Hotels

The search for a hotel turns some travelers into the human equivalent of the dog in the "Far Side" cartoon who hears only her own name ("blah blah blah blah Ginger"). Faced with a detailed description of a potential lodging, they see only what they care about: "upstairs from the meeting that starts at 7:45am," "awards me frequent-flyer miles," "across the street from the wedding reception."

Others shop by price alone. If that describes you, be aware that the average room rate in the Boston area is north of $170, occupancy rates are high and getting higher, and just thinking about hotel parking rates can cause a nosebleed. Nevertheless, bargains are out there, particularly at slow times.

As you go through this section, keep Boston's relatively small size in mind, and check a map before you rule out a location. Especially downtown, the neighborhoods are so small and close together that the borders are somewhat arbitrary. The division to consider is downtown versus the Back Bay versus Cambridge, and not, say, the Waterfront versus the adjacent Financial District.

With enough flexibility, you probably won't have much difficulty finding a suitable place to stay in or near the city, but it's always a good idea to make a reservation. Try to book ahead if you plan to travel between April and November, when conventions, college graduations, and vacations increase demand. Foliage season typically is the busiest and priciest time of year -- even more expensive than the summer.

Every hotel in this area accommodates both business travelers and families. That's not to say that you'll trip over a stroller in the elevator at a Hilton or a corporate takeover in the Hampton Inn lobby, just that you'll find a mix of guests wherever you stay in Boston.

Most of the major hotel chains have a presence in the Boston area. Many of the larger establishments share a certain sameness, but even that comes with a potential bonus: Hotels with a common corporate parent may offer some flexibility. For instance, if one Starwood (Sheraton or Westin) property is overbooked, management can whisk you off to an affiliate and save you the trouble of calling around.

Besides Starwood, other chains operating in and around Boston include leisure-oriented Best Western, Holiday Inn, Radisson, and Ramada; boutique-hotel pioneer Kimpton; luxury operators Fairmont, Four Seasons, Jurys Doyle (an Irish chain), Ritz-Carlton, and Sonesta; and business-traveler magnets Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott (in all its incarnations).

The scarcest lodging option in the immediate Boston area is the moderately priced chain motel, a category almost completely driven out by soaring real estate prices; for example, the last Howard Johnson in town closed in 2007. And brands that are bargains elsewhere may be pricey here -- again, especially at busy times.

Rates in this section are for a double room; if you're traveling alone, single rates are almost always lower. The rates given here do not include the 5.7% state hotel tax. Boston and Cambridge add a 2.75% convention center tax on top of the 4% city tax, making the total tax 12.45%. Not all suburbs impose a local tax, so some towns charge only the state tax. These listings cover Boston, Cambridge, and Brookline.

A Note About Nonsmoking Rooms -- Even at hotels that still allow smoking, accommodations reserved for nonsmokers have become the rule rather than the exception. However, nonsmokers should not assume that they'll get a nonsmoking room without specifically requesting one. As hotels squeeze smokers into fewer rooms, the ones they use become saturated with the smell of smoke, even in lodgings that are otherwise antiseptic. To avoid this disagreeable situation, be sure that everyone who handles your reservation knows that you need a completely nonsmoking room.

Planning Pointer -- If your trip involves a cultural event -- for example, a big museum show -- look into a hotel package that includes tickets. Usually offered on weekends, these deals always save time and can save money.

Tips for Last-Minute Planners

You waited until the last minute and you can't find a room. What to do?

Bed and Breakfast Associates Bay Colony, P.O. Box 57166, Boston, MA 02457 (tel. 888/486-6018, 08/234-7113 from the U.K., or 781/449-5302; fax 781/455-6745; www.bnbboston.com)

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Maps

• Where to Stay in Boston
• Where to Stay in Cambridge

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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				Frommer's Boston 2008 Author: Marie Morris Pub Date: September 04, 2007 Price: $16.99				Related Titles: Boston For Dummies, 4th Edition Frommer's Boston 2009 Frommer's Boston Day by Day, 1st Edition