Boston hotel locations
 

I've scanned a few of the Boston hotel threads; very helpful. I'm wondering if anyone has strong opinions about a couple locations we're considering. We'll be spending a day or two in Cambridge (school visits) and a couple days in Boston -- museums, history, basic tourist stuff. Mom, Dad, teenager. No car.

Options are:

Cambridge (Kendall Hotel right at Kendall Square)

Beacon Hill (John Jeffries House right at the Charles/MGH T-stop)

Back Bay/Copley (Marriott/Radisson/Doubletree)

They all appear to be pretty convenient locations, but any thoughts would be appreciated.

I'd put Kendall Square at the bottom of that list.

Hotels in the Back Bay are surprisingly convenient to Harvard and MIT because of the #1 bus that goes right up Mass Ave, with the bonus of giving you more of a view of the community, compared to traveling by subway.

I'll throw in my vote for Back Bay/Copley. Very nice, upscale area and you can do Cambridge and Boston easily from there.

Cambridge is just across the river from Back Bay. You can walk to a lot of places and then take the "T" bus/subway system for further places.

BY location

1 Marriott
2 Radisson
3 Doubletree
4 Jeffries
5 Kendall.

<i>Back Bay/Copley (Marriott/Radisson/Doubletree)</i>

Technically, neither the Radisson or the Doubletree is in Back Bay, let alone Copley.

The Doubletree is south of the Floating Hospital, Tufst Medical Center.

the Radisson is in the theatre District

If you pick either the Doubletree or the Radisson, you are FAR away from the bus stop for Line #1, mentioned by Anon. You would need to rely on the Red line to get you to the schools in Cambridge.

If you pick Marriott in Copley, you'd still need to walk 6 blocks to Mass Ave before you can catch Bus #1.
http://www.mbta.com/uploadedFiles/Do...Bus/001map.pdf

May depend on your taste and wallet.

Marriott, Radisson, Doubletree are all exactly what you'd expect, but see comment above re: area.

The John Jeffries is definitely not a chain, having been a former nurses' residence, so the rooms are a little quirky in size, shape, and facilities (many have kitchenettes, bathrooms aren't designer), and it won't seem as spiffy as the chains. But it's usually less expensive than the chains. For myself, I enjoy the international group at the continental breakfast and particularly enjoy the distinctive Beacon Hill neighborhood and convenience to the Red Line.

If money's NOT an issue for you, you could consider the Liberty Hotel across the way from the Jeffries - used to be a jail, now very upscale.

There is also a Holiday Inn up Cambridge St from the Liberty and John Jeffries. Its closer to Quincy Market and near both a Red line and Blue line stop. Haven't stayed there so this isn't a personal recommendation.