<p>My daughter and I will be driving back to Amherst College at the end of spring break, and would like to visit Boston. I need advice on an inexpensive yet convenient hotel to stay in so we can see some of the tourist spots (never been to Boston), and specific advice on how to get around. Two babes in the woods here, terified of driving in the big city, thanks!!</p>
<p>I have stayed at several of the hotels , from Doubletrees to The Parker House.
Last weekend, we stayed at the Marriott in Cambridge ( priceline deal ) It was $ 87 a night and very convenient location. There was a T stop right outside the door. Very easy to get everywhere we wanted. Two stops away from Harvard Square, which is fun too see.It took all about ten minutes to go from Cambridge to Boylston St ( where my daughter lives )
I think it cost us $22 a night to park the car at the hotel. It is too much of a pain to move the car around when you travel around the city.
The T may seem a little intimidating if you are not familiar with it , but you can get a map and figure where you want to go, and the concierge at your hotel can give you some pointers too.</p>
<p>I second the Priceline idea. Last spring break we stayed at the Hyatt in Cambridge - right on the river - for way under $100. If you want to learn about what hotels are in the PL ambit in Boston, there's a helpful message board at biddingfortravel.com. Have a great visit!</p>
<p>Please take great care driving in Boston - it's quite a maze. I drive there often but I find Manhattan easier! My GPS is my best friend in Boston. Have a wonderful time and I wholeheartedly endorse Priceline and the message board at biddingfortravel.</p>
<p>yes, driving in Boston is a challenge even for the most seasoned drivers. I remember my father telling me (decades ago, at this point) that the key to driving in Boston is to watch your own front end and everyone else's back end - nevermind what your own back end was doing. Of course that was before they decided to switch all the streets around so now you also have to watch for those fleeting (and way too small) road signs directing you to somewhere you're quite sure you don't want to go!</p>
<p>I've always thought the glory of being in Boston/Cambridge is that it's so pedestrian friendly, and the public transportation system is comprehensive, if a bit intimidating. What I would suggest is that you ditch the car and get yourself a good map of the city. Then go to HopStop.com which, if you punch in your starting and ending points and whether you want to go by subway, bus or foot, will then spit out some very nice directions which include landmarks, time estimates and, sometimes, 360-photos of your destination. It takes some of the fear factor out of negotiating the "T" for the first time user.</p>
<p>Thanks for all replies. Rainmama, what does "Pl ambit" mean?</p>
<p>Oh, sorry - a bit cryptic! It's "within the Priceline ambit," meaning among the hotels you can get by bidding on Priceline. They keep that a secret while you're bidding, but the biddingfortravel website keeps track of what hotels people have received with a successful bid. If you use Priceline, you want to have a method for avoiding dive hotels, or at least not over-paying for a dive. If you stick with 3 star or above, you'll be in a what I consider a pretty nice hotel.</p>