Concierge Boston...what are my chances? & Cape Cod info...

[Balmacara]

I have just booked our vacation flights to Boston,MA, for July 2016 (family of four). I was able to reserve Concierge Collection, Nine Zero Hotel using points but only for first 3 nights of our stay (looks beautiful!). Would have liked another 2 nights added at start or at at end (28/29th) of our trip but no queen/queen availability. MS have suggested I call them regularly (weekly) as availability may come on. What are my chances? Haven't used Concierge before.

Hope to spend around 4 nights in Cape Cod area. RCI not an option. This being our first trip to MA would welcome anY info/tips from locals for staying in the CC area (and indeed Boston). We like to be able to walk to eat out at nights.

Thanks for your help.

 

[JimMIA]

Can't help you with accommodations, but we have relatives in Boston and Cape Cod and there are two must-do restaurants on every visit for us.

In Boston, the Union Oyster House just down the street from Faneuil Hall is our must-do -- a big favorite for lobster. It was President John F. Kennedy's favorite place and they have a plaque marking his favorite table downstairs.

Another general location is North Boston which has a number of outstanding Italian restaurants. I don't think it matters where you eat in North Boston, you'll eat well.

And then there is Cheers -- go there to say you've been, have a beer, buy a teeshirt or beermug.

Lots of great places in Cape Cod, but our must-do is Land Ho in Orleans. Great casual restaurant and they have the best "Chowda" I've ever tasted. The Cape in July will be very crowded.

 

[zemra406]

Can't go wrong with the North end in Boston. Also don't miss Modern Pastry for desert. As for the Cape, house rentals are very popular but in the summer most will require a Sat to Sat stay. Don't know if that would work. The nicest hotels are Chatham Bars Inn and Wequasset or even Ocean Edge in Brewser but these are $$$ in the summer. You will need a car on the Cape. Almost all beaches require driving and day parking. Chatham has a nice walkable downtown but there are no hotels in that area so a car is needed.

 

[buccikulju]

Boston is a very walkable city and the T will get you anywhere you need to go. You will be a few blocks from the nearest T station, but that's not a big deal. Boston is also a foodie city! You'll find plenty of food options just by leaving your door, although I will say that since you'll be next to a school (Suffolk University), there will be more bars than restaurants in the immediate area. Still, nothing is too far from anything else in Boston and you'll get around fine. Boston has a lot of tiny little restaurants (some only have a half dozen tables) so experiment and have fun. If you want to go with tried and true, go to Legal's Seafood, Durgin Park, the Union Oyster House, and Regina's Pizza. Definitely go to the North End for a meal or too; just grab any restaurant there.

In Cape Cod you won't really be able to walk to much. You'll need a car. If you want fried, Sir Cricket's in Orleans is good. For great coffee, hot chocolate and sweets go to the Chocolate Sparrow. A unique fun place with an interesting mix of New England and Mediterranean flavors is Abba also in Orleans. Del Mar in Chatham is very nice. Like Boston, you'll find some great restaurants here. Ask the locals when you are there! Have fun!!!

I forgot to mention...I'd make my reservations on the Cape NOW. Most make their Cape reservations as they end their summer vacation, for the next summer.

 

[CaFeeney]

Lots of hotels/motels in the Hyannis/Yarmouth area. Try the Bayside in Yarmouth, not fancy but good value (free breakfast) and centrally located. Hyannis has a walkable downtown area. Like they said, you need a car- Cape Cod is about 1.5 hours from Boston and don't ever try to drive there on a Friday night in July - traffic will be NUTS getting over the bridges.
I love the towns of Dennis and Chatham (nice downtown/shopping area). One "hidden jewel" is the Sesuit Harbor Cafe http://sesuit-harbor-cafe.com/ in Dennis. Kind of out of the way and hard to find (in the middle of a marina) but I have lived in New England all my life and the lobster rolls here are amazing- the view is one of the best on the Cape.

Lots to do on the Cape with families: beaches, ice cream (Sundae School in Dennis is a MUST DO), mini golf, trampolines, shopping

In Boston- if you have kids/teens the Museum of Science is great and the Duck Tours leave from there - they are a lot of fun and a nice way to see the city. Don't miss Faneuil Hall -the new Boston Public Market is right nearby and worth checking out, the North End (Mike's Pastry is my favorite). If you are in town on a Sunday we love going to the SOWA Market in South Boston- artisans, farmers market, and Food Trucks http://newenglandopenmarkets.com/

 

[sharona]

Can't go wrong with the North end in Boston. Also don't miss Modern Pastry for desert. As for the Cape, house rentals are very popular but in the summer most will require a Sat to Sat stay. Don't know if that would work. The nicest hotels are Chatham Bars Inn and Wequasset or even Ocean Edge in Brewser but these are $$$ in the summer. You will need a car on the Cape. Almost all beaches require driving and day parking. Chatham has a nice walkable downtown but there are no hotels in that area so a car is needed.

Love Modern Pastry! Definitely better than the more popular tourist attraction Mike's Pastry. In the North End we like L'Osteria - reservations a must and ask to be seated "upstairs" which is really 1st floor and has a wonderful open air feel in the summer. Try the house Pinot. And you definitely want to walk to get there - it's a very safe area.

I agree with the PP who mentioned the Museum of Science for tweens/teens it's a must and yes, you can't visit Boston without a Duck Tour. Definitely check Groupon for deals on the tours.

 

[Balmacara]

Can't thank you all enough for some really helpful information and suggestions which I will look at more closely over the next few days! We will be picking up car and travelling down to CC on the Sunday 24 July and then propose heading back into Boston for the last 2 nights before our flight back to UK on 30 July. Hopefully "Nine Zero" will come back on line for these days so we can use some more DVC points.

We are really looking forward to our vacation and with added bonus of 4 nights in Reykjavik, Iceland on our outward journey it will make for a full on trip!

Thanks again.

 

[zemra406]

Sounds fun! I definitely second Sundae School in Dennis or Harwich. If you don't mind chain hotels, the Hampton Inn in Yarmouth is also nice with free breakfast and an outdoor pool. There is an inflatable bounce house park up the street too.

 

[Psychodisney]

Looks like we'll be at Nine Zero the same weekend. I decided to rent my points and pay cash at the Nine Zero. Was able to book a Queen Queen that way and end up ahead financially.

Thanks for all the great restaurant ideas! We are also looking at the Go Boston card. http://www.smartdestinations.com/bo...s/_d_Bos-p1.html?pass=Bos_Prod_Go&allInc=true The Duck tour and many other options are available with the card. Costco sells the card at a discount.

I did notice there are a couple of CC resorts on the concierge list. Don't know anything about them.

 

[Balmacara]

Looks like we'll be at Nine Zero the same weekend. I decided to rent my points and pay cash at the Nine Zero. Was able to book a Queen Queen that way and end up ahead financially.

Thanks for all the great restaurant ideas! We are also looking at the Go Boston card. http://www.smartdestinations.com/bo...s/_d_Bos-p1.html?pass=Bos_Prod_Go&allInc=true The Duck tour and many other options are available with the card. Costco sells the card at a discount.

I did notice there are a couple of CC resorts on the concierge list. Don't know anything about them.

Unfortunately the resorts in CC on the Concierge list only permit week long stays - which is a shame as they did look nice.

I have never rented points before but may need to do so in the future as the kids get older. Looking at DIS site it does seem rather scary however, particularly when you are doing so from outside US.

Thanks for the info. Enjoy your trip!