Boston Hotels/Cambridge Hotels?
 

My husband is considering enrolling in a seminar the later part of July at Harvard.

When it is the two of us we prefer to stay at Cambridge so we have time to meet for lunch. I have mastered the T well enough to go back and forth.

This year we are considering taking 3 teens so my line of thinking was to stay in Boston where more is happening.

I will need 2 rooms, affordable but comfortable and no car so location is important. Please send suggestions....

What's your definition of "affordable"?

There has been good reviews of the Liberty Hotel. Nine Zero is also in the same neighborhood (Beacon Hill).

For Back Bay, you have the Marriott Copley Sq, Fairmont Copley, Taj, Lenox, Eliot.

Well, I would like $250 a night...If I could find $200 we could fund another night in savings.

I did read that review on the Liberty Hotel...Will check on those listed. Thanks!

Anyone stayed at The Marlowe in Cambridge? Good prices and good reviews on Tripadvisor...

joebear, if you're concerned about keeping teens happy, then access to the T is of prime importance, whether you're in Boston or Cambridge. Frankly Harvard Square is more interesting than much of Boston; whereabouts at Harvard is the seminar; it could be right in the Square or across the river in Brighton. The location of the Marlowe isn't particularly interesting or convenient.

The reviews of the Liberty indicate that the lobby nightclub causes a lot of noise disruption -- doesn't sound like a good venue for either teens nor their scholarly dad. On the other hand, across the street, equally accessible to the Charles Street Red Line station, is the more modest John Jeffries hotel, a former nurses' dorm that gets good reviews and is apparently more homey.

I've never stayed at the Marlowe - I guess the reviews are good but its location is a minus, esp when you said in your first post that you wanted to "stay in Boston where more is happening".

The hotel is next to the Cambridgeside Galleria - your usual mall; but not as convenient compared to hotels in Beacon Hill or Back Bay.

We've stayed at the Marlowe and loved it. Very comfortable, nice wine reception. I would avoid the restaurant, at least for breakfast, as ours was terrible and about $30 each.

It's right across from the Museum of Science. Easily walkable.

Cambridge Hyatt Regency is showing a special on Travelzoo right now for $139/night through the summer. http://hotels.travelzoo.com/lodging-hotels/417432

I love Hotwire for Boston and Cambridge. You can narrow down the possibilities with www.betterbidding.com

We really like the Hyatt in Cambridge, but it is not convenient to the "T". They do offer shuttle service, but you'd want to verify times and destinations.

So long as you're convenient to a "T" station, I don't think it matters much where you stay.

Yeah, the Cambridge Hyatt Regency is a good deal, but it's very incovenient for public transportation. Plus the reviews over at tripadvisor are quite bad.

My perennial "secret" - the John Jeffries -- some rooms have kitchenettes, extraordinarily convenient to T (first stop on Red Line between Park Sq. and Harvard is just outside the door).

We stayed at the Hyatt Cambridge recently, and it is just fine. Our room was huge and had an enormous outdoor terrace overlooking the river. Decor was attractive and "fresh". We really enjoyed our stay.

There is a bus stop nearby, but I'm not familiar with the buses. You can find routing, etc., at www.mbta.com

We had our car, so drove everywhere.

It was a bit of a disappointment that the rooftop dining room/lounge, with those magnificent views, is only used for functions now.

I lived in Cambridge forever, and always put my family up at the Harding House or Irving House. Looks like they have longer-term accommodations now, too. Very nice people. http://www.cambridgeinns.com

Both of those B&B's look wonderful. I will call when I firm up my dates. Looks like they may be full already...I will check out for next. The reviews are good...thanks!

They Hyatt is a nice hotel but the T access is crucial, we will have limited time so we need to be close.

joebear-

Saw good deal on Travelzoo for Nine Zero - $189/night Thurs thru Sundays

http://hotels.travelzoo.com/lodging-hotels/420044

If you score a good deal with Hotwire, the savings will cover taxis, if you need them, and then some...

I tried right away and that rate at Nine Zero is not available. Should I call or does that mean only a few rooms are held for that special? I can get the rooms for my nights during the special but at the regular rate.

Has anyone stayed at the Doubletree lately? I can get a good rate since we are visiting Harvard.

The Doubletree on Soldiers Field Road is not convenient to public transit.

But they (Doubletree) used to have a free shuttle service to popular locations -- you might want to check with the hotel.

When we stayed at the Doubletree and inquired at the front desk about the shuttle, we were advised that there was no shuttle that day because the driver called in sick.

Our stay was a few years ago. Our room was on the shabby side, and there was no mini-bar. When I phone the front desk, the reply was "Did you look around?"

joebear - which dates are you looking at? The Nine Zero discount is only good for Thurs-Sun. I checked prices for July 17-20 and for July 24-27; both gave me rate of $189/night.

BTW, between the Cambridge Hyatt vs Doubletree; I'd definitely take the Hyatt. Doubletree is really in no man's land.

I've been able to score rooms at the Park Plaza for $75/night on Priceline... You may want to give that a try for something affordable, in the city, and nice...

Wow, $75 a night is great...

Our dates are August 2-6th....so four nights....comfort is an issue. Last year we stayed at the Inn at Harvard....nice but no extras...with 3 teens breakfast would be good.

Now I am thinking staying in Boston close to T would be the best bet...The roomrate is not cheaper in Cambridge, just easier to communte to Harvard.

So send any suggestions...love to read them since we go almost every year. Food recs too!!

joebear - for Aug 2-6, I assume you're staying for 4 nights then? If you split up your reservation into 2:

Aug 2-4 you can get the Travelzoo rate at $189/n (x 2 nights)

Aug 4-6 you'll have to pay the regular rate at $339/n (x 2 nights)

This will come out as $264/night average.

Or, can you move your travel dates? If you move it to July 31 - Aug 3 (Thurs-Sun), you can take advantage of the rate for your entire stay.

No, the seminar dates are set for Aug 4 & 5 so we are coming a bit early for extra fun...

I have never booked with them before. No booking troubles?

Thanks!!

joebear - you don't actually book with Travelzoo. Once you're on the Travelzoo page (the link I posted before), you click on the link there and it'll direct you to Nine Zero's own website. It'll automatically put in the discount code for you.

Got it,,,a little slow. I think it is a good deal even though the rates go up quite a bit after the special...I am to try calling since we are booking 2 rooms...need 2 queens....Looks lovely. Thank you for help..very valuable.

Joebear-how was the Harvard seminar? Did you feel that it was worth it? My son is interested in one this summer but the price is ridiculously high. Thoughts?

You should stay at the Sheraton Commander in Cambridge. It's in the Square and a great old hotel. I stayed there recently and was very happy with it. Accommodations felt plush. Breakfast and service were great.
Location is perfect for you. 5 min to Center of Harvard Sq.