questions for a boston trip

i've read recommendations on here for hotels... i've narrowed it down to boston park plaza ($289 a night), the sheraton boston hotel in back bay area ($221 a night) or the hyatt regency in cambridge ($220 a night). i'm definitely leaning towards one of the cheaper hotels, but if anyone's stayed in any of these and can give me reasons why to pick or not pick them, i'd appreciate the feedback.
now the cambridge hotel says its about 2 miles away from the heart of things... where the other 2 seem to be a lot closer. should that sway my decision? i definitely don't want to be driving around boston. we did salem and philly the last 2 years and walked everywhere... i'm looking for the same feel.
how long would you recommend staying... is 3 nights enough time?
and i keep reading about the duck tours... can anyone tell me exactly what this is?
we're looking to go the 2nd week of october... instead of gifts, we do a road trip each year for our anniversary.

Re: questions for a boston trip

i've never stayed at any of those hotels. i went to school in boston, so i never had to. the cambridge hotel really isn't that far. it's over the charles river, near MIT. So you'd have to cross the bridge to get into boston, but it's not that bad, really. you could take a short cab ride, walk or take the T (subway) into the heart of boston. you're also closer to harvard that way. the other hotels are in the center of the city, so that's really your decision in that respect.

a duck tour is an old land and water vehicle from WWII. it takes you on a tour of boston, passed all the important landmarks and then into the charles river. the tour guides all have different names and personalities and they crack jokes, etc and sometimes they let people drive the boats! HTH and good luck!

Re: questions for a boston trip

HI- I live in Boston so I have not recently stayed in any of those hotels that you list (I have stayed at the park plaza, but that was about 10 years ago). Out of the 3 hotels that you list, I would stay at the Sheraton, based on the location and the price. If you want to be in the city, the Sheraton is in a very good location. You can easily walk to Newbury St & Boylston St. If you don't mind a lot of walking you can also walk to the Boston Common/Beacon Hill and (more walking) Quincy market area as well, especially on a nice day (or you can take the T or a quick cab ride). I would save the $$ and stay there vs the Park Plaza. Unless you want to see and do a lot in Cambridge, I would not stay there, especially since you could stay downtown for the same price. Again, I am not familar with the rooms at these hotels, so I can not comment on that!

Hope this helps you out!

Re: questions for a boston trip

thank u ladies... i was leaning towards the sheraton myself for location and price as well. the truth is, i have no clue what we want to do while we are there. dh doesn't like to fly, and so every year for our ann we do a little roadtrip... we thought of boston, but don't have a plan!

Re: questions for a boston trip

I stayed at the Sheraton last year- it was really nice! It's attached to the Prudential Center- so it's pretty convenient to everything by Subway.


Here are some pics from the trip (not sure if you can see them on facebook- if not- just request me and I'll accept )

Pics

Message edited 9/9/2009 2:57:09 PM.

Re: questions for a boston trip

I would stay at the Sheraton too. Boston is a walking city, so it's important to be in the middle of the city. I stayed at the Marriot Copely square when I was there and it was great. Parking & even driving is a little difficult if you are not from there, so I reccommend staying where you can walk around. We basically just walked around the whole city. Did a trolley tour (it was January) and checked out some local bars/shopping.

Boston is lots of fun and there's a lot to see, I'm sure you will have a lot of fun!!

Re: questions for a boston trip

We went to Boston last Sept and stayed here:

http://www.millenniumhotels.com/millenniumboston/

It was a great hotel within walking distance of everything. Boston is a great city - you will have a blast!

Re: questions for a boston trip

thank you ladies! so aside from the duck tour, what are "must sees" or "must do's" in your opinions?
and, is 3 nights enough time? too much?

Re: questions for a boston trip

follow the freedom trail

go to quincy market

check out harvard square

eat at fire and ice

museum of fine arts (mfa)

newbury street

landsdowne street for bars, restaurants

Re: questions for a boston trip

Re: questions for a boston trip

i used to live in boston - some info for duck tours i that they leave from the prudential center - close to the sheraton or from the museum of science about 3/4-1 mile walk along the river from the hyatt cambridge

the tours can be booked online -i blieve 7 days in advance but also tickets go on sale the morning of - but if you wait to the day to book -stop by the booth when it opens - the ducks are lots of fun but they go rain or shine so it is nicer to plan for a nice day

the sheraton i think is in a beter location. If the red soxs are playing try to get tickets- even the bleachers are fun to be in - most of the concierges at the hotels have tickets - if they are not playing - they give tours of hte park

charles st - has lots of quaint little shops and walking through beacon hill is always beautiful especailly louisberg square

the greenway is done now and it is nice walk from the north end to china town - north end is good for italian food - Taranta had pervuivan italian fudsion and is delicious in the north end