Bountiful Accommodations In Boston

Evening View of Faneuil Hall Marketplace 1

Steeped in a rich culture and history, Boston offers this and more to travelers visiting the city. At every turn, visitors will glimpse a part of Boston's past and present. Many of the city's museums showcase Boston's past and role in the American Revolution, while those who are ready to do some walking can explore the Freedom Trail. The trail links key historic places downtown while following the red line painted on the sidewalk in order to view some living history.

Popular among business and pleasure travelers, all will be delighted by the city's sights and attractions which include a multitude of cultural facilities, acclaimed educational institutions and popular sports franchises, as well as the plentiful shopping that can be done. Don't forget Boston's numerous restaurants. Travelers will have an array of dining choices and finding something to suit all palates will not be hard. Italian cuisine and fresh seafood are some of the more popular options.

Anytime of the year is an ideal time to visit Boston. The fall is especially beautiful with vibrantly colored foliage found throughout the city, making a casual walk one to remember. The warmest months of the year to visit are May through August, while the coolest months are December to February.

Boston offers a wide range of accommodations for visitors and where to settle during a stay is a matter of personal preference, as well as budget and availability. In order to help visitors with the exicitement of finding accommodations, WorldWeb.com can help travelers make thoughtful decisions with these online tools:

1) Accommodation Directory - This is a complete accommodation directory containing detailed information about hotels, B&Bs, luxury resorts, campgrounds and more. With links to accommodation websites and interactive maps, this directory is designed to help visitors find the right place to stay based on their personal preferences.

2) Secure Room Reservations - A convenient online room search and reservation page, this link will allow the user to check room availability and then make a secure online room reservation for participating properties. Although this is a useful feature anytime of year, the online Secure Room Reservations page is particularly helpful in the peak seasons when finding accommodation in popular properties can be difficult.

3) Maps - The Boston map can assist visitors in choosing where to stay by not only indicating where accommodations are located, but also where they are in relation to attractions, restaurants, shops, tours and transportation.

A View of the John Hancock Tower2

ACCESS

With many airlines serving the Boston area, the city is easily accessible by air from Logan International Airport. Driving to Boston is another option. Travelers from the New York area can take the I-90, also known as the Massachusetts Turnpike, which is an east-west toll road that stretches from Logan International Airport and joins the New York State Thruway. The I-95 can also be used for connections from New York to Boston as well and also provides access to and from Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Maine. I-93/Route 3 provides a route for those departing from the southern states while I-93/U.S. 1 connects Boston to the eastern regions of Canada. Driving to the city is not a daunting task but once there, travelers should be aware that parking is not easy to find and can be costly. For those who love a driving challenge, Boston is home to many car rental companies, while busing it into the city is a convenient alternative to driving. Many motorcoach companies operate in the area such as Peter Pan Bus Lines, which offers bus service exclusively in New England, while Greyhound provides service across North America. Train service by Amtrak is another convenient way to arrive in Boston.

Once in the city, visitors have various transportation options such as Boston's public transit system, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. They provide bus service as well as a subway system, commuter trains and boat shuttles. Boston has several cab companies serving the area and taking a taxi is also an efficient way to travel around the city. If possible, walking around the city is recommended. Not only is it a great way to take-in all that the city has to offer but it is also relatively stress free.

	A Street in Back Bay3

NEIGHBORHOODS AND ACCOMMODATIONS

Boston is unlike many other major cities that are known for their out-of-this-world skylines. Rather, the city is unique for its diversified neighborhoods that exude their own brand of charm, culture and local attractions. The City of Boston has gone to great lengths to preserve as many historical buildings and sites as possible.Visitors will not be dissapointed with the historical gems waiting to be found.

Boston offer visitors several lodging options including hotels, bed and breakfasts and hostels. The city encompasses 21 neighborhoods, from the historic to the new. Some of the major areas for travelers staying in Boston include Back Bay, Beacon Hill and Downtown. There are also accommodation options near Logan International Airport.

Back Bay
The wealthy neighborhood of Back Bay features an assortment of trendy shops, restaurants and vintage homes. Popular shopping streets include Newbury and Boylston Streets, as well as Commonwealth Avenue. Other popular attractions include Copley Square, which features one of Boston's many architectural treasures, Trinity Church. Back Bay is home to national and local politicians as well as famous authors, business leaders and professionals. Drama lovers will find Boston's theater district located in Back Bay, which features Tremont Street, the residence of many theaters and auditoriums. In addition to thespian hang-outs, the neighborhood is proud to be home to two of the tallest structures in Boston's skyline, The Prudential Center and the John Hancock Tower.

Hotels in this area are abundant and include The Eliot Hotel on Newbury Street, The Lenox and the Howard Johnson Inn on Boylston Street and Hotel Commonwealth on Commonwealth Avenue. These hotels are ideal for the business and pleasure traveler alike, and they feature a range of standard amenities such as access to high-speed Internet, room service, fitness centers and cable television. Located on Tremont Street, The Tremont is housed in a restored 1925 building and is a great place to stay for those planning on spending time in the theater district.

Luxury hotels in the area include The Colonnade Hotel featuring 285 rooms, and The Westin Copley Place, which is connected to the Hynes Convention Center. Courtyard by Marriott Copley Square is unique as it was designed by business travelers in a boutique-style and has a 24-hour store that guests can use to purchase items for a light meal or snack.

For those looking to stay at a bed and breakfast style inn, The College Club offers old-world charm in a Victorian brownstone home. They are a non-smoking facility and feature guest rooms decorated with period antiques. Another bed and breakfast, The Gryphon House, is renowned for its architecture and is in close proximity to shopping and fine art galleries. This urban B&B is located in a turn-of-the century brownstone.

Beacon Hill
One of the oldest communities in Boston, Beacon Hill is known for its brick sidewalks, streets lit by gaslamps and decorative iron work found throughout. With its narrow streets, the neighborhood is reminiscent of colonial Boston. Bound by Beacon, Bowdoin and Cambridge Streets and Starrow Drive, visitors to the area will find antique shops and a variety of restaurants. The neighborhood has been the residence of some well-known Americans such as Senator John Kerry, Robert Frost and Sylvia Plath.

A Brick Sidewalk in Beacon Hill4

The Fifteen Beacon Hotel is located in the turn-of-the century, 10-story Beau Arts building and offers guests a luxurious stay in a 60-room modernist hotel. Visitors will find the Fifteen Beacon Hotel perched atop the historic Beacon Hill. A fine dining experience is also offered at the hotel's restaurant, The Federalist. It boasts an extensive wine selection with vintages dating from the 1700s. Dishes range from New England lobster bisque to a millennium version of Beef Wellington. Located at the foot of Beacon Hill, travelers can stay at the historic Holiday Inn Select Boston Government Center. This hotel is great for business travelers due to the spacious and well-lit work areas and the many business essentials offered here. Situated within walking distance to the hotel is the JFK Building, Suffolk University and the TD Bankworth Garden.

Downtown
Staying downtown is ideal for business travelers since this is the center for trade and industry in Boston. Indulging in retail therapy is also possible here since the area is home to many large department stores and intimate boutiques. Boston Common is situated downtown as is the Faneuil Hall Marketplace, which offers several dining options and entertainment.

Visitors in town on business will find all the essential amenities at the Ritz-Carlton. Meeting and banquet facilities are available at this upscale hotel, while pet lovers can rejoice in the fact that they can bring along their beloved canine or feline friend.

In addition to the Ritz-Carlton, business and pleasure travelers alike can stay at the Langham Hotel on Franklin Street. This is a European-style hotel and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, having once been the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. The Freedom Trail is located near by, as are other attractions such as Faneuil Hall. Elegant dining is provided by the hotel's restaurant, Julien. Guests can gaze at the intricately carved gold-leaf ceilings, crystal chandeliers and glittering mirrors. Those looking for something a little more casual, will appreciate the low-key ambiance offered by the hotel's Cafe Fleuri. Another hotel option is the Hyatt Regency, which offers numerous amenities including the use of Playstations, and is conveniently located just one block from Boston Common.

Front View of Trinity Church5

Airport
There are several lodging options for visitors looking to stay close to Logan International Airport. The Hyatt Harborside is located on the airport's grounds and offers amazing views of Boston Harbor and the city skyline. This hotel caters to all types of travelers. State-of-the-art technology found in the hotel's meeting rooms will satisfy those on business while visitors looking to escape and relax will feel right at home in the sauna. For a fee, guests can use the water taxi located behind the hotel. A 24-hour complimentary shuttle to airport terminals is also available. Another option is the Hilton Boston Logan Airport, which features a direct connection to the airport via skybridge or free shuttle service. Guests here can sleep peacefully as rooms are sound-proofed. The hotel has a few on-site dining and lounge options, as well as a health club and spa. In addition to these hotels there is The Westin Boston Waterfront, which is located less than 3 mi (4 km) from Logan Airport. The hotel offers 32,000 sq-ft (2972 sq-m) of meeting space including two ballrooms. Guests can stay in one of the 793 rooms available here, featuring harbor, garden or skyline views. In order to ensure their guests a comfortable stay, The Westin offers amenities such as 24-hour room service, individual climate control, slippers, bathrobes and much more.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

1. Greater Boston Convention & Visitor Bureau; Faneuil Hall Marketplace; Boston, Massachusetts, USA
2. Greater Boston Convention & Visitor Bureau; John Hancock Tower; Boston, Massachusetts, USA
3. Back Bay; Boston, Massachusetts, USA
4. Beacon Hill; Boston, Massachusetts, USA
5. Trinity Church; Boston, Massachusetts, USA