Hi,
I have a little dilemma. I'm meeting a friend for the last 12 days of September in Boston with the plan to drive north hoping to see some beautiful leaves. (early, I know) We're fairly flexible with the itinerary, and suggestions are welcome, but my question is about staying in the Boston area the last few days. We fly out to different places on the last day & would like to be fairly close to the airport (25 miles-ish), but in an area where we can do some day trips (suggestions welcome there, too). I'm not as economy-minded as my friend is & I'm worried about ending up in an area that might not be as welcoming/safe/pleasant if we go too cheap. I don't want to offend, but she's mentioned a couple of places that are $70 a night & I'm thinking cheap is $70 each! HELP! Can anyone give me ideas of places/areas/hotels I should politely veto right off the bat?
Is there an area you recommend to stay for a few days to do day trips, then just find a hotel the last day that is much closer to the airport? Any and all advice welcome.
Thanks.

I would avoid anything on Rt 1 esp those that bill themselves as airport hotels. They are fine if all you want is a room and free shuttle to the airport in the morning but Rt 1 is an extremely busy, very old highway. The hotels are squeezed in amidst shopping centers etc. We have stayed in a Danvers/Peabody hotel that at least had lots of green space but was almost impossible to find. From there we visited Salem and just north of Boston when there was a Cirque show at the race track. Nothing I would recommend but at least better than staying on Rt 1 itself. I think this hotel was on the rt 95/old 128 section. There are lots of hotels along this road and it might be more convenient if you decide to explore south of Boston i.e. Plymouth, Newport RI.

Twenty-five miles is not fairly close to the airport. 25 miles in Boston is not 25 miles in other parts of the country - we live about that distance from Boston and it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to get to the airport, depending on time of day/day of week (the 2 hour number is worst case scenario) by car - and a trip from where we are on public transit would be longer than a flight to much of the country.

I think your question is about the last few days in Boston vicinity, not for your trips north. First, do a search here on Boston lodging - Boston lodging is always expensive and if you find a deal too good to be true, it is. But others have been happy with places somewhat more moderately priced. Then, check prices and get back to us so we can complain and rant about your choice. Also, consider Priceline. I would feel more comfortable economizing on hotels for your trip north - greater chance you will find places that are merely a little tired and seedy than dangerous and terribly inconvenient - which could be the situation for cheap Boston area lodging. And then use the money you save on staying closer to Boston for final days.

There is no place near Boston for $70/night/room that is not either dangerous, a real flea trap, or so inconvenient as to make your trip misery. But if your budget is per person, you might find a place for under $200/night per room. Remember to figure in taxes and parking - which might addusbstantially to your nightly total.

In the end of September, you will probably not see any fall foliage until you reach northern New Hampshire or southern Canada. This would be a very long drive from Boston.

For your last night, you may want to consider using Priceline to bid on a Logan airport-area hotel. This is the only way you will find even a half-way decent place to fit your $70 budget.

These are some good locations near Boston for using as a base for interesting daytrips: Salem MA, Newport RI, or anywhere on the Cape.

another option would be to fly into Montreal or Quebec City, drive to Boston, and then return home from Logan Airport in Boston. This would give you some exposure to fall foliage, and would reduce the amount of driving.

As someone said, Salem would be okay, and also Gloucester or Ipswich. All three have commuter rail into Boston (not Logan though). The train would take roughly one hour, and there's a lot to do without leaving the North Shore.

The Vista in Gloucester is probably around $100 that time of year, and last I knew, it was fine. It has a distant water view.

You would have to leave plenty of time to get to the airport. If there's no traffic, it would take maybe 45 minutes, but always allow for traffic.

lovtogoto,
As noted, 25 mi is not close to AP in Boston. Route 1 north of city subject to delays at commuting times which begin early afternoon.Tday dining in BOS proper we have found a big problem. Dng rms in the hotels are very expensive on that day...they serve the traditional turkey dinner. Not having got beyond the price, do not know quality. Suggest you include Concord center on your itinerary since it is one very important historical center, along w/ the famous bridge and battlefield. There, the Colonial Inn in the center, an historic and beautiful bldg in a lovely setting, serves a very fine traditional dinner at reasonable(for NE)cost.At least it did 2 yrs ago.Book now!Rte2w out of BOS goes thru Cambridge passing very nr Harvard Sq. then continues w. beyond Cambridge and near-in suburbia getting to Concord w/o hassle...open country, divided h'way part of the way. Nearly impossible to park in H sq but worth the expense to see and walk the H.yard and the bldgs mentioned by another poster. Cambridge and Concord in one day is a load if you want to see a lot and learn. Alternatively,Harvard Sq is very easy ride on the subway,stops smack in the middle of the sq across the street from the yard.Opposite direction on the subway on that same Red line goes to Quincy...much longer ride but not requiring changes...ends close to the 16th-17th c homes of the Adams family...the Adams library being highly acclaimed.Not to miss in BOS proper: The Gardiner Museum very near the M. of Fine Arts...also easy on subway on the Green Line...be careful to take the line that runs up Huntington Ave. goes right by the door of the MFA. If the Red Sox are in town stay away from Kenmore Sq and Fenway pk unless you are going to the game. Traffic and mobs of people on foot and in the subway are near impossible.
Have lived in and nr BOS for most of 60 yrs...still haven't seen everything. Happy to help if you have further questions.
Hope you enjoy tho it will be too soon for good color locally You would have to go up to mid-coast ME or well up into NH...depends on weather of course... really a separate trip because of distance.
Ciao.

I think there are a few other things you need to consider.

Based on my understanding, you are looking for a place in Boston to stay for the last few days of your trip, and you plan to do sightseeing IN Boston during those last few days, RIGHT?

1) Having a car those last few days in Boston is PITA. While you need a car to drive North to see foliage, you do not need a car to sightsee in Boston.

2) If you decide to return your car as soon as you return to Boston, you should look for a hotel IN Boston so you can use public transport to get around for sightseeing.

3) If you decide to KEEP the car until you fly out of Logan, you need to add in:
a) additional car rental costs
b) parking (both @ hotel and in town)

4) As others have pointed out, 25 miles is VERY FAR OUT in Boston. We live about 10 miles from the airport and I think that's too far away already!

5) $70 is unrealistic for lodging IN TOWN. You may be able to get something in that range if you stay out in the 'burbs and if you use Priceline or Hotwire to book your hotel. But again, don't forget the cost of keeping a car, parking costs, and the TIME you wasted stuck in traffic.

I have gotten $65-$75 for Hyatt and Hilton at airport on Priceline, both 4 star. I would not bid 3 star at airport because you can wind up in some strange places. You do not need a car at the airport and should get rid of it when you arrive. It is not as easy being in the airport as being in the city, but unless you get lucky on Priceline for one of the other zones, not likely at this time of year, it is about as close as you can come to your budget.

Ok, Thanks very much for all the advice. I've spent some time looking at the overall trip based on what you've all suggested. The airfare is a done deal, so in and out of Boston it is. We both arrive around 5:00, so I thought we'd head north to Manchester or Concord for that night, then head to points north for a few days, working back to coastal Maine. I figured maybe 3 days in Boston, and 3 on the outskirts to do the day trips. Maybe it would be better to bypass Boston for 3 days in one place for day trips, then head back to Boston for the last three days, and get rid of the car completely, staying in town.
It's the three 'outskirts' places that my original question was about. My friend has found that $70 place at a Best Western in Skeekonk, MA, which she figured would be good for day trips to the cape. What do you think about that? If the area is safe, I guess I could go with that, against my preference. I thought maybe a Staybridge Suites or something would be better, but haven't looked yet. Do you think that is a good location for those day trips, or is there a better one? If the area is ok, I'll look for a bit nicer place to stay, I think. I hate to end the trip in a depressing motel, but if we stay out and just go back to sleep, I suppose I could suck it up this time. Thanks for anything you can suggest. This is a wonderful forum. Each of us has traveled quite a bit, but are not close friends, and I think we just have different standards & expectations. This trip fell into our laps, so I want to make it as much fun as possible for both of us.

I realize that we will be there earlier in September (first week) than you will, but we got the Hilton Back Bay for $80/night and Sheraton Back Bay for $100/night for our trip through Priceline. I would say it's worth a try if you are truly on a budget. We have had very good luck with Priceline.

Seekonk? No. Not a chance. If you want to see the Cape, stay on the Cape. Rates should be relatively low in late Sept.

What times are your departing flights? That will make a big difference in how long it takes to get to Logan.

I live NE of Boston (on the North Shore), roughly 20 miles from Logan. If it is not MORNING rush hour, I often can get to the airport in about 35 minutes (although I usually allow longer - and usually it takes over an hour during the AM commute). For the most part, AFTERNOON rush hour does not affect my trip TO the airport that much - most of the traffic on Route 1 is headed north (so the return is a pain).

Speaking of which: If you are arriving into Logan at 5:00 PM, it could take a while to get to Manchester or Concord, NH. Assuming you have all bags and the car by 6:00, that is still rush hour traffic (and likely to be especially bad if it is Friday 9/18 - not a problem it if is Saturday 9/19). And there can be a LOT of traffic headed well into the northern suburbs and even southern NH at evening rush hour. If you arrive on a red-eye at 5:00 AM, no problems heading north!

Google Maps says 1 hour 2 minutes from Logan to Manchester (city). During afternoon rush hour - fat chance! It could easily take twice that long, if not longer, plus you have the aggravation of starting your vacation in all that traffic.

Think about this as well - a car rented at Logan can cost nearly twice as much as the same car rented at an off-airport location. Just as an example, renting a compact car from Enterprise at Logan is $806 for 9/18-30 and a full-size is $1035. Comparable rates for renting in "downtown" Boston are $466 and $570.

So you might want to consider staying your first weekend in Boston (using public transit to get into the city), then renting a car in town and driving to NH or other points north (AFTER morning rush hour!), and then staying in the city again for your last night (or seeing how much extra it costs to drop it at or near the airport).

Thanks for the additional replies. We finally have a couple of reservations. I used the Priceline suggestion, and got the Boston Marriott Copley Place for $100 a night for our last three nights. It seems like a good place & I feel great about the rate! We haven't booked the car yet, but that 1,000+ rate is what we've experienced finding. I'll definitely look at renting downtown. It would mean getting to our first stop later, but that's ok....we don't get in until around 5:00ish by the time we both arrive. It sure would be easier to get a car there and returning it there since we won't need it the last couple of days. Thanks.

As far as heading north during rush hour, we may be stuck with that. I made the first night's reservation in Manchester - sure was difficult getting a place there & nearly impossible in Concord. And it was half as much again as a night in Boston. Amazing.
I think having the starting and ending points makes it less stressful, then we can play it by ear for the times in between.
Thanks for all the great advice.

Newport is a great side trip in the area. Hotels in Newport are expensive, but try Middleton, RI. There is a nice Holiday Inn Express, Mariott Courtyard, etc. There are also plenty of B&B's.
If you want the Cape, then look on the Cape. You can find deals after the summer.

Would you consider taking the bus to Manchster? You can get the bus outside your terminal. It will make a stop at South Station and then head north. I've taken Concord to Logan. www.concordtrailways.com
The time table for Logan to Manchester doesn't look very good but the Logan to Concord is much better. Concord is about 15 minute drive north of Manchester. Car rental agencies in Concord probably close by 6pm. Guess this would only work if your hotel was in Concord.
Check other ground transportation like Flightline vans that do pick ups at Logan. Perhaps take you directly to a car rental agency in a suburb along Rt 93 or to Manchester airport. Does your Manchester hotel provide free shuttle transportation from MHT? Or check car rental rates at MHT.

The Marriott Copley is an excellent hotel and location, and what a great rate!

Boston just raised airport tariffs and taxes on lodging and rental cars. Rental cars are particularly expensive in Boston no matter where you pick up. You might just have to bite the bullet on price.

Just checked Enterprise again, and prices are about the same as in my post of 8/18.

Here are some sample rates for a compact and a full-size, for 8/18-30:

Chelsea (415, 498)

Revere (415, 508)

Somerville, Cambridge (438, 538)

Boston-Brookline (456, 518)

Boston-Copley, Back Bay, Government Center (466, 570)

Airport (726, 1070)

Assuming you went with Enterprise (and I don't know if they have the best rates for your needs), depending on how you want to balance cost versus convenience, you could choose between the location nearest the Marriott and the location in Revere (just take the T's Blue Line from the airport to the stop nearest the rental location - but make sure they will pick you up there before you reserve).