Boston MA ,Newport RI area trip
 

We are planning a May trip to New England. Boston,MA and Newport,RI to be exact. I am going to be in the Boston area mainly for the purpose of doing genealogical research. Most of my ancestors were born ,lived and died in Braintree,MA. I want to make sure my accomodations are in very close proximity to Braintree. I don't know what kind of area this is and would like advice on where to stay. We prefer bed and Breakfasts or a 4 star hotel. I'm not really interested in downtown Boston, for this trip anyway. We want to avoid the whole tunnel mess at all costs. Any advice will help. Thanks!

Braintree is a nice middle-class bedroom suburb. At the junction of two major highways, it has also attracted lots of commercial activity near the key exits and interchanges, including the largest regional mall and over 200 restaurant licenses, as well as representatives from every big-box store and many hotel chains. No 4-star hotels that I know of, but noplace dangerous, either.

The "tunnel mess" is almost done, and going from downtown Boston to Braintree would not involve the tunnel anyway since you would get on the highway south of the tunnel. So if you'd rather stay in the city, you can do so without any fear of tunnel mess.

The Sheraton Braintree and the Marriott in Quincy are the closest full service hotels - technically 3 stars but may fit the bill.

Check out the Sheraton Tara - not 4 star but as Anonymous said there are no 4 star hotels in Braintree. Just a big mall (actually one of the oldest shopping malls in the US)and big box stores. The Quincy Marriott is on the Braintree line so that might work for you also. I grew up in the area and would be glad to give more info as you get closer to your trip.

You can take the Red Line from Braintree to Boston quite easily and be in downtown in 20 minutes.

FWIW - the Sheraton Tara and the Sheraton Braintree are the same hotel.

Thanks for the clarification Craig - is it still called the Sheraton Tara? That's what it was called when I was growing up and when I had my wedding reception there.

Thanks for the help. Maybe we will consider downtown Boston after all. We are on rather a tight schedule though and we want to spend as little time as possible stuck in traffic.