Where
to Stay in Boston without Breaking the
Bank
Planning a trip to Boston?
One of the first things you will need to
do is secure accommodations. Whether you
prefer to be near the waterfront, Faneuil
Hall, or Newbury
Street, The Boston Insider's hotel
guide can help, with
information about the amenities,
atmosphere, facilities and, of course,
prices at Boston's major hotels.
Many of our readers have
found, however, that while the big hotels
and well-known chains such as Sheraton or
Marriott are reliable, they lack a true
feel for the city of Boston itself. These
discerning travelers like to fully
immerse themselves in the ambience of
their destination, and have asked how
they might experience first-hand the
charm of one of Boston’s distinct
neighborhoods. Those wishing to spend the
night as an actual Bostonian would –
in a waterfront loft, a Beacon Hill
townhouse, or a Back Bay Victorian home,
might consider renting a furnished
apartment or staying at one of the many
local bed & breakfast establishments.
Our tips for making use of these
alternative accommodations are listed
below.
Furnished
Apartments
One of the
advantages to seeking alternative
accommodations is generally lower costs.
While a double room at the Copley Square
Hotel begins at $250 per night, you can
rent beautifully furnshed one bedroom
apartment from the Bed and Breakfast
Agency of Boston for $120.
An additional economical
aspect of alternative accommodations is
the option to cook meals on your own.
Many apartments include a small kitchen
equipped with the basics (refrigerator,
stove, utensils) and you can save a
decent amount of cash by eating at least
one meal a day at "home."
Though part of enjoying a city is indeed
eating out, you may surprise yourself and
economize by keeping snacks and drinks in
the fridge.
Depending on the type of
accommodations you choose, there is a
small chance that you also may save with
free parking. If you drive to Boston and
stay in a big hotel, you may end up
paying $25 extra per day – a
significant but often unconsidered cost!
The convenience of an included parking
spot can save you both the price and the
hassle of commercial parking garages.
Though deviating from the
trodden path can be both exciting and
rewarding, there always are cons to go
along with the pros. Staying in an
apartment rather than a hotel means
little to no amenities or facilities,
such as daily maid service, a pool,
health club, or room service. For some
travelers, these luxuries are what make a
vacation. You’ll also lose the
convenience of a 24-hour concierge,
should you need directions or restaurant
recommendations.
If you are traveling with
small children, the lack of certain
facilities may be too big of a drawback
to ignore. A game room or indoor pool may
be a near necessity. Also, an advantage
to staying in certain Boston hotels is
their proximity to stores and
restaurants. For example, there are a
number of Copley Square-area hotels with
indoor access to Copley Place (a swanky
mall/movie theater) -- a definite
winter-visit bonus.
Bed
& Breakfasts
If certain services are a must, you may
want to consider an in-between step: bed
and breakfast (B&B) homes or
"guesthouses." For some, this
type of accommodation offers the best of
both worlds by escaping the impersonal
chain hotel feel and providing a slightly
higher level of service than would an
unhosted apartment. There are a small
number of establishments listed
individually, or you can call an agency.
As the name implies, B&Bs usually
serve breakfast, and both options include
hosts to help you acclimate to the Boston
environment.
Resources
We have found these
resources helpful in our quest for the
perfect place to stay in Boston.
by Allyson Krieger
The Boston Insider
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