Boston is a compact city with a lot of people, extremely limited (gorgeous brownstone) space and very pricey real estate. Finding affordable accommodations – even for travelers – can be tricky.
Bang-for-your-buck accommodations in Boston may not be easy to come by, but they’re out there; locating them just takes a bit of digging. For the lowest rates on these fair-priced places, aim to book a few months in advance before the crowd of travelers beats you to it. To get you started on the hunt, here are nine of the best low-cost locations to rest your head after a long day of uncovering everything that Beantown has to offer.
Boston Park Plaza
Hotel
Boston Park Plaza lies in the affluent Back Bay neighborhood | Courtesy of Boston Park Plaza / Hotels.com
Stay in the heart of Boston’s 400-year-old history at Boston Park Plaza. Since 1927, the hotel has provided an elegant getaway in the rich Back Bay neighborhood of downtown. This iconic landmark, which underwent a multi-year $100 million renovation, boasts sleek and stylish rooms. If you step just outside the front doors, you’ll find yourself mere minutes from the Public Garden with the iconic swan boats you can rent to float around the park for an afternoon.
Are you a restaurateur (professional or self-proclaimed) coming to Boston for the up-and-coming food scene? Then you’ll want to check out The Revolution Hotel in the city’s South End neighborhood, which is full of saucy (and sassy) good-eats restaurants, as well as the iconic brownstone homes that give the historic city part of its charm. Inspired by the rebellious attitude and the innovative spirit of Boston, The Revolution Hotel features edgy art murals in its lobby and a mid-century-modern-meets-industrial aesthetic that will make you feel like the coolest cat in town. Plus, with some accommodation options featuring bunk beds and shared bathrooms, you could split a room (and the cost) among family and friends without having to fight over who gets the bed.
YOTEL Boston sits in the city’s up-and-coming Seaport District. Once a marsh of mud along the Boston Harbor, the area has evolved into a trendy one with award-winning eateries, craft breweries and some of the best rooftop views in the city. Visit YOTEL’s Sky Bar for 270-degree views of the city and harbor while sipping creative cocktails. Alternatively, come up for weekend brunch, or watch the city come to life after a night on the town. Budget-friendly and unbeatable views? Score.
Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood has the priciest apartments in all of the city. But Hotel 140 makes a short stay in this charming neighborhood budget-friendly, allowing you to experience the elegance of the area without emptying your wallet. This boutique hotel combines luxury with comfort and offers a complimentary breakfast to sweeten the deal. Plus, its prime location allows you to explore the South End, which is just a short walk away. Nearby on weekends is the outdoor SoWa Market where local vendors flock to sell everything from art to craft brews, and live music sets the mood for a great afternoon.
Across the Charles River, you won’t actually find people who “pahk the cah in Havahd Yahd” (as the famous, accented phrase goes) because there aren’t any cars or parking lots in Harvard Yard. But there’s more to discover in picturesque Cambridge beyond the ivy league university’s beautiful campus. And the perfect spot to stay and see it all is the Royal Sonesta Boston, situated on the Charles with views of the iconic city skyline. Have lunch on the outdoor patio, or take a dip in the indoor pool. And when you’re done, Downtown Boston is just a short stroll away across the beautiful Longfellow Bridge or crossing at the Museum of Science. It’s truly the best of both worlds at this budget-savvy stay.
Hotel Buckminster sits in the heart of Kenmore Square, home to the start of Boston University’s campus, and right next to Fenway Park. You can’t come to Beantown without buying some peanuts and Cracker Jack at America’s oldest ballpark. While watching a Red Sox game is the best way to experience the magic of Fenway, you can also take a tour of the stadium – which is a mere 673 feet (205 meters) from the hotel. Baseball really not your thing? Then stay for the history of Hotel Buckminster, which was the site of the first national radio broadcast. The building once housed the legendary jazz club Storyville, where icons such as Louie Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald made music history.
Situated along the fishing piers of East Boston, the Hyatt Regency offers picturesque views of the city skyline overlooking the harbor. On the outskirts of Logan International Airport, this wallet-friendly find is perfect for long-weekend travelers looking to fit in Boston’s top attractions in 72 hours or less before jetting off once more. Watch the planes take off over the harbor islands in the distance as you sip wine on the patio. For a fun and fast way to see Beantown, hop on the ferry outside the hotel’s front door to cruise across the harbor into downtown’s Long Wharf.
Just a few short blocks from the bustling and historic Faneuil Hall Marketplace, you’ll find The Bostonian Boston. Its prime location gives travelers easy access to some of the city’s top attractions, including the North End, Boston Harbor and the Freedom Trail. Blending rich history with modern amenities, The Bostonian features luxurious bedrooms with cozy and functioning fireplaces along with Juliette balconies overlooking the Old State House and iconic Quincy Market. You can also watch the world go by with cocktails in hand on the hotel’s rooftop terrace.
The Charlesmark Hotel sits in Copley Square alongside some of the city’s most impressive skyscrapers and landmark buildings. Breakfast is complimentary at this minimalist-style stay, so if you do have a night to splurge on supper, take a ride to the top of the Prudential Center (the Pru) for delectable cuisine and spectacular views of the city as far as the eye can see. For the fashionista, Newbury Street and its fantastic shops are right around the corner. And if rain is in the forecast, you can pop right over to the impressive stores in the Pru, or escape to the Italian countryside and delicious wine in Eataly.
