josephstern

I need to be in Boston to help a family member who will also be traveling there for a medical procedure. We probably need to stay 4 or 5 nights total.

I'd like to stay downtown since I'll be in and out all day doing whatever I'm doing, and then coming back to check on the family member, or bringing food, or, if they're up to it, they'll be out walking around also.

So I'd like a hotel where I can get two connecting rooms. And the rooms can't be tiny since I might be sitting in the other room for periods during the day.

Top choice would be a Hyatt or Marriott, but it doesn't really need to be a chain. This is for early August and prices at the chains are $400-$500 and at places like the Langham, they're $700. I'd like to keep this around $400 per room or even less, if possible. I thought about the Element (under $300), but the location seems less than great - more suited to conventions.

Anyone have a good rec for this? Sorry if my desires are all over the place here. But I appreciate any help!

Blumie

It�s impossible to comment on prices without knowing the precise dates you plan to be there. There are lots of good hotel options, but sometimes they can be $200 and sometimes $500.

josephstern

August 5-10 most likely.

Blumie

Yeah, I see that prices are really high that week. Check out the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel (a Marriott brand). It likely doesn�t check all your boxes, but I�m seeing a long-term stay rate of $343, and while it�s not in the heart of downtown, there are places to walk (restaurants, the Institute of Contemporary Art, the waterfront), and it�s close to the Silver Line bus to South Station, where you can walk to other neighborhoods (Chinatown, downtown crossing), or catch the Red Line to Park Street, Mass General, and Cambridge.

Out of my Element

Which hospital? Staying in the Seaport isn't so bad for Mass General, as it's not a hard transit ride to there, but it adds another seat to get to the Beth Israel and other hospitals on Brookline Avenue in the Longwood neighborhood, or BWH which isn't far from there.

josephstern

It is BWH - I figure we'll probably Uber/Lyft there and back.

Blumie

I was going to recommend the Hotel Commonwealth, in Kenmore Square, but their prices are high (including their offensive �Destination Amenity Fee�), which brings the price to $600/night, including all taxes and fees. On top of that, the Red Sox are playing every day of your trip (during the afternoon on the weekend, and at night during the week), so I would recommend NOT staying there.

josephstern

Yup - sure looks like we'll be there for the wrong week. But I do appreciate all of the help.

Blumie

Location wise, the Back Bay would be your best bet IMHO. Maybe time to cash in some of your points.

josephstern

There's a Hyatt Place and an Element over in "South Boston Waterfront" which looks like a reasonable place to be - too industrial over there? I don't love being near a convention center exactly, but I do see useful commerce like potentially decent restaurants nearby.

Blumie

The Renaissance, which I mention above, is in that area and I think slightly better located.

josephstern

That really does look pretty good and it has a pool too . . . that might be the answer.

Blumie

BTW, I have found that hotels are not always reliable when it comes to connecting rooms. In addition to requesting them at the time of the reservation, be sure to call the hotel the day before you arrive and let them know how critical it is.

josephstern

Good point - I definitely will once we decide which location.

Out of my Element

agreed. This is walkable. Seaport is going to have traffic jams, especially at Rush Hour, and as mentioned before, it�s a multi-seat transit ride from there. Back Bay is close, historic, and has lots more shops and restaurants nearby.