Hi, so my siblings and are looking to send out parents on a weekend getaway as their present for Christmas. I need help locating a place for them to stay. We are looking for somewhere in NH, Vermont, Maine, RI, or Mass. It will probably be in January.... anything woks; an inn in the mountains, or a hotel in Boston- and anything in between. We need something fairly cheap, under $200 for both nights would be appreciated! All help is appreciated! Thanks!

Your budget is pretty low. Boston is out, at that price. And probably the mountain inns, since it's ski season.


I think your best bet is someplace very off-season. Like Cape Cod. There are some inns that meet your price.

I checked Portland ME hotels, and it's still pretty tight. If you can go to$250 for the two nights you can do better.

What do you think your parents will want to do? Offseason at the shore can be boring, but can also be cozy and romantic. But maybe Portland or Portsmouth have a little more to offer in the way of indoor stuff.

Royal Sonesta Boston is at $109 on Jan 17 weekend, Hyatt Boston Harbor is a $119 and Le Meridien Cambridge/MIT is at $99.

You might check with these hotels to see if they have any weekend packages that include parking.

What do they like to do? Portland ME or Portsmouth NH are great suggestions. Assume they will have a car. Do they cross country ski? Enjoy independent movies? Music? Visit wineries?

I suggest Portsmouth also. Interesting, relatively reasonable.

the Royal Sonesta is a very nice hotel, but its in Cambridge and not particularly convenient to mass transit. And the Hyatt Harborside is actually an airport hotel, not particularly convenient either.

But Kendall Square might be nice. Check rates on the Kendall Hotel, it tends to be less expensive and its closer to the Kendall Sq T stop than the Le Meridian.

The Mountain Top Inn, Vermont. Beautiful setting, great food, sleigh rides and winter activities.

Newport RI generally has some winter deals.
The nice thing about Newport is that it's not as cold or snowy as many other parts of NE. Everything is open all year.
Nice scenery, mansions and historic sites and great restaurants.

The Samoset Resort on the coast of Maine has a $99 weekend rate on various wkds in Jan and Feb, or $90 for AAA members or seniors.
No "resort fees" are added in wintertime, and they have an indoor pool.

If you're gifting them a place in NE, do your parents mind driving in snow in January?

There are lots of smaller motels in your buget, even in desirable towns like Woodstock Vt. Check out the Braeside Motel - great location, very charming New England village.

Try Wells Maine, bargin off season rates and a quick ride to the K'bunks,Ogunquit,York and Portsmouth,NH.