Boston Area DISers - I Need Your Help!

[disny_luvr]

We are planning a Boston/Maine trip next year and I need help with the Boston portion. The last time I was in Boston was 2003, and my memory is very foggy. We want to catch a baseball game at Fenway and visit the touristy spots - Freedom Trail, harbor, you get the idea. Where would be a good place to stay that is pretty reasonably priced ($250-$300)? I was looking at hotels in Boston but they are pretty expensive. We don't have to stay in Boston but would like to stay fairly close and be near the Metro. Any ideas? We'd probably only stay two nights before heading up to Maine.

TIA!

 

[HeatherC]

I would suggest the Marriott Copley or Sheraton Copley. They are attached to the Prudential Center and Copley Square. In the even of bad weather, there is an indoor mall with tons of shops, restaurants, etc.. It is also a great location for touring everything. And..if you book now you may be able to snag a great rate. With Marriott especially, the earlier you book, the lower the rates usually are.

Hope this helps!

 

[Kelly Anne]

I am about an hour from Boston, but in my experience I found the hotels closer to major things, i.e. Fenway and such are kinda expensive.. Have you searched a few miles from where you actually want to be? And as the PP said the earlier you book you might get a pretty good rate.

 

[QueenIsabella]

We stayed at the Westin Copley Place last year, when we went to Boston to spend a weekend with our DD. She's a student there. We liked the hotel so much, I've already booked a room through Expedia, for graduation next May. It isn't cheap--it works out to $425/night, including all fees. But, it's graduation weekend, and the hotel is walking distance both to Fenway and her college. Plus, it includes free breakfast, and there are 4 of us going.

I realize that's more than you want to pay--normally, I'm a total tightwad, but this was something I really wasn't going to be cheap about. As the PP stated, you might have better luck going out a few miles--look for hotels that are near T stations, and you'll be fine. Uber is also thriving in Boston, so that's a transportation option. Good luck in your search.

 

[Miss Whimsy]

As long as you aren't trying to come during May or October, you could try Cambridge. The places in Harvard Sq itself are probably crazy but there's a Hyatt on the river that is a walk to the T but is totally manageable.

 

[afan]

When I went in 2004 we stayed in the financial district, I think it was a wyndham. It was nice and since it was the weekend the rates were probably lower than during the week. It was walking distance to the T and places to eat. We were there during a cold snap in January and did a ton of walking and touring from their using the T and our feet.

 

[Lvsdisney]

We went in 2005 and stayed on Tremont St. (Theater district) not too far from the common. It's a marriott courtyard now, and I don't know much about it (it was something else when we went). BUT it's a great location, close to the T, walking distance to Newberry St. It had a bar/lounge when we were there.

 

[disny_luvr]

OP here. Thank you so much, everyone, for your tips. They really are helpful and a great starting point. I hope to book something next week (I have to wait until 9/13 when the 2017 Red Sox schedule is released). If anyone else has any other tips, please share.

Thanks again!

 

[pjlla]

Keep in mind if you are driving, along with the hotel you will probably pay to park at the hotel if it is in Boston/Cambridge. As I recall there is a Hampton Inn near the Museum of Science and it has onsite parking and is an easy walk to the T (mass transit).

If you wanted to, you could stick with just the "fun stuff" in downtown Boston and easily fill 2 days.... Freedom Trail, Quincy Market/Faneuil Hall (greatly overrated to me, but I'm a local so maybe I'm jaded), Paul Revere's house, the New England Aquarium (GREAT aquarium!!), whale watches (although that would take nearly a whole day), historic Italian North End, Old North Church, Boston Common, Public Gardens, Fenway (not a fan, but I understand the appeal), Museum of Science, Children's Museum, USS Constitution, Museum of Fine Arts.... and if you are willing to venture out a bit there is the JFK Library, Salem (know for the witch trials), etc.

Have fun!............P

 

[leebee]

We've stayed at the DoubleTree/Boston Downtown in the theater district a couple of times, but not sure of the price; I "won" it on Priceline. Maybe try using Hotwire? You can ask for a specific number of beds with Hotwire, which doesn't happen with Priceline, which only guarantees sleeping space for two- and in Boston, bedspace for 2 can mean one double bed. You can also go to sites like betterbidding.com, where the posts and the moderators can help you find out what property you might be buying, before you make the purchase. We've had pretty good luck with Hotwire in a variety of cities using the guidelines from betterbidding. Just make sure you've read all the details and are comfortable before hitting the "purchase" button.

I'd try either the Marriott or Residence Inn in Cambridge. We've stayed at both, and they are right at the stop for the Red Line (the T, Boston's subway system). Hyatt Regency Cambridge often has pretty decent prices, but it's a hike from the T, and I wouldn't want to do it at night. We've also stayed at the Marriott at Long Wharf- amazing location but you pay for that. Are you eligible for AAA discounts or anything? Sometimes that helps with price.