General Chat

I'm off to Boston in 2 wks, bit of a sudden impulse, but need somewhere good to stay. As we're taking a couple of elderly relatives and a teenager (great mix, I know) hotels are good but so costly. Does anyone have any ideas? Flights are booked but not accommodation. Help!!!

been to Boston and have rellies there it is a great place but soz I cant help with accomodation, Have fun !! Caz xxxx

Helen, There are 4 of us in our family and when we travel we sometimes stay in the Embassy Suites - the reason being it is a suite so you could have 2 double beds in the bedroom and then a double sofa bed in the lounge/mini kitchen area, you also get a cooked buffet breakfast and in the evenings roughle between 5pm-7pm you get a managers reception this includes snacks (popcorn and chips etc) and your drinks soft and alcohol. The hotels are part of the Hilton group if I remember correctly so they are very nice. Check out their website. Debs x

Carol, I'm looking forward to a totally new city. Any ideas on what to see when we've 'done' the rellies? Debs, thank-you, I'll take a look.

Helen, I lived there for 5 years. What area do you want to stay near? Boston is SO expensive for hotels. Your could try Priceline. Rose

Boston was the best city in US that I have visited, clean and safe feeling walked around everywhere an had a great time, I would love to go back we stayed at Omni Parker Hotel on School Street,just a few minutes walk to shops and the Freedom Trail A walk along the two-and-a-half-mile Freedom Trail is one of the best ways to get acquainted with Boston and to efficiently visit the city's bounty of historic landmarks. If you're in a hurry and in pretty good shape, you can cover the length of the trail in as little as an hour, but that won't really allow you the time to stop and visit any of the sites along the way. Your best bet is to allow three hours or more to walk the trail at a leisurely pace and see all of its Revolutionary landmarks. Boston Public Garden Boston Public Garden, located along Charles Street adjacent to Boston Common, is the nation's oldest botanical garden. The famous Swan Boats have returned to Boston Public Garden each spring since they were first invented in 1877 by Robert Paget. The business, which operates from mid-April through mid-September, is still operated by descendants of the boats' inventor. When winter arrives, the pond is open to ice skaters. Quincy Market Most people know it as Quincy Market, although its official name is the Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Whatever you call it, this indoor-outdoor market is a great place for both shopping and dining. Fenway Park On a sunshine-filled summer afternoon, there is perhaps no better place to be in all of New England than Fenway Park, historic home of Major League Baseball's Boston Red Sox. Baseball fans have been energized and agonized by the exploits of some of baseball's greatest players at Fenway since 1912. If you can't score tickets to a Red Sox game, look into behind the scenes tours of Fenway Park. Museum of Science Boston's museums are as good as any you'll find in the world, and the most visited one is the Museum of Science at Science Park. It has more than 400 interactive exhibits including my favorite--the Virtual Fish Tank, an IMAX theater and a planetarium. Take the kids! Cheers Boston (formerly the Bull & Finch Pub) Famous as the inspiration for the television show Cheers, the former Bull & Finch Pub, now officially known as Cheers Boston, is located in Boston's Beacon Hill District. It's definitely a tourist trap with souvenirs galore for sale and overpriced pub food, but it's still one of those places that fans of the show make a beeline for when they're in Boston. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston The MFA is New England's largest art museum. It is known for its collection of works by Claude Monet--the largest assemblage of paintings by the French Impressionist outside of France. It is also home to spectacular changing exhibitions that never fail to attract attention. Filene's Basement If you're a bargain shopper, there's still nothing quite like the thrill of taking the escalator down into the belly of the original Filene's Basement, where the deals may be hit or miss, but the crowds are always a sure thing. Founded in 1908 by Edward A. Filene, the basement concept was an innovative way to sell off excess goods from the family's department store upstairs. New England Aquarium Want to see sea lions smile and penguins play? Head to the New England Aquarium, one of Boston's perpetually popular family attractions. Once inside, you'll find yourself immersed in a watery world, where you can wave your flippers at cavorting sea lions and press your nose right up against the glass of the poisonous fish tank--if you dare! Sam Adams Brewery These days, Samuel Adams is known as much for being a brewer as a Patriot. Tour the Sam Adams Brewery in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston for a glimpse at the microbrewery's beer-making process and a sample of the finished product. The brewery is also home to the Boston Beer Museum.

Rose, I think the Quincy area. M-i-l says her cousins are there but I'm holding my breath because she's a bit vague. I know nothing about the city at all and would like to be somehere comfortable where she can visit and I can sight-see.

Helen, How much time do you really think you'll spend in Quincy? It's quite a way from Boston. I wouldn't recommend driving in MA. They have the worse drivers in the US. You probably want to be near an T stop. That's the tube. Cambridge is a good place to stay with good access to Boston. As Carol says the Omni Parker is a good quality hotel at a good price. I knew business friends who used to stay there. It's about $145 per night which is very reasonable for the area. Try kayak.*com for hotels. Rose

Carol. wow! That will keep us all happy. Sheila, thank-you. Everyone seems to have to liked the area. Just need to find somewhere to stay! What about renting a house??

Try Expedia for hotel names (and possible good deals). It's often worth contacting the hotel directly to get their best rate. Boston is an interesting city - I only had a brief trip there unfortunately - enjoy yourself!

Was told this is the best way to spend five days in Massachusetts. Spend a half-day getting to know Boston either by walking the Freedom Trail or taking a Duck Tour. Have lunch at Quincy Market and spend the afternoon at one of the city's spectacular museums. On day two, spend the morning touring the Harvard University campus in Cambridge. Return to downtown Boston for lunch at Cheers Boston. The former Bull & Finch Pub was the inspiration for the television show Cheers. After lunch, take a swan boat ride in the Boston Public Garden. In the afternoon, visit another of the city's museums, shop for antiques on Beacon Hill or tour historic Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox and the 'Green Monster.' In season, depart on day three from Boston via passenger ferry for a day in Provincetown on Cape Cod. Visit the Pilgrim Monument, which marks the site of the Pilgrims' first landing in the New World. Stroll the town's main thoroughfare, Commercial Street, and sample its shops, galleries and restaurants before returning to Boston by ferry at the end of the day. Rent a car and drive north to Concord on day four and spend the day reliving the Revolution at Minute Man National Historical Park. Also visit Walden Pond, former well known home of Henry David Thoreau. On day five, spend the morning taking in some of the spooky sights in Salem. The Salem Witch Museum provides the best overall orientation to the drama surrounding the 1692 witch hysteria. In the afternoon, drive north along the coast and visit Rocky Neck, America's first art colony, in Gloucester.

I forgot, the Red Line goes though Quincy so it wouldn't be too bad to stay there. http://www.mbta.*com/schedules_and_maps/subway/ Rose

from Expedia.co.uk Boston Park Plaza Hotel Boston, MA Area: Back Bay Historic hotel at the edge of Back Bay Located in Park Square just east of the prestigious Back Bay area, this hotel is one block from the Public Garden, two blocks from Newbury Street shopping, ... More hotel info Enjoy rates from £65.81 per night between 13-Feb-2007 and 14-Apr-2007. Availability & prices Boston Omni Parker House Hotel Boston, MA Area: Theatre District/Downtown Crossing Historic hotel at the foot of Beacon Hill Located on the Freedom Trail in downtown Boston, this classic hotel is three blocks from Quincy Market, two from the State House and Boston Common, and ... Enjoy rates from £86.22 per night between 13-Feb-2007 and 14-Apr-2007. Availability & prices Langham Boston Boston, MA Area: Quincy Market-Financial-Waterfront (Boston) Landmark hotel 5 blocks from Faneuil Hall Formerly the Federal Reserve Bank building, this financial-district hotel is within 5 blocks of Faneuil Hall shopping and dining, the Freedom Trail, and the ... More hotel info Enjoy rates from £94.38 per night between 13-Feb-2007 and 14-Apr-2007. Availability & prices Club Quarters in Boston Boston, MA Area: Theatre District/Downtown Crossing Tech-ready hotel near the Old State House Situated in the financial district, this restricted-entry hotel is two blocks from Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, and Post Office Square. More hotel info Enjoy rates from £73.46 per night between 13-Feb-2007 and 14-Apr-2007. Availability & prices The Colonnade Hotel - Summit Hotel Boston, MA Area: Back Bay Back Bay hotel near shopping and restaurants This 285-room Boston hotel is next to Copley Place shopping, one block from the Hynes Convention Center, four blocks from the Theater District, and one mile ... More hotel info Enjoy rates from £86.22 per night between 13-Feb-2007 and 14-Apr-2007. Availability & prices Hotel 140 Boston, MA Area: Back Bay This hotel is in the YWCA building in downtown Boston, three blocks from Newbury Street shops and boutiques. All 40 guestrooms offer ... More hotel info Enjoy rates from £55.61 per night between 13-Feb-2007 and 14-Apr-2007. Availability & prices Hilton Boston Financial District Boston, MA Area: Quincy Market-Financial-Waterfront (Boston) Art-deco landmark in the financial district In the center of Boston’s historic financial district, this hotel is just 3 blocks from Faneuil Hall Marketplace and the New England Aquarium. More hotel info Rooms/units may be available Availability & prices

I can recommend buying the Boston Frommer's guide. You can view the online version here: http://frommers.*com/destinations/boston/0004010007.html Rose

Brilliant ideas (I think!!!) so will print this out and show it to hubby. But where shall we stay??????

This is great. Thank-you so much to everyone!

I have to agree with Debs DC. The Hilton hotels have the best deal for your money. Debs mentioned the Embassy Suites (Hilton), I can also recommend Homewood Suites (Hilton). We stay at Homewood Suites in the Seattle area when we go away (going in 4 weeks again). I can only speak for the one that we stay at, but I can't see it differing much. There is a hot breakfast every morning and a managers reception Monday to Thursday evenings 5pm - 7pm. At the managers reception (very informal) there is a hot 'light dinner'. They usually have hamburgers/salad/tortillas etc along with tea/coffee/juice /soft drinks. Also they serve complimentary wine and beer during this time. Coffee/tea/soft drinks are available (complimentary) 24 hours. With the price of eating meals out, you will save quite a bit of money. The rooms are clean and comfortable and have a kitchenette. I have always found the staff very accomodating. If you do plan on staying at a Hilton hotel, sign up for their 'Hilton Honors' system. You will earn points for ever night you stay, that can be redeemed for future nights. This program is world wide. I have just been on the Homewood Suites site. For a room in their Boston hotel the rate is aprox. $220 USD per night for a 2 bedroom suite. Forgot to add if you are an AAA member (BAA) there is a discounted price. Have fun on your trip. Deb

Helen can I curl up in your suitcase please. Lived there for 6 months when I was 5 or 6 loved going to supermarket and seeing the security guards with guns as never seen it before. well when you are that age anything different is fun. Also digging worms to go fishing with my dad I hate worms now lol have a good time d xx

Thanks Debs, have got lots to look at! Dawn, of course you can come but only if you leave the kids at home as the one I'm taking is my youngest and I work with pre-schoolers!

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