Help Needed... Boston (hotel/train location)
 

I have a party to attend in Salem, MA on a Saturday. Plan on making the trip for the weekend, but would like to stay in Boston rather than in Salem. As i don't want to drink at the party and then have to drive back to the hotel (even if it's just 1 or 2), i'm trying to coordinate it with mass transit, utilizing the "commuter rail"<BR><BR>I'm told i can take the COMMUTER RAIL from North Street Station to Salem, so now i need a hotel near the North Street Station (ideally) OR a hotel along the green or orange line, which will take me to the North Street station.<BR><BR>Using Priceline's zones, can anybody please tell me which of the following areas are closest to the North Street Station, and which areas have the ORANGE or GREEN line run thru them (or are these areas too broad to comment on in that fashion?)<BR><BR>1) Allston-Brighton-Brookline <BR>2) Back Bay - Copley - Theater District <BR>3) Medford - Somerville <BR>4) South Boston <BR>5) Downtown Boston <BR>6) Boston Airport <BR>7) Cambridge<BR><BR>Is my above plan on using mass transit going to be more a hassle than it's worth, or is it relatively easy/convenient? Also, what is an expected amount to pay for overnight parking at a Boston hotel at which i'm staying at (or price at a nearby lot)? <BR><BR>Thanks for any and all help... if more specific info is needed, please respond and i will follow up.

I would definately plan on using the MBTA system during your stay. The Commuter Rail does run to Salem, but on weekends it is not as frequent. Check the schedule out at www.mbta.com<BR>As for hotels, here are the areas you should bid: Back Bay/Copley/Theater District. This area is serviced by both the Green and Orange Lines. Back Bay is Boston's livliest neighborhood-great shops, restaraunts, sites, clubs etc. My second choice would be Downtown Boston..assuming this includes Quincy Market/Waterfront area. Certain parts of downtown are quiet on weekends, but if you get a hotel in the Quincy Market area, you will be very central to North Station, and good restaraunts, sites etc. There are not many hotels near North Station (also the Fleet Center), except maybe the Holiday Inn on Cambridge Street, the Royal Sonesta just across the river in Cambridge, and the hotels in the Quincy Market area. I would NOT bid for any of the other neighborhoods as they are not all that convenient for what you want.<BR>You should also NOT bring a car to Boston if at all possible. It is more hassle than it's worth. Garages will probably run you at least $20/day, probably closer to $30. As far as I know, the majority of hotels in Boston do not offer free parking. <BR>In summary, check out www.mbta.com for T info, and my #1 neighborhood to bid for would be Back Bay.

I second that Back Bay or Downtown are your best choices for hotel near North Station. A caution - the commuter rail has more limited service on weekends and for a Saturday night party might not get you back to hotel as late as you want. Check schedule carefully. Parking in lot is likely to be expensive, some hotels will charge you less than standard parking lot fee. I think it is workable if you plan ahead, especially about times of trains as if you are stranded in Salem, a cab gets expensive.

I just checked the MBTA web site, and on Saturdays the last train from Salem to Boston leaves at 10:38 pm. Would you want to leave your party that early? Something to consider when planning your logistics.

Thanks for looking out for my interest regarding the (in)frequent weekend service on the train. I saw the last train leaves Salem at 10:38pm, but this should be fine as the party is a "cocktail party" which begins at 7:00.<BR><BR>We are coming in from NYC, so we must have a car with us. I read on a prior post that it's possible to park at a meter on the street in either area (Back Bay or Downtown). Are the meters enforced on Sundays (and the Monday of President's Day... any .gov website i may be able to find out this info?) I'm assuming, perhaps incorrectly, that the streets will be a little quieter for the holiday weekend and parking on the stret may not be as bad as it typically would be. <BR><BR>As we arrive on Saturday afternoon, i'm hoping to park at a meter on Saturday until 6pm (which is what time i read they are in effect until) and then just leave the car until we are ready to leave on Monday. Hopefully the meters won't be in effect that Monday and i won't have to wake up early to put money in but, something this is something i'm willing to do in order to not pay $30/nite to park the car. <BR><BR>Does anybody see fault in carrying out the logistics of this plan? (ie- i won't find a spot on Saturday afternoon, the meters ARE enforced on Sundays, street cleaning on Sunday morning, etc)<BR><BR>All of the help thus far is GREATLY appreciated!

There is virtually NO on-street parking at all in the downtown/Faneuil Hall/Quincy Marketplace/North Station area; your best hope is the Back Bay/Copley area, which others have pointed out is a great area to stay and has easy access to both the Green and Orange lines (take Orange if you have a choice).<BR><BR>Even so, you will have to be very very lucky to find an on-street parking space in the Back Bay on a Saturday afternoon.<BR><BR>You might try parking in the garage under Boston Common -- it has the lowest rates around and is huge. Entrance is on your right-hand side halfway down the block of Charles Street that goes between the Common and the Public Garden.<BR><BR>Meters are not enforced on Sundays and Holidays (including Presidents Day), but the time limits on them (most are one hour, some are two, some are less than an hour) sometimes ARE enforced -- another reason for not parking at a meter too early on Saturday. So one strategy would be to park in a garage or under the Common until Sunday AM and move the car to the street then, when you're more liekly to find a meter available. Good luck!<BR><BR>

Try staying at the Millenium Bostonian Hotel. Its walking distance to North Station (though maybe not at night), and it overlooks Quincy Market. Very nice. Parking right there - have the valet park for you.

Another option might be the Midtown Hotel on Huntington Ave. It's on the T, right by the Prudential Center, Copley Place, Symphony Hall, etc. It's supposed to be a very reasonably priced place, and it has free parking. Don't know what your budget is, but if you were going to try street parking (nearly nonexistant in Boston) this might be a good alternative. Can't comment on the rooms but it's a very popular place and someone here might be able to comment.

My parents stayed at the Midtown for the second time last October, and said it was much shabbier than it had been 2 years previously, if that's any help....