Since so many of you have had Boston hotel experiences I would like some advice. Taking family of 4 to Boston this summer, and want some suggestions on hotels. trying to stay in $200 budget. will have no car, want to stay right in the city?
Boston prices shocked me a little.
Found:
AMES Hotel with breakfast $204
Hilton Back Bay $185
Boston Park Plaza Hotel $194
Hilton Downtown $215
Lenox $220
These are all a little out of my price range, but if the location is good, then I'm willing to spend a little more. I wanted to know if the location of these places were ideal to things to do and see in a walking distance. Thanks - this is our first time to Boston.

This is a cheaper place but probably not what you are looking for. http://www.bostonhostel.org/directions.shtml
Never stayed in this one but have stayed in many other HI Hostels including the one in Chicago.

That price on the Hilton Back Bay seems very good. The location is excellent. The Lenox is even more central and is a very nice hotel...that's pretty much ideal. I'm not as crazy about the Park Plaza, but its not bad...its closer to the theater district, and a tiny bit farther from the historic sites. The Ames is, I believe, closer to Faneuil hall, but I'm not really familiar with it.

Boston in general is pretty small and easy to get around by foot, cab or T, so none of these would be way out. But if I was picking one, I'd go with the Lenox.

Another vote for the Hilton Back Bay. It's across the street from the Sheraton and you can walk through that hotel into the Pru so it's very convenient. Don't knock the advantage of being able to walk through the mall during the summer when it can be very hot and humid.

Thank you china_cat and sassy_cat, that's very helpful and likely what we will do Hilton Back Bay. But still want to know if Ames or Lenox better? Ames have breakfast and with kids a thought easier.
Any suggestions from anyone else

Good advice so far.

These hotels you listed are actually all well located -- close by public transportation and some area sights in all cases. By and large, you should be fine at any of them.

Note that sticker shock on Boston/Cambridge lodging is not unusual on this website.

If ambiance and decor matter to you then the Hiltons are more modern hotels while the Lenox and Park Plaza are older with what some see as historic charm and others see as dated.
Note the Park Plaza does have 'newer' rooms in the tower section, I've only stayed in the older main building so I'm not sure what they're like.

I'd also lean towards Hilton Back Bay, followed by Lenox. Ames is near the historic core, but I think I've read noise issues in reviews - you need to check them out.

Park Plaza has very small rooms so I'd avoid that.

FWIW, these are VERY GOOD prices for boston hotels for summer. I'd grab it ASAP.

Thanks to all so much for respond, I will start on reservation.

yk, we actually had a large room in the Park Plaza with 2 bathrooms and we didn't pay anything over the top extra for it so I guess they have a variety of room sizes.
The lobby is quite grand but the rest of the hotel doesn't quite live up to expectations imo.

P.S. Since there's 4 of you, you may want to call up the hotels and find out how large the rooms are (in terms of sq ft). I'd choose one that isn't closet-sized! And since hotels may have rooms of various sizes, if you call directly you may be able to reserve a larger room instead of just booking over the internet and be assigned any rooms...

Yk thank you so much for idea,I will call and check.I'm leaning towards Hilton ,Lenox or Ames due to location.

The Lenox is my favorite hotel in the Back Bay/Copley area (great service, perks like free water bottles and other treats from front desk, and very nice rooms). The Hilton Back Bay has recently been renovated and is also nice and close to the Prudential Center. The Park Plaza I was underwhelmed by. I haven't stayed at the others.

Did you look at the reviews on tripadvisor?

I think the Ames would be an interesting hotel--a new hotel in a renovated building right off the Freedom Trail, close to the harbor, North End, Boston Common, and Quincy Market.

But with children, are you interested in having a pool? That might be nice after a warm day of sightseeing. In that case, I'd go with the Hilton. As someone mentioned already, it's right across the street from the Sheraton and Prudential Center shops. In hot or rainy weather, you would be able to walk around and there is a large selection of restaurants that offer everything from sandwiches to high end dining and everything in between. You can also walk from there inside to Copley Place, another shopping area.

It is almost next door to the Christian Science Center Plaza where there is a large fountain that kids and some adults run through on hot days. http://christianscience.com/church-o...-science-plaza

Boston is a compact city so you are never too far away from the tourist sites and the "T" is very convenient and easy to use.

MFNYC- yes, I did look on TripAdvisor reviews,and that's why I thought will be nice.Thank you for your feed back.

cw-I see your point,and you probably right,I guess Hilton it is.Thank you so much for advice.