ragout

This is a huge request.
In August, 2011 some of my New Zealand are coming to New Hampshire for a 3 day reunion with my US family. I want to offer them a chance to stay and see Boston history where our grandfather grew up and to which he returned with our NZ grandmother after the Depression. There will be a mix of ages, interests..... but all enthusiastic about life so figure if I can put it together they will come. Am guessing there will be about 24 people
I figure we need accommodation ranging from: suites with kitchenettes, some mid to high end hotel rooms. Any ideas would be gratefully received to that end. Should I try and locate one small hotel where we could all stay together?
It would be preferable if these were centrally located.....say between Arlington to Fairfield.
My thought was to have the group spend three full days in the area - four nights.
1) A General tour of Boston one morning Dinner near Fanueil Hall
2)Then another.....Beacon Hill - Charlestown - Newton Centre. A New England clambake
3) More history and fun the third day including Museum of Fine Arts. Dinner at an old Boston treasure
There is one large challenge.....I now live in the Pacific NW!! That is why I seek your help.
I would be so appreciative for any wonderful Fodorites suggestions. Thank you in advance.

socialworker

Is there a reason that Newton Centre is on the list? I live in a neighboring town....

For my son's wedding in LA, he was able to book a block of rooms at a Marriott for a very good rate. He then linked it to a website where the guests made their own reservations but were directed to his block of rooms at the special rate. This required no outlay of cash on his part, just the assurance that they would book at least 10 rooms. Maybe you can try calling some of the reservations managers---not the people who man the front desks--- at hotels within the area you desire and see what they can or are inclined to do for you.

yk

A couple of thoughts:

1) For 24 guests, you *may* be able to see if any hotels are interested in giving you a group rate (what socialworker said).

HOWEVER, since it sounds like your family members may want different style/price hotels, they may not be all happy with just one choice.

I can't think of any hotels in downtown Boston that offer kitchenettes, except that I see John Jeffries House near MGH does offer those: http://www.johnjeffrieshouse.com/

Near John Jeffries you've got:
Liberty Hotel (high end)
Holiday Inn (mid-range)

2) For a general tour on Day 1, I think they will all enjoy the Duck Tour. They have special booking for groups: http://www.bostonducktours.com/tickets_groupres.html

3) IF many of the family group are in good shape to walk, I think it's fun to take one of the walking tours offered by several companies. I'm sure you can arrange a private tour for your group. Walking tour companies include Boston by Foot; Boston City walks. There is also bike companies ( http://www.urbanadventours.com/ ), and Segway tours.

4) For clam bake, I know there are sunset cruise tours to Spectacle Island which include a clam bake on the beach. http://www.islandalliance.org/spectacleclambake.asp The schedule is only showing June dates right now for this year, but I'm pretty sure they continue to offer them through the whole summer.

5) Ditto what socialworker said, why on earth "Newton Center" on such a short trip? I can only assume there's some significance for your family?

ragout

Newton Center because that is where my grandparents lived upon returning to Boston!

What fabulous suggestions Socialworker and YK. I cannot thank you enough.

You have set me on the right path to getting this event organized. Fodorites are simply fabulous.

Will post back when I get this together a bit more....maybe asking for more suggestions. And hopefully just to update you on what I have accomplished.

Your help is much appreciated.

socialworker

I empathize w/your situation of the distance. I just had to make group transportation arrangements in CA from here in Boston. However, the hotel bell captain where my son got the block of rooms was able to arrange transportation for my group to and from the rehearsal dinner. It took a lot of emailing back and forth on my part, but he did all the "leg work" and negotiated a better rate than I would have if I had been dealing w/the transportation company on my own. (I am one customer, whereas he represents multiple possible bookings for the company.)

If you do decide to book a block of rooms, do not hesitate to avail yourself of services that the hotel might be willing to offer. Booking tours for your group, dinner reservations, etc. Theirs is a hospitality business and in general they try to please their patrons.

I look forward to hearing more about your plans.

ragout

Thank you social worker for your amazing assistance and the wise advice ....when I get it all organized!!
Back to you in a month or so.....

ragout

Well a month has long gone and we definitely well embarked on our bookings with August coming soon!

Everyone has been accommodated at John Jeffries House with patience adn support by the GM for which we are grateful. All needs levels are staying there.

We have a Double Decker bus booked with Duck Tours who have been more than helpful getting organized for a Grandparents History Tour of Boston incorporating US history into the it. We have yet to complete the route but will do so shortly.

Have tracked down a bus company to transport everyone from Boston to NH. Booked with a bus company Local Motion. Looks comfortable and they have happily accommodated our needs.

Now my last challenge is to find of suitable Boston restaurants for:
1) lunch for 33 people during our Boston Grandparent bus tour
2) a farewell dinner for a group of 33.
It is hard to find a restaurant reflecting Boston atmosphere that won't move us to the back room! I know I am asking a lot.
Yet another struggle is to feed several kids under 10 yr who want plain food. And adults who want wine etc with dinner!

All a challenge but my very grateful thanks to you "yk" and "Social worker" for making the task to get these arrangements so much easier. Do hope you read this sometime.

This family is very grateful. And I will tell everyone how you helped make everything happen at the appropriate time! We will be thinking of you in appreciation.

Ackislander

I would talk to the management at Durgin Park. It is classic New England food, some might say for better or for worse, it is in Quincy Market, not too far from your lodging, and they can accomodate large groups, possibly not in a Siberia room. There is a top floor accessible by elevator that might just do the trick.

Next to that, I might try to arrange with Legal Seafood, either their new facility in the South Boston waterfront area or at any one of their major branches. A call to headquarters might establish which of their branches could accomodate your group.

When we have had large groups, we have frequently booked lobster dinners. At least one of the harbor cruise companies can do this as you explore Boston from the water. They had steak for non-shellfish eaters. Sorry I can't be more specific since I haven't lived in Boston for about ten years.

yk

ragout, I'm glad your planning is coming along nicely. I'm very happy to hear that John Jeffries House is easy to work with.

Regarding your restaurants request, more info would be helpful, such as:

- general location of the restaurant? I assume the lunch place would need to be near where your bus tour is? Where as the farewell dinner, perhaps within walking distance from John Jeffries?

If you can narrow down the geographic location, I think that will help us make recommendation.

Also, is there a particular cuisine you'd like, plus, what's your budget for the meals?

socialworker

I hear that the new "flagship" Legal's on the waterfront is spectacular. Perhaps they would accommodate a group where they would offer harbor views, as opposed to the back room. Worth investigating. They have a wonderful children's menu and are very flexible about tweaking menu items.

Here is the website and I notice that "Private dining" is featured prominently when the page opens:

http://www.legalseafoods.com/restaur...gal-harborside

tower

ackisislander....you've made my July 4th with your mention of Durgin Pahk (yes, "pahk")...my memories of the boisterous waitresses (do they have waiters now, too?) and the gigantic portions of everything, all came back to me here in L.A. Of course, I recall when dinners at DP were under $10...dating myself to the 40's and 50's (my Quincy days)...each time I have returned to Boston, I try to rekinldle the DP feeling. Have yet to find an eatery here in California that can quite match the "tavern-like ambience" and offerings of good old DP. Great suggestion for the OP and her 33-person reunion! For lobsters, is Jimmy's still at the harbor??
stu

yk

Jimmy is gone and replaced by a mega-comples where the new Legal @ Harborside is (plus a few other eateries).

ragout

Well the Reunion has come and gone. Thanks to all of you generous Fodorites it was a huge success!

The John Jeffries House was simply perfect. Vincent the GM was organized and charming. And Veronique, the assistant manager was calm and cool with our Check in process and room assignments which we had done in advance.
It was a challenge with so many of us because whenever we got together the large number tended to take over the elegant Sitting room - the only public space. The staff were more than accommodating of all the ages. Rooms were spotlessly clean, charmingly decorated in a more formal New England - sort of Beacon Hill townhouse style. And they were comfortable to boot.
I gather from the JJ House staff that they continually update the hotel. We would happily stay there again - my husband and I enjoyed the Deluxe Twin suite with a kitchen which we did not use this time but would under other circumstances. A bedroom, sitting room, kitchenette of this and a small bathroom - everything well organized.

Durgin Park was perfect. The 33 of us were accommodated in the upstairs dining room along with a couple of other large groups but ours made the most toasts and speeches, probably drank the most wine. I had arranged for a fixed menu and we pre-chose the white and red wine too. Staff very accommodating and efficient. Space had a great atmosphere.

I had arranged with the Super Duck Tour group to provide us with one of their double decker buses and driver/guide for one of the days. We were to do their usual tour with additional highlights for our family showing them Boston history and where our forebears and grandparents had lived along with their resting places and other gossipy tidbits too. All the stops were enough to prevent the younger children from becoming toooo restless.

We solved the tour lunch problem by Marc suggesting and arranging for Box Lunches and soda's for a reasonable price. (Had a bit of a problem finding a restaurant that would take us in a timely fashion with a sutiable price). The lunches were delicious, well put together and the price was right too.

Marc Dube from Super Duck Tours could not have been more helpful, great sense of humor and very accommodating of our needs. He met with us prior to the tour day and we got everything beautifully nailed down.

John the driver was fun and kept things rolling along. Game to take most roads that did not have low hanging branches or wires that might take his roof off!

Local Motion provided buses from Boston to Wolfeboro, NH and back. They too were wonderful. THeir busses were comfortable, they offered the best rates and on time service.

The teenagers were fascinated to hear the real Boston accent of one of our very nice drivers. He taught them how to say "Car" = "Caa"!

So thank you, thank you dear Fodorites - especially YK, SocialWorker and Ackislander. What a grand time we had with your helpful suggestions.

I hope this report will be helpful for any of you planning a large family event in Boston in the future. We would all happily do it again. With your advice and some of the great Boston professionals we met, it was a pleasure to be involved in preparing a memorable time for all.

yk

ragout, thanks for reporting back! You have put in so much time and effort on this - no doubt it was a success. It is no small feat to organize a multi-day tour for a huge family. I'm glad everyone enjoyed this and thanks again for letting us know how it went.

cw

Thanks so much for reporting back to us. Your report proves that this can be done! I'm glad everything worked out. It sounds like a wonderful trip.

socialworker

Wow, ragout, you did a great job! I am so glad that things went so well for all of you. I hope your time in Boston did not span the terrible driving rain that we had last week-end!