january89

Am trying to plan 4 days Boston/4 days in NY last week of June and am having trouble getting started. Someone suggested staying on the Waterfront in Boston, good idea or bad? No idea where to stay in NY. We are 2 adults and a 13 and 16 year old. Would rather not rent a car, we're fine using subways, cabs, walking. Is a day trip from Boston to Salem doable? Like to keep hotel around 250 or so. I have heard Boston is a very walkable city, and know we can get around New York. I know we are only going to hit the highlights, realize we can't see much in 4 days each place. ANY help, suggestions, ideas are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

sf7307

Unless you're taking side trips out of the city, you don't WANT a car in either of those cities. It's just an expense to rent and another expense to park it. Rent a car when you want to leave the city, for example, if you decide to go to Salem, or to Lexington/Concord (which I'd vote for).

Staying by the waterfront in Boston is a good idea - you can walk to a lot of places from there (the Marriott Long Wharf or Marriott Custom House, just as an example) -- the North End, Faneuil Hall, the Aquarium, parts of the Freedom Trail.

In New York, where you stay is not that big an issue, because the sites are spread out all over. I personally like mid-town east and the upper west side, but everyone has their favorites. Just stay near a subway entrance. Will you be sharing one room, or getting two? If one, look at the Courtyard Midtown East, becuase the rooms are huge, they all have a sofabed, and some have two queens. It's in a great location - subway at the corner, good bagel place on the block, drugstore downstairs. That's if you don't get a suite in one of the suite hotels.

yk

RE Boston

"WATERFRONT" in Boston means different areas to different people. Generally speaking for Boston hotels, "waterfront" = the area SE of Fort Point Channel near the new Convention Center. If that's the area you're told to stay, I WOULD NOT rocommend that. Not that "Waterfront" area is bad, but there are plenty of more convenient locations/hotels than those out in the Waterfront. I'd look into hotels in
- Back Bay
- Copley Sq
- Theatre District
- Aquarium/Faneuil Hall

There are dozens of hotels in the areas mentioned above; and these are locations far more convenient than "Waterfront".

Anyway, I just want to point out that many hotels in Boston calls itself "Waterfront" - you need to be careful and figure out exactly where it is. Eg, the Westin Waterfront is about 2 miles away from the Fairmont Battery Wharf (which also is on the "waterfront").

Day trip to Salem is doable, though 4 days is not a lot in Boston and therefore I don't know if it's worthwhile to spend a day there instead of IN Boston.

january89

Thank you both. We would prefer adjoining rooms, but that can get pricey, so a larger room where we had a bit of space and 2 beds would be our second choice. I wondered if Back Bay was considered waterfront. Maybe that's why I was confused, there is more than one Waterfront area??? Or it is just very spread out? I looked at the Mariott Residence Inn and Marlowe/Kimpton in Boston. Did look at Affinia(s) in NY. Anyone know these? Thanks.

yk

Regarding your hotel budget, I assume that's $250 for 1 room for the 4 of you? Or is it $250 per room but you're getting 2 rooms? Or is it $125 per room and getting 2 rooms?

I just want to say that for late June, $250/room won't give you too many options. And for NYC, the rooms are tiny esp if the 4 of you are sharing 1 room.

For example the Marriott Long Wharf in Boston mentioned above is asking for >$350/n per room for late June.

One place you can consider in Boston is the Courtyard Marriott on Tremont Street. Courtyard is having a 15%-off deal right now (thru end of june), and you can have 1 room for 4 of you for $237/n OR $250 inclu breakfast for 4 of you.

As for NYC, I suggest looking into the Affinia group. Their hotel rooms are suites and are much more spacious than you regular NYC hotel (tiny rooms). If you go to travelzoo, I think there is a deal via bookit.com for one of the Affinia properties.

yk

Sorry, didn't see your latest post.

Back Bay is not "Waterfront".

"Waterfront" can mean anywhere from North End (eg, the Fairmont Battery Wharf), down to Aquarium area (eg, Marriott Long Wharf), down to South Station area (eg, Intercontinental), and out to the actual "Waterfront neighborhood" (which is where the Convention Center, the Westin Waterfront, the Renaissance Waterfront, and the Seaport Hotel are).

The 2 you mentioned: the Marriott residence Inn and Marlowe are both in Cambridge. Both are fine, though not as convenient as the areas I mentioned earlier. My friends like the Marlowe because it's pet-friendly, and the room size is decent. However, I am not crazy about its location. In any case, for both of those places, you'd need to hop on the T for a couple of stops to get to the Freedom Trail and other "older" sites. Of course, taking the T is not a big deal IF you can find an affordable rate at those hotels.

capxxx

Consider the Marriot Residence Inn Boston Harbor -- it is in Charleston, just over the river from Boston proper. You can use the walkway over the locks, or (if the locks are open) walk over the Charlestonw Bridge to be at the north end in 10 minutes. You can also walk to the USS constitution, and olde towne central Charleston.

Views are spectacular, great breakfast (make your own waffles, egg and sausage buffet, fresh fruit, etc) , and a kitchenette. Rack rate is high for rooms, but we have stayed there for 199/night, so you might get lucky.

yk

Oh yes, there's the Residence Inn Tudor Wharf (the one capxxx is referring to), and there's the Residence Inn Cambridge. If all things being equal, I'd choose the Tudor Wharf location over the Cambridge one.

Back to the Affinia group in NYC: we stayed at the Affinia Gardens last month and I can't say enough good things about it. We had a very good rate because I booked it way back in Feb. The Jr suites are about 450 sq ft; and 1BR suites are even bigger. At the Affinia Gardens, all rooms have a kitchen with stove, microwave, fridge. We were able to make simple dinners in our rooms and saved a bunch not having to eat out every night.

january89

THANK you for all your help. I'm back again with more questions.

BOSTON- I think I have learned that Residence Inn at Boston Harbor is the SAME as Tudor Wharf but there is another Res Inn in Cambridge. I can get 2 Beds plus sofa for $330 (3 nites and 379 1 nite) or a 1 bed, 1 sofa and 1 rollaway for 294. Don't know taxes there tho,guessing 12%?? Rooms are 525 sf so adding the rollaway may not be too bad. But have never done that, any advice? (Boy and girl so they need their own beds or husband and I share with said boy and girl!)

NY-Really like the Affina Gardens and Manhattan. 400-700sf $286-$324 2 beds or 2 beds and sofa. With Kitchen. Look like good locations???
Courtyard Midtown East-Similar prices but rooms are smaller. Is this location tons better than Affinia G or M??

These are the properties websites and phone calls. The bookit, etc don't really have better rates for our dates or have no availability.

Any opinions or other ideas? I have never been to Boston so know nothing about location. Have been to NY and feel any of these locations are ok but may be wrong. THANKS!

sf7307

I've never stayed at an Affinia, but it seems everyone who does likes it. However, the Affinia Manhattan is across the street from Penn Station - not a good area for tourists, more of a business location. I looked at the room layouts at the Affinia Gardens, and they look perfect.

nytraveler

For NYC a room for $125 just isn't realistic - unless you're looking at a B&B or small hotel with shared baths - and each room would likely have only 1 double bed.

You best option is to try to find a double double - assuming the kids can share a bed. I would look now at travelzoo.com to see what they have for your dates. You might check the Newton on the upper west side, which has some internet specials that might fit your dates. But - I would look ASAP, since you're dates are coming up quickly and your budget is tight. And don;t forget that there is an 18% tax on top of the rates listed unless they say it includes tax.

yk

Regarding Residence Inn, I'd think your kids would be happier to have their own beds? If so, then the 1 bed + sofabed + rollaway sounds the best. I assume the rollaway can be folded up when not in use. Plus, I doubt you'd be spending too much time in the room anyway.

We stayed at Affinia Gardens and really liked the location. It's in the UES, a residential part of town. I know some people (esp kids) prefer near Times Sq but I'd much rather be away from the crowd and the noise. The room/price you quote is that for the Jr suite? The 4 of us stayed in 2 Jr suites. One is a 2-bed Jr suite and one is a King Jr suite. The 2-bed Jr suite is larger in size, so that's probably what you'd want. I guess in that situation, you & husband can sleep on one bed, one kid in the other bed, and one kid in the sofa bed.

If you click on my name, you can find (in the bottom of my profile) my recent NYC trip report. In it is my review of Affinia Gardens.

willis

we stayed in a vrbo within walking distance to congress. it accomodated only two people but you may find a vrbo for your group.

january89

YK-The Gardens sound lovely. They have the 2 beds in a Junior Suite but it did not say there was a sofa bed, it listed a recliner. I'll check with them again. AAA is their best rate at 286 without tax, so I thought that was pretty good for NYC.

SF7303-When you say the Manhattan is near Penn and for business travelers is that because we would be far from everything or would families be uncomfortable in that hotel? The reason I liked that Affinia is because they had a larger suite available.

NYTraveler-Sorry for the confusion, my original post was trying to stay around $250 for one room, not $125 each room. Kids can't share beds which makes this much harder! I liked that the Affinia gave a complete price and am trying to find out for Boston what room tax is.

Again, thanks for your help. I'll be back soon for can't miss sight and food recs!

ellenem

Most New Yorkers would consider the location of the Affinia Manhattan opposite Penn Station to be noisy, charmless, and even ugly. The hotel itself is probably fine. Some would point out that you're going to be touring the city and getting away from the hotel in any case. This may be true, but I think you'd have nicer time walking out the door of the Affinia Gardens and finding a local restaurant or shop right down the block--not so easy near Penn Station.

yk

january89, gosh, you're right! The 2-bed jr suite @ Affinia Gardens only has a recliner. I suppose they can bring in a rollaway bed? The King-bed jr suite is the one that has a sofabed.

owlwoman

There are many Affinia hotels, I'm not crazy about the Penn Station location, but there is good access to public transportation from there.

That being said, have you checked the Affinia on East 34th Street off Park Ave.? We had friends stay there, love the location, right near a subway stop, and the rooms are a good size, having a kitchen definitely is a good idea with kids.

sf7307

ellenem's description of the location of the Affinia Manhattan is spot on. It's not a "bad" area, it's just not a pleasant area.

january89

Thanks again. The Affinia Dumont is on E. 34th but their rooms only have one bed. Shelburne is full.

Affinia 50 on East 50th has 2 beds for $1230 for 4 nights, what is that location like?

There is an Affinia property Eastgate Tower 222 E. 39th Street has a 2 bedroom suite, plenty of beds and space for $1460 for 4 nights. Looks great, good price. Says it is in Murray Hill. Can someone tell what that location would be like.

I understand what you all are saying about the Manhattan and I really appreciate your insights. Garden would be a better choice, if Eastgate isn't a good idea.

Thanks again.

ellenem

Eastgate Tower is a residential neighborhood not far from the Midtown Tunnel. It's slightly further from subway stations than the others, but has plenty of local restaurant options. Fodors Editor Doug Stallings lives right in the neighborhood and can probably advise best.

I think Affinia 50 is better located for transportation than the Eastgate--good subway connections just a block or two away. Good neighborhood restaurant options to the east, and Rockefeller Center less than 10 minutes walk west.