Boston in March-- Newbury St Area
 

My Significant Other and I want to take advantage of JetBlue's upcoming Long Beach, CA/Boston non-stop service and head to Beantown in late March, weather be damned. I know this gets discussed all the time, but I thought I'd fish for fresh comments on lodging.

We're going to Back Bay it, preferably in the Newbury Street area-- but that's not a prerequisite. I'm short-listing the Marriott Copyley Place and the Newbury Guesthouse. Any other places I should be looking at? Other B&Bs? I know of one by Berklee School of Music (Oasis Guesthouse), but I was hoping for slightly more upscale accommodations (well, more rooms with queen-size beds, for one thing).

Any new restaurants to look into? It's been well over two years since I've been to Boston, a city I love, so bring on the recommendations! :)

..."Copyley Place"...? So glad it's Friday, I can rest my eyes and fingers!!

Marriott Copley Place, I know! ;)

What does "short list" mean? That you are considering them, or not? We have stayed at the Newbury Guest House, and it was fun. You might look into the Lenox and the Elliot which are also in that area. Both are quite nice. We like the restaurants in the South End, Hammersley's, Acquataine...

To "short list" something is to put it on your candidate list from a longer list of possibilities. So it means yes, I'm including them. I want to have a manageable list to make my little phone calls pleading poverty.... ;)

Thanks for your suggestions, I will take a look. Anything else...?

What's your budget for restaurants and lodging?
What kind of cuisine do you favor?

Hey there, gplimpton!

Lodging budget: I'd like to keep well under $200/night-- and may Priceline it (Marriott Copley Place comes up in 4* bids) if necessary. Newbury Guesthouse looks like it comes in well under that limit.

Restaurant budget: Don't mind splurging one night for a $100/person meal, but keeping it under $50/person most nights would be nice. Any cuisine is fine-- we're not picky eaters at all.

Thanks for asking!

Consider the Back Bay Hilton. They run specials pretty frequently. We stayed in Sept - got a deluxe king room for $110. March is a pretty slow time around here. You should be able to get a room for far less the $200. The hotel is on the far end of Boylston - closer to the Mother Church rather than the library.

Visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts - both are excellent museums.

You can eat well in the North End for $50/person.

Maybe tea at the Ritz Carlton might interest you. I did this for the first time last weekend and it was truly a wonderful experience. Served Wed-Sun - $25 a person, elegant room, harpist playing and excellent service.

Or on the other end of the spectrum pop into Lir on Boylston for a pint or two or into Solas - both Irish pubs but updated.

keep an eye out as your trip gets closer to bostonphoenix.com and boston.com to find out about events, concerts etc. If the Saw Doctors are in town go see them. They are an unbelievably fun Irish rock band.

Enjoy your trip and keep posting. There are lots of Bostonians posting here with excellent information.

Thanks for the ideas, bennnie. It's still months out, but I'm kinda excited about planning this. Even the notoriously risky weather in March doesn't bug me...!

I get overhwelmed by all the choices and have to narrow things down, so how about places you've been in Boston and loved? That would help for comparison.
We were there last month and enjoyed Excelsior, Via Matta and Bonfire (all on or adjacent to the Public Garden). Missed out on the North End Italian spots we love...everyone has a different favorite it seems.
No. 9 Park is popular right now, but not our style of atmosphere. We prefer places which are either more vibrant or with unusual and interesting decor, so we avoid the postmodern minimalist interior type places.
Hamersley's Bistro is a longtime favorite if you're in the right mood.
I'll have to think of others from past trips.

You might want to seriously consider one of the hotels at Copley Place or at Prudential Center just because of March weather - if weather is just too depressing on a certain day you then have options for dining and shopping without even going outside.

gail: Point taken. Funny thing is, the possibility of bad weather doesn't faze me at all-- I appreciate the change from here in California (where we hardly have weather, just occasional Apocalyptic Acts of Nature). I bundle up and enjoy the scenery regardless. Still, you make a valid point, and I'll bear it in mind.

gplimpton: I've been racking my brain trying to recall eateries in Boston that I really loved, and I'm coming up blank. I know I loved some places, but can't remember their names (I've usually gone there on business). Really, anything will be great.

Our "neighborhood joints" are Italian, Thai, Mexican and Memphis-style BBQ, to give you an idea of how eclectic we can be (gotta love southern CA, we'll eat just about anything!!). We'll probably consult Boston Phoenix or boston.com closer to our travel dates to see What's Hot. But if you have recommendations, I do really appreciate them. Thanks!! :)

rjw - check out phantomgourmet.com for info on restaurants. then check out the tvdiner section of boston.com. Two rival restaurant tv shows here in Boston. Phantom is the older, tv diner's host was the host of phantom but had a falling out with the producers. It was kind of funny to watch them spar with each other. Anyway, they're both good sources of info on dining in Boston. I also want to recommend Brasserie Jo at the Colonade Hotel (also not a bad choice if you get a good rate). Brasserie Jo has great desserts and a cool little bar. Great Bay is new seafood restaurant in Kenmore Sq. Haven't been yet but the place is getting good press.

Well, we've stayed (via Priceline) at the Marriott Copley twice recently (@$80 and $82) and found it positively spendid. Huge, well appointed rooms with magnificent views, and incredibly comfortable beds, with half a dozen wonderful pillows and comfy coverings - along with beautiful (brand new) decor, fabulous marble bathrooms, and all the cable channels on the TV,
and with all the just released movies availble on the in-room TV for less than going to the movie theaters. (Note rooms service prices match the restaurant menu prices and service is prompt). Service and housekeeping here are extraordinary as well. No mini-bar - just a fridge (whoo-hoo!). Coffee maker and coffee. (And, there's a Starbucks steps from the elevator.) AND, it's connected to Copley Place and the Prudential Center without stepping outdoors.

Over the years, we've stayed nearly everywhere in Boston. Newbury Guest House is just than (not a full service hotel).

We love the Parker House for the ambience and restaurants/coctail lounges within, along with Le Meridien for the "style", restaurants, piano bar, therein (in-room movies and room service, too). AND, if you're staying on a weekend, there's limo service (nothing like arriving via limo at your first dining/shopping destination). We've stayed there for as little as $105/night with Hotwire in the winter.

As for restaurants, we've "done" them all as well. Among our tried and true are Abe and Louie's (anytime, but especially for Saturday and Sunday brunch), Maison Robert (the formal dining room when we want to "dress" and "dine" - the downstairs cafe when we're weary from touring, too tired to "dress" but are in want of a really nice dinner), and L'Espalier when we are in the mood for incredible food and pampering (dress code "optional", sadly).

One of the best new restos is "Troquet "on Boylston across from the Commom. "The Union Grill"south end.
Pick up freebie copies on street corner boxes of "Improper Bostonian" and "Stuff" both list restos and what's happening.

I want to thank everyone for their great suggestions. It's going to be a bit hard choosing between the Marriott Copley Place and the Newbury Guesthouse-- I like those old B&B-type places, but then again, a full-service hotel would be nice...! In any case, it's going to be a wonderful trip, I can tell already!

Thanks again!! :)

I would look at the Lenox. My boyfriend and I stayed there the 1st week of March last year and loved it. The staff was great, and the hotel is very pretty. Location is great too. Yes, the weather was awful though! So, be prepared for the worst. Maybe you'll get lucky and have some nice weather though! Good luck!

Actually, a question for djkbooks: You mention you stayed at Newbury Guesthouse. Understanding that it's not a full-service hotel-- how did you like it as a guesthouse? Was it run-down? Charming? I just like the idea of a place right on Newbury, where you just walk out the front door and there it all is-- restaurants, shops, coffeehouses, a pub or two. And of course, the T stop is only a few blocks away. If you get a second, a thumbnail review would be very much appreciated, please. Thanks!

If you want to plurge, The only hotel on Newbury is the old Ritz overlooking the Public Garden. There's Chanel in the building, Banana Republic across the street and so on. Then the nearest will be on Boylston, Four Seasons, Lenox, Charlesmark, and the Elliot on Mass Ave.

rjw, feel free to email me...I may have something that may work for you...

[email protected]