I stayed at the Charlesmark last July. I loved it! I was on the top floor. It had very comfy pillows.If you don't want to walk everywhere, there's a subway stop nearly across the street. And the $5 Express bus to Logan airport stops across the street.

thanks for the tip about the Charlesmark. that's new to me.

Just a word about the Back Bay/Logan Express. Massport started it as a two-year pilot program to make the Back Bay accessible by public transport while the T's Government Center Station was closed for reconstruction. The station has reopened and there has been no word on whether the express to Back Bay will continue after the end of April.

I certainly hope it does, but for anyone visiting, do check before your arrival.

Stayed at Copley Square Hotel in May 2015, excellent location. Dont eat breakfast there, food wasnt good & expensive. Lots of other options. Room was small but clean. Got terrific deal on Booking.com.

Second for John Jeffries, but expect more atmosphere than amenities. The top floor is largely reserved for families of patients in Mass Eye and Eat (which owns this formerly nurses-residence), and the whole place is so popular that they open up reservations for rooms only a month or two in advance, so you have to be ready to pounce, esp. May through Oct. No airco, but only a problem in protracted heatwave. Prices rise a bit in season but still compare very favorably compared to the heavy-duty city hotels.

It's worth the effort for the location alone - steps from the major Red Line, one stop into Park St. which is hub for subway system. At the base of Beacon Hill (quaint streets all around), with view of the Charles if you score a rear upper room. Rooms vary re: where beds are, add't presence of sofa-bed, kitchenette. Continental breakfast largely refers to clientele but pastries, juices, and hot beverages are fine, cheap. For more hearty and interesting breakfast, there are at least 3 cafes down the street (Charles St.) that do that very well.

But you have to keep going to the website to have a prayer of booking - they are currently booking only through May. If you want June or later, be ready to pounce: johnjeffrieshouse.com

PS: No matter where you end up, note that another 15% in taxes will be added to whatever rate they quote - so $200 quickly becomes $230., $250 becomes $285, and so on.

You sound like you won't be relying on a car, which is very, very wise for many reasons. One reason is that hotels that provide parking can soak you for another $25-$40/night.

"No airco, but only a problem in protracted heatwave."

Don't know whether this describes July last year, but I absolutely needed AC!

thursdaysd -- true that. Windows are openable, but if you have a ground/main floor room facing Charles St., noise IS a problem. Upper floors and those on other sides get the river or even ocean breeze, and if it's just one or two hot days, the building itself (brick) doesn't heat up. After 2-3 hot days, the brick can hold the heat. For us it was worth it for the location and bargain and -- by the way -- it's not a funky place, has been renovated and looks lovely.

<I>No airco, but only a problem in protracted heatwave. </I>

Everyone is different, but I would never book a Boston hotel without AC in the summer. Even without a heat wave, one should expect the room to be in the mid-70s to 80F, minimum, in the city proper. That is too hot for me to sleep comfortably.

Although I like the Jeffrie house, no AC in august would be a deal breaker. Even with temperate weather, open windows and 24/7 ambulance and traffic noise would annoy me. But then again, I prefer cool and keep my New England home at 64 degrees in the winter and 66 degrees in the summer when there are hot muggy nights.

Thanks everyone. After calling all over town, got a good deal at the Mariott Copley. Got a "senior" discount :) Who knew? Hope it is okay, I forgot I was a rewards member so that helped too.

The Marriott Copley is a good hotel. Certainly up to normal Marriott standards. The location is maybe not quite as good as the Westin or Fairmont, but it is still quite good. In inclement weather, it is nice in that you can walk pretty far (and to two different T lines) without going outside.

Good for you for calling and congrats on getting a good rate in a city that has become crazy expensive for hotels.