Boston-- where to stay?
 

Hi!
I'm planning a trip to MA with my husband at the end of June, we have 2 nights in Boston. Could you help me determine what neighborhood to stay in? We'd like to stay in a place that is accessible to the sites of Boston and in a nice hotel.

Also, do you think we'll need to rent a car for the 2 days? Or could we get by without one?

Any help is appreciated!
Thx! M

Maren,

Boston is very walkable...you don't need a car if you plan to stay in town.

The Copley Plaza or Ritz Carlton would be my choices.

The area you want to stay at is Backbay. There are quite a few hotels here- The W, Sheraton, Collonade, etc. Priceline is very handy for this area I have found in the past.

Absolutely do not rent a car. Parking prices are horrendous and driving is a nightmare, although I had to drive through the "Big Dig" and it may be better now. You don't need a car as you can take the subway everywhere!

Definitely the Back Bay area. There's the Ritz, Westin, Sheraton, Marriott, Hilton, Four Seasons, Park Plaza, Fairmont, as well as many other hotels to choose from in that area. A car will be unnecesary if you plan to just see sights in the city, as you can walk or take the T most places.

Was there for a long weekend around Christmas and had the best stay ever at One Beacon. Close to everything, wonderful service and great part of town!

Do you mean Fifteen Beacon? (Nice, boutique luxury hotel).

One Beacon is a condo building.

Also on Boylston, in Copley Sq. are the Lennox and the Charlesmark.

1. What's your budget?

2. You not only don't need a car, you don't WANT a car. You can do anything you want to with the T and shank's mare.

I'm not sure if this is totally a Marriott timeshare property but...the Custom House in Boston was BEAUTIFUL and right in the middle of everything. It is in beautiful building with a clock town on top that can be seen from all over the city. We used it as a landmark so we could travel away and always find our way home.
We only rented a car when we wanted to do day trips to Lexington, Concord, Plymouth, Salem, Cape Cod etc... One fun way to see an overview of the city is take the Duck Tours (a land and water tour) around Boston. It was nice to get an overview and then go back and visit the places we wanted to see in more detail.
The food is Boston is GREAT!!!! We never ate a bad place and compaired to prices we have to pay here in the Bay Area, the prices were reasonable.

HAVE FUN!!!!!

If budget isn't an issue, I love the Boston Harbor Hotel. Maybe not quite as convenient as Back Bay, but the views make it worthwhile. And it is convenient to waterfront sightseeing (harbor cruises, aquarium), Faniuel Hall and the North End.

Also, no one has mentioned the Eliot in Back Bay. I haven't stayed there, but its supposed to have some of the nicest rooms in the city.

but do tell, what is your budget? it will make a huge difference.

Hi Marin

June is a nice time to be in Boston.

I work for the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau and would suggest that you visit their website www.bostonusa.com .

I own a studio condo in the Back Bay on Marlborough Street that I just started to rent out which is very nice.

The Back Bay area is very nice. You really don't need a car. You can walk everywhere and when needed could take the "T".

You can call the GBCVB at 1-888-SEE-BOSTON and request a visitors guide or visit their website www.bostonusa.com

Good Luck!

Thanks everyone!

Our budget per night for the hotel will be about $200.

Anything in this range in the Back Bay area?

Maren

It's been a few years, but we stayed at the Lennox in the Back Bay Area. Nice, old hotel. Very comfortable and and easy stroll to Newberry, Boylston, and Beacon Hill. Take the T. Do not drive in Boston.

I agree with all posters who said to not drive in Boston. We had a car for a few days there and the car had the navagation system. It was a pain!!! The navagation system got all messed up on all of the one way streets and went off line due to the tall buildings around us. We spent three times time drivein and trying to find parking when we could of just taken the T walked a few blocks and been to where we wanted to go. Needless to say we did our day trips and then ditched the car.

Hi, I agree, whatever you do, don't drive in Boston. I agree, the Back Bay is the place and if you work it, you may be able to get a room for 200. The Westin is a perfect location, as is the the Ritz. You can take a cab to the North End in the evening and take the T during the day. All sights can be walked to. Some of my favorites are the MFA, North End, JFK museum, Newberry Street, the public garden. Have fun.

The Back Bay is great, I agree--good access to the T is a must. But last March, I lucked into a room at the Omni Parker House (right near the Common) for only 85 bucks a night! BY FAR it was the best location I have ever stayed in Boston. It's right on the Freedom Trail across from King's Chapel. Two T stops (for two different lines) are within two blocks--I could walk to Fanueil Hall, walk to the North End, etc. Great location all around. Rates are usually high, but I got my rate on Expedia (plus it was off season). The hotel itself is quite an historic site--apparently John Kennedy proposed to Jackie at the corner table of the dining room. If you opt for the back bay, I really like the Copley Square area.

I've stayed at many hotels in Boston, and my favorite by far is Bostonian Millenium.

It's beautiful, not "hotelish", very "boutique-like" with French Country furniture, huge bathrooms, and nice touches like chocolate covered strawberries and champagne in your room.

We had a beautiful corner room with balcony, overlooking Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market for $179/night, and could easily walk to the North End for dinner.

We stayed twice at thw Collonade this winter and were very pleased with the room and the service. The location is convenient to loads of shopping and right near the Christian Science HQ (which is worth a visit!) The French restaurant at the Collonade was as close to Paris as I've experienced in the US.

When I stayed at the Copley Plaza back in '99 the rooms were quite worn and showed their age. Unless they've been updated, I would suggest staying elsewhere.