My husband needs to be there for a week and I've been charged with finding him a place to stay.

Seems the only hotel in town is a Holiday Inn, and that one doesn't list internet access as available except in the conference rooms. That, and the desire to get either Hyatt or Hilton points (Marriott is a far 3rd) makes me want to find somewhere else for him to stay.

Any suggestions?

Any suggestions?

Mary, there is an Embassy Suites in Marlboro about 10 miles down 495 that might work.

http://embassysuites.hilton.com/en/es/hotels/index.jhtml?moreDesc=true&ctyhocn=BOSMAES

Traffic on 495 can be a pain at rush hour, and it is worse when the state starts digging up the road in the now construction season, but the hotel is only about 20 minutes south, all highway driving. Your other options are going a bit north or east of Boxborough, but going east requires traversing single lane roads through congested towns and going north is farther to drive to Lowell, neother of which would be my first choice.

On the ES, no alcohol at the manger's reception but they do have hsia, not sure if it is free.

...Seems the only hotel in town is a Holiday Inn, and that one doesn't list internet access as available except in the conference rooms...Listing is incorrect. There is Wi-Fi access in the lobby and Ethernet (broadband) in the guest rooms. Both are free.

Many thanks.

The primary concern was broadband in the rooms. While I'd like the points, it doesn't seem worth it to drive 10 miles in traffic for them.

Thanks again.

Is the Holiday Inn the former Sheraton (home to I-DECUS for those whose hair is gray or gone)?

And if your hubby would like a little ice cream at night, highly recommend Kimball's on Littleton Road, Westford.

And if your hubby would like a little ice cream at night, highly recommend Kimball's on Littleton Road, Westford.
Thanks, but my husband would like more than a little ice cream, hence, I won't give him THIS little tidbit of information ;)

Is the Holiday Inn the former Sheraton (home to I-DECUS for those whose hair is gray or gone)?Yes.

Thanks, but my husband would like more than a little ice cream, hence, I won't give him THIS little tidbit of information ;)Not a problem. They'll be happy to sell him more than a little ice cream. :)

New info if you're leaning toward the Holiday Inn and collect AA miles: today's 25th Anniversary promo is 2,500 miles for booking a stay at any Intercontinental Group hotel, which includes HI. Book through June 11, stay through Aug. 31. More at www.aadvantage25.com .

Great - thanks. I do collect them as a backup ^^

Not a problem. They'll be happy to sell him more than a little ice cream. :)

Let's put it this way. I order a Kid size and have trouble finishing it (even the Kid size is generally half a pint)

Seriously, Kimball's is well worth a visit any time you're in the vicinity -- it's the best ice-cream around. Exit 31 off I-495, left at the end of the ramp (or right if you're coming from the north), left at the light and it's about a mile down on the right.

Marlborough isn't that far from Boxborough; I commuted Marlborough to Boxborough (and points further north) for five years until recently, and I-495 usually moves at the speed limit (OK, who are we kidding, this is Massachusetts -- ABOVE the speed limit!) for a commute in that direction. (Commuting to Marlborough there can be some delays, but not major ones. South of Marlborough or north of Chelmsford it can get dicier.) So if you want Hilton points, staying in the Embassy or Hampton in Marlborough will only add 10-15 minutes to the commute. (And a Wyndham just became a Doubletree in Westborough, another five minutes south.)

Plus there's a decent selection of restaurants and things to do in Marlborough, many within easy walking distance of the Embassy; there isn't much in Boxborough other than the hotel. (When I worked in Boxborough the Holiday Inn was one of the few local places to go out for lunch to...)