Boston - Never been, help with choosing accommodation

[xsquared]

I have recently submitted an application for Boston Marathon and if I am successful, I will be travelling out in April.

I will be travelling from the UK, probably direct with British Airways to Boston Logan.

No clue about hotels or anything like that but I've started to look for a twin room, but most seem to just have double rooms rather than twin.

I suppose what I'm asking for is where is good to stay if you were to recommend somewhere in Boston?

Any advice appreciated. Thank you!

We stayed at the Boston Ames Hotel a few years ago and it was great. 5 min walk from Fanueil Hall and Quincy Market. We could get everywhere on foot. I'd go back there in a heartbeat. Ah you'll love Boston, it's the best.

Thanks for your response. I shall have a look at Hotel Ames as an option.

Ideally we'd like to stay near the finish line near Copley Square.

Have a look around Bay Village area. Lovely neighbourhood with restaurants etc, and walking distance to Copley Square.

We stayed in Cambridge on the river which was lovely. It was near a T station, so easy to get to the buses on race morning but also walkable to the centre. I would have loved to stay near the finish but it was super expensive (stayed for a week) and I left booking accommodation quite late which didn't help. Enjoy, I loved the whole trip and race day really was incredible. I'd do it every year for sure if I could justify the cost, it's my favourite race by a long way!

The Lenox is right by Copley, and hands down my favourite hotel I've ever stayed in. A bit ££ but well worth it - especially as a treat after the marathon!

The U.S. doesn’t really do twin rooms. I’ve only had one once in my life and it was at a very old private club at a university. Most hotels will be 2 doubles, 2 queens, or a king. Some will also have a sleeper sofa. You are more likely to find 2 doubles in older areas where the buildings are smaller. 2 queens is really the standard.

What's your budget?

We don't really do twin rooms much in the US. Places like (if I remember rightly) The Revolution do have some very small, cheaper rooms though. There's a Citizen M near North Station that also has smaller cheaper rooms than your typical Hilton.

I really like the Sheraton attached to the Hynes Convention Center because it's a great location, it's got a big pool, and if you get an upper level room you get an amazing view. It's 10 mins walk to Copley Square, and you can walk down Newbury St or Commonwealth Ave to get back and forth.

You'll find the cheaper options tend to be out by the airport, or near MIT - unless you want to spend a fair bit of time on public transportation I'd avoid those.

We stayed at The Godfrey Hotel on Washington Street. Nicely central and walkable to a lot of places. Easy to get the train from there too.

A while ago now, and a bit further out, but we stayed in Cambridge at the Irving House guest house near Harvard, which we found via a recommendation in The Guardian. Lovely leafy area but still well-connected to central Boston. It's an old-fashioned B&B in a wood-framed house.

As a solo traveller, I found hotels a bit expensive so I stayed in an AirB&B in Back Bay, somewhere off Dartmouth Street. Loved the area and was short walk to Back Bay T and a bit further on to Copley Square.

2 doubles or queens is the closest you’ll get to a twin in the US. We stayed at the Liberty which is an old prison, and v v cool. If you feel like treating yourself I’d definitely recommend.

Just came back from Boston this week & stayed at Newbury Guest House in Back Bay. Very comfortable room with 2 double beds & great location. Copley was about a 7 min walk from the hotel.

Mr Monkey ran Boston this year. Accomodation is crazily expensive and in short supply - so book early.

We teamed up with a couple of friends and rented an air bnb apartment in Somerville. Cambridge and Somerville are worth looking at as well as central Boston - they are essentially at the end of two very short tube/tramlines.

Enjoy - it's a great city and marathon weekend is super fun.

In the US, a double is usually a twin room with 2 double beds, and a Queen bed is smaller than a King (opposite to in the UK)

I’m frequently in Boston and have stayed in various hotels/apartments. Prices vary amazingly with demand.

Perhaps come back to the thread with a few options when you have them and posters can advise:

Thanks everyone for your suggestions, lots to think about and I'll be back when I've built up a list!

Probably long shot, but does anyone know about Marathon tours?

https://marathontours.com/en-gb/events/boston-marathon/

I was intending to book somewhere for Friday to Tuesday, so this would be perfect, and the it seems to have all the logistics sorted for you!

"Private coach to Hopkinton" but you m8liss out on the most fun bit! They take everyone from the centre of Boston to Hopkinton in a fleet of those famous yellow school buses - Mr Monkey was very excited by that!

Finally got the confirmation email that I've been accepted to do Boston Marathon!

I managed to book a hotel through Marathon Tours by the Seaport area, which is a couple of miles from the finish line.

We have a couple of days to get over jet lag and do a spot of sight seeing before race day. Since we are only there a short while, what are your must sees and where is a good place to go for food?

Thanks!

Boston is just lovely to stroll around. Follow the freedom trail.

For food make sure you visit the North End (but I'm out of touch with specific restaurant recommendations).

Boston is a fabulous city. We spent a summer there as students and then DH lived there for a couple of years pre kids, I'd visit every few months. Really lovely place.

I love the Beacon Hill area
My favourite restaurant is Ma Maison on Cambridge St.

Back Bay nice to wander and shops
Faneuil Hall Market Place
I love the Library

Obviously Boston Common
A walk along The Charles

Beacon Hill, Boston Common, and the Freedom Trail all nice things to do.

Foodwise, we love Legal Seafood.

@xsquared We stayed at The Lennox. Perfect location.

Carmelinas was nice for Italian - need to reserve a table early. Also Mikes Pastry opposite for desert

We loved this restaurant.

www.woodshillpier4.com

We stayed in the Intercontinental, lovely huge room.