yk

TDudette, I happened to be in Houston last week, and the Sargent and the SEA show is currently at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, so I got to see it! And the Houston MFA also hosts an additional "Houston's Sargent" exhibition, with 30 paintings by Sargent from either the Houston's MFA collection or on loan from private collectors in Houston. All the works were WONDERFUL.

This one is a stunner: http://www.mfah.org/images/art/art2856.jpg

TDudette

Oh boy, yk, it surely is. Thank you very much!

Have only just gotten into the lecture I'm sorr to say. Have you yet? DH became ill so we had to cut short our trip-we didn't get to London. So, my aching heart (a slight exaggeration!) loved getting a glimpse with your pix.

Will have to see about getting up to Boston again and re-read this thread.

yk

TDudette, I'm sorry to hear that your husband was ill. I hope he's fully recovered now.

No, I haven't watched the lecture yet. I think I want to read the book first, which of course I haven't done so either.

Weather is turning very nice here in Boston; the next 6 months is the best time to come! OR, you can wait until the new american wing of the MFA opens later this fall, because right now only a handful of American paintings are on view.

TDudette

Thanks, yk. He's "hanging in"-has some chronic issues that made us want to be near his regular docs.

This thread has answers for anyone going to Boston with a Sargeant agenda. Again, many thanks, yk and all.

TDudette

Here we go again. Almost a year and a half with many things keeping me from a Sargent trip.

Am going to try again this September. Anyone have comments about the Westin at Copley or Back Bay Copley hotels? They look convenient to the library and shopping on Newberry St.

Is the area around MFA and Gardner museum "better" for the tourist?

Thanks all!

TDudette

oops, meant to say the Lenox Hotel not Back Bay Copley.

yk

Hi TDudette, location-wise, the Lenox & the Westin are about 2 blocks from one another. I don't think you can go wrong w/either. Lenox probably has a more old-world feel? Westin OTOH is a newer bldg and is connected to the Copley shopping mall & Prudential Center. Lenox is 1 block closer to Newbury Street.

There are no hotels near MFA & Gardner museum. If you stay in Back Bay around Copley, it's easy enough to get to the museums by taking the Green Line "E" train to the museums. Or, if you choose to walk, it's about a 20-25 min walk.

TDudette

Thanks once again, yk! The old world feel often appeals to me. Also found the Fairmont Copley on St. James. A tad closer to Commons. May I pick your brain again on that one?

I do feel that Fodorite feedback is more accurate than TA (but it's fun to read the TA reveiws).

cw

I'm not yk but the Fairmont Copley Plaza is a wonderful old hotel right next to Trinity Church. I think like many older hotels (like the Lenox too) there is a variation in room size. The public areas are lovely. I've attended many events there, large and small, and the staff is very hospitable. They also have a "hotel" dog who has become quite a star.

The Westin and the walkway to the inside malls is right across the street. All three hotels are quite close to one another and equally convenient.

yk

I agree w/cw. Fairmont Copley is another historic property. They are all within a few blocks of one another. I'd choose based on TA reviews and price.

sassy_cat

I'm a fan of the Westin. I've stayed there almost every year since 1999.
I love the views of the Charles from the higher floors. The rooms are spacious with really comfortable beds and it's well soundproofed.

Bar 10 at the hotel is good for a pre dinner drink.

TDudette

OK, the train, the cat's hotel and mine (Westin) are booked. Lenox couldn't accommodate me and was even more than the Westin. Will peek at Fairmont too-thanks cw!

Keep your fingers crossed that the capricious gods are with me this time.

sassy_cat

Good luck, my fingers are crossed! You'll love the new American wing at the MFA.

yk

TDudette, I hope you'll have a lovely trip.

I just re-read all the responses on this thread, while I can't believe it was almost 2years since you started it. A couple of things:

1) as sassy_cat mentioned, the new American Wing has opened at the MFA and the Sargent works there are gloriously hung. The huge portrait of the Edward Boit daughter is stunning.

2) I have since READ the book I mentioned before - Sargent's Daughters by Erica Hirshler. It's totally a biography of the painting, perhaps a tad academic but very interesting read if you are a Sargent fan. And since you will be seeing that painting when you're in Bosotn, I do recommend you reading it in advance if you have the time.

Let us know if you have other questions!

cw

Fingers crossed here that all works out. Now that you'll be able to see the New American Wing at the MFA, your visit will be that much better. And with a paid admission, you can go back a second time within ten days.

One note, and it may have been mentioned before, but if you take the Green Line outbound from Copley, take the "E" train. That's the one that goes to the MFA. Also there is a bus that runs along Huntington, the #39 bus. It follows the same route as the subway but can get hung up in traffic.

Enjoy your trip!

TDudette

Thanks again to all!

TDudette

Here we go again! A hurricane messed me up. However, I did get to London and the Tates in 2014.

This trip, I'm going to fly up instead of taking the train. At the first writing, I settled on the Westin hotel but think someone wrote a TR with a cheaper suggestion. So, off to look for hotels near Boston Public Library!

TDudette

I'm going to start a new thread about this trip, but many thanks to everyone.

Gulping at the price of the Westin Copley but it is the perfect location and they have an airport shuttle. I have until 24 hours before check-in to cancel, so if something better (read cheaper) comes along there is some flexibility.

cw

Tdudette, www.lastminutetravel.com is a good site for hotels in Boston. It does not identify the hotel but if you zoom in on their map, you can see what hotel is being offered. Usually their reservations can be cancelled up to three days before arrival.

Also, I'm not aware of any central Boston hotel that has a free airport shuttle.

There is Logan Express Back Bay bus that stops at each airport terminal that goes to Back Bay and stops at the Convention Center and the Copley T stop next to the library. It's a short walk from there to the Westin. The shuttle costs $5 (credit cards only) and is free with a T pass.

When is your trip?

TDudette

Thanks for the info, cw. The gal I spoke with at Westin reservations said they have a shuttle. When I confirm reservation, I'll find out for certain.

Trip is end of May!