Just curious which location might be best for our needs. Will be there over Christmas - would like a charming hotel. Right now have reservations at the Westin Copley Place, but would prefer something with more character. And a decent price. Wont have a car so need to be able to walk to restaurants, shops, etc. Want to go ice-skating on Christmas Eve (suggestions?). Will be going to see the Rockettes at the Wang Center and want to be conveniently able to get there. Cambridge seems to have "cuter" hotels, but not sure if it is too far out of the way. None of us have been to Boston before. 5 adults/family.

Cambridge covers quite a bit of area, and is just across the river from Boston. The important thing is transportation - you want to be near the "T" (i.e. subway), whether you're in Boston or Cambridge.

Decent price is hard to come by without some sacrifice. For high-end I would recommend Beacon Hill Hotel. It's hardly a hotel (think: Pensione or Inn) and centrally located on Charles St. in Beacon Hill, easy walking distance to the Theatre district and the '
T'. Ice skating can be found on Frog Pond on the Common, steps away from BHH. Or the Newbury Guest House on Newbury St. is more affordable but it's a B&B. Right on Newbury, close to the T and all-points Back Bay.

You might want to try the Kendall Hotel

http://www.kendallhotel.com/

It's a lovely little hotel located directly next to the Red Line stop for Kendall Square. It's a converted firehouse with beautiful rooms, each done differently with antiques and quilts. We are from the area and stay there when we want to spend an overnight while in Boston.

You can take the Red Line a few stops across the river and be in the heart of Boston or you can ride two stops up and be in the heart of Harvard Square.

You may want to try the INN at HARVARD in Cambridge on Mass Ave. Walking distance (< 5 minutes) to Harvard Square and public transportation. Easy access to Boston. Have fun.

You know, for your plans, the Westin Copley is nicely located. And, it has an amount of "character and charm", all depending upon what you mean by same.

I sincerely doubt that you would be "pleased" by any "cuter" places, less conviently located at whatever rates anywhere in Cambridge.

Check out those Cambridge hotels with regard to "cuteness" and convenience to a subway station.

The Westin is surperly located, but so are any number of any as nice or even nicer hotels.

There are substantial rumors that there will be ice skating at....Fenway Park! The Frog Pond is a good spot, but the chance to skate under the Green Monster mis too good to pass up.

Yes, your best bet for ice skating is the Frog Pond in Boston Common. But be aware that everything closes up early on Christmas Eve. The Westin or other Back Bay location would suit your needs better than Cambridge.

A nice feature about Westin is that since it is at Copley Place you can shop or eat without actually going outside - which could be important if the weather is really bad.