Where To Stay In Boston

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The home of world-leading universities, bucket-list-worthy St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and rich historical significance that tells the tale of the United States’ founding, Boston is among the finest cities to visit.

Many neighbourhoods and districts make up Boston, each with its own unique charm, attractions and people to discover. From the vibrant Downtown Boston to the streets and attractions surrounding Fenway Park, picking a place to stay in Boston while visiting this fantastic world-class city is a challenge in itself. We’ve prepared a list of the six best neighbourhoods and a list of recommended hotels to help you decide where to stay in Boston.

Where To Stay In Boston

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Boston Hotels

1- Downtown Boston

where to stay in boston mass
Wondering where to stay in Boston? Check out the best neighbourhoods.

The beating heart of Boston’s cultural and financial scene, Downtown Boston is ground zero for travellers heading to this East Coast metropolis.

Downtown Boston’s compact nature makes it easy to explore the neighbourhood on foot as you wander past the many high-rise buildings and historic landmarks that have come to define the city.

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With over 300 retail stores and 130 restaurants, Downtown Boston never seems to sleep.

More than 10,000 people call the heart of Boston home, and even more flock here for vacations or business trips, making it the perfect area in the city to meet new people and enjoy brand-new adventures in Boston.

Downtown Boston’s laundry list of places to see includes City Hall, the Boston Common, the Financial District and the Theatre District, and the 2.5-mile-long (4 km) Freedom Trail, which links together many of the city’s most historic venues.

where to stay in boston ma
To be right in the action, the best place to stay is Downtown Boston.
Budget: Moxy Boston Downtown

The Moxy Hotel in Downtown Boston places visitors right in the middle of Boston for an affordable rate. The 4-star hotel features private parking, dry cleaning services, and a 24-hour front desk.

All creature comforts are accounted for in the Moxy’s rooms, featuring a flat-screen TV and private bathrooms equipped with a shower and a hair dryer.

Mid-Range: Hyatt Centric Faneuil Hall

Situated just a short stroll from Downtown Boston’s popular Faneuil Hall and its amazing shopping venues, the Hyatt Centric Faneuil Hall is the perfect mid-range hotel option.

The hotel comes with rooms fitted with 55-inch flat-screen TVs, Bluetooth speakers, a coffee maker, a refrigerator and blackout curtains.

The hotel even serves up handmade cocktails, providing guests a high-end experience without breaking the bank.

Luxury: Boston Harbor Hotel

The 5-star Boston Harbor Hotel is situated right on Rowes Wharf.

Overlooking the Boston Harbor, the hotel is among the ritziest locales to stay at in the city and comes equipped with everything you’d expect from one of the priciest hotels in Boston.

Guests at the Boston Harbor Hotel enjoy concierge service, a gift shop, free WiFi, a personalised minibar and Illy coffee machines.ate

If you have the budget to match, there’s simply no destination in Boston more luxurious to stay at than the Boston Harbor Hotel.

2- Beacon Hill

where to stay in boston beacon hill and Charles river
When planning where to stay in Boston, look at the Beacon Hill District beside the Charles River.

The most famous hill in Boston, Beacon Hill, is a historic and culturally important neighbourhood.

Not only is Beacon Hill where the Massachusetts State Capitol stands, but it is also famous for its stately brick townhouses, cobblestone streets and gorgeous Greek Revival architecture.

Dating back to 1625, Beacon Hill is one of Boston’s oldest neighbourhoods and is jam-packed with many historic landmarks and attractions.

When it comes to entertainment and shopping, few areas in Boston rival Beacon Hill’s Charles Street, which features some of the best restaurants, boutiques and art galleries in the city.

Once ruled by the Brahmins, Beacon Hill is still synonymous with the upper class and is one of Boston’s most expensive neighbourhoods.

While staying in Beacon Hill comes at a steeper price than many of the city’s other areas, the neighbourhood’s central location, many attractions and great hotel options make it well worth it in the end.

where is the best place to stay in boston
If you’d like to be close to landmarks like the Massachusetts State Capitol, Beacon Hill is where to stay in Boston.
Budget: Boston Omni Parker House Hotel

The Boston Omni Parker House Hotel is a budget-friendly yet stylish hotel in Beacon Hill that sits along 13 historic sites of Boston’s famed Freedom Trail.

Complete with a full-service restaurant, the hotel rooms have complimentary WiFi, a flat-screen TV with cable, a coffee machine, and plush bathrobes.

A great budget-conscious hotel in an even better location, it’s hard to go wrong with a stay at the Boston Omni Parker House Hotel.

Mid-Range: The Whitney Hotel

Featuring air-conditioned rooms with flat-screen TVs, free WiFi, free bikes, and big wardrobes, the Whitney Hotel is Beacon Hill’s best mid-range hotel.

The 5-star hotel treats guests to unrivalled views of the city and features a highly rated restaurant serving up delectable Mediterranean and American cuisine options.

Luxury: The Liberty

Overlooking Boston’s Charles River, The Liberty is an elegant hotel packed into a beautiful and historic building that just oozes luxury.

Built in 1851, the Liberty is synonymous with Boston and offers complimentary services, including free bike rentals and yoga classes.

Complete with rooms with many luxurious touches you’d expect to have in a five-star hotel, few venues can match The Liberty’s style and classy accommodation.

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3- North End

where to stay in boston with family
Colourful brick houses in Boston’s historical North End makes it a great place to stay in Boston.

North End is recognised as Boston’s oldest neighbourhood, first settled by the Puritans in the early 17th century before Irish, Jewish and Portuguese immigrants began making their way to this small slice of Boston.

The neighbourhood is the oldest in the city and among the smallest, covering just 0.36 square miles (0.93 km2).

Despite its lack in size compared to the city’s many other neighbourhoods, the densely packed North End features over 100 restaurants, bars and shops, as well as numerous fantastic attractions and landmarks.

North End’s dining scene is legendary throughout Boston and is renowned for its fantastic collection of Italian-themed restaurants, one of the many marks left on the area by the many Italian immigrants who settled in the Boston area.

Due to its incredible diversity, a mix of culture and history, and overall charm, the entire neighbourhood is currently in the process of becoming a designated Boston Landmark.

Budget: Battery Wharf Hotel

The Battery Wharf Hotel sits just 10 minutes from the New England Aquarium and organises water taxi services to and from Logan International Airport.

Complete with an on-site Exhale Spa, the hotel features rooms outfitted with a flat-screen TV, a Nespresso coffee machine, and a bathroom with a walk-in shower and plush bathrobes.

The Battery Wharf Hotel provides guests with an incredible range of services and amenities considering the price tag, making it one of the best hotels in the North End.

where to stay in boston with kids
If you’re keen on history, you won’t be wondering where to stay in Boston for long. You’ll love the narrow street in the North End, the Italian district.
Mid-Range: Boston Yacht Haven

Offering cosy rooms overlooking the marina that comes complete with a microwave, a refrigerator, a private balcony and even a sofa bed, the Boston Yacht Haven packs quite the proverbial punch when it comes to value for money.

The hotel features a distinctly nautical theme and offers free continental breakfast every morning.

There’s even a gym on-site to stay in shape during your vacation.

Luxury: Bricco Suites

The Bricco Suites are not a hotel but a collection of luxuriously furnished apartments just a short walk from the Paul Revere House.

The apartments come decked out with flat-screen TVs, en-suite marble bathrooms, queen-sized beds, and concierge service.

With the suites situated near some of North End’s best shopping and dining options, it’s among the best places to stay in Boston and provides more amenities than your average hotel room.

4- Fenway-Kenmore

Consisting of a collection of smaller districts and areas, the Fenway-Kenmore neighbourhood in Boston is best known for being the home of the famous Fenway Park and the Boston Red Sox baseball team.

Fenway-Kenmore is bordered by Back Bay to the east and features street names derived from Scottish towns and the literary works of Robert Burns.

While Fenway Park is the neighbourhood’s most famous attraction, it’s by far not the only one, since the Harvard Medical School, the Art Institute of Boston and the Museum of Fine Arts Boston all reside within Fenway-Kenmore.

The area has long been among the leading education hubs in the world, with Harvard and Boston University being just some of the many colleges and universities situated inside Fenway-Kenmore.

Boasting a revolving door of things to see, do and experience mixed with the neighbourhood’s young and diverse population, Fenway-Kenmore is one of Boston’s best places to visit, with tons of great accommodation options available to make your stay amazing.

Budget: The Verb Hotel

The Verb Hotel treats guests to a colourful Retro/Mid-Century hotel experience in Boston’s Fenway-Kenmore neighbourhood.

Fenway Park sits just a stone’s throw away from the hotel and treats guests to an on-site swimming pool, restaurant and private bathrooms to make your stay as pleasant as possible.

Mid-Range: Residence Inn by Marriott Boston Back Bay/Fenway

Marriott’s Residence Inn hotel sits just steps from the home of the Red Sox and treats guests to a fitness centre, an indoor rooftop swimming pool and a bar serving world-class cocktails.

Rooms come with a complete kitchen featuring a stovetop, a microwave, a refrigerator and kitchenware, incredibly rare features even for the most expensive hotels in the city.

Luxury: Boston Hotel Commonwealth

Another hotel in Fenway-Kenmore that is within a short distance from Fenway Park, the Boston Hotel Commonwealth, provides those looking to spend time near Fenway with a luxurious high-end option.

The hotel features an award-winning concierge service and a 24-hour fitness centre for guests, plus views of Fenway Park, the Citgo Sign and Kenmore Square.

5- Back Bay

where to stay in boston without a car
Wondering where to stay in Boston? Here are old historical houses and skyscraper buildings reflected in water of the Charles River in the Boston Back Bay district.

Boston’s Back Bay neighbourhood is where the finish line of the Boston Marathon is, where Boston’s tallest skyscraper stands and where the city’s famous Victorian and Edwardian brownstone buildings seem to peel around the corner of every bend in the district.

The entire neighbourhood was built on reclaimed land from the Charles River basin, hence the name Back Bay, and was for long, a downtrodden area of Boston.

Today, however, the neighbourhood is among Boston’s most ritzy and is famous for its shopping scenes along Newbury Street and Commonwealth Avenue.

The Boston Public Library, Trinity Church and the John Hancock Tower are just some of the neighbourhood’s most popular attractions to visit in the region.

Famed for its stunning waterfront views and tree-lined streets, Back Bay invokes a distinctly European feel, which shouldn’t be too far-fetched since the district was modelled after Paris, after all.

Back Bay is synonymous with some of Boston’s best hotels, nightlife and dining options, making it a beautiful Boston district to make your base. It’s also packed with a laundry list of things to do.

Budget: Hilton Boston Back Bay

The Hilton Boston Back Bay sits just 15 minutes from popular Boston landmarks such as Fenway Park and the Charles River Basin and features contemporarily-designed rooms complete with a coffee machine and comfy armchairs.

An on-site Starbucks café and snack shop ensures that guests are always refreshed and ready to explore Boston, while the hotel’s casual Forty Dalton restaurant offers a fine dining experience during the evening.

Mid-Range: The Lenox

Five minutes from Boston’s Hancock Tower, The Lenox is a ritzy and elegant hotel with mahogany furnishings and crystal lamps.

The venue offers guests a personalised concierge service and 24-hour room service, not to mention a platform from which to explore the neighbourhood’s many Irish pubs and shopping venues.

Luxury: Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street

The 5-star Four Seasons Hotel at One Dalton Street provides guests with a truly world-class hotel experience in one of Boston’s most desirable neighbourhoods.

The hotel has a stylish spa and swimming pool and rooms have everything you would expect of the Four Seasons brand.

If you’re looking for that perfect luxury Back Bay hotel, look no further than the Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street.

6- Seaport

where to stay in boston for a weekend
Another area to consider when planning where to stay in Boston is Seaport, home to the Seaport World Trade Center.

Overlooking Downtown Boston, the waterfront neighbourhood of Seaport is situated right in the centre of Boston’s best attractions and landmarks.

Seaport is among Boston’s most popular districts for hipsters and artists, and is renowned for its vibrant arts scene, however, the neighbourhood wasn’t always that way.

Seaport started out as a manufacturing hub lined with factories and warehouses during the 19th century when much of the area was still underwater.

When the factories started moving out, the entire neighbourhood fell into a dilapidated state before significant redevelopment efforts began in the mid-60s to revitalise Seaport and turn it into a desirable place to live.

It’s fair to say that the attempts to revitalise the neighbourhood succeeded.

Seaport is today a tourist attraction filled with eclectic attractions, quirky shops and unique restaurants to explore.

Many of the city’s up-and-coming tech startups can be found in Seaport and the famed Institute of Contemporary Art, ensuring that there’s always something going on in Seaport.

Budget: Aloft Boston Seaport District

Missing your four-legged friend? The Aloft Boston hotel offers guests a unique, pet-friendly hotel experience in Boston’s Seaport neighbourhood.

The hotel has a 24-hour desk and a communal lounge where visitors can interact with fellow travellers to play billiards.

Situated a short walk from the Boston Convention Exhibitors Center and just a short drive from Logan International Airport, Aloft is budget-conscious and centrally located.

Mid-Range: Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel

The Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel goes all out to ensure guests are pampered, with goose-down duvets and an entertainment platform with access to Hulu and Netflix in all rooms.

Downstairs, guests can curl up with a good book in the hotel’s private library or stop by the hotel’s indoor swimming pool for some quick laps before heading out into Boston.

Luxury: The Westin Boston Seaport District

Within walking distance from the Institute Of Contemporary Art, the Boston Children’s Museum and the Boston Convention Exhibitors Center, the Westin hotel in Boston’s Seaport District is one of the neighbourhood’s most remarkable hotels.

This state-of-the-art venue uses a vertical garden to naturally purify the hotel’s air. It also features a whirlpool bath and even delivers New Balance apparel to your room upon request.

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Mark Westwood
Mark Westwood is a Seattle-based writer who writes for various online blogs and travel websites. In 2017, he went on a 12-month road trip across the USA visiting many iconic landmarks and small towns along the way. Having explored over 20 countries, his favourite places to date are along the west coast of the USA but he is happiest anywhere where there are mountains and ocean.