Trying to get my arms around area preferences.

At present looking at hotel in Copely Sq area and now possibly State St/Faneuil Hall (possibly Harbourside Inn).

Suggestions appreciated.

Not a huge difference in convenience, mainly differs in atmosphere.

Copley Sq. is more old Boston, upscale Boston, commercial -- the closer to the Garden/Common the better. You have Newbury St's fency shoppes, the architecture of Copley Sq. itself, the grace of the Boylston area around the Ritz, and out the other way, the Prudential Center mall-cluster of shops, etc. I like staying on Newbury St., gets less pleasant out toward Prudential area, although not bad.

The State St./Fanueil Hall area is now much more tourist-based, but nice and mostly new, nonetheless. You're on top of Quincy Market, boat tours, etc. but further away toward Fish Pier, it gets a little sparse in terms of what's walkable.

I stayed at the Harborside in a few months ago and LOVED it. The room was big and a nice bathroom, very quiet at night, and I had a nice view. The hotel is across the street from Fanuiel Hall so there are lots of options for dining and shopping. The T stop is right in FRONT of the hotel (blue line) and it's a 10 minute walk to the main shopping area.

Boston is small, compared to most other large cities and you can easily walk from the Copley Square area to all tourist attractions so it depends on what you want to see.

Have a GREAT time.

Yeap, agree that you can't go wrong with either location.

Like others said, State St area is closer to Freedom Trail, North End (more historical stuff). Lots of tourists.

Copley is closer to shopping, and where regular Bostonians go.

Since I'm a tourist rather than a regular Bostonian I'll investigate in that direction a bit.

Thanks.

Don't mean to be facetious, but do you really mean you go to see other tourists instead of the real city itself?

Seriously, plenty of tourists AND touristic sites in/around Copley Square -- around the Pru, crawlin' with them, getting on the Duck Tour buses!

What I meant is that many people complain about a place being touristy.

I figure that I'm a tourist and there's nothing wrong with going where other tourists go.

We really liked the Boston Park Plaza, on the concierge level where a nice breakfast and evening cocktail hour is included. It's an easy walk to the shops on Newbury, the park, and even to Copley.

I have a slight preference for the Faneuil hall area for it's proximity to the North End for restaurants and the aquarium. Freedom trail and Old Ironsides also very close.

Back Bay (Copley Sq) and Faneuil are both great areas as a base. If I were coming to Boston as a tourist, the Harbourside Inn would probably be a more *fun* location, altho whenever I go in on the subway and get off at Copley, there is a great urban Boston energy in the air as well as the gorgeous historic buildings.

However the Faneuil area has so many interesting bars as well as being able to walk into the North End and the waterfront, that that would tip the balance for me as a tourist.

I would go with State street area because I would have access to walking along the water and the North End late at night.

But both are fine, Boston is smaller than most people think.

Nice thing about Boston is you can stay in either of these locations, but go to the other for a day.

Copley and Faneuil aren't that far apart. If traffic is light, they're about 10 minutes apart by car/taxi.

Plan to see both.

Agree .. both are just fine locations .. two different areas .. but you should see both ... you can't really go wrong ... Newbury Street .. a must .. lovely to walk .. great shops and restaurants .. Faneuil Hall .. close to North End .. lots of great restaurants .. walkable and again a must ... close to what I call "downtown" .. shopping galore ... Fanueil Hall/Quincy Market .. fun .. lots of restaurants .. shops .. ! Pick the hotel you like best .. because both of those locations should be on your list of places to see .. ! Boston is such a great city .. Enjoy !

There is virtually no difference in distance. Boston is tiny. The State Street area seems touristy but my friends and I go down there all the time to shop and eat. Don't worry you can't go wrong either place.