$200+ to MSY from BOS? It was $150 from BDL (Hartford) to MSY a few weeks ago. BDL is usually cheaper than Boston for a lot of fares, but when you talk major metro centers, it tends to even out.

I'm going to be down your way Sep 13-16. Fair is fair - any "watch out for..." stories you'd like to scare me with?

PS) Bedford is west of Boston, not too far further north from Waltham. For the room I saw a minute ago, it'd be worth the extra few minutes!!


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"I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own."

I used to work minutes away from Westin Waltham. It is not a good place to stay if one's goal were to visit Boston. However, it has a very good restaurant inside. In addition, Carambola (Cambodian cuisine) in Waltham is only a few minutes away. Not much else in Waltham though.

i've stayed at the westin waltham twice in the past two years. it's a good property offering nice rooms, good food and attentive service; you will not be disappointed.

i don't remember it being a short or convenient drive from the airport, however, especially when navigating at night in unfamiliar territory. get explicit directions: i remember a couple of unusual and unexpected turns that have to be made once you leave the highway. (you can see the hotel from the highway, but it's somewhat difficult to find once you get off, unless you know exactly where you're going.)

i've also stayed at the westin in providence... it's also a fine hotel. my recollection of the hyatt in cambridge, by the way, is that it does offer free parking.

After driving around Boston last week (http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/000173.html) I can definitely agree with the INSANE Boston traffic and the NIGHTMARE construction. As I was warned in my trip report (as linked above) take alot of EXTRA TIME for driving!

Dorian

Driving in Boston is interesting. You must remember than unlike modern cities, there was no street planning. They simply paved wherever the cows walked. (Although it probably is safer to leave planning up to bovine intellect over the notorious Boston political hacks - where one Mayor served in office while he was also serving time in prison).

Someone here at Flyertalk has a tag line, "Two wrongs don't make a right, but 3 lefts do."

This is DECIDEDLY untrue in Boston. Boston is the city of the one-way street. Three left turns may put you into the next town.

If you must navigate Boston, study your map thoroughly, and if possible, get one which indicates the one way streets. Plan your route carefully from your hotel room, and plan at least 1 alternate route due to the frequent street closings for construction.

Finally, if you can use the subway, I recommend it highly. It isn't scenic, but it is convenient, and the major hotels are usually within a block of a subway entrance.



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"I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own."

Westin! Westin!

I have stayed at the Westin Waltham several times and it is really nice. However, I did one time also get "walked" from the Westin and was put up for free at the Sheraton Needham (even though the room was guarenteed). The Sheraton was horrible. If you are late, call to confirm your room at the Westin.

kylin is right about Waltham not being a good place if you want to visit Boston, but I had a meeting 2 blocks from the hotel.




[This message has been edited by auh2o (edited 08-03-1999).]

Beckles, I almost forgot an important landmark in your drive south...

When you are driving down Interstate 93, you'll want to bear to the right when it splits from Interstate 95. If you look to your right, within about a mile you will see the two signs that best describes driving in the area. The top sign reads "I-95 SOUTH". The sign directly underneath it reads "128 NORTH"


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"I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own."

If you are looking to spend the first night near the airport (which is not that far from town), go to the Marriott Longwharf. It has freeway access at its door almost so you do not have to negotiate those Boston streets (scariest navigating I have ever done). If you have time to enjoy Boston before your event, then the Longwharf is walking distance to everything. Gorgeous hotel on the water. Taking family??? Children's Museum and Aquarium next door. Great fish restaurants less than a block away. Westin Copley was my favorite until I stayed at Longwharf.