Boston and Priceline,and misc questions
 

some background =)
Im a 29 year old single woman and am planning my first trip by myself in July. Im very much looking into Boston.
What I'm looking for...with a budget! =)
-a place where i do not have to rent a car and can depend on decent (and safe) public transportation to take me about anywhere
- definitely a hotel/inn in a great location where i can experience an array of things to do and see walking distance without the price killing me
-parks where i can possibly have picnics
-relaxing beach to visit
-down to earth bars, young adult scenes
-can't stand humidity but from what i heard both cities have it- less would be preferable
-museums, art galleries, theaters are not a priority but surely would be enjoyed
-an active night life that doesnt necessarily have to be dance clubs

Here's the thing- Is the humidity really that bad in Boston Mid July? How are evenings like?

Also, I was advised to definitely go through Priceline. Ive never used it before and by playing around on the site it looks like they wont give you the name of the place. Do you know how i would be able to narrow it where i can have a room with specific amenities- only because a microwave and mini fridge are a must.

Also, i know that there are a number of different "areas" to stay at (i.e. Bay Back,etc) Obviosuly i don't know the difference between all the areas, but is it safe to say that it is easy to check out the majority of the areas easily by foot or by using the "T"

Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated! =)
Thank You!

Around this time of year everyone starts to ask for budget hotels in Boston. Please do a search here and you will get some of your questions answered (enter Boston lodging or Boston Budget).

While shopping for hotel in Boston area, be very mindful of commuting issues if you choose, for price, to stay outside city. Mileage in Boston is deceptive - it can take 45 minutes to go 5-10 miles driving or on public transport. There are several hotels in Dorchester (some listed as South Boston) which would meet none of your criteria -not especially safe after dark, not walking distance to anything.

Some other answers - Priceline will not let you pick amenities before you "bid". Once your bid is accepted you own that hotel room for those dates and your credit card is charged.

Much of what you want can be found in the Downtown/Back Bay/Copley areas - no car needed.

No relaxing beach to visit on easy public transportation in Boston. City of Boston is on a harbor, not a beach in sight. Some alternatives are to take water shuttle to one of the Harbor Islands - nice walking paths, some shoreline, but not a traditional beach and I would not swim there, even if permitted. MBTA has a train to Manchester's Singing Beach - takes almost an hour - and then you walk to beach. All opther North and South Shore beaches I can think of may have MBTA train to town of beach, but then you have to deal with miles to actual beach.

Humidity - pick someplace else unless you are very lucky. Boston is hot and humid in July.

Boston has an array of free and low priced summer events that would meet your budget needs, once you get the lodging, beach and weather issues resolved.

What are you talking about when you keep referring to "both cities"?

"both cities" is a leftover from an earlier post that was cut-and-pasted.

Beaches that are reachable by subway in Boston include those in Revere and South Boston. Being in urban areas, they are usually crowded (if that's incompatible with "relaxing"?). I think you can still get to Nantasket Beach in Hull via a ferry from Boston.

If you absolutely must have a microwave and fridge, then Priceline is not for you. But many hotels that don't otherwise promote it, will provide a mini-fridge upon request.

In mid-July, Boston is more humid than at other times of year, but "that bad" depends on an individual's perceptions and on the weather patterns of a particular day.

Try the Chandler hotel.Good value for money.Paul

To learn about what hotels people are getting with Priceline in Boston, what they are paying, and general Priceline strategies, please visit the sites BiddingForTravel.com and BetterBidding.com .

As bizarre as it sounds, you can probably buy a mini-fridge and a microwave for under $100 total (or, buy a cheap ice chest and a microwave - free ice at the hotels). If it comes down to not using Priceline because of that, I would factor that into your budget by comparison. Priceline could save you more than $100 depending on how long you are staying - and you might luck out and get a hotel that offers them anyway. There are a few zones that might have a Residence Inn-type hotel with a kitchen as well - look on the bidding sites above for more info on that.

On my only visit to Boston I got a Holiday Inn in Brookline for $55/night with Priceline - but that was five years ago. Great location though - right near a T stop, not far from things.