I'm decades past the era of my life when 2am closings were something I considered in selecting hotel location. In my 20s, when I lived in Melrose, the last train out of North Station was at 11:59, so even back then I needed to be out of the bars by 11:30. If one could go back in time 30-35 years, I'd have great bar recommendations. Second, the one thing I noticed from the OP is that, I believe, they need to reset their expectation for a reasonable rate around the 4th of July. Graduation Season, 4th of July, and Leaf Peeper season all command high prices. If you can get a rate that leaves all your extremities intact and your first born in your possession, consider yourself lucky. I'm old enough now to say this, so..."back in the day, if you wanted to book around the 4th of July you would have to book a minimum of 2 or 3 nights depending on the property's proximity/view to the Charles/Esplanade." As for timing, this close to the holiday it's going to be difficult finding any place desirable at a reasonable rate. $222/night at the Copley seems too good to be true, not to say it isn't. But what's the room like? Regarding a breakfast buffet, I'd go out to someplace like The Friendly Toast. It's been a while since I've been, but it was so good. After so many Boston hotel comp breakfasts, I'm not so sure they're something to base your hotel selection on, in my opinion.