I am planning my first trip to Boston this March to celebrate my 30th birthday and I don't know where the best area to stay is... or the best hotels either.

I see plenty of hotels in the Back Bay area and a few downtown near Quincy Market and the Waterfront. What is the best area for a tourist to stay in to get a good feel of the city? I love to walk, discover, and get the overall feel of a city as opposed to spending all my time in museums, etc.

Some of the hotels I've been looking at are the Marriott Long Wharf, Sheraton, Westin Copley, Fairmont Copley, and Le Meridien.

Please help! I really want this trip to be a special one. Thank you!

Both the Back Bay area and downtown are convenient places to stay in Boston, which is a fairly small, walkable, city.

The Westin Copley and Fairmount Copley are close to Newbury Street, which is one of the upscale shopping areas in town. A good street for window shopping, people watching etc. It's also the area closer to the Museum of Fine Arts and Symphony Hall.

The waterfront, downtown, hotels are closer to many of the historic sites, the Aquarium, and the North End, Boston's historic Italian neighborhood.

Either way, you really can't go wrong. To get a good feel for the city, walk through the North End, Beacon Hill, the Boston Common and Public Garden, and Back Bay. Each area is different and has its own appeal.

Boston is such a small city it doesn't make much difference where you stay. You'll have great things to see in either spot. Le Meridien (and I think it just changed hands) is in the Financial District. Though only a few blocks from the Marriott Longwharf, it would not be my first choice. Its a lovely hotel but surrounded by office buildings and a small nice park. Marriott Longwharf is on the harbor so that's a plus. The remainder are very close to each other in the Back Bay. I think I would go with either the Fairmont Copley (also known as the Copley Plaza). The Copley is a grand old dame landmark in the city with Trinity Church, the Boston Public Library and the John Hancock Building right at your doorstep.

From the hotels you have mentioned I would choose, both The Westin Copley and The Fairmont Copley Plaza for the location. Between these two hotels I'd prefer to stay at the Fairmont.

The Sheraton is also in Back Bay, in a queiter area of Back Bay than the Westin and Fairmont hotels.

However, the Long Wharf area is more convenient for walking to the Freedom Trail, from Back Bay you would have to take a subway to get to the Freedom Trail.

Have fun!

We stayed in Back Bay a couple of years ago, and with the help of Boston's excellent T subway system, had no problem getting to anything we wanted to see. Back Bay is very walkable (flat and safe) with interesting streets.

Definitely the Back Bay--

I have stayed at the Sheraton Back Bay- gorgeous hotel with rooms overlooking the Charles River...

also the Marriott Copley Plaza is ideal..connected to Copley Sq Mall...

And BACK BAY is a few short block from Newbury St which is filled with terrific boutiques and neat little restaurants...

loved the Westin recently with its Heavenly Bed and view of Charles at $129.

Thanks for all the input!! I've decided to stay in the Back Bay based on everyone's feedback...