Boston- suburban motel
 

Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced family-friendly hotel on the outskirts of Boston? We are hoping to take the "T" into the city each day, if we decide to go in April. Any suggestions?

The Motel Six in Braintree should meet your needs. Basic accomodations, but cheap and only a ten minute walk to the Braintree T Station.

My favorite, although it's been "discovered" and prices are going up: Holiday Inn-Newton (Grove St.) -- it's just off I-95/128 and the Riverside "T" station is a walk across their parking lot. Since it's a Holiday Inn, maybe you can get some special deal for family, etc. FYI: Riverside is the end station of the "Green" line, which goes directly into town -- about 45 min. -- is reasonably safe to use, even late at night coming out to Newton.

First, check out the Midtown Hotel (more and upscale motor inn with - this is unbelievable - last I heard - free parking). Low rates, subway stop right outside the door, lots within walking distance (including Boston Common and Copley Square). Very popular with families. Would be much more fun than commuting into the city and back every day. Second, unless you are planning to attend the Boston Marathon (whereupon the hotel rates will be ridiculous the preceeding weekend), AVOID that weekend. The later in April you go, the more pleasant the weather for being out and about. And, later in the month the bulbs and flowering trees will be in bloom everywhere. Also, it's best to book NOW, even if you book several places and make up your mind later (making careful note of the cancellation policies). The reasonably priced, conveniently located, family-friendly, places fill up fast - way ahead. Good luck!

Any of the Hotels in Woburn should be good. The commuter rail train is right near all the hotels there.

The only thing to be aware of with the commuter rails is that they run on a very fixed schedule (you can check it out at MBTA.com -- usually about every half hour during prime commuter times and then they space out as the day goes on. The "T" is the "subway" with trains coming much more frequently. The "T" is also what takes you all about town and is .85 as opposed to the 2.00- up price of the commuter rail. The commuter rail will take you into either north or south station where you will have to transfer to a "T" train to get someplace else in the city. It's all quite easy. My husband takes the commuter rail each day... but it is a bummer if he misses one train and has to wait for another. Newton is a very safe and accesible suburb. We lived there for a year. The green line is one of the most congested lines in the "T" system (crowded cars)- but it will certainly get you where you want to go. Have a great trip!!

<BR>I stayed in Woburn on two trips to Boston in fall of 1996. The Swiss Chalet (sp?) is a chain in the northeast and is right next to the commuter train stop. The Comfort Inn is on the same street, but a little further walk from the train stop. Both hotels were clean, comfortable, served continental breakfast and were less that $150. for 3 adults with a rolloway. Only disadvantage is that there didn't seem to be much to do in the immediate area.

Vanetta, the above suggestions are reasonable, but you may want to consider something closer into the city. The Motel 6 in Braintree is literally across the street from the terminus of the "T" Red Line, but it is 30 minutes each way into Boston, and a double fare ($1.70) per person each way. Similarly, the Holiday Inn in Newton described is a nice property, but is upwards of 40 minutes from the center of the city. Both hotels, while certainly safe and well maintained, are not near anything. <BR> <BR>Donna's suggestion regarding the Midtown Hotel is a good one; let me throw in one other suggestion of a property I've seen (and perhaps someone reading this has firsthand knowledge). There's a Best Western Terrace Inn on Commonwealth Avenue (1650 Commonwealth)that is directly on the T's Green Line Trolley. It appears to be well maintained; more of a suburban motel yet within the city, and a 15 minute ride into Downtown Crossing. I don't know the rates, but their telephone number is (617) 566-6260. The area is lively and urban, populated largely by off-campus BC and BU students.

Neal's suggestion of the Terrace Motel may be a very good one. I had a very brief peek into a room some years back (a friend was staying there) and it had a small kitchenette in the room. The neighborhood is excellent. It's a very mixed ethnic area with a Russian shop, Spanish restaurant, organic grocery shop all within a few blocks. Keep in mind though that the T ride from there will be more like 30 min. to downtown as it travels on the surface for a good portion of the trip and this takes longer (but it's only 85 cents each way). <BR> <BR>Another good thing would be to reserve NOW as April is a big month in Boston for college graduations. There seems to be dozens every weekend! Have a great visit and email me if you need more help.

Try looking into the the Best Western in Concord. There you will have easy access to the many historic sites of Concord and the "T" is about a mile away.

Up up & away!