Hi,

My husband has a conference in April in Boston at the New Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. I will be going to Boston with him and will be caring for our 12 month old son as well. It appears that hotels near the convention center are not near things to do. I would like to be able to take out my son for some exploring during the day. Any hotel suggestions? I was thinking a pool might be fun for my little guy too...but that is not a real necessity. I've considered Four Seasons, Intercontinental, Ritz, but will consider anything. I want to figure this out now as I can get a discounted rate through the conference.

Thank you for your help!!
Jenny

The area around the Public Gardens will be great - so either Four Seasons or the Taj will work. A few blocks farther is the Back Bay Hotel.

Agree that area near Convention Center is not the best for your purposes. What hotels are included in discount rate - and how much? When in April also matters - Patriots Day is the 3rd Monday in April - the day of the Boston Marathon - which is good and bad. Interesting things going on, hotels are more expensive and difficult to find. That is also the beginning of public school vacation week in MA and some other districts in New England - also good and bad regarding crowds but also more things to do.

Check pool rules before you limit hotels to one with pool - more and more hotels are not allowing kids in diapers/of diaper age into pools at all for health reasons.

Years ago, must have been 2004, when my youngest was 18 months we stayed at the Palm House Hilton. The location was perfect!! We walked almost everywhere with the stroller. We also had a junior suite which was nice - the kids slept in the living room and we slept in thh bedroom.

Years ago, must have been 2004, when my youngest was 18 months we stayed at the Palm House Hilton.

As a Boston local, I've never heard of the Palm House Hilton. Can you elaborate?

Also never heard of Palm House Hilton in Boston - and when I googled it there is not reference to it either. Strange name for Boston hotel.

The Palmer House Hilton is in Chicago, not Boston.

The Back Bay area is good as the weather might still be bad in April. From the Westin you'd have easy access to the Copley and Prudential malls and would also be very close to the Public Library. The library has storytimes for babies and toddlers and comfy corners to sit in and read plus the old part of the building is very interesting. The Westin Back Bay does have a pool too.
You're close to the T for a short ride to the Public Gardens and Boston Common and if the weather is nice you could walk back to your hotel (about 1mile).

Boston has a Children's museum geared for the very young and even as a one year old your son will find something to enjoy here.
http://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/

Maybe she meant the Omni Parker House?

Anyway, the Marriott Copley might also be a good choice, I think they have a pool as well.

Oh no - so sorry - wyatt92 - Yes I meant Omni Parker House. You got it!!
sf7307 - I have stayed at the Palmer House in Chicago as well before I even had kids so at least 11 years ago. I apologize for the confusion. Both of these hotel stays were ages ago.
So back to the Omni Parker in Boston - it was perfect for us and our 2 little guys.

Wow! Thanks for all the comments! Am looking at the Ritz more closely - am more familiar with that area. Used to live in Boston when I was little & would visit a bunch in high school/college, but not much in the last 15 years or so.

We'll be there April 7-14, so will miss the Boston Marathon & the school vacations. As far as pricing, the rates go from $149 - $395/night including most major hotels. The cost will be run through my husband's business (luckily enough for me), so am starting with trying to figure out what works best for us as a family. The Ritz is 3/4 mile from the convention center - he could walk it if he doesn't want to wait for transportation. The Four Seasons is 2.5 miles...but the Intercontinental is 3/4 mile as well. The Ritz doesn't have a pool, but we can use the pool at the Hyatt at no charge.

The Omni Parker house is 1 mile away from the convention center and does not have a pool. Will look into that one. Good pricing on it - $249/night.

So if I'm understanding everyone, would it be better if we stayed near Copley Plaza vs. near Boston Common? If I am remembering correctly, on my teenaged forays into Boston to Filene's Basement, we'd park under the Public Garden? or the Commons, and walk over to Filene's. According to the Ritz website, they are within walking distance of most things...and I'm not adverse to walking or riding the subway with my little guy.

Love the idea of the library. And the Children's Museum! I remember going there when I was younger - how fun to go back with my son!

I need to find a good, simple map to get my bearings...it's been so long since I was there.

Thanks again!
JJ

Oh....I just remembered! We met my grandmother one time when I was a teen at the Omni Parker House. She was living on Martha's VIneyard at the time and came into the city to meet us. (We came down from Maine.) Anyway I suddenly remembered it because I believe that is where the Parker House roll was invented?!? Or maybe I am imagining things! LOL

Either the Copley Square or Boston Common area is convenient. I think the Omni Parker is a little tired these days, so I'd rule it out. If a pool is really important, I wouldn't stay at the Ritz. Just to be clear, the new Ritz borders the Common/Downtown Crossing/Theater District areas, the old Ritz is not called the Taj. Filene's Basement is no more.

Have you looked at the Westin Copley and Marriott Copley? There's also a brand new W near the Theater District.

Sorry, I meant the old Ritz is NOW called the Taj.

Yes, I realized that the old Ritz is now the Taj. The pool thing - not sure it will matter too much...I mean, it's hard to judge at this age (8 months). He could be loving pools by then or absolutely hating them. We're going to Chicago in a couple weeks - we'll see what he thinks of the pool then.

Thanks for the info about Copley Square & Boston Common both being convenient. Too bad about Filenes Basement - it was always fun. (I even bought my wedding gown there!) I'll check out the Westin Copley & Marriott Copley. And the W. Will be glad when I get this all figured out.

Thanks.

Hmmm...well, once I got online to make my reservation, the options were rather limited. All my first options were already taken. So I chose The Back Bay Hotel - looks OK. Guess I need to do some more research and planning.

Thanks!

My friends stayed at the Back Bay hotel over the summer and they were pleased with it. It was the Jury's hotel before; a historic building and a very good location.

We ended up getting an apartment in Beacon Hill & cancelled the hotel reservation. My parents decided to join us; the apartment ended up being cheaper. Am not excited it is on the 4th floor, but think it will be a great base to explore from. And will give us more room than a hotel!

Beacon Hill is a great neighborhood. Although, I wouldn't expect the apartment to be much bigger than a hotel room, Beacon Hill apartments are TINY.

Can you post a link to the Beacon Hill apartment, and perhaps give us a review after your stay? I'm always interested to check out short-term vacation rentals in Boston so I can recommend to relatives.