Boston harbor Hotel, Taj, Westin Copley, XV
 

First time visitors to Boston. Traveling end of June: touring historic areas and catching a Red Sox game. We are water people, so the thought of being right on the water at the Boston Harbor sounds wonderful- and they offer a teacher discount. However, am not sure of location and ability to get around to all areas is right. Would appreciate your thoughts on the above hotels.

All of these are pretty well located. The Taj is most central, but they are all good locations.

The Boston Harbor is a bit further from public transit, but still probably only a five minute walk or so from the nearest stops.

The Westin, while a nice 4-star is probably not up to the levels of the others, though I haven't stayed at the others (just going off reputation). But the Westin has an excellent location in the Back Bay. It is the closest to Fenway - you could walk there in maybe fifteen minutes. Given crowds post-game, that is a plus.

I used to live next door to the Boston Harbor hotel. Fabulous if you have a water view, not as close to some other things, there is a water shuttle from Logan, perhaps the best way ever to arrive in Boston. A beautiful building in a lovely setting.

The Taj is the old ( for Bostonians the "real") Ritz Carlton. At the foot of Newbury Street ( shop til you drop) across from the Public Garden. You can ride a Swan Boat and buy a $25,000 watch at Cartier in five minutes. You could even spend real money at Cartier. Near historic Beacon Hill and Charles River Esplanade, adjacent to Commonwealth Avenue Mall ( not shopping, a linear park) but not far from Copley shopping if you can't spend it fast enough on Newbury. You can take the Green Line to the game since it is part of the experience but you can also have a leisurely walk home with a stop for a drink along the way.

XV is on top of Beacon Hill. My daughter and her husband love their restaurant. Obviously good for the Hill and Freedom Trail. I hate to say I don't even know where the Westin is. In Copley, in this price range, you should look at the Fairmount. I have only eaten and been to bars there but it is a beautiful 1912 hotel in the middle of everything.

<I>I hate to say I don't even know where the Westin is. In Copley, in this price range, you should look at the Fairmount.</I>

The Westin is across the street from the Fairmont Copley Plaza. FWIW, the Fairmont decor is a bit old-fashioned.

FWIW, There is another Fairmont in the North End that is on the water. A bit farther from the center.

The other big hotel on the water is the Intercontinental, which is very nice. On the same road as the Boston Harbor - pretty comparable location.

The Copley location is the best. You are connected to the shopping and food (Mid to upscale) at both Copley Plaza and Prudential. A lot is in close walking distance. At the Prudential you can take take the one hour Duck Boat tours (fun way to go around historic Boston).

You can argue for the Taj and the Boston Harbor Hotels as well, but Copley allows you to do a lot of things including into the evening without having to go outside the large enclosed area.

I think going outside the large enclosed area would be the whole point of visiting another city, with an exception perhaps for when it is snowing or raining seriously.

I don't mean to be snarky at all even if it sometimes comes off that way, but when you are in Copley Place you could be in any similar place in Chicago or probably a dozen other places. Why not stay home?

I don't shop when I travel except to buy shoes in France and Barbour clothing or shaving things at Floris in London, so I guess I just don't get shopping as entertainment.

I love the Boston Harbor hotel. If you can swing a harbor view room, it is really a great place to stay. It's also not a bad walk from there to the North End, or to the Seaport district for restaurants. It is a little less central, and a little further from the t than your other choices. Also, I think the closest stop is the Aquarium station, on the blue line. With the government center station being closed for the next two years, that makes connecting to the green line a bit less convenient. Not a deal breaker, just something to consider as you plan.

Thank you all for your thoughts. Although the Copley area gets good reviews, it seems as if it is attached to a mall. We have a large mall-King of Prussia, PA around the corner, so not my idea to go to Boston to shop. It seems as if all of the stores listed at the Pru are in my back yard.

It will be summer, so I am looking at spending my time outdoors. The harbor sounds perfect, except I am concerned that it may not be convenient and rather difficult to get to the Red Sox game with the T-station being closed. Are there restaurants, etc. within a short walk and how difficult would it be to get to Freedom Trail, Duck Boats, Park? Does being on the water interfere with the access of all that Boston has to offer? Or does it provide the outdoor water activities we also enjoy?

So, now I am between the Taj and Boston Harbor. Thank you so much for any help in thinking this out.

I regularly stay at the Boston Harbor hotel (6 stays this year so far). It's a fantastic airport hotel with great water views (request harbor view and call them to confirm).
We usually stay here pre or post flight and usually have our car so getting in and out of Boston are no problem.
The water taxi is lovely but not ideal for getting around easily (fun for 1 night or 2 but any longer and I'd get tired of the inconvenience... it is a little time consuming).
The hotel also offers a free shuttle to and from the airport or the T so you could take that option.

The restaurant is pretty good and the probably the best in the area. We usually eat breakfast there and opt for the menu rather than the buffet. Dinner we've sometimes enjoyed but when it goes wrong (25% of the time) it can be very slow or not so great food.

I've also stayed at the Westin many many times and will be there again in a couple of weeks.
I love it's location for downtown. Forget it's attached to a mall. You probably wouldn't notice as it's linked by a bridge from a corner.
Great a Charles river view from a high floor and Boston is beautifully spread out below you.

Food is very good. We like Bar 10 for drinks, cocktails and the restaurant serves a good breakfast. Turner Fisheries has very good fish too. Many many other great restaurants close by and walkable.
Walk to the Freedom Trail, Gardens, etc
Very easy access to the T.

Honestly, I'd stay here for a first time visit and love the Westin beds. I've stayed here at least once every year for 15 years and never been disappointed.

Both these hotels have a neutral modern decor which I much prefer to the older style hotels.

Unfortunately, Turner Fisheries has closed. When I posted above that I didn't know where the Westin was, I didn't even connect it to Turner Fisheries! I just thought that was an entrance to the Mall, neutral indeed!

No one has mentioned the new Mandarin Oriental. Anyone stayed there?

Oops I did know Turner Fisheries had closed! Isn't there a Brazilian or Mexican restaurant in it's place? I've not eaten there though.

sassy_cat, are you talking about the Boston Harbor Hyatt at the airport? I think the OP is talking about the Boston Harbor Hotel.

joycap, since it's summer and you like the water, definitely stay at the Boston Harbor Hotel. You may have to do a little more walking to connect to the "T" but they are nice walks and you are really in a great location. On one side of the hotel is the Rose Kennedy Greenway, the park that was built upon the Big Dig, and on the other said is the harbor walk. The Boston Harbor Hotel has a lot of summer events too, like the outdoor movie night and music events.

There are a lot of restaurants in the area now, and some of them are quite good. The Seaport area is very scenic for dining. Look at Legal Harborside, Row 34, Sam's, and others. James Hook lobster is nearby for a casual picnic table lobster roll. There are also food trucks that gather around the greenway. You are in walking distance to Faneuil Hall and the North End, where many of the Italian restaurants are located.

And there are tours of the harbor as well as whale watches, and the ferry out to the harbor islands.

Boston is a fairly compact city so I wouldn't worry too much about location. To get to Fenway Park, I'd walk to South Station and take the Red Line to Park Street and transfer to a B, C, or D, train to Kenmore/Fenway. To get to the Copley area, take the Red Line from South Station to Downtown Crossing and transfer to the Orange Line, or take the Blue Line from Aquarium to State Street and transfer to the Orange Line to Back Bay station. Check out the mbta map and it will make sense. (Note: Government Center Station is now closed for renovation.)

You'll be there at high season and there will be lots of people walking around day and night so I wouldn't be concerned about safety, in the tourist areas or near your hotel. Also taxis are available. If you were coming in the winter, my recommendation would be different, but in summer, the harbor is the place to be, especially if you're not interested in shopping.

Sounds like a great trip.

cw, yes I was talking about the Hyatt Boston Harbor (used to be called the Hyatt Harborside).
The name change made me confuse the two hotels, apologies to OP!