen-and-be-seen and I get it that is probably not much. We enjoy great food with a nice atmosphere. Just like you said something with a buzz. I always like to do one with a buzz w/good food/atmosphere and then an institution or something that has been around a long time.

Yes to the lobster that you crack open and eat with corn. I remember last time we had to clean it. So either ready to eat or cracked. Not to picky. Just like to try it all. I will look at your suggestions

Thanks BostonBlondie. Def looking into the Liberty

To do? Freedom trail? Is that doable in Nov? Any other museums that you all suggest?

Thanks again!!!

<i>You nailed it seen-and-be-seen and I get it that is probably not much. We enjoy great food with a nice atmosphere. Just like you said something with a buzz.</i>

Island Creek Oyster may be a good bet.

<i>Yes to the lobster that you crack open and eat with corn.</i>

I'd probably go with Legal Harborside. It is basically a different restaurant on each floor, and you want the first floor.

<i>I am now trying to figure out what part of town to stay in and a nice hotel suggestion.</i>

I like the Liberty as a hotel. Very nice rooms. It is also very popular as a nightspot for the middle-age crowd. If you want to do real dance clubs, then the W or Revere Hotel (or Four Seasons) are the best choices. The W is pretty nice.

But, really, anything in the Back Bay or Beacon Hill would be fine. The South Boston waterfront hotels are more corporate, but still walkable to much of the city. The Financial District isn't a terrible option, but further from shopping and the area is a bit dead on weekends. Really, though, the main parts of the city are all within a couple of miles of each other, so it isn't like any of the main options are terrible. Just don't be tempted by anything labeled "Other City-Boston", as these are in suburbs.

I just checked the Last Minute Travel website and there are several hotels listed for less than $400 per night.
#1 - Revere Hotel Boston Common - $294. per night (available)
#2 - Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers - $190 (on request but keep checking as things change daily on this site)
#3 - Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Boston/Tremont - $275. available
#4 - Hotel Marlowe - $303 available

Check out the website (www.lastminutetravel.com) and if you see something I would book it ASAP. Check the cancellation policy as it is usually 3 days prior to check in date you can cancel w/out penalty.

I have booked several hotels thru this site and they are reliable. You can call them and they are helpful on the phone and will tell you the name of the hotel if it is listed as "no name". Also use your ipad and you will get more info there.

As travelgourmet has indicated, the listings can also include outside Boston and you don't want these.

Good luck.

Boston definitely very walkable and you can do Freedom Trail in Nov. I suggest the trolley tours as well as you can get on/off and visit the sites.

The Marlowe is pretty inconvenient. The Revere hotel is even worse. Don't book those.

I think the Freedom trail is doable in November, as long as its not pouring rain. that would be unpleasant.

I like travelgourmet's food suggestions. I second the idea of the first floor of Legals Harborside for your lobster...its such a great location. The other possibility would be Jasper's Summer Shack, which might be more convenient if you end up with a hotel in the Copley/Prudential area. I love the pan roasted lobster at Jasper's...its still a crack your own lobster in the shell, but the butter sauce its served in is delish.

I'm trying to think of trendy/hip restaurants...I wonder if Ribelle would be worth the hike out to Brookline? I've not been, but that seems to be a place everyone is talking about, and reviews are good. Island Creek is, of course, a great choice. Row 34 is newer, from the same people, and is definitely getting a lot of buzz...probably one of the toughest reservations in town right now.

<i>The Marlowe is pretty inconvenient. The Revere hotel is even worse.</i>

In what way is the Revere Hotel inconvenient? It probably has the highest walk score of any hotel in Boston! Do you consider the Four Seasons or Park Plaza inconvenient? They all are right next to each other.

<i>I wonder if Ribelle would be worth the hike out to Brookline?</i>

Ribelle has a lot of buzz, but it is hipster food, not the sceney kind of place the OP wants.

For really swank, but with an older, even suburban crowd, Ostra is probably the new king of plush. Super expensive. Liquid Art House may work as well, but can't comment on the food.

I would grab the Park Plaza, especially if upgrading to Tower rooms. It gets very mixed reviews on TripAdvisor, but the location is great and unless you are really particular about the hotel, the cost difference and location would make it my choice. Save your money and spend it on food and fun. (We hosted guests there this summer and they said it was fine)

There are two medical conventions going on both of those weeks. The first with 9,000 estimated attendees (plus it overlaps with a smaller 4,000 meeting), and the other with 18,000.

So I would probably make a reservation soon, and if something else opens up later, you could cancel.

The Revere isn't in the most charming immediate area but it is only a block away from the Common and Public Garden. It is known for it's larger than average rooms and is in a safe walking area.

Often the cheaper rooms at the Park Plaza are their petite rooms.

I apologize, I made a mistake re: the Revere, I thought it was IN Revere. It is, indeed, in a good location.

china_cat, I wonder how often that mistake is made by potential customers? Or maybe they don't know there is a Revere, Mass.?