Ever been to Marriot Custom House (Boston)?

[pbharris4]

If you have been there..how is it? It looks pretty nice, but pictures can be deceiving. How's parking, restaurants, etc. We're thinking of going there for a week maybe next year as more of an educational trip for my 10 yo DD. What are your opinions on the place. We also have a soon to be 3 yo DD as well so keep that in mind too. Thanks!

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

I've never been to the time share but I live in Boston so I can speak to location. It's a great location. You are literally across the street from Faneuil Hall (shopping, entertainment, FOOD!). You are walking distance to the Aquarium, the waterfront, swan boats. You're on the Freedom Trail which is the walking tour of historic sites such as the Boston Common, etc. Lots to do and one of the very best locations you can ask for in Boston, IMO. Have fun, it's a great city!
BTW, I remember when they were starting to sell the timeshare there, probably about 12 years ago. It really was the old Custom House for the city so it's a historic site on its own.

 

[zillow]

I can second the location - nice walking distance to all that plus not far from the children's museum which is fantastic. Great place to take the kids though I don't know about the timeshare accomodations themselves. I recommend parking your car and leaving it.

 

[pbharris4]

Thank you so much! Do you think that we should do they trolley tour or is it a great deal of walking? We don't mind walking at all, but our youngest DD is all over the place. If I am at the mall and she is not in her stroller..she literally takes off running like she own the place, bumping into everything and I never get anything done. We'd put her in the stroller some, but that would only last for awhile. Are the blocks like NYC blocks? TIA

 

[mydogdrew]

Parking? No. Great location? Yes.

 

[magicmommy]

I have a friend who has a timeshare there and she loves it!

 

[tinker925]

Ditto on the great location! There is parking, but you'll pay for it at a premium unless its included in your "stay". Boston is a walking city, you should however take the Trolley Tour, go to the Museum of Science and take a Duck Tour - old amphibious vehicles, its AWESOME. Another great place to check out since you're looking "educational" is the Charlestown Navy yard, again walking distance, to see the USS Constitution and the Bunker Hill Monument. I don't know if you have ever seen "Liberty's Kids" on the PBS channel, but it has some great Boston history that the kids can recognize when in Boston - at least my 6 and 5 year olds do. And most importantly you can eat in the North End - best Italian restaurants you'll ever find. Have a blast.

 

[lisaviolet]

Thanks for asking that question. Oh boy....I want to go there.

Does anyone know how easy/difficult it is to exchange?

 

[Scratch42]

Second on the Duck Tour! QUACK QUACK!

If you fly into Boston it's simple to get to the city by their transit and will only cost the fare, a couple of years ago it was like $1.00!

You'll have to let me know what it is like. Have been thinking about going there too!

Boston is definately a walking city!

You just have to call MS and give them your dates. They will contact the place to see if there is availability. Very easy process. We are going to NYC this way!

janet

 

[Judique]

Thank you so much! Do you think that we should do they trolley tour or is it a great deal of walking? We don't mind walking at all, but our youngest DD is all over the place. If I am at the mall and she is not in her stroller..she literally takes off running like she own the place, bumping into everything and I never get anything done. We'd put her in the stroller some, but that would only last for awhile. Are the blocks like NYC blocks? TIA

I've taken the trolley tour and it's a great way to get around the city. Start early in the morning and you can get on and off all day long, allowing you to visit different points of interest. I believe kids were free when I did it. The trolley drivers also do a running commentary about historical and other trivia and some will keep you laughing and well entertained. For a small light lunch I also had the best bowl of clam chowder at Turner Fisheries restaurant which is under the Westin Hotel in the Copley Square area - right across the street from a trolley stop. I may be getting my cities and trolley tours mixed up, but I think you can also get a second day on the tour for a small amount of money. As far as the Custom House, I stayed there ages ago and only remember it being 'nice'. Sorry, I've forgotten details.

As far as walking, the tour really minimizes the amount of walking you would do.

 

[zillow]

Another thing to do is take the red line (Subway called the 'T') across the river to Cambridge. Harvard University has some great museums and the campus is lovely. Depending on the time you go, there are some children's programs etc. Harvard Sq. in itself is a neat experience to walk around and window shop etc. Maybe I'm partial since I work at Harvard U. but I think that Cambridge is a must when touring Boston. Definitely bring a stroller though.

 

[Muushka]

Durgin Park.....Yummmmmm. Best schrod, prime rib and toast turkey I ever ate. I can taste it now.............

This is what Frommer said about the restaurant:

Frommer's Review


For huge portions of delicious food, a rowdy atmosphere where CEOs share tables with students, and run-ins with the famously cranky waitresses, people have poured into Durgin-Park since 1827. It's everything it's cracked up to be -- a tourist magnet that attracts many locals, where everyone's disappointed when the waitresses are nice, as they often are. Approximately 2,000 people a day join the line that stretches down a flight of stairs to the first floor of Faneuil Hall Marketplace's North Market building. The queue moves quickly, and you'll probably wind up seated at a long table with other people (though smaller tables are available).

The food is wonderful, and there's plenty of it -- prime rib the size of a hubcap, lamb chops, fried seafood, and juicy roast turkey are sure bets. The cooks broil steaks and chops on an open fire over wood charcoal. Fresh seafood arrives twice daily, and fish dinners are broiled to order. Boston baked beans are a signature dish, and this is the best place to try them. For dessert, strawberry shortcake is justly celebrated, and Indian pudding (molasses and cornmeal baked for hours and served with ice cream) is a New England classic.

Hope you have a great visit to Beantown!

 

[pbharris4]

Thank you everyone! I am so excited! It's one of only a very few cities that neither DH nor I have been to. It will be fun for all of us to see it for the first time. If we can trade into it we defintely will go next year. I think the trolley tour sounds like the way to go. I did see that a child's fare was free for every paying adult so we'll just have to pay for DH and I and the 2 girls will be free. They also offer a two day pass on the trolley. I think one day we'll head to Plymouth Rock. (Been there as a kid, but not Boston.) I did see the duck boats and will defintely have to do that and the Cambridge area/Harvard as well. And just for the heck of it...I want to drive up through NH and just over the border to Maine (get some postcards..I collect them) and also just to say I was in NH and Maine, too! And Durgin Park....sounds yummy!!

I know they charge $36/day for the valet parking. I wonder if it's with In & out priviledges? Are there parking alternatives?

 

[Muushka]

Sounds like you will be having a great time.

If you do go to Durgin Park, don't be surprised by the restaurant. When you walk in it is just a big room (think of it as a 'holding tank' for hungry sharks ). Then you hear someone yelling "Party of 4" or "Party of 2". Then you make your way over to the stairs and wait for them to yell out your party size. I haven't been in probably 25 years, but knowing Boston, it probably has not changed a bit!

 

[TLinden16]

Trust me, once you put your car in that garage, you won't need to use it unless you are going to take a side trip to Salem or something like that. The best way to go is on public transportation. Parking is pretty expensive in Boston. If it's Valet, I would guess that you can take your car in and out when you want--they probably charge it right to your room bill.

 

[Judique]

Thank you everyone! I am so excited! It's one of only a very few cities that neither DH nor I have been to.

I know they charge $36/day for the valet parking. I wonder if it's with In & out priviledges? Are there parking alternatives?

I did not find alternative parking, other then someone suggesting I park at a 'T' station out of town and commuting in, which was not an option - when I arrive by car, I like it within reach via a quick walk or valet,lol. However as others said, you won't need it much. I think that price will be without in and out privileges, but if you take it out in the morning and return it that evening after a visit to the Rock, you should still have the same number of over night charges - hope that makes sense! I was in Boston last summer and it was $33, I thought. I did not note parking garages on every street such as you see in NYC, where you can self park, but I wasn't looking for them either. I hope someone else chimes in with an answer, as I may go for a couple of nights this summer as well, and it's always nice to know the options.

 

[salmoneous]

Great city - great location - you should have a blast. I haven't stayed at the Cutom House, but I've been there and it is really, realy nice. Go to the Aquarium. If you want to to the Duck Tour, get tickets as soon as your dates are set (they sell out!) Personally, there is way too much to do in Boston to consider a trip to Plymouth, but that's me.

The one drawback is you are entering the single worst place in America for driving. Take a bunch of streets laid you 300 years before cars were invented, build a highway over them, then spend a decade ripping out the highway. Don't expect anything like NYC blocks. But don't let me scare you - it really isn't *that* bad. Just know what to expect, have good directions (don't plan on winging it!) and be calm and patient.

As for parking, there are some slightly cheaper places to park about 10 minutes away, but I don't think it's worth it for a family on vacation.

 

[Judique]

Great city - great location - you should have a blast. snip.

The one drawback is you are entering the single worst place in America for driving. Take a bunch of streets laid you 300 years before cars were invented, build a highway over them, then spend a decade ripping out the highway. Don't expect anything like NYC blocks. But don't let me scare you - it really isn't *that* bad. Just know what to expect, have good directions (don't plan on winging it!) and be calm and patient.

As for parking, there are some slightly cheaper places to park about 10 minutes away, but I don't think it's worth it for a family on vacation.

Ummm....yes it is 'that' bad! I have no problem driving in NYC or DC, but .....Boston has been a nightmare at times. I definitely like to park it there.

 

[disneynutt1225]

I stayed there with my parents a little over 2 years ago. We walked EVERYWHERE! It was great! The hotel is really nice, and it's neat knowing the history behind it.

 

[pbharris4]

Mostly likely we'll walk or take the subway. I will have to take the car out to go to Plymouth Rock (personally..I've BTDT, but I want my DDs to see it) and we drive up to the Maine border (maybe we'll do it all in one day). I didn't even think about how the roads were laid out all those years ago..that is such a great point. My DD will just turn 4 at that point so hopefully she'll be over the "I have to run everywhere" stage. We plan on going in the summer time I wonder how hard it is to get into. I love Disney, but we take a late January trip after the summer in Boston (plus we're going this year again) so it'll be a nice change.