boston hotel rec?

Use this map to guide you...

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zzQVS-K1uIyE.k09Ek3nknCU0

In general, Boston is quite easy to get around. So I'd just stay somewhere centrally located and then hit the best spots.

 

Consider looking at hotels near Back Bay / Copley Sq for being fairly centrally located and a lot of street life / walk ability. Downside is probably hotels a bit more expensive there. Some folks in other threads have suggested also looking at Cambridge in the Kendall Sq area. That's a matter of personal preference. Some people would like staying there - some good beer bars in walkable distance - but my own personal view is that it wouldn't be my preferred hotel location for a vacation.

 

This is the best suggestion, stay downtown and whatever you do don't stay at the airport. Coming from Texas you will find Boston to be an incredibly small city, most everything on the google map(boston centric) is within 5 miles of each other. Unless you have plans to go somewhere outside the city I would skip the rental, between the rental cost and parking each night it would be much cheaper to uber, mass transit, cab it everywhere.

 

Another vote for downtown, particularly since this is your first visit. Check out the Park Plaza hotel; some of the rooms are a bit dated, but it's often much cheaper than other hotels in the area, has a grand lobby, and the location can't be beat.

http://www.bostonparkplaza.com/

 

I'd check trivago.com to find something reasonable - a lot of the big name chains in the city are way overpriced. The Fort Point Marriott is across the street from Trillium and Row 34 (great beer list & seafood), so you can't go wrong there.

Staying in Kenmore Square would also be worthwhile if you can find something. It's right near Fenway and a short train/car ride from some of the best beer bars in the city (Publick House, Lord Hobo, etc.)

 

If its a beer/restaurant-centric vacation I would absolutely prefer Kendall for its strategic spot on the red line and great places to eat and drink already within walking distance. Yes, it's in the middle of a ton of office buildings but whatever; some of them are pretty neat looking.

 

The triumverate of Trillium, Row 34 and the very cool Marriott across street is awesome.

 

I dont know anything about hotels in Boston but a lot of people used to stay at the Chandler Inn to go to the BA fests in the South end so it must've been cheap. Right now, tourist season is starting up and big conventions play into hotel pricing a lot in Boston.

 

Use the "name your own price" feature on Priceline.com and go for a price that's around $150. Bid in only these areas (start with one and add areas in case you need to submit a higher bid): Beacon Hill, Boston Common, Seaport district, Downtown Boston, Copley square/back bay. Click on the option to bid on hotels no lower than 3.5 stars (or 4 stars -- this is preferred, but prices might be higher). It's highly likely that you'll get the price you're looking for, and if you stick in the areas recommended above you'll be ideally located.

As for parking, yeah, $40/night sounds about right. That's why @WeymouthMike rightly suggested that you not rent a car when staying in town (maybe try to pick up the rental at the end of your boston stay?).

 

When are you coming?

 

About 5 seconds.

 

Why not use AirBNB?

If you want to be near breweries / bars / restaurants maybe look into a place near Kendall Square in Cambridge which is walking distance to a few places including Cambridge Brewing Company, Meadhall and Lord Hobo and a short drive to Idle Hands and Night Shift Brewing. Then you'd also be on the red line which gives you access to Harpoon and Trillium.

 

Kendall Square / South Cambridge is great - Boston is a small city though so pretty much anywhere will work. Just don't go too far South of the city

 

^Second that. You have CBC and Aeronaut in close proximity along with Meadhall and Lord Hobo.