I will be flying in to Boston on July 26 with my 2 children 6 & 10, for 4-5 days. I'm meeting my husband who will be sailing into some port in Boston (possibly commercial) from Europe. Can anyone reccommend a nice hotel or inn or suite hotel(not expensive-if there is such a thing)that's child friendly
in a safe neighborhood? I know absolutely nothing about Boston.

First off, welcome to Boston. If you are planning to come on July 26th and have no reservations to date you may have a problem. Near the Cruise Lines area docking (you weren't specific if he was on a Liner) there is the Seaport Hotel - brand new but not cheap. Can you get a Corporate rate through either you or your husband's firm. You could rent a car and stay in the suburbs - approximately 20-30 miles outside of the city. There is a Ramada Inn in Bedford, Ma which is near all the attractions for Lexington and Concord. You also have access to most major highways from here for getting around.
This is an older hotel/motel that was bought by Ramada but has dining facilities and I believe an indoor pool. Also, coffee, bagels, McDonalds, sub shops etc. in area.

There is also a Travelodge in the same area which always seems full so it must not be too bad.

If you want to look into other locations, let me know.

Another hotel near the wharves is the Marriot Long Wharf. Not sure if its cheaper than the Seaport, but it might be. You also could check the Park Plaza. Its furthur away, but I believe the rates are more reasonable than most. Its near the theatre district, and walking distance from the public garden. Both are in safe neighborhoods.

You would get cheaper rates staying outside the city, but a lot of that would be eaten up by car rental and parking. Unless your plans call for daytrips, you probably should try to find something in your price range in the city. Sometimes its a little cheaper to stay across the river, in Cambridge. I believe there is an Embassy Suites which could fit the bill. At least then you are still near mass transportation.

If you're looking for things to do with the kids you can take them to the Aquarium and the Childrens museum which are both near the waterfront. Or go on a whalewatch. They also might like the Science museum. And I've heard the Boston Duck tours are really fun.

Doubletree Guest Suites just across the river in Cambridge is popular with families for the facilities and the rates. Be sure to shop. I found a weekend rate in August at the new Seaport Hotel for an unbelievable (for Boston) weekend rate of $139! I think I found it at their website. Or, maybe www.expedia.com

Connie, I don't know if this matters very much, but the Doubletree Guest Suites in in Brighton, across the river from Cambridge. It's a beautiful hotel but there is very little near it. They run a shuttle van into the city I think, but you'd need a car for the most part.
The Marriot Long Wharf is probably expensive, but it's right on the harbor and next to the Aquarium, Faneuil Hall, etc. Great location!
If you want to be in the burbs but still avoid car rental, try the Newton Holiday Inn which is next to the terminus of the Riverside T line.
You might also explore B&B's in the Boston/Brookline area. Most are booked through agencies which you could find in a basic web search, and you might find more comfort and better rates than the basic Boston hotels. The last I heard the average rate for hotel rooms in Boston was about $175/night! Yikes! Good luck.

Connie-

I don't know what the rates are, but there is a Howard Johnson's in Brookline on Beacon Street. There is a subway stop right outside the door, and it is only 10 minutes to downtown from there. Also, that area of Brookline (known as Coolidge Corner) has lots interesting artist's shops, cafe's, etc. You would definitely not need a car, and I find that area interesting and convenient. Keep in mind that Boston is very crowded right now because of the Baseball Allstar game and the Davis Cup, you may have a difficult time finding a room. Good luck.

Connie, one more correction from the above post...the hotel is the Holiday Inn at 1200 Beacon Stree, Brookline. The rest of the post is absolutely ture, it's a terrific location but just far enough out of the center of the city for some relief. There are two Howard Johnsons in the Kenmore Sq. area but the neighborhood is more urban (not less safe, just more urban).

If you do have trouble with reservations, you may want to consider as a "last resort" a couple of "guest houses along Beacon Street not too far from this Holiday Inn. One of them is called "Beacon Street Guest House", and I can't recall the names of the other two. From the outside they look exactly like "brownstone" apartment buildings. They don't have all the services of a hotel, but do have clean rooms which are less expensive. Good luck, and have fun in Boston, it's my favorite city (which is why I moved here!)

Gee, no one know for sure - but they're making all sorts of recommendations!

dear Ralph,

Wha?

The original poster asked for recommendations, and that's what she got. The question didn't warrant a definitive answer, only recommendations for a place to stay. So, it's perfectly okay that "no one know for sure" (sic). The above posters were helping Connie (unlike you, Ralph! now cut it out, you're giving us New Englanders a bad name!).

Now, for my attempt to address the actual question: I am familiar with the Coolidge Corner Holiday Inn and Guest Houses in Brookline mentioned above. The Holiday Inn is a very nice one, and the neighborhood is a safe, good location. However it is usually full, and rather pricey.

The guest houses are adequate, if you only plan on sleeping there (my relatives have used them). They have no restaurants, no pool, etc. buy can save you some money. Whatever you decide, have fun in Boston!

Connie -- and anyone else interested in finding more about Boston -- please visit our new Hosted Forum (starting this afternoon!) on Boston.

Jennifer Paull, our resident expert on Beantown, (and the editor of our upcoming Fodor's Boston 2000 guidebook), will be hosting.

Hope to see you -- and your posts -- there!

Kanika P. Chopra
Associate Producer
Fodor's Travel Online

Ann-

Thanks for catching my mistake. Of course I meant the Holiday Inn, I can't imagine why I said Howard Johnson's. Sorry Connie!

To Ralph,
When I (or other kind contributors) state not to know for sure about a hotel, what I mean is that, because I live in Boston, I have not been a guest at any of the hotels that I may mention. I probably know more about the location, local reputation and public facilities of some of them are, but I just can't say for certain what the rates are or how comfie the beds are!

For example, each day on my drive to work I pass what appears to be a charming, small inn in Brookline. I have not stopped to check out the rooms nor ask the rates, but that is not to say I can't draw someone's attention to this place (it's called the Bertram Inn on Sewell Ave. in Brookline. Does anyone know more about it???). I feel that just because I can't vouch for a specific inn or hotel I can still add some information to someone who might not even realize, for example, that Brookline is an excellent location for a tourist who might not want to be in the heart of downtown. I still think it is valid for those of us who are local to help out folks who might want to visit...even if we can't say for sure how firm the beds are or what the going room rate is.