Boston, where should we stay?
 

We will be visiting Boston (our first visit) in October. We will be driving down from Maine and will return our rental car in Boston. Our dates are probably 14-17 Oct. Looking at a calendar for that time of year it looks like 17-18 is a Regatta weekend. Is this a big event?

A preliminary look show hotel rates are quite expensive. I am not sure in which area to stay. Is $300- $350 p/n an average price. I would not like to pay too much more.
Any recommendations appreciated.

Yes, it is I believe the largest rowing event in the world, larger than Henley, though I could be wrong about that.

Anyway, it is a terrible time to get a hotel room in the city, though not a bad time to be a tourist otherwise. If you like rowing, it is great fun.

I would book early at a place you can cancel. Many posters here have good recommendations for small hotels or guest houses, so I am sure you will hear from them. I have a pied á terre, so I haven't stayed in a hotel in a long time. Sorry.

The usual warning because it is a good one is never book a Boston hotel with a hyphenated location: Boston-Waltham, Boston-Braintree, Boston-Revere or the like. The second useful warning is to get rid of your car when you arrive. It will cost $40 or so a day to park, though cheaper rates, especially on weekends are possible. You don't really ever need a car to visit Boston and with road closures for the Head of the Charles, driving is likely to be even more fraught.

Thank you Ackislander for your information.

So if we were to stay the weekend for the Regatta, do you need tickets or can you just roll up on the foreshore to watch.

We will be turning in the care as soon as we arrive in Boston. After Boston we will be moving on to New York City.

I will avoid hyphenated names for hotel locations.

No tickets, just wander down to the Charles and watch. It will be pretty crowded, and dinner reservations will be a tough get, so make them early.

October is a pricey time in Boston. The Regatta brings in lots of people and to add to the fun there is a plastic surgery convention from the 16th to 20th, that is expecting 6,000 attendees. Demand for hotel rooms will be high, which drives up prices.

Looking at lastminutetravel.com, using your original dates, I see the hotel Marlowe in Cambridge for an avg nightly rate of $269. This hotel is within walking distance of a mall and several restaurants outside the mall and close to a subway stop and only a few stops to downtown Boston. This is a great price and cancellable without penalty up to a few days before. The only catch ... they charge your card upon booking and refund if you cancel. Nonetheless, it has a good reputation.

Other viable options on that site, all in Boston proper are Onyx for $293, Omni Parker House for $329, the Taj for $299.

When I change the departure date Oct 19th, so that you can see the Regatta, the average nightlybprice for 14th-19th goes up. Marlowe is $323, Onyx $350, Parker House $345, and miraculously, the Taj is still $299.

Unless you are a really big rowing fan I would stick with the original plan and head to NYC on the 17th.

HAPPY PLANNING!

Thank you for your replies.

No we are not big rowing fans, I just thought it might be fun to see, but not if it will cost us more.
I had read somewhere that Cambridge was a fair way out for accommodation. But not so?
I will look up your hotel recommendations thank you.

We mainly want to see the history sites of Boston, do the Freedom Trail etc.
We don't require a flash hotel just decent and good location for either walking or public transport.

Some parts of Cambridge are pretty far out but the areas of Kendall Square, Harvard Square and around the Galleria Mall all have decent hotels ans are very close to the subway and a short trip to Boston.

If you can stay in Boston, then do it, but the areas of Cambridge I mention are very workable if you wan to stay there to save a bit of money.

For example, the Marlowe and Sonesta hotels are close to the Lechmere stop of the subway's green line. From there it Is 3 stops (maybe 6 minutes if that) to Haymarket which is very close to the famous North End (Italian n'hood) and stops on the freedom trail such as Fanieul Hall. If you Don't get off there, continue 2 more stops(really 1 since the gov't center stop is closed for renovations) to Park Street which is on Boston Common. Many consider the Common to be the start of the freedom trail.

The Parker House is ON the Freedom Trail. The Taj overlooks the very pretty Public Garden. The Onyx is in a lively area, but not the prettiest area, near North Station.

Harvard University and Mass Institute of Technology (MIT) are both in Cambridge and easily accessible by subway and often places Boston visitors want to see.

Hope this helps.

We like the Park Plaza in Boston. It's a lovely historic building. Rooms can be small, so be sure to specify what you want.

We were there with family last May, and customer service was awesome. My SIL and her daughter had a standard double room, but the hotel let them upgrade to an amazingly large deluxe double room for about $10/day extra. It was on the concierge level, which gave them free breakfast and complimentary hors d'oeuvres at cocktail hour. There is a very nice lounge on the concierge level, which they had access to 24/7.

We had two connecting rooms, with concierge level perks, too. So ask about that.

They are good about working with their guests, if you have any problems.

I have looked at all your recommendations, thank you.

Some unfortunately on our Oz sites are more expensive than the US counterparts, e.g. last minute.
I have also looked directly at the hotel sites.
Boston is very expensive.

I have also looked at some apartments in the North End.
What are your thoughts on B&Bs?

You can stay in Holiday Inn Express Boston. This hotel is located in a great location.It's near to Downtown and a big Target Shopping Mall. There are so many restaurants like Olive garden and Applebee etc. hotel staffs are very helpful and great service also.

Book now. The rates I am seeing above surprise me - in that they are lower than I would have thought for Head of the Charles Regatta weekend. It is also probably Parents' Weekend at some college. Book now.

Boston is expensive - always listed in top 5 of most expensive US cities. Listen to Ackislander - if you find a hotel that is significantly less expensive than what is listed above, I guarantee there is something wrong with it in a major way - location most likely. Do not stay in Dorchester, at the airport or almost anyplace that calls itself "convenient to" rather than in center of Boston.

You do not have to like or even understand much about rowing to enjoy some of the Regatta. If you get nice fall weather, just the atmosphere is nice - foliage along the Charles River, people from all over the world, food and other vendors - one of those authentic colors/people/smells/sights things that adds to the character of a city.

I did have a look at the Holiday Inn Express, rates weren't too bad. But it does seem a long way out. Although it does not seem to bother reviewers.

I did some more research today and think I will take the advice and book something that can be cancelled if need be. Some of the hotels are already $1000 Aus a night. Not for me though, too many other things to spend my money on. Any further suggestions are most appreciated.

I am also tempted to stay the saturday night as well to experience the Regatta. We love local festivals.

No one has rung in with some of the smaller hotels and guest houses. There is on near Quincy Market, the John Jeffries House, another across from the Pru, and several in Coolidge Corner. None of these is going to hold rowing crews or their entourages.

But I don't know them all by any means since I have a place to stay.

There are three Holiday Inn Express hotels in Boston. Which one were you looking at? I wouldn't recommend the one in Dorchester--too far out. There is one in Cambridge which is near the Lechmere stop on the Green Line. That would be more convenient.

In addition to the John Jeffries House, you can check the Newbury Guest House, and the Oasis B & B.

Also look at the Charlesmark, Harborside Inn, and the Verb (a newly renovated hotel near Fenway Park).

Coolidge Corner is a cute area. We have stayed a few times at the Marriott Courtyard there. Great restaurants in walking distance.

We have walked by this place, and it looks nice:
http://www.thebeechtreeinn.com/index.htm

I was in Boston this past October for a college visit with my son and the room rates were much higher - $500 range. Fortunately, I was able to use points for a room. I agree with booking a room asap that you can cancel.

Wow thanks for the suggestions.
I will look them up now.

Not knowing Boston or surrounds at all I am relying on suggestions.
Lots of places say Boston but when you search them on a map I can see how far away they are.

What about something like homewood suites on Mass Ave in Arlington? You can walk to the Alewife subway stop. Or something near Wellington?

Or best western tria.... A ten minute walk from alewife.

Ok we have decided that we will include the saturday night of the Regatta. To experience the Regatta and atmosphere.

Homewood suites has some mixed reviews and similar prices to closer in town Us$370 p/n

The Beech tree Inn looks really nice and definitely a goer.
Still checking out more. Thank you for your suggestions

I've never stayed at the Beech Tree, but it's in a very good location for visiting Boston but not actually in the city. If you do stay there, try to save a little time to check out Hall's Pond Sanctuary, which is a hidden jewel a short walk from the inn.

(BTW, I am stunned that Homewood in Arlington is charging US$370/night -- it's a good alternative, but not at that price. Yikes.)

Well I emailed the Beech Tree yesterday but no reply so far.
Thanks for the tip on Hall's Pond Sanctuary.

We may now have friends joining us now so it may change things up.
Either 2 rooms or maybe a 2 B/R accommodation. The search continues.

The John Jeffries house is a nice (fairly) budget place. I haven't stayed there, but several friends have, and I've walked past it several times.

One thought - someone said there's a medical conference during that time. I know from personal experience that rooms are blocked out for the timeframe and hotels charge premium rates. Closer to the conference, the hold blocks are released and the hotel rates can drop considerable. You could book something further out that you can cancel, and then look again a couple of weeks for your dates. A room that is $600 now can easily be $200 the week before the conference. The hotels have a lot of rooms to rent. Actually, the hold drops off further out than two weeks so call about a month out and then three weeks. It's worth a try to get a room close in. Convention hotels are great locations, in the middle of everything. They are the only places I've stayed in Boston, because all of my trips have been company paid trips.

Starrs thanks for the suggestion. Yes I think someone mentioned a plastic surgeon conference or something.

During my research I have noted all the free cancellation prices as I also think that is the way to go. I hadn't thought about rechecking prices about 3 weeks out. But that weekend it is also the Regatta weekend, so I am thinking that accommodation will be at prime prices.

As we spend very little time in hotel rooms we would rather spend our money on experiences. But we do like a nice clean room and bathroom at a handy location for walking or trains etc.

In Boston you're going to have to pay more than elsewhere.
Start checking a month out and keep checking. I stayed in an absolutely dump in San Francisco because prices were so high. I checked in and the next morning called my favorite hotel. Rates had dropped to 1/3 of the previous rates. Even with the Regatta, there will be a drop in price if all of the blocked convention rooms aren't taken. Have fun!

Our Aus dollar costs $130 to buy US $100 ouch that hurts!!

Makes everything cost so much more. But will not stop us enjoying our trip!

Thanks everyone for your help.
I will try and lock something in within the next week.

You might want to take a look at Hotel 140. It's in a great location. Kind of no-frills but it may be what you're looking for. It looks like right now they have rooms available for your dates for $279. I'm not sure you're going to be able to find too many acceptable accommodations for much cheaper than that unless you luck out using starrs' strategy.

I suggest you call The Beech Tree. They only have 10 rooms and will be swamped with requests.

Or, if you need two rooms, it could be more cost-effective to get a two-bdrm suite. We had two connecting double suites at the Park Plaza, each with ensuite baths. It was cheaper than renting two separate rooms, but the doors could've closed so it was like having separate rooms, anyway. Except the king room had a large seating area, so the 4 if us could gather there.

I will try and phone the Beech Tree.

A 2 bedroom room would be perfect. Our friends are coming over tomorrow so we will try and lock something in.

You may want to check vrbo.com also.

Friends love the place they stayed in Winthrop-by-the-Sea, but it's no longer listed.

Aussie, are you staying 4 nights - Oct. 14-17 and check out on 18th?

I was just on Last Minute Travel website and there are several hotels you might consider in the $200+ range that would fit your needs.

Trip Advisor: enVision Hotel has rooms for $279. night. Good reviews.
location: 81 So. Huntington Av. Boston

Last Minute Travel (on my ipad):
Hyatt Boston Harbor - $243. per night

Midtown Hotel, 220 Huntington Av. Boston - $217. per night
This is a basic hotel but people have liked their stays there. Good reviews

Hampton Inn, 811 Massachusetts Av. Boston - $233. per night

Onyx, 155 Portland St. Boston - $263 per - excellent reviews!

Taj Boston, 15 Arlington St. Boston - $269
excellent reviews and great location - convenient to everything

Omni Parker, 60 School St. Boston - $296
great location and excellent reviews

Fairmont Copley Plaza, 138 St. James Av. Boston - $358.
this is located in Back Bay, Newbury St. area - superb location!

You have some excellent choices for Oct. so don't wait too long to book. As others have noted, the Regatta will be in town!

I have several friends and myself that have used Last Minute Travel to book hotels. Very pleased w/ their services, no problems w/ the booking or hotel stay. If you call them sometimes they can offer better rates.

Book online or call: 1-888-591-2799 (may not be convenient for you to call tho)

Are you flying out of Boston? Embassy Suites are close to airport and offer free shuttle to airport so that may work for you. Not as convenient to sightseeing but you can take public transportation to get into the city.

Thank you for your suggestions.

The Last Minute site in Australia does not go up to October when I search.
I then tried to search the US site and it seems to load UK pounds prices and these are not as good as your US prices. I will have a better try and see if I can get the US site.

Our arrival into Boston will be at the end of a 12 day driving holiday around New England hopefully to see some fall colour. We will be dropping the car off once we arrive in Boston.

At the end of our Boston stay we will move on to NYC either by train or bus.

I guess my biggest dilemma is do we try and stay closer to the centre of Boston (more expensive) or further out and travel in by the "T"

I have looked at a place called Bricco Suites which looks good and prices are good. it is in the North End. Any thoughts?

If you find a hotel that is directly on the T - the subway/trolley part of the MBTA - that is not ridiculously far out (like Riverside in Newton), the cost of hotel is likely to be not much less than in Boston, with added inconvenience.

What you will find is cheaper hotels on the commuter rail (purple line) or hotels for which walking to the MBTA stop is not practical - either by distance, or more often by the nature of the roadways. 1/2 mile to an MBTA stop may sound fine, until you find it is on a major highway or is a 1/2 mile only if you are a bird.

Ackislander and I have made this an annoying repetitive suggestion - but I suggest you listen to us. Stay in Boston. Do not get lured into thinking you have found a "deal" that is "only minutes away from ….".

Hi Aussie,

I agree w/ above poster about staying in Boston vs on the outskirts. You may pay more money but it will be so much more convenient sightseeing to be in Boston. Boston is a very walkable city so no need for a car. You will see much cheaper hotels listed as Boston but they are not even close to Boston. You will be driving or taking public transportation to get into the city.

I was checking the LMT site a few minutes ago and there are still some very good deals for Boston - trust us that if you can find anything upwards of $200-300 in the city that is a very good deal. You should not procrastinate if you want to visit Boston. I helped a friend from Dublin plan her Boston trip a couple of years ago and she was visiting at the same time you will be and paid a lot more for a hotel than what is currently listed. Up to you, but I suggest you book something and read the cancellation policy. If you find something cheaper you can cancel. At least you will have a hotel.

I just checked the LMT site to see if AUS currency was listed but it is not. Use a currency converter to get your rate. You might also check www.booking.com for hotels and rates. I have booked hotels w/ Booking and not had a problem. You can compare rates and I know that you can select AUS currency on their site as well. Sometimes you don't have to pay until you get to the hotel - read the terms.

Good luck.

I don't pwrsonally know Bricco Suites but it's in a very good location on Hanover St in the North End( Italian neighborhood) and near both the waterfront and the Greenway. We spent several weeks a few years ago at a friend's apt a few blocks from there and loved it. Wonderful dining, don't miss Saraceno's on Hanover St. Great bakeries nearby too.

La Quinta Inn Somerville (check their reviews) can be booked at $215 per night (bit less if anyone's over 65 in your party)...with no pre-payment and a day-of-arrival cancellation policy if you want to lock something in while you continue to look around. www.lq.com

Holiday Inn Express on Friend Street (near North Station) is conveniently located. I would not stay a Holiday Inn Express on Boston Street.

Winthrop(-by-the-sea) ... has a three hotels and a B&B ... but you would need to take a bus or cab to the subway and the subway to Boston .... all very doable, but not the same as staying close to a subway station.

OK we have taken all your wonderful information and suggestions into consideration and will stay as close in to town as prices permit.

I even went to a local travel agent to see if she could get any better rates than we are seeing.
She was staggered at the prices for Boston hotels they are more expensive than what we could get in NYC.

I have sent out a few requests and we are looking at a couple of apartments in the North End.