My family is going to be in Boston this August and are looking for a good hotel and in a good location. We will rent a car but would like to be in a walkable location as well. We are also going to need to book two rooms. Is it a good idea to book two individual rooms on line? I haven't done that before and want to make sure that they are either adjoining or at least on the same floor. Thanks for any help on this.

sam...I dont book hotels on line so I cant give you any personal experience about booking 2 rooms.However, any special requests whatsoever will have to be addressed directly to the hotel,not the booking "agent".I have always had successful requests by calling the hotel between 9.30 and 11.30 local hotel time the morning of my arrival.This is the time they do each day's "room count".If I need connecting or adjoining rooms,this is the best time slot for the front desk to be able to determine if they can meet my request.Many hotels will emphasize that it can only be a request and no guarantees can be made until check in.But at least they can make a notation in your reservation regarding your requests.I hope this helps.

Any hotel in any city I have ever stayed in will allow you to "request" adjoining rooms/on same floor. I have never had the request not be available, but it is always only a request - not a guarantee. (This is usually the case with bedding in room as well).

Usually there is a place on on-line reservation form for special requests. Fill that in and also call hotel after you make reservation and again day of or day before.

Why are you renting a car in Boston if you are staying at a walkable hotel?

We've just returned from a few days in Boston ---stayed in the Omni Parker House and LOVED it!! Many kind fellow-travellers on this site advised against it ---I don't know whether we just lucked out, but our room was gorgeous. And I cannot imagine a better location. Walk out the door and head a few blocks to Quincy Market ---Filene's Basement!! The theatre district ---the North End ---Boston Common --Beacon Hill ----Newbury Street --- We didn't have to take the T even once!!!

Cannot imagine having a car in Boston!!!

I think that BeachBoi has a great suggestion ---regardless of special requests, it likely pays to call between those hours just to snag yourself the best room!!

We loved Boston and benefited greatly from this site ---hope to post a report soon. I've written 8 pages for my family, but I suspect that's a little too much information for all of you!! (Wish this site had "spell-check" --- my downfall!)

I would recommend that you only rent a car if you are not staying in Boston. If you want to go to outlying areas, you may want to stay somewhere else and rent a car then. The traffic is amazingly bad and getting worse every day. For most attractions in the city you don't need a car.

Don't rent a car for visiting Boston -- the public transit system can take you wherever you can't walk.

Have you considered renting a hotel suite rather than booking two rooms and then hoping they can be adjoining/on the same floor?

Thanks for the good advice. We will try calling which ever hotel we choose on the morning of our check in and try to get our request for adjoining rooms.
We are also re-thinking the car rental. If we do take a day trip we can always rent a car for that specific day.
I am wondering about hotels in the downtown area. I have seen good rates posted for the Lennox. Is it a nice place? I am not familiar with the Omni Parker House but will check it out also.
Part of our reason for the trip is to visit schools for our soon to be entering college daughter and will spend a day in Cambridge to scout schools there. Is that a convenient area, enough so to use that as our "base location"?
Thanks again for the help and any other suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Boston is a very compact city; all the downtown hotels are convenient to public transportation, as are Harvard and MIT.

Before moving to the Omni Parker House, we stayed 2nights at the lovely Charles Hotel in Cambridge. A perfect location in the heart of Harvard Square --- just a few short blocks to Harvard Yard.

My husband had meetings, so I headed into Boston via the "T". I couldn't believe how quickly I'd arrived in the heart of Boston. Emerged from underground at the Park Street Station, and stood for ten minutes just taking in all of the sights around me --- Boston Common, the Mass. State House, other historical buildings nestled among the towering skyscrapers of the financial district.

I wouldn't hesistate to stay in Cambridge again --- such a pretty, tranquil setting to come home to in contrast to the hustle and bustle of Boston!

I've also heard good things about the Doubletree suites hotel in Cambridge, but it doesn't seem to have easy access to the subway. Could be wrong. I'll bet they have a shuttle.

We didn't once wish we had a car. We spent our last night in the seaside village of Rockport --- a lovely one-hour train ride for $6.00 pp!!

S1a2r3,
I am currently thinking about the Omni.Can you tell me what size room you had? I am thinking of booking through Expedia for air- hotel combo. They have a "European Room" offered but then you can upgrade to a bigger/ better room for another $100+ a night. I just wonder if it's worth the upgrade. I am leaning toward this due to the location. We want to be in the city for a few days. Any other reccomdations?

As I mentioned in an earlier posting, many warned us against the Omni, saying it was "tired". I don't know whether we just lucked out, but our room was gorgeous. A king sized bed with mahogany headboard, 2 wing chairs with table and lamp, desk and lovely cabinet with tv. We found the room to be just the right size.

I booked on the Omi web-site (they have a net-savy rate) and then called the hotel to ensure the room would be of good size, etc. We also arrived for an early check-in, and then walked around for an hour to await a nice room that was coming available. We paid $170.00 per night. I'd be curious to know what you'd be paying through expedia. The hotel does have suites as well.

Many people suggested the Lenox as an alternative, which is in the Back Bay area close to all the Newbury shops. But we really preferred the location of the Omni --- so close to Quincy Market & the north end for good restaurants. The old city hall is right across the street so you really feel the sense of history. It was fun to poke my head in the dining room and picture JFK proposing to Jackie in the corner table.

I did read some pretty bad reviews from people who stayed in the European rooms so I'd say it is worth the up-grade.

Samschack, the T in Boston is wonderful. And you have so many well-located hotels, where you may not even need the T. Do yourself a favor, and don't try to drive in that traffic. I really believe it's the worst city to drive in that we've ever experienced. We have a relative living north of Boston, and they never drive in unless they absolutely have to.......... always use the trains.

S1a2r3-
I am probably booking through Expedia for a package deal.Because i am from the West coast, flights to the east coast are usually around $300 give or take. A package deal for us leaving out of our small airport and not having to go to San Fran. or San Jose is more economical than booking seperate flight and rooms.It's hard to tell what exactly is what as far as price. I do know that as of right now the Omni with our flight is $1,296. That is a european room. Upgrade and i go to $1,649. I can have the Eliot for $1, 500 and Lenox for around $1, 700.(This is for two p.)So with that said i am strongly leaning toward the Eliot for the price. I know its a good hotel so i should not have to worry.
I did read negative reviews on the Omni but that can be said for just about everything on Trip Advisor. You just have to weigh it all out. I definatly did not want to go for the European room though. A single deluxe room at the end of Sept. at the Omni i beleve was around $300. I dont know if prices change as the time gets closer but i am one to pre- plan and not wait to see only to find out its gone up more!

I have had good luck booking 2 bedroom SUITES in hotels. But again, you generally have to call the property direct to find out if the hotel has one available.
Often it is a sitting room with 2 adjoining rooms.
Worth asking about...