The Charles Hotel for Boston's 4th of July?

[TammiMcMan]

We haven't made any plans yet for July 4th, so I was thinking about bringing the family to the Esplanade. DH and I did this one time and it was pretty amazing. The more I thought about it though, I don't think our DD(8) is going to enjoy just sitting around there all day. We live only about 30 minutes from Boston, but I'm not looking forward to dealing with traffic. I started checking out some hotels in the area of Charles River. It looks like the Royal Sonesta would be a great spot, but right now they are requiring a 2 night stay. They also said that you can't see the fireworks from any of their guestrooms, but it's only a short walk to the rivers edge. I was able to secure one night at the Charles Hotel (with 48 hour cancellation), but it looks like it's further down the river. My thoughts were that we could visit the waterfront, Faneuil Hall, museums, all depending on the weather and then find a spot on the Memorial Drive side of the river to watch the fireworks. Does anyone know, if we leave the car at the hotel, are we within walking distance to the T and the river? Any comments about this hotel, or suggestions for something else?

Thanks,
Tammi

 

[lilboo]

I do remember one year watching the fireworks on the Mem Drive side, very close to the Charles Hotel...great spot, not too crowded.

The following year, however, the fireworks weren't visible from this spot at all! You had to travel much further down (towards MIT) to get a view.

The Charles is right by the T...you can take it two stops inbound and you'll be in prime position. It's also walkable, but after a full day of touring, your DD may or may not want to walk that distance. (Quite a few do seem to walk to and from the site and the crowds are always very orderly... if you choose to walk.)]

I am biased towards the Mem Drive side of the Charles River so I hope you choose the Charles Hotel. I confidently recommend it to all out-of-town guests.

 

[TLinden16]

Personally, I'd think that the Charles Hotel wouldn't be all that convienent to the fireworks. The Charles Hotel is right in Harvard Square, and it just doesn't seem that convienent to the river--and it's a bit far up in my opinion.

I work in the building right next to the Sonesta, and I'd think that at least some of the rooms would have at least a partial view of the fireworks if you have a room facing upstream. We can see the fireworks from my office, and the Sonesta sticks out further than my building. Either way, you can get a great spot to walk the fireworks on the pathways beside the river.

Did you look into the Hotel Marlowe? That is a brand new hotel right across the street from the Sonesta. I know a friend of mine got a room there for the 4th of July last year (although she ended up cancelling their reservation). Check out www.hotelmarlowe.com

Hope that helps

Karen

 

[TammiMcMan]

Karen,

Thanks for the link to the Hotel Marlowe. It looks like a great hotel, but unfortunately, they don't show any availability. I think the Sonesta would probably be a better choice than the Charles, I just didn't really want to commit to staying there 2 nights (their minimum for the holiday weekend). If they don't sell out when the date gets closer, maybe they'll offer one night stays.

Lilboo,

If we can walk to the T from the Charles, that would be great. I heard that they are now piping in the music to the Memorial Drive side, so that would be a bonus also.

 

[zippeedee]

The Charles is a beautiful hotel. It is only about a 2 block walk to the Harvard Square red line stop. You could take the red line to Kendall and walk to the river from there, or cross over the river to the MGH stop. I completely recommend Henrietta's in the Charles, especially for breakfast. They have amazing hash browns and sticky buns!

 

[lilboo]

I hadn't heard that about piping in the music..that IS a bonus!

In fact there's an auxiliary entrance to the T at the mouth of Brattle Street...barely a block from the Charles (the short end of a block...if you can even call those things in the Square 'blocks')!

But there are hotels closer to/in Kendall Square, actually...have you looked at those? Maybe they are all booked up as well?

 

[Virgo10]

If everything is right (no rain, not terribly hot) I'll be watching the fireworks from Memorial Drive. What you want to do is walk down to where the yacht clubs are. There are two very close to each other. Go to the second club and sit/stand there as close to the river as you can get. The barge with the fireworks on it will be right in front of you. There are speakers very close by. Let me tell you, the experience is amazing!

A picture from the 1999 show. They were playing the song Can't Live (If Living is Without You). It was the most incredible fireworks display I've ever seen.

Roberta

 

[TammiMcMan]

zippeedee, I was thinking about Henrietta's for breakfast. Now you have me sold on it. DH and I were talking about just hanging around in the Harvard Square area for the day. Even though we're constantly driving by, it's been years since we've visited.

Virgo10, I think I know which yacht club you're talking about. It sounds like it would be a perfect spot.

I'm looking forward to being on the Cambridge side. Hopefully, it will be a little less congested and we won't have far to walk after it's all over. DH just told me that he has the day off Monday, so that was an added bonus.

 

[aprincessmom]

I think the Charles is a good option...especially at this date. As everyone said, it's a few T stops up from where the action is but, the hotel is correct, they are only a few blocks from the river. From there you could walk up the river toward the esplanade.

I just stayed there a month ago and the hotel is just wonderful...you'll truly enjoy it! Have fun!