Three girfriends without kids and husbands have a three day week-end planned for May.
We have never been to Boston and are interested in sightseeing, shopping, and of course eating.
With our limited time we would like to stay in a good/central location.
Any ideas are welcome on hotels, etc.

A site search is advised -- there are tons of detailed threads on Boston here -- as well as a guide book look.

May is lovely, but it is also graduation season in Boston. It can be difficult to get hotel reservations. Have you chosen specific dates?

ditto what bachslunch said.

BEWARE that May is graduation month, and literally tens of thousands of parents and relatives and friends descend on Boston and take up every single hotel room avaiable, esp if you pick a weekend that coincides with multiple universities' commencements.

If you're thinking early, early May, then you'd be okay. But if you are considering mid-late May, then book your hotel ASAP.

You have been warned.

A good location for sightseeing would be near the Fanueil Hall Marketplace or Boston Common area. Walking all or part of the Freedom Trail will allow you to see lots of the historical sights such as the old State House, Paul Revere's House, Bunker Hill Monument and Old Ironsides, Old South Meeting House, etc. Also, the Christian Science Center is really interesting and has the cool "Mapparium" which I've always loved. Newbury Street has great shops, some pricey. The Museum of Fine Arts is a world-class art museum and the nearby Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is worthwhile, too, and has concerts in its interior courtyard. Don't forget seeing the Red Sox at Fenway Park, if that appeals!

For hotels, I like the Omni Parker House. (Had my wedding reception there, so I'm partial...) Very charming and perfectly located within easy walking distance of the Common, Beacon Hill, Fanueil Hall, the New England Aquarium, and many other tourist sights. For dining, check out some Italian restaurants in the North End. Oh, and the Museum of Science is great, too. There is a lot to do and see in Boston; I think you'll really like it - have fun!

Boston Univ graduation is May 15-17. My regular favorite, the Hotel Commonwealth is $493 for a standard room that week. Usually in the low $300's...And we need two rooms for 5 nights, so ouch!

I'm almost tempted to stay in the dorms that weekend at $100 per double room!

The Culinary Tour of Boston's North End is a treat since it includes history and food sampling. It remains one of my most favorite weekend with friends activity. Three days is what we usually do. Friday at the JFK Library. Tickets to a really good show Fri pm. Maybe Duck Tour Sat am. Check discounted tickets at kiosk in Quincy Market area for Sat night show. We don't shop much anymore. Quincy Market offers a few stores we can't visit at home. We have stayed in a variety of areas included over the bridge in Cambridge which makes cabs more expensive (subway was a long walk) and one on the fringe of Boston in an iffy area that had very nice rooms and we felt good value. Any hotel near the subway will be good. Bear in mind the Quincy Market/Italian North End is at one end of Boston and the theaters are in another section. If you are adventuresome, a dim sum lunch in China Town is great fun unless not all of your group is daring enough to eat strange foods (it will not be your regular Chinese meal).
We usually do our weekend third weekend of September. Weather is usually very nice and rates aren't high.

i would stay in the back bay by nerbury street. try the Taj, the Four seasons, the fairmont or Jurys(less expensive than the others). Or the elliott for a 2 bedroom suite if you would prefer that. great shopping, spas and dining and centrally located.