If your family is visiting historic Boston, Massachusetts for its many attractions, or just taking the teens to see local colleges and universities, we know you’ll enjoy a centrally located hotel near a “T” stop. Here are Family Travel Forum’s picks for the best value quality lodging in Beantown.
Budget Watcher Tips: Keep in mind that Boston is one of the country’s premier business cities, with thousands of hotel rooms catering to guests looking for all price ranges. Families will find the best specials at these big business hotels during the summer and on weekends year-round — but watch out for breakfast, parking and Internet access fees. Midweek budget travelers should look in Alston, Arlington and the nearby Boston suburbs for the best rates on smaller chain hotels and motels.
Boston Hotels Near Boston Commons & Back Bay
200 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
617/338-4400
Subway: Green Line/Arlington
Rates: $$$$
For a splurge: Posh and somewhat formal, superb service, pool and deluxe spa. One of this chain’s best outposts. Just off Newbury Street for those shoppers in the family, with a remarkable dessert buffet to satisfy late night cravings.
10 Avery Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111
800/241-3333; 617/574-7100
Subway: Green Line/Boylston
Rates: $$$$
Another splurge: Top service and luxurious rooms. Great health club to take advantage of while their babysitting service takes over parenting chores. This hotel occasionally offers a day of “social savvy” children’s etiquette classes, and a warm, friendly staff.
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
Rates: $$$$
The Fairmont Copely Plaza
138 St. James Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
800/257-7544; 617/267-5300
Subway: Green Line/Copley Square
Rates: $$$$
Old-world Boston classic in a great location. This hotel was totally refurbished recently and glitters and glistens in all public spaces — definitely a fun place to visit if you don’t spend the night. Many holiday and seasonal family activities are scheduled in the public spaces, and behind-the-scenes hotel tours are available.
The Omni Parker House
60 School Street
888/444-6664; 617/227-8600
Rates: $$$
Laying claim to the title of “the oldest continuously operating luxury hotel,” Boston’s Omni is well situated: Boston Commons is a short walk away, as are Quincy Market and the Tea Party Museum. Though the current building dates only to the 1920s, its predecessors go back to 1855, when an enterprising young man named Harvey D. Parker opened first a restaurant and then a hotel. The hotel prospered and achieved culinary innovations by inventing the Boston cream pie (official dessert of the state of Massachusetts) and the Parker House Roll (pattern for soft white rolls everywhere) and came up with the fishy term “scrod.” Other claims to historic fame include notable staff members Ho Chi Minh (baker from 1911-1913) and Malcolm X (busboy, early 40s). The public spaces are grand and beautifully restored and the rooms comfortable and well-appointed. The gym is modern and welcoming and the staff competent and amiable. It’s a good base for exploring Boston’s historic trails and sites.
10 Huntington Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
888/625-5144; 617/262-9600
Subway: Orange Line/Back Bay or Green Line/Copley Square
Rates: $$$$
Great location in Back Bay, connected to the convention center for those in town on business. There’s a large pool, renovated work-out room, spa, Westin Kids Club activities supervised by counselors — very unusual for an urban hotel — and infant amenities. Families will enjoy three good restaurants and Charles River views from most of the more than 800 guestrooms.
64 Arlington Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
800/225-2008; 617/426-2000
Subway: Green Line/Arlington
Rates: $$$
This classy and elegant Back Bay area hotel dates to 1925, when it was the first hotel to offer radios in all guestrooms. Restored and maintained, it now offers special adventure and cultural packages to families and is within a quick walk of Boston Commons.
370 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02215
800/44-ELIOT; 617/267-1607
Subway: Green Line/Hynes Convention Center
Rates: $$$
Large, apartment-style rooms and suites in an attractive, contemporary boutique hotel. Great if you’re traveling with teens because you can all spread out. Attentive concierge and staff, combined with award-winning French and Japanese restaurants, make it a popular place, especially on weekends.
40 Dalton Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02115
800/445-8667; 617/236-1100
Subway: Green Line/Hynes Convention Center
Rates: $$
Good location, Vacation Station program with loaner toys and books for kids. Indoor pool and hot tub; smaller, boutique-size hotel with full business amenties.
Boston Hotels Near Boston Harbor
Boston Marriott Long Wharf
296 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
800/228-9290; 617/227-0800
Subway: Blue Line/Aquarium
Rates: $$$$
Located next to the Aquarium and Children’s Museum, near the harbor. There’s an arcade room, pool and jacuzzi in a stylishly renovated place. Of the 397 rooms, many are designated PURE rooms that are specially cleaned to house guests with allergies. Weekend special rates.
The Seaport Hotel
1 Seaport Lane
Boston, Massachusetts 02210
888/982-4683; 617/385-4000
Subway: Red Line/South Station
Rates: $$-$$$$
Located on the waterfront, this contemporary white on white hotel has an indoor lap pool, fitness center, and free shuttle service to major sites. Summer packages include tickets to local attractions and substantial savings.
Hotels In or Near Cambridge
Mary Prentiss Inn
6 Prentiss Street
Cambridge, Masssachusetts 02140
617/661-2929
Subway: Red Line/Harvard Square
Rates: $-$$
Charming B&B with spacious rooms, on quiet professorial street surrounded by equally historic homes. Complimentary underground parking and a large, varied breakfast make this place a true bargain for those touring Cambridge area and its schools. Pretty outdoor deck and garden for dining or drinks in summer.
Charles Hotel
1 Bennett St
Cambridge, MA 02138
800/882-1818, 617/864-1200
Subway: Red Line/Harvard Square
Rates: $$$-$$$$
Contemporary red brick, a bit austere, blends in with Cambridge’s Harvard Square. It’s very eco-friendly, boasts several award-winning restaurants and bars, and is a AAA Four Diamond hangout for local Harvard alumni and visiting intelligentsia. But The Charles is also family-welcoming with cute offers like their “Smarty Pants” deal which bundles tickets to the local museum and reading matter with room rates. Families will appreciate knowing they can get an extra adjoining room at 25% off, and take advantage of the hotel’s library which stocks classics from “Make Way for Ducklings” to “Dr. Seuss.”
Royal Sonesta
40 Edwin Lane Blvd
Boston, Massachusetts 02142
866/SONESTA; 617/806-4200
Subway: Green Line/Lechmere
Rates: $$-$$$$
Indoor pool, jacuzzi, gym and spa make this a very comfortable hotel with an upscale vibe. It’s near MIT in Cambridge, so a bit less convenient for many sightseers, but a very good location nonetheless.
For more information contact the Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau at 888/SEE-BOSTON or 617/536-4100. The Massachusetts Tourism website also has good advice and trip planning resources.
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