Where to stay for 3 nights in Boston?

[Minnesota!]

Taking my kid to Boston (both of our first times!) over spring break. We have 3 nights and are looking to maximize our time. I would like something that is reasonably priced (under 300/night, please!), good walking area, safe, on public transportation to/from Logan. I am so overwhelmed by Trip Advisor, Google, hotel sites.

Where do you suggest? I see I can get hotels north/west of the airport (Chelsea?) for cheap, but the train in and out stops me because I want more convenience than that. I just hate paying a ton of money for a room when we will be there so little time - to sleep and shower, mainly.

How "bad" is it to stay outside the city and come in and out as needed? Waste of time for a short stay?

Can you believe I ever attempted to be a travel agent - can't even plan my own stuff these days...too much anxiety!

Thanks!

 

[OKW Lover]

Boston is a fun city with lots to do. Before moving to FL 11 years ago, I lived on Boston's south shore and at various times in my career worked in the city and its surroundings.

Be aware that the cost of hotels in Boston is really high. Your limit of $300/night is going to be an issue. Yes, you can find some less expensive hotels as you move out from the city but I don't recommend that for seeing the city. Boston is fairly easy to walk around and the public transportation (subway) will get you to most of the tourist spots pretty easily. You might find a good deal on some of the hotels in the Back Bay area. Hotels on the waterfront or financial district will be pricy.

 

[The Mayor]

I would recommend a hotel in the Back Bay section of Boston. It's walking distance to a lot of the historical sites, restaurants, etc. It's also close to a few T stops and you could possibly, with a couple of transfers, take the T to Logan and back. I would however, recommend Uber/Lyft/Taxi for that trip. Not sure how many hotels are under $300 a night though.

Also, since you only have a few days I wouldn't recommend staying outside the city. Getting in and out of Boston wouldn't be worth saving a few dollars on a room.

 

[mjkacmom]

My 21 year old is driving to Boston right now for a couple of nights and is bringing my 23 year old home for the holidays. We never stayed here, I messed up the reservation, but BU parents recommend it a lot on Facebook. We are staying at the commonwealth in May for graduation, but it’s $500+ a night. I think Boston hotels are pricier than Manhattan. https://www.newburyguesthouse.com/

 

[Minnie1222]

Where do you suggest?

Westin Copley Place or Marriott Copley Place. They're right near each other and both in the Back Bay area.

I see I can get hotels north/west of the airport (Chelsea?) for cheap.

Not worth it.

How "bad" is it to stay outside the city and come in and out as needed? Waste of time for a short stay?

The commute would be a waste of time.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Taking my kid to Boston (both of our first times!) over spring break. We have 3 nights and are looking to maximize our time. I would like something that is reasonably priced (under 300/night, please!), good walking area, safe, on public transportation to/from Logan. I am so overwhelmed by Trip Advisor, Google, hotel sites.

Where do you suggest? I see I can get hotels north/west of the airport (Chelsea?) for cheap, but the train in and out stops me because I want more convenience than that. I just hate paying a ton of money for a room when we will be there so little time - to sleep and shower, mainly.

How "bad" is it to stay outside the city and come in and out as needed? Waste of time for a short stay?

Can you believe I ever attempted to be a travel agent - can't even plan my own stuff these days...too much anxiety!

Thanks!

What happened to Chicago, MN?

 

[Minnesota!]

Boston is a fun city with lots to do. Before moving to FL 11 years ago, I lived on Boston's south shore and at various times in my career worked in the city and its surroundings.

Be aware that the cost of hotels in Boston is really high. Your limit of $300/night is going to be an issue. Yes, you can find some less expensive hotels as you move out from the city but I don't recommend that for seeing the city. Boston is fairly easy to walk around and the public transportation (subway) will get you to most of the tourist spots pretty easily. You might find a good deal on some of the hotels in the Back Bay area. Hotels on the waterfront or financial district will be pricy.

Thanks! I have found a few that are under 300...Hilton Boston Park Plaza, The Dagny, and there is a Hyatt or Marriott in there, too. I WILL pay it, but was not sure if the convenience of them was worth it or if staying outside the city was the better bet.

What happened to Chicago, MN?

Oh, we are still doing Chicago! That is me and my husband. We get home on a Sunday night from Chicago and the kid and I leave on a Tuesday morning for Boston Week of travel for me! As you know, I am "voting" with my dollars....but why do all the cold states have to be the ones that I agree with politically? I could sure use a spring break trip to warmth. But Chicago and Boston will have to do

 

[Minnie1222]

Look up Logan Express if you are interested in public transportation. This is the airport shuttle that has a stop in Back Bay.

 

[OKW Lover]

Thanks! I have found a few that are under 300...Hilton Boston Park Plaza,

That's a good choice

 

[Minnesota!]

That's a good choice

Perfect! Thank you

 

[mikehn]

The Hilton Park Plaza is a great location, you're right in the middle of it. Back bay, prudential center, chinatown, the subway station is right there.

 

[Minnesota!]

One more question - I can get the Embassy Suites by the airport for cheaper and it has the breakfast included (and a suite..). But...across the waterfront. Worth it or no? Would need to fully rely on public transportation. My ONLY hesitation with the public transportation is that we might stay out late one night and I am not sure how safe it is after dark taking it. Daytime, I have no issues.

 

[mikehn]

Boston has one of the best subway/rail systems in the country, very easy, very clean. I've used it at night, no problems here. If the Embassy Suites is walking distance to a rail station, I would not hesitate

 

[Minnesota!]

Boston has one of the best subway/rail systems in the country, very easy, very clean. I've used it at night, no problems here. If the Embassy Suites is walking distance to a rail station, I would not hesitate

Thank you!

My boss has said the same thing - that, as a single, smaller, female - she has never felt safer alone in a big city than in Boston. My kid is - way bigger than an average man and is pretty...feisty and strong - so that helps my anxiety a little less. But - new city, new journeys.

Thank you!

 

[Minnie1222]

One more question - I can get the Embassy Suites by the airport for cheaper and it has the breakfast included (and a suite..). But...across the waterfront. Worth it or no? Would need to fully rely on public transportation. My ONLY hesitation with the public transportation is that we might stay out late one night and I am not sure how safe it is after dark taking it. Daytime, I have no issues.

Negative! It is too far from all the major attractions in Boston. It would be better to stay at a Back Bay hotel.

 

[mjkacmom]

Thank you!

My boss has said the same thing - that, as a single, smaller, female - she has never felt safer alone in a big city than in Boston. My kid is - way bigger than an average man and is pretty...feisty and strong - so that helps my anxiety a little less. But - new city, new journeys.

Thank you!

My daughter is 5’2” and bartends until 3 am, she feels safe (but has pepper spray and a birdie alarm).

 

[pezgirlroy]

One more question - I can get the Embassy Suites by the airport for cheaper and it has the breakfast included (and a suite..). But...across the waterfront. Worth it or no? Would need to fully rely on public transportation. My ONLY hesitation with the public transportation is that we might stay out late one night and I am not sure how safe it is after dark taking it. Daytime, I have no issues.

No definitely stay in the city. Just so much easier.

 

[seshat0120]

I'd steer clear of Chelsea.

A good friend was just here in July visiting us from Australia. She stayed at the Hampton Inn on Monsignor O'Brien Highway in Cambridge. It's, at most, a 5 minute walk to the Lechmere station on the Green Line. It's probably, at most, a 10-15 minute ride to downtown. When she was looking for hotels, we actually steered her away from staying (and paying) in Boston when there are options just outside of town that are less expensive and a quick T ride away.

 

[Rogue1677x]

My advice for using Boston railway transportation is just check for closures close to travel time. I'm from the area and recently had to go into Boston for a medical appointment, didn't realize one of the subway lines was not operating where I needed to go and nearly yelled out the finest of expletives at the top of my lungs.

I should have known better, and fortunately I was able to walk to where I needed to get to, it's just that it was freezing cold and I was exhausted.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Oh, we are still doing Chicago!

Oh, good!

And sorry I did not contribute ideas to your Chicago question thread. Having lived here for all my 80 years, I really am not very helpful on the periodic 'what should I do when visiting Chicago?' threads. But the ideas given were good.

A small contribution here. Any of the food places listed here are great, all Chicago food icons.

https://www.tastesofchicago.com/chicago-brands/



Enjoy your visit, MN.