DonTopaz

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.)

aussie_10

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.

lcuy

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.

starrs

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.

aussie_10

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.

starrs

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!

aussie_10

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.

sharona

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.

Tabernash2

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.

aussie_10

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.

starrs

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.

Luv2travel15

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!

Luv2travel15

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.

aussie_10

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?

gail

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 ….".

Luv2travel15

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.

HappyTrvlr

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.

clarkgriswold

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

fun01960

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.

aussie_10

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.