Davelw

My wife wants to celebrate her 42nd birthday in Boston for a weekend in mid-October. I need help selecting the right hotel and finding things to do at night. She likes to stay in nicer hotels or romantic B&B's. In the evening, she likes to go pub/bar hopping to fun places with good atmosphere. She is not into the club-thing, just fun places to get a beer. I can't seem to find anything about where there is a concentration of pubs and bars in Boston - can anyone help?

Ideally, we would like to find a hotel within walking distance to these places as well as some of the tourist sites for daytime touring. Someone suggested the Four Seasons, which is very pricy. I also heard that the Parker House Omni is nice. Any suggestions to make the weekend special would be much appreciated.

Thanks!
Dave

loc5000

Take a look at Nine Zero - it's near the Boston Common and an easy walk to the night life near Fanueil Hall. Would you consider staying across the river in Cambridge? If so, try the Charles Hotel in Harvard Sq. - from there you can walk to lots of great places or else get on the T (MBTA) back into Boston proper.

cigalechanta

Any of the hotels around copley square, like the Colonade , the fairmont(the old copley sq. hotel)Between Newbury st./Boylston/Beacon Hill she'll have so many to choose that she'll be dizzy.
There's one hotel in the thick of things but no special things like dinner but it's all at the door:
Charlesmark Hotel www.charlesmark.com
655 Boylston st and it's across from the copley subbway stop. I live here but if I were a tourist, I'd stay here.

djkbooks

Know that hotel rates will be ridiculous in October. And, you must book forthwith.

The Parker House is nicely located for pub/bar hopping, along with the aforementioned hotels in Copley Square. We especially enjoy the Last Hurrah lounge with it's extensive (and reasonably priced) menu of Yankee Comfort food, including Parker House Rolls and Boston Creme Pie (both allegedly "invented" there).

The Lenox (Copley) is also worth a look, along with the Harborside Inn (steps from Faneuil Hall/Quincy Marketplace, more moderately priced).

There are bars and pubs all over. Go to www.boston.com and find "Calendar" which is updated every Thursday and lists nearly all the nightspots.

Davelw

Thanks for the ideas. Does anyone know if the "big dig" still underway in Boston? I'm curious because I want to know if it creates noise, congestion, or other ugliness that we should avoid in any neighborhoods.

Thanks!
Dave

girlonthego

We went last year and stayed with my sister in law, but there is a hotel in the Fanuiel Hall area (I think it might be a Marriott) You could walk to the Fanuiel Hall and Little Italy. Remember, you can take the T system almost anywhere safely in the city. I believe you avoid the orange line. The Copley area is also great for hotels. I agree with the above post, book now! A day trip to Salem in Oct could be fun too.....

girlonthego

Just took a look, it is the Boston Marriott Long Wharf. It is one block from Faniuel Hall. It does mention construction blocking roads on the Marriott website. Be careful driving in Boston, the drivers are very aggressive.

china_cat

The Elliot Hotel is often mentioned as one of the more romantic hotels in Boston. And since its in Backbay, close to Newbury street, you will find lots of upscale restaurants, shopping, bars, and great nighttime people watching just steps from your door. And its nowhere near the big dig.Its a bit pricey, but probably not as bad as the Four Seasons.

The Parker house is okay. I stayed there a few years ago. The location is good, and the common areas very nice. But our room was a little shabby, and not as nice.

One other location you might consider is the Charles Hotel in Harvard square. Its a nice location for nightlife, they have a good jazz club, lots of restaurants and bars in the neighborhood. And easy access to the T to head into downtown Boston for sightseeing. We stayed at the Charles for my husbands birthday about 4 years ago and liked it very much. (oh, I just noticed loc500 already made this suggestion. Well, consider this a second of a fine idea )

CJBROWN

OUR GROUP OF WOMEN STAYED AT THE MARRIOTT, (WE COULD TAKE THE SUBWAY DIRECTLY THERE FROM LOGAN AIRPORT, TAKE STAIRS UP FROM UNDERGROUND STOP,&WE WERE RIGHT AT THE HOTEL). WE FELT SAFE WALKING EVERYWHERE, IT WAS RIGHT ON THE WATER. (THIS WAS A FEW YEARS AGO). WE WERE CLOSE TO FANEIUL HALL, & HAD A GREAT FUN EVENING AT AN IRISH BAR. I THINK IT WAS CALLED THE BLACK ROSE (?). A BAND WAS PERFORMING (IRISH SONGS) EVERYONE SANG ALONG, I THINK IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST ENJOYABLE TIMES WE'VE HAD ON OUR TRIPS OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS! (OR MORE)
9SORRY ALL CAPS, NOT YELLING HERE, JUST EASIER TO TYPE THAN SHIFTING)