Boston Marriott Long Wharf or Copley Place for Base Camp?
 

Hello fellow Fodorites,

My husband and I are spending the weekend in Boston March 12-14 and I'm wondering if anyone had advice/opinions regarding which Marriott would be better to stay at in terms of location.

We will be having dinner at Atlantic one night and Locke Ober the next night. We will probably walk the Freedom trail and hit shopping on Newbury Street. There was also a cigar lounge on Boylston street that we would like to visit on one of our evenings.

Husband wants to stay at Long Wharf because he likes the idea of a harbour view, but I'm thinking that Copley Place makes more sense since I've heard that getting cabs isn't easy in Boston.

I thank you in advance for any advice. Have a great day!

There is a cab stand right at the Marriott Long Wharf so I wouldn't let that be a consideration. Either one is fine. By the way there is a cigar bar in the North End which is walking distance from the Marriott Long Wharf. I think its a bit more interesting than the one on Boyleston. Its on Hanover St and adjacent to Cafe Victorio but I can't for the life of me remember its name. I also heard there is a cigar bar at the Millenium Bostonian hotel next to Faniuel Hall.

Copley is definitely the more central location, especially with what you want to do. Long Wharf certainly isn't a bad location by any means but not as central or convenient as Copley. Also, cabs aren't difficult to get in Boston, except at 2am when the bars close.

I would say Copley and Locke-Ober is one of our favorite places!

I think the Marriott Copley is the best location for what you're planning but I would be hard put to give up a harbor view. Long wharf is convenient for the Freedom Trail and both hotels are about equidistant to Locke-Obers.

You'll have no problem finding taxis from your hotel and you can ask your restaurant to call a cab if there is not a hotel cab stand nearby.

Boston is pretty compact, the subway is easy, so stay in either location. I love looking out at the harbor, but a high floor at the Marriott Copley would be pretty good too.

Long Wharf... I lived right near it for many years; and after leaving; would always go back there to stay and have my family come in and meet me! You are also close to the North End if you stay there. Harbour views are quite pretty; and also there are some very nice restaurants that have opened up right across from the Marriott that are fun to go to. And its right across from Fanuel Hall. Copely is nice as well...I do prefer the Long Wharf tho. Have fun! Its a wonderful city!

Thank you everyone for your input!

I think we'll take the view and stay at the Long Wharf location since it's been pointed out that cabs are probably not going to be a problem...this is why I love this board!

I also appreciate the vote of confidence for my choice of dinner, Ksucat! Always makes me nervous finding a good restaurant somewhere that I've never been.

Can anyone hazard a guess what a cab ride will cost from Long Wharf to Boston Common area?

Thanks everyone for your help!

Oh, Bennie...was the cigar place called Stanza Dei Sigari?

Locke-Ober is just not a restaurant, its an instuition!
Go and have oysters at Neptunes Net.
Brunch at the Langham is wonderful.
What a great city.

I'm not sure what a cab would cost from Long Wharf to the Common but here's a link to a cab fare estimator (I can't vouch for its accuracy because I never take cabs in Boston): http://www.taxifarefinder.com/main.php?city=Boston

Unless the weather were bad though, I'd recommend walking. It's an enjoyable and not very long walk. Here's a link to a map that shows walking times around the city (for your reference, the Long Wharf Marriott is located at the Aquarium T stop):

http://www.cityofboston.gov/environm...cityroutes.pdf

For what it's worth, I'd have also chosen the Long Wharf over the Copley Marriott.

A couple of days ago I walked by the cigar place on Boylston St and noticed that there is some construction in front of it but I'm pretty sure there was a sign saying the store itself was open.

I hope you enjoy your trip!

Yes -that was the name of the cigar place in the North End. Haven't been there in a few years but it was nicer than the Cigar Masters on Boyleston. Personally I was just at both places to go along with my husband.

My family and I stayed at the Long Wharf and never did take a cab. We used the subway or walked. The concierge lounge offers a great view of the harbor.

Slow wonderer, what a cool website, thanks!

Thanks to everyone for your very helpful and insightful responses :)

Can't wait for this weekend trip, it's going to be a blast! Spent the day with my Fodor pocket mini tour book and mapped out my agenda. I agree, Tenthumbs, I'll probably be walking.

Thanks again, All, you ar the best!

the lobster savannah at Lock-Ober is wonderful! I just had it a few weeks ago, and loved it. If you are a lobster fan, I highly recommend it.

We've stayed at the Long Wharf location and loved it - very pretty harbor views and right next to a nice park. We were able to walk or take the T everywhere we wanted; there's a stop right in front. Make sure you request a room with a harbor view - not all the rooms have them. There's a Legal Sea Foods close by that's good.

I embarrassed to say that I have no idea what Lobster Savannah is! I saw it on several menus when I was picking a place, but can't say that I recognize this one. How is Savannah prepared? I LOVE lobster and usually just have it boiled with fresh lemon...never butter (I know, I know... I just don't really like butter, I like the taste of the lobster).

Thanks, Valcanogirl...I debated between Atlantic Seafood and Legal and a comment on Tripadvisor swayed my vote to Atlantic...for the life of me I can't recall what it was, but maybe the view? Dunno. lol.

Anita~you see more on foot anyway!! One of the hotel employees recommended the cannolis at Mike's Pastries on Hanover Street, and we were not disappointed! This hotel is also within walking distance of the New England Aquarium, the Italian North End, and Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market.

I'm a history geek, so one of the things that appealed to me about the Long Wharf was that was where the British soldiers would land when they came to New England, so says the pictures in the lobby.

I so wanted to love Legal..we went to the test kitchen which they say is better than the restaurants.
I didn't get it but maybe we there on a bad day..staff was nice.
Neptune's we loved!
Wife and I love Boston so much.
Food, people, history.. it has it all!

anita, we had their lobster, and it was good! We liked Mike's Pastry, but liked Modern Pastry even better. The Freedom Trail is wonderful.

ten, I didn't know that bit of history - that's cool!

Mike's vs. Modern vs. Maria's is a battle on Fodor's! In order, we like Mike's best, then Maria's, then Modern!

<<<I LOVE lobster and usually just have it boiled with fresh lemon...never butter (I know, I know... I just don't really like butter, I like the taste of the lobster).>>>

anita, me too. Are we the only two on earth? Actually, I love good butter, but not on lobstah...

we ate at Legal Seafoods in Cambridge (the one adjacent to the hotel, can't remember the name). The lobster was good, not great. The Cranberry Bog Martini, on the other hand, was worth writing home about!