Hi all --

Have just found out that I need to go to Boston area (somerville) this weekend for a very boring chore -- so husband and I want to treat ourselves to a really nice hotel and dinner. Planning on staying over Saturday night only.

Any suggestions for a swanky hotel and delicious dinner convenient to Somerville area? I was thinking Cambridge maybe?
Thanks!

Yes, aim for Cambridge and cab over to Somerville. Somerville itself is a working class section of Boston of sorts but there's no sightseeing or hotels really that you would write home about. Davis and Porter Squares in Somerville are ok to visit but again its pretty working class. Cambridge is the place to go in that section of the Boston city area. I can't recommend any place but if you google Cambridge you'll find tons of entries. Well actually, I did eat at the Charles Hotel once in Harvard Square and its very pricey but very lovely. That way you can enjoy Harvard Square and maybe walk along Mass Ave but Harvard Square is your best bet for having fun. The Charles Hotel serves one of the best rated dinners in the city at one of their restaurants (don't remember the name) so yes, that's your place now that I think of it!! DON'T plan to drive or you'll shoot yourself and will definately get lost, just cab it.

I haven't stayed there but probably the swankiest hotel in Cambridge is the Charles Hotel which is located in Harvard Square. It's where all the foreign dignitaries stay when they are speaking at Harvard. If you're looking for something a little more reasonably priced, there's the Kendall Hotel which is a small boutique hotel that was made from a converted fire station. Very close to that is the Cambridge Marriott. It's a typical Marriott in a fairly convenient location.

I think the restaurant that Cookeiw is referring to is called Henrietta's Table. I've had an excellent brunch there once but never been for dinner.

Somerville has quite a few nice restaurants - EVOO is very good as is Dali. I hear good things about Gargoyles on the Square but haven't been. But if its elegance you want then Cambridge may be a better choice - Upstairs on the Square, Salts or Rialto, More casual in Cambridge is Temple Bar.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far....so Cambridge would be a good base??

Forgot to say - for a place to stay....We will have a truck with us - so we will need parking.

As for dinner -- Dont need elegance per se...
Just something memorable and delicious - with a great atmosphere. Somewhere trendy maybe - or a cozy pub

Anyone have an opinion of the Hotel Marlowe. The rates for a nice looking room (king with view) are pretty affordable ($160).

Hotel Marlowe is very nice, $160 sounds like a very good price too.

hey temple bar looks nice -- just looked it up online.
Do you think we would need a reservation? - for a Saturday night?

Temple Bar is nice - I love the big leather banquettes. But it can get pretty crowded on a Sat night. It never hurts to have a reservation. The food is very good - though not great. East Coast Grill gets raves on Chowhound but I've never been. EVOO has excellent food and is a bit more upscale. Definately check out chowhound.com - the Boston board is pretty active.

thanks bennnie!

Steviegene - check out the Blue Room too. It's pretty close to your hotel. Known for its Sunday Brunch it also does a nice dinner. My only complaint about the place is that they squeeze in too many tables.

Hi all!
Thanks for all your great suggestions!
We ended up at the Hotel Marlowe and had a great overnight and then to the Blue Room and had a really great dinner. After moving an entire apartment full of heavy furniture it was heaven finsish the day with a delicious dinner and a comfortable bed!!

The hotel was modern and fun - with jazzy decor and comfortable rooms. We got a suite with a view of Boston, which made for a beautiful sight -- especially at night.

The Blue Room was fun, modern and busy. But they gave us a nice cozy table against the wall - which allowed us some privacy.
The service was fantastic -- we didnt feel rushed at all. We started with some fun cocktails off of the custom cocktail menu - and had recommended wine pairings with our dinners.

I had the vegetarian antipasto - which was a delicious mix of roasted vegetables, hummus and crispy flatbread. It was also my first taste of fiddleheads!
I followed with tuna with roasted fennel over toasted orzo in a tomato purree. The fish was cooked absolutely perfectly, and the fennel was a great taste accompanied by the tomato. My only complaint would be that the tomato puree tasted a bit too "campbells tomato soup-ish".

My husband had the ricotta gnocchi appetizer accompanied by wilted greens and spring peas. The gnocchi were unbelievably light and airy.
He followed with a skirt steak accompanied by gorgonzola potatoes. He proclaimed it excellent!

We were too stuffed for dessert. So we caught a cab back to our hotel . Here we had a night cap and "blood orange Creme Brulee" at Bombara the hotel bar.

All-in-all our stay was fantastic, and dinner was perfect thanks to all your recommendations.
Thanks!

Thanks for reporting back. Glad you had a nice dinner. Aren't fiddleheads good? Its hard to find them on a menu but its a real New England thing.

My brother stayed at the LaQuinta in Somerville when his wife had surgery at MGH. Had a decent sized parking lot with free parking. Free laundromat. Free shuttle to T stations, nearby malls and restaurants. Had a good continental breakfast included in room rate.

oops -- see that the trip is over. Need another cup of mud, I guess