Where to Stay - Boston 2009 - page 77

5 Charlestown
EXPENSIVE
Marriott Residence Inn Boston Harbor Combining the familiar sub-
urban brand and a prime urban location, the Residence Inn opened in 2003. Its easy
access to water transportation (water taxis serve the hotel dock) makes it competitive
with more expensive downtown properties. Adjacent to the Charlestown Navy Yard,
the hotel consists of studio and one- and two-bedroom suites with full kitchens; many
have harbor views. Even the smallest units, studio suites, are generous in size. Most
rooms in the eight-story building afford impressive views of the harbor or the Charles
River and the Zakim Bridge. Patrons tend to be business travelers on weeknights
(many on extended stays) and families on weekends, especially in the summer. Prices
listed here are for 1 to 4 nights; longer stays mean ever-greater discounts.
Tudor Wharf, 34-44 Charles River Ave., Charlestown, MA 02129. & 866/296-2297, 800/331-3131 (Marriott), or
617/242-9000. Fax [phone]. www.marriott.com/bostw. 168 units. $199-$399 double May-Nov; $129-$229
double Dec-Apr. Rates include full breakfast. Children stay free in parent's room. Weekend, family, and other pack-
ages from $129/night. AAA, government, and long-term discounts available. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $29.
T: Green or Orange Line to North Station, then shuttle-bus ride or 10-min. walk; Blue Line to Aquarium and ferry from
Long Wharf to Navy Yard, then 5-min. walk; or Orange Line to Community College, then 10-min. walk. Pets accepted;
$150 fee. Amenities: Cafe (New England) w/seasonal outdoor seating; indoor lap pool; exercise room; access to
nearby YMCA ($8); Jacuzzi; shuttle to North Station; business center; room service until 9:30pm; coin-op laundry;
laundry service; dry cleaning; rooms for those w/limited mobility. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, high-speed and
wireless Internet access, kitchen, fridge, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.

Value

6 South Boston Waterfront (Seaport District)
The Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Seaport World Trade Center, Insti-
tute of Contemporary Art, and Waterfront Silver Line bus (which connects South Sta-
tion to the airport) are just a few of the factors helping push this neighborhood from
up-and-coming to genuinely desirable. It's not quite there, though—there's no shop-
ping or entertainment to speak of, and dining options are multiplying but still far
from numerous. Access to the airport is excellent, but downtown is some distance
away by bus and subway or on foot (Faneuil Hall Marketplace, for instance, is at least
a 15-min. walk). If you're in town for a convention, thank your corporate travel agent;
if you're sightseeing, budget time for public transit, money for cabs, or both.
VERY EXPENSIVE
The Westin Boston Waterfront The only hotel attached to the Boston Con-
vention and Exhibition Center, the Westin opened in 2006. The state-of-the-art prop-
erty offers the chain's abundant amenities, including Heavenly Beds, in its signature
contemporary style. The good-size rooms have plenty of space for oversize work desks,
and huge windows show off the city skyline, the water, or nearby office buildings and
construction. Northeast-facing units on higher floors of the 16-story building enjoy
panoramas of the action on the harbor, which—the hotel's name notwithstanding—is
2 blocks away. Bathrooms are plush, with the nicest mirrors (huge and backlit) I've ever
seen in a hotel. Access to the convention center is through a weather-protected sky-
bridge off the enormous lobby, which holds a bar that hops after work on weeknights.
425 Summer St., Boston, MA 02210. & 800/WESTIN-1 or 617/532-4600. Fax [phone]. www.westin.com. 793
units. $259-$599 double; $359-$1,000 suite. Children under 18 stay free in parent's room. Weekend and family pack-
ages available. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $36; self-parking $27. T: Red Line to South Station, then Waterfront
Silver Line to World Trade Center. Pets accepted. Amenities: 4 restaurants (contemporary American and 3 others that