As between Boston and Philadelphia, if you're willing to make a four hour train ride, I would choose Washington, DC for a few days. Boston and Philadelphia both have a lot to offer and are very interesting, but Washington, DC is unique, and its no further from NY than Boston. If time is a factor, Philadelphia is much closer, but I'd prefer Washington or Boston, in that order.

I completely understand the logistics of the trip, that this family is headed south from NYC. But I also think since they're from New Zealand, there's a good chance they might not get back to the states for some time. In my opinion, once again, another reason to choose Boston or yes, an extra day or two in Washington D.C.

As I understand it, they will be in NYC December 25th - December 29th, and because the rates at their hotel are outrageous for the 30th and 31st, they are thinking of staying in New Jersey or going to Boston for a couple/few days before heading to Washington, DC. on January 2nd.

But, two months ago, they were planning to rent a car and drive to DC, then drive back to NYC, then fly to Florida, then fly to Denver, so who knows?

"Hyatt Boston is in the guetto."

...if you mean the "ghetto" you are sadly mistaken.

The Ritz Carlton is right around the corner...the days of the "combat zone" are gone.

Granted there isn't alot to see/do right outside the hotel at night, but it's hardly a ghetto and there are things within just a few blocks.

If you think the area around the Hyatt is the "ghetto"...you've lived a very charmed life.

Milemarker,


No, I have not lived a charmed life.

I am in that area often 6 days a week - ALL hours of the day and night. I encounter junkies and dealers and prostitutes daily in that area. They do avoid the front of the Ritz, as the valets, door men, bellhops are all in presence all hours of the day and night. Washington Street, Boyleston, directly behind the Ritz, the corner across from the DMV are areas ridden with crime. Yes it is the guetto.

I've seen prostitutes, druggies and drunks in the public garden and common...does that make it the ghetto too?

Boston is my home city and I would say the Hyatt is neither the ghetto nor totally safe and okay. During the day and around sunset you are fine. Many people work there and it is not a big concern. When the sun goes down, however, the danger in that area does rise dramatically. I have no problem staying there but I make sure I do not walk the streets at night unless I am with a large group. Take a cab to and from your destination and you will be just fine. I lived in Boston the past 28 years and still work with the Boston Police, and my bottom line advice is stay off those streets when it is dark, but you will be okay in the light. It is a very nice hotel... just be safe and smart and you will do fine.

On First Night, there are SO many people in the area you need not worry until about 4AM... other nights it is basically when it gets dark.

No the commons are relatively safe in comparison. It lacks dark alleys and doorways.

I have witnessed enough crime, avoided enough muggings and been stalked by theives and drug dealers enough in the area of the Hyatt to know what I am speaking of. Are you familiar with the triangle attack? It is when 3 punks make a triangle on different sections of a street with dark alleys and doorways to set a trap for their mark. I witness it often. I'm sorry that the word ghetto bothers you, but that is surely what many who work in the area see it to be when witnessed 24/7.

Boston is a fabulous city, but there are dangerous areas like anywhere in the world. I think our city would be a great choice for the OP, but I was concerned that they were considering the Boston Hyatt which is not an area of the city that I would consider a good choice.

I have to chime in as another Boston resident who often, day and night, walks by The Hyatt and say it is a fine location for the hours you would be accessing it -

With two boys 10 and 12 I doubt you will be walking home at 2am, which is when my friends who live in the Ritz do say they see some things that remind them of the old days of the Combat Zone , etc. -

If it is after ten and you are concerned, as someone said take a cab.

The mistake people often make is they think they don't need to have their wits about them in other areas and you can get mugged anywhere - in any city -

There is a thread here somewhere from a family who stayed in the Hyatt with their family/children and were most pleased and had zero problems at night.
There are theaters and clubs nearby and yes, there is action you wouldn't want your kids seeing late, late at night -

but again, with kids your age - that won't be a problem for you

As anywhere, you learn where to go at what time and how to get there - in any city -
just as I hope you will in New York City -

* You could also look into the limoliner.com that runs from Hyatt to Hyatt - but again these are costs you need to add up, as someone also said, the cost of adding another trip might be more than staying in a hotel in nyc even though the price is increasing.

Here is one other thread discussing the same hotel:


http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34899441

gyppielou-

I'm sure that you are very familiar with the area but your choice of words is terrible. A ghetto it is not. I can't afford to live in the area. Problems in the neighborhood are not driving the crime rate in general. Buildings are not falling down. Children are not begging in the streets. Really, I would not and have not been the least bit worried staying at the Hyatt.
I think that Boston, Philadelphia, and DC are all good choices.

milemarker, shandy, escargot, and shaz,

Yes you are all correct.

My calling the area a ghetto does not properly reflect the area from a literal sense. It is an area of transients and homeless which is not correct interpretation of a ghetto. Actually the interpretation of the history of the word seems more welcoming than what I have witnessed. I have not meant to offend but share the truth of the area I spend much of my life in. Call it the good the bad and the ugly. I will refrain from calling it the ghetto in the future.

Bottom line is Boston is a fantastic destination. It just gets better and better. The Seaport area is thriving, the landscape architects are working overtime to showcase our city. The new greenbelt is shining, the Charles, the Gardens and yes the Commons are all welcoming. Boston is thriving and between the oceaan, the Charles and the history and people and food destinations and and and...

I love Boston.

I just don't like when I read over and over, people who don't know Boston and the ins and outs, stay at Hyatt and are rightfully immediately on guard. Just not a tourist friendly area when you are not familiar with the area.

That said, I think the OP was only thinking of the Hyatt New York, so this may be a mute point.

Again, I am sorry if I offended. I tend to be brutally honest.

We've been staying at the Hyatt in Boston for years, going back to when it was Swissotel. The area has improved dramatically, especially in recent years.

We've often walked back to that hotel late at night from dinner, a movie, or the theater, and never once have we seen a prostitute, homeless person, or drug addict.

I commented on this area in referenced post - my post was dated 2006. This area continues to improve. Other than usual big city street awareness, I would have no concern with this area currently. Name any city with no prostitutes, homeless, addicts - and these mentioned unfortunates I do not generally consider safety concerns - panhandlers are annoying, but easily ignored. Homeless are just upsetting to me. And prostitutes and drug addicts usually recognize that I have nothing that they are interested in.