Which Boston hotel would you choose
 

My friend and I are going to meet in boston this summer with our 2 children- hers who is 8, mine who is 3. our options are:

-a 2 bedroom suite at the Eliot for about 700
-a 1 bedroom suite w/ connector at the Ritz for about 900
-a 1 bedroom suite w/ a connector at the Marriott long wharf for about 700

We want a nice play to stay that we adults will really like, but also a hotel conveniently located to kid stuff. we're thinking we'll probably do the duck tour, maybe the aquarium, maybe the children's museum. We might drive to BC one afternoon.

Any thoughts on which hotel we should choose and why? Thank you!

You may want to check out Hotel Marlowe in Cambridge - near Museum of Science and the duck tour area, right near the Charles, too.

I really like The Lenox on Bolyston Street, and stay there almost every other month when I'm in town for business or family reasons. I think it's much nicer than The Eliot.

The hotel is pretty small, and has lovely rooms and excellent service. If you really want to treat yourselves, you can even book a massage right in your room!

The location is very good for exploring Boston. The T stop is just across the street; The Public Gardens are about five blocks away; Newbury Street Shopping is two blocks away; The Prudential Center Mall is three blocks away, and there are excellent restaurants very close to the hotel, like Abe and Louie's Steakhouse, Atlantic Fish, Legal Seafoods, Turner Fisheries, and of course, the gigantic food courts in the mall.

Check the hotel's website because they sometimes offer summer packages. Have fun!

I'd go with the Ritz, it's across from the Common and very near 2 T stops. Nice hotel and I think it would be the most convenient. The Long Wharf is also very nice, next to the Aquarium but, overall, I think the location isn't quite as central as the Ritz.

thanks everyone, i appreciate all your help and points of view. (would love to hear more!)Weadles, the Lenox doesn't have a suite available the nights i'm looking. we really want a suite and a connector or a 2 bedroom suite. That's why the eliot appealed to me- the 2 bedroom suite. I'm hoping the Ritz lowers their rates a bit before we go- that might make the decision easier!

Hi again,

Did you ask for connecting rooms at The Lenox or a suite? There are only a few suites( most expensive rooms in the hotel) in the whole hotel, and they are really meant for two people, maybe three max if you got a cot. I don't think any of them connect to the rooms next door. But I'm almost positive that the hotel does have some regular rooms that connect.

Other hotels to try, both in excellent locations are: The Fairmont Copley Plaza, which is a few blocks away from The Lenox, and The Westin Hotel, also very close to The Lenox, which is a really nice hotel connected to The Prudential Center Mall.

And a step down from both of those would be The Marriot Copley Plaza, also connected to the mall.

I have stayed in both The Westin and The Marriott with my kids, so I know they have connecting rooms. The rooms at The Westin are considerably nicer than at The Marriott, but more $$.

I'd take any of these over The Eliot, which friends of mine tell me can be very hit or miss and quite noisy at night.

Oh- I almost forgot about The Sheraton Boston! Another hotel in the mall, and it definitely has connecting rooms. We've stayed there, too!

Thank you weadles. I do appreciate your advice. It seems that getting a one bedroom suite and a connector might be more at these places than at the ritz carlton. I've stayed at the fairmong copley and while nice, i like the ritz is better. I actually love the taj (the old ritz) but that is more than the new ritz as well.

I wish i could hear from someone who has stayed in the 2 bedroom suite at the eliot.It just is the perfect setting for what we need- no connectors, just a real 2 bedroom suite. But, if it'a not nice or nice enough, i don't want to chance it.

still, i'll call the hotels you suggested tomorrow to see if there's something i'm missing on the websites. I really appreciate your help! Thank you!

Hi again,

I agree with you about the old Ritz Carlton. I used to stay there a few years ago, and it was heavenly. Guess I'm a little confused about why you need the one bed suite plus connecting room. Two connecting rooms for the four of you won't work?

OK, this is my FINAL suggestion!! My husband just reminded me about our stay at The Boston Harbor Hotel for a conference two years ago. It's located very close to Faneuil Hall and the Marketplace, and is a very upscale, sumptious place with excellent dining and spa options.The hotel sometimes offers really good deals on its website. Husband says our room which was an upgrade was under $300/night. Now I am really done with suggestions!! Good luck with your choice.

I think maybe escargot has stayed at the Eliot? I can't remember but there's a regular poster here who has definitely stayed there before.

If you don't want to pay the Ritz' prices, I think you'll enjoy the Marriott Long Wharf.

We stayed at the Marriott Long Wharf and loved it; it's located right next to a pretty park, and our room had a great view of the water. It's right next door to the aquarium and the whale watching departure spot, and right by a T stop; we were close enough to walk to the North End for dinner every night. I'd definitely stay there again. If you go, be sure to request a water view because some of the rooms face the interior of the hotel. The water views are really pretty.

Thanks everyone. Weadles the reason we'd like a suite and a connector is that we will be there for a few days and with the kids in tow, we just like the idea of a common living area where we can all hang out and be together- rather than 4 of us all stuffed in one hotel room to talk and hang out with eachother.

The Boston harbour is gorgeous and i did look at that, but for what we want, it is more than all the ones suggested.

I'm not opposed to paying the 900 for the Ritz- I just wanted to make sure it was a good location for what we wanted to do-wasn't sure if it was walking distance to the aquarium or FH, etc.

I guess i'd like to be talked into the Eliot since the set up of the 2 bedroom suite is perfect, but my friend definitely wants at least 4 star. Thanks- maybe escargot will weigh in-- i'll see if it was she who stayed there and send out a post.

I put together a price map of the higher end boston hotels for you.
There were quite a few in the area you are looking at that no one's mentioned including the Langham, Boston Harbor hotel and Nine Zero. I flagged the Eliot for you as well so you'd have some context. http://www.HotelMapSearch.com/?llz=4....06705&l=a

I'd go with the Marriot Long Wharf. You're coming in a time when we'll hopefully have great weather! And what better place than to be on the ocean?! it's a really beautiful area. Aquarium is VERY close, and you're also very close to Quincy Market! So you'd have the T right near you, Aquarium, Quincy Market, North End....can't beat it!

City walker- that is so great of you! thank you so much- that map was so helpful. I didn't know you could do such a thing. THANK YOU so much for taking the time to help me like that. I cannot tell you how much i appreciate that!

I would not take kids to the new Ritz Carlton as opposed to the Old Ritz Carlton, now the Taj.

The old Ritz Carlton (Taj) is right across the street from the Public Garden, home of the Swan Boats and Make Way for Ducklings statues; one block from a major Green Line T stop (Arlington); and around the corner from Newbury Street shopping (you can hit Cartier, Burberry, etc, with a tennis ball).

The new Ritz Carlton borders the Theatre District (formerly the Combat Zone of strip clubs and prostitutes); China Town; and one of the seedier parts of the Common. There is a multiscreen theatre next door so there are big crowds at certain hours. It has improved a lot, but it is still an "emerging" neighborhood, at least as of two weeks ago.

Thanks Ackislander- that is important. I also just realized that I won't be able to stay at the Ritz for that rate-- it is an amex rate and my DH has the alex card, not me.

I just called the Fairmont Copley and can get a 1 bedroom suite with connector at a AAA rate of $846 plus a $100 food and beverage credit. It sounds like maybe this migth be my best option. Any thoughts? Is the fairmont copley nicer than the eliot? Nicer than the marriott? I've stayed at the FC and liked it, didn't think it was amazing (rooms not as amazing as its lobby), but i did like it.

I noticed that the Taj Boston Looks really nice and it overlooks Boston public gardens.

Taj Boston
http://www.TajHotels.com

15 Arlington Street
Boston, MA 02116
(800) 745-8883

thanks for the compliment on my map.
i'm an attorney most of the time but its more fun to play with maps than to read 100 page contracts.

I can't compare the rooms for you re: Fairmont vs Eliot, but I like the location of Fairmont better.

Friends of mine stayed at the Eliot a few months ago and I visited them in their room. They had a regular room, which we all felt it was on the small side. Otherwise, the room itself looks pretty nice to me. Of course, I'm sure the 2-bedroom suite is much bigger.