Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Kids
Family-Friendly Hotels
Almost every hotel in the Boston area regularly plays host to children, and
many offer special family packages. For more information, see “Family
Travel,” p. 47. Moderately priced chains have the most experience with
youngsters, but their higher-end competitors put on a good show.
Units at the
Doubletree Guest Suites
(p. 92) are a great deal—they have
two rooms in which to spread out, and they cost far less than adjoining
rooms at any other hotel this nice. The in-room coffeemaker and refrigera-
tor can help with breakfast preparation, allowing you to splurge on lunch
and dinner.
In the Back Bay, the
Colonnade Hotel Boston
(p. 85) offers a family week-
end package that includes parking, breakfast for two adults, up to four
passes (for 2 adults and 2 children) to an attraction of your choice, and a
fanny pack for younger guests that holds sunglasses, a pad and pen, a yo-
yo, and a toy duck.
The
Seaport Hotel
(p. 81), near Museum Wharf, offers excellent weekend
deals, splendid views of the harbor and airport, underwater music piped into
the swimming pool, and even a grandparent-grandchild package.
The large rooms and proximity to downtown (15 minutes by subway)
make the
Holiday Inn Boston Brookline
(p. 93) a good base for families.
In Cambridge, the
Royal Sonesta Hotel
(p. 96) is around the corner from
the Museum of Science and has a large indoor/outdoor pool. It fills the vaca-
tion months with Summerfest, which includes free use of bicycles, ice cream,
and boat rides along the Charles River. On off-season weekends, the Family
Fun package includes four passes to the Museum of Science or the New Eng-
land Aquarium.
Across the street,
Hotel Marlowe
(p. 96) boasts an excellent location, the
welcoming atmosphere that family travelers have come to expect from the
Kimpton chain, and special weekend packages.
The riverfront
Hyatt Regency Cambridge
(p. 97) courts families with its
pool, bicycle rentals, easy access to the banks of the Charles, and discounted
rates (subject to availability) on a separate room for the kids.
restaurant (contemporary American); bar; pub; small exercise room; bike rental; concierge; tour desk; car-rental desk;
airport shuttle; business center; room service until 11pm; in-room massage; babysitting; laundry service; same-day
dry cleaning. Rooms for those w/limited mobility and wheelchair lift to the lobby are available. In room:A/C, TV w/pay
movies, wireless Internet access, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe, umbrella, robes.
EXPENSIVE
Hotels in this neighborhood and price category are catnip for tour groups, especially
during foliage season. Consider a different location or a smaller lodging if big crowds
wearing nametags bother you—but don't count on avoiding them completely.
Boston Marriott Copley Place
This 38-story tower offers something for
everyone—complete business facilities, a good-size pool, and direct access to Boston's
shopping wonderland. It's extremely popular with convention and meeting planners
