Boston Dis'ers: Harbor/backbay hotels

[bethyg]

Planning a trip to Boston in June. Looking for family-friendly hotels with awesome waterfront/harbor views. Have looked at Marriott Long Wharf, Marriott custom house, Boston Harbor hotel. All are really expensive.

We were wanting a Nice hotel (in a safe walking neighborhood....I've been warned there are places downtown not safe to walk in) within walking distance to many of the attractions (aquarium, childrens museum) and near a T-stop, with a suite-type room that would allow our own bedroom and the kids have the pull-out sofa. We have stayed at many Residence Inns and Homewood suites, but some of the Boston ones have terrible reviews on trip advisor. I'm scared to death I'll pick the bad hotel

Help me find a great hotel that I won't need to auction off one of my children to pay for!

 

[erinuga]

So- I am not from Boston- but my family and I went for spring break a few years back and stayed at the Boston Harbor Hotel-- we loved it. Beautiful views and I remember we walked pretty much everywhere- including the historical, the aquarium, and the italian district. Hope this helps while you wait for other, more "expert" advice

 

[DISFAM3]

I live in Boston, and would strongly recommend the Long Wharf. It is perfectly located with great water views. I know that it is pricey - but IMO - worth the money. You can easily walk to everythng and not have to worry about public transportation and /or taxi cabs. When choosing a hotel, be sure to stay in the Faneuil Hall area. This is certainly the most convenient and beautiful area of Boston. From this area you can walk the Freedom Trail, downtown, the public gardens, Swanboats, and of course the Aquarium and harbor cruises (which are both adjacent to Long Wharf). If time & weather permit, be sure to cruise over to George's Island for a family picnic. It is a National Historic site that is lots of fun to explore!

Have fun & good luck planning!

 

[mommanne]

Boston Harbor Hotel is one of the most expensive in Boston, though it's gorgeous. Custom House is very nice and Long Wharf is okay.

If you want to save money though you won't have views, I'd look at the Club Quarters http://www.hotels.com/best_hotels/us/ma/boston/club_quarters.jsp?js=1&zz=1170023770859 or the Langham http://urlboston--langhamhotels--com.reachlocal.net/index.html.

They're in decent areas within 5 minutes walking distance to Faneiul Hall and the waterfront.

Enjoy Boston!

 

[Hismissie]

Hotels in Boston tend to not have "family-friendly rates. Take a look at the Best Western Adams Inn in Quincy (my hometown) it's literally across the river from Boston and has a shuttle that runs to the T station just down the street. I've not stayed here but I have attended some meetings. Kust go the the Best Western website and you can see pictures. Have a great trip, Boston is a wonderful city.

 

[swillis]

The problem is that just like any major city, the hotels are more pricey the closer you are to the major ammenities. All of the downtown hotels are pretty expensive, and Boston does have a lot of sections that are really not very good neighborhoods. You could look at the Quincy, Braintree areas, but you want to be sure that the hotel you choose is within walking disntance to a "T" station. (This is Boston's mass transit system, and you can get in and out of the city pretty easily)

Another suggestion is to consider other parts of eastern Mass, and making a few day trips into Boston. Plymouth (home of the Pilgrims) is usually a little bit cheaper, as is Cape Cod. Plymouth has a commuter rail that will take you right into Boston (It's a pretty and comfortable ride) but Cape Cod stays would require renting a car.

I would say that you either need to bite the bullet on a more expensive Boston hotel, or consider stretching south. I'd be real leery about some of the cheaper hotels in the Boston area.

Hope that helps some

 

[roadtripper]

Try www. quikbook.com--we got a good rate at the Bulfinch hotel recently (didn't end up staying there) but it's near that area-- some rooms MAY have a view. Also www.biddingfortravel.com to see what's been coming up in Boston. Gotta tell ya, though-- sometimes it's cheaper to stay in NYC--crazy, but true. Good luck!

 

[grumpy & dopeys mom]

You could look at hotels in Cambridge that are in Harvard Square such as the Charles Hotel and take the T or stay across the harbor at logan airport at the Hyatt and have a beautiful view of the city and take a water taxi across the harbor to get to the city however there is nowhere to walk to at the airport location. Also be careful as some properties bill themselves as Boston and are actually over the Charles River in Cambridge. Still a great location and close to the T however not in Boston. There is a Marriot Residence Inn in Cambridge just over the Charles River in Kendall square that is close to the T that has suites.

 

[Mari annie]

Hello

Boston is a gorgeous city!
Like anywhere else there's places that are good/bad.
Just be aware of your surroundings-on any vacation.

The LongWharf Marriott is beautiful, but expensive.

Here are some wonderful properties you can opt to look into that you would spend less money on and the amenities are superior and the locations are great, as well.
Boston as alot to offer and enjoy your trip!
Has so much for such a small* (town) city!lol1

Waterfront studio rentals Rentals, on the water and less expensive.
www.Boston-bnbagency.com/-b&b-rent
The Eliot Hotel, Back Bay excellent location
La Capella Suites (B & B in the North End)
The Claredon Square Inn, (Boston) guest suites
All these properties are quite amazing the locations are excellent.
Don't forget to check out gobostoncard.com (like 32.00 an adult that gets you about 7-8 places to go, Museums, etc and the Book is good for one year, we buy these.
Check out BostonTourism.com
If you are looking for any eateries, you can email me, my husband and I frequent the city and go to the North End or other off the tourist trail for great food and great prices, message me and I ll send you the names.
I hope this information helps.
Have fun in planning your trip and have fun!!!!

an ex agent, but still loves to help out and find new exciting places!

11 More days to FL!

 

[bethyg]

Mari Annie: Thank you for your suggestions!

The Eliot hotel looks very nice and the rates are much more reasonable. Curious why there seems to be very few rooms availble (at any hotel) around the first week of June. Graduation?

Also: are there any nice "resorts" in the greater-Boston area (similar to a DVC) that would have tons of activities on-site and a nice place to relax and enjoy the NE atmospheres? I know Mariott has their timeshare (the Custom House) in downtown Boston. Anything around Cape Anne or Middlesex-county areas?

 

[Mari annie]

Hello!

The Eliiot is gorgeous, and so is the neighborhood!;-)
I lived in Back Bay for several years, and in the Spring, Summer, the Magnolia, the flowers, can't say enough!
There's so many colleges and kids moving out and so much going on in the city, I am not surprised rooms are scarce!

The other cities you mentioned I haven't heard about any great places that boast alot of activities, Cape Anne/that way, but tonight I ll look into it, and I can do some reasearch. Cape Ann/ is beautiful, Gloucester, etc are places not to me missed if you have the time, as well as Hamiliton, etc out that way.
NE has alot to offer.

I ll see what I can locate.

10 more days until some WARM FLORIDA WEATHER!!!

 

[swilshire]

No views, but I've stayed at the Residence Inn in Cambridge a few times. It's about a block from the T.

My family stayed at the Marriott Custom House once and found the location very noisy. It's a great resort in a convenient area, and the views from the top are terrific.

Sheila

 

[Mari annie]

I don't see anything that can compare to DVC, did you call the Custom House to see what they offer?
You can call the Boston Dept of Tourism yourself or you can arrange the ducktours when you are Fanueil Hall/area.
Hope I helped in some way.

Enjoy your trip!


8 days to SUNNY WARM FL SUNSHINE!!!!