Where to Stay in Boston – Neighborhoods & Area Guide

The capital and the largest city in the state of Massachusetts, Boston is recognized in the United States of America for its rich history and culture, plush residential and commercial structures, countless museums, a gorgeous waterfront, and innumerable entertainment avenues for locals and visitors alike. One of the top 10 most-visited places in America, the city is nestled on the shores of Atlantic Ocean, the only one of its kind in the contiguous United States.

A part of the New England region, the weather here can get slightly unpredictable but that doesn’t restrict visitors from all around the country and the world to arrive here and have an amazing time exploring some of America’s best University campuses, revered museums, and a second-to-none waterfront.

Let us now explore some of the popular, even historic neighborhoods in the city so you can decide where to stay in Boston during your trip.

Downtown/Theatre District

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Essentially, the heart of the city, Downtown Boston is known for its European-like feel, known to be at its best here than anywhere else in the country. Home to the City Hall and the State House, the neighborhood provides exceptional accessibility to the rest of the city since all major subway lines meet at one of the four stations in the area. The central business district of Boston and the largest commercial center in the city, Downtown Boston is home to several regional and corporate headquarters, historic buildings, green spaces, and other notable landmarks. Some of the most significant attractions in the area include Massachusetts State House, Greenway, Faneuil Hall, and Boston Public Garden.

Good for: All kinds of travelers.
Other Highlights: Quincy Market, Boston Common, Park Street Church, Granary Burying Ground, King’s Chapel, and King’s Chapel Burying Ground.

Hotel Recommendations:

• The Godfrey Hotel Boston – A couple of minutes’ walk from Boston Park, the Godfrey Hotel Boston offers well-equipped guestrooms with extra-large double beds, safety deposit box, free Wi-Fi, cable TV, and ensuite bathroom with free toiletries. Additional facilities include an on-site fitness center, a lounge, and a restaurant. Great for all kinds of travelers.
• Hyatt Regency Boston – At a 5 minutes’ distance from Boston Common, this luxurious hotel features well-appointed guestrooms with a flat-screen TV, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, safety deposit box, iPod dock, and ensuite bathroom. On-site facilities include a 24-hour front desk, an indoor pool, a fitness center, a restaurant, and a bar. Suitable for all kinds of travelers.
• Boston Park Plaza – Dating back to 1927, the historic Boston Park Plaza offers wonderfully-decorated plush guestrooms with state-of-the-art amenities, on-site restaurant, a steakhouse, a 24-hour business center, a gift shop, two fitness facilities, and concierge service. This is a pet-friendly property. Great for all kinds of travelers.

Back Bay

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Once just a puddle of water behind Boston Public Garden, Back Bay is now home to some of the most premier real estate in the city. While Commonwealth Avenue and Charles River area cater mostly to local residences, Newbury Street, often compared with the likes of NYC and LA, is the place to go for all your upscale shopping needs. There are plenty of restaurants and bars in the area too keep you fed and happy. Most recognized for its Victorian style brownstones, Back Bay is home to the famous Boston Public Library, the Hynes Convention Center, and Copley Square. Along with neighboring Beacon Hill, Back Bay is one of two costliest residential areas in the city.

Good for: All kinds of travelers, especially high-end shoppers.
Other Highlights: Prudential Center, The Old South Church, Mary Baker Eddy Library, Skywalk Observatory, Gibson House Museum, and Christian Science Center.

Hotel Recommendations:

• The Eliot Suite Hotel – Established in 1925, the iconic Eliot Suite Hotel is set in the heart of Back Bay. The splendid property offers well-furnished guestrooms with comfy double beds, flat-screen TV with cable channels, free Wi-Fi, minibar, and ensuite bathroom with free toiletries. Guests can enjoy the on-site sashimi bar, concierge facilities, free access to Boston Sports Club, and private parking. Suitable for all kinds of travelers.
• Hotel 140 – A short walk from Boston Common, Hotel 140 offers comfortable guestrooms with amenities such as cozy double beds, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, flat-screen TV with cable channels, refrigerator, and ensuite bathroom with free toiletries. Great for all kinds of travelers.
• The Colonnade Hotel – Located next to Prudential Center, the Colonnade Hotel offers well-appointed guestrooms featuring an extra-large double bed, flat-screen TV with pay-per-view channels, ironing facilities, seating area, iPod dock, and ensuite bathroom with free toiletries. Additional facilities include a seasonal rooftop pool, all-day dining, a fully-equipped fitness center, and concierge. Great for all kinds of travelers.

South End

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Known for its Victorian row houses, exquisite art galleries, upscale restaurants, and a strong gay community, this neighborhood is one of the most famous areas to stay in Boston. A few minutes from Downtown and Back Bay, South End attracts a diverse crowd – young students, families, aspiring and established professionals, artists, and LGBT community members. The neighborhood is home to approximately thirty parks, some of Boston’s supreme-most restaurants, and a flourishing art community. Some of the notable attractions in the area include Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Union Park Street Ground, and Harriet Tubman Square.

Good for: All kinds of travelers.
Other Highlights: Former Boston Fire House, Blackstone Square, Franklin Square, Union Park, and Childe Hassam Park.

Hotel Recommendations:

• Hampton Inn & Suites Boston Crosstown Center – Featuring an indoor pool, a spa, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a free airport shuttle service, this upscale hotel features luxurious guestrooms with facilities such as an extra-large double bed, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and ensuite bathroom. A complimentary breakfast is served daily. Great for all kinds of travelers.
• Encore Bed and Breakfast – Nestled in the heart of South End historic district, Encore Bed and Breakfast features comfortable guestrooms with cozy double beds, air-conditioning, flat-screen TV with cable channels, free Wi-Fi, and private bathroom. A complimentary breakfast is served daily. Perfect for solo travelers and couples.
• Garrison Street Apartment by Stay Alfred – The fully-furnished apartments at Garrison Street Apartment by Stay Alfred offers latest facilities such as extra-large double beds, flat-screen TV, barbecue facility, ironing facilities, seating area, wardrobe/closet, tea/coffee maker, kitchenette, and private bathroom with free toiletries and a bath. Suitable for couples and small families.

Seaport District

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A sub-neighborhood of South Boston district, Seaport District is a stretch of land on Boston’s waterfront which is lined with luxurious hotels, dramatic bars, and massive, upscale restaurants. Among the most famous waterfront neighborhoods in the city, Seaport District is tucked between the city’s waterfront and Fort Point historic district. A mixed community of artists, entrepreneurs, and the riches, the neighborhood also comprises century-old warehouses and of course, the new Boston Convention Center. Though the neighborhood hasn’t lost its old-time community spirit, massive transformations and redevelopment projects have been planned to gentrify the area.

Good for: All kinds of luxury travelers.
Other Highlights: Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, Harpoon Brewery and Beer Halls, Fan Pier Park, Boston Children’s Museum, The Lawn on D, and Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum.

Hotel Recommendations:

• Aloft Boston Seaport – Featuring panoramic views of the city or the sea, the pet-friendly guestrooms at Aloft Boston Seaport features extra-large double beds, flat-screen TV with pay-per-view channels, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, iPod dock, closet, safety deposit box, and ensuite bathroom with free toiletries. Guests can play a game of billiards at communal lounge area or sip on a cocktail at the on-site bar. Suitable for all kinds of travelers.
• Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel – A few hundred meters from Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, this luxurious hotel offers well-appointed guestrooms with air-conditioning, flat-screen TV with pay-per-view channels, tea/coffee maker, ironing facilities, and ensuite bathroom with free toiletries. The property also features a library and a swimming pool. Great for all kinds of travelers.
• YOTEL Boston – Offering spectacular views of the city from its rooftop terrace, YOTEL Boston provides elegantly-designed guestrooms with air-conditioning, soundproofing, safety deposit box, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV with cable channels, private entrance, and ensuite bathroom. Guests can also enjoy the speedy self-service check-in facility, the on-site restaurant, and a 24-hour fitness center. Perfect for all kinds of travelers.

North End

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Popularly known as “Little Italy” due to its rich Italian culture, Boston’s North End is where you go if you miss Italy on your trip to the States. Locals communicate in Italian while the streets smell of basil, garlic, and freshly-baked pastries. The oldest neighborhood in the city, North End’s narrow streets and tall brick building give refuge to over 80 Italian restaurants and bakeries. Salem and Hanover are the two most significant streets in this historic neighborhood – this is where you find the best Italian eateries, cafés, pastry shops, and imported goods stores. A largely welcoming neighborhood, North End barely has a dull moment. Annual Saint Anthony’s Feast and the Festival of Santa Lucia, one of the largest summer events in Boston, is held around the last weekend of August and comprises food festivals, time-honored processions, colorful parades, Italian folk dancing, and continuous live entertainment.

Good for: All kinds of travelers.
Other Highlights: Old North Church, Paul Revere House, Quincy Market (Faneuil Hall), The Harborwalk, and The Freedom Trail.

Hotel Recommendations:

• Battery Wharf Hotel, Boston Waterfront – A couple of minutes’ walk from the beach, this splendid hotel offers well-decorated guestrooms with comfy beds, air-conditioning, minibar, safety deposit box, seating area, wardrobe, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, and ensuite bathroom. Other amenities at the hotel include a full-service spa, a fully-furnished fitness center, and free bicycle rentals. Suitable for all kinds of travelers.
• Bricco Suites – A few hundred meters from Old North Church and Paul Revere House, Bricco Suites features well-appointed suites with the newest facilities such as air-conditioning, private bathroom, refrigerator, iPod dock, and cable TV. Maid service and concierge facilities are available on site. Great for all kinds of travelers.
• The Bostonian Boston – Featuring well-appointed guestrooms, a full-service spa, an on-site contemporary American diner, a cigar bar, a fully-equipped fitness center, and helpful concierge, the Bostonian offers clear views of Quincy Market and the historic Faneuil Hall. An optional breakfast is available daily. Suitable for all kinds of travelers.

Allston/Brighton

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Once known as Little Cambridge, the neighborhood of Allston-Brighton was a meat-packing, slaughter town for almost a century. Thankfully, there were transformations and after the neighborhood separated from Cambridge and joined Boston, the area developed into a student village. Home to two of the finest educational institutions in the city, Boston College and Boston University, the neighborhood of Allston-Brighton mainly consists college or university going students and recent graduates. This also ensures a great mix of culture and ethnicity in the area. Harvard Avenue is the main stretch of street in the area – this is where you will find a number of restaurants, cafés, and interesting shops, mostly catering to a younger crowd. Strolling around the lively neighborhood and people-watching are the two main activities in the area.

Good for: All kinds of travelers, especially the young.
Other Highlights: Union Square, Oak Square, Cleveland Circle, McMullen Museum of Art, and Ringer Playground.

Hotel Recommendations:

• DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Boston – Cambridge – Located along the glistening Charles River, the luxurious hotel features well-appointed guestrooms and suites with state-of the-art facilities, on-site dining options, a swimming pool, a bar and lounge, and a jazz club. A complimentary breakfast is served daily. Great for all kinds of travelers.
• Hotel Boston – A short drive from several popular attractions in Boston, Hotel Boston offers comfortable guestrooms with amenities such as cozy double beds, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, flat-screen TV with cable channels, refrigerator, and ensuite bathroom with free toiletries. A complimentary breakfast is served daily. Great for all kinds of travelers.
• Two Bedroom Boston Luxury Apartment – The fully-furnished apartments at the property offers facilities such as comfortable double beds, flat-screen TV, ironing facilities, seating area, wardrobe/closet, tea/coffee maker, kitchen, and private bathroom with free toiletries. Suitable for all kinds of travelers, including big groups of up to 8 members.

Fenway-Kenmore

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Home of the world-champion Boston Red Sox (2004, 2007, and 2013), Fenway Park, and Kenmore Square, the neighborhood of Fenway-Kenmore is filled with illustrious educational institutions, historic museums, lively restaurants, student hangout spots, and several clubs and sports bars. A hotbed for tourist activities, the neighborhood is jam-packed when the Red Sox are playing but if you are in town at the right time, don’t miss catching a game. Streets are lined with a plethora of wining-and-dining options, those with an appetite for the finest can head to upscale joints such as Citizen Public House and Island Creek Oyster Bar. Lansdowne Street is where the young and the hip party to their heart’s content.

Good for: All kinds of travelers.
Other Highlights: Museum of Fine Arts and Symphony Hall, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston University, Back Bay Fens, and Centennial Common.

Hotel Recommendations:

• Boston Hotel Buckminster – This historic hotel set in the heart of Fenway/Kenmore overlooks Fenway Park and is just a couple of minutes; walk from Kenmore light rail station. Rooms here come with comfy beds, air-conditioning, mini refrigerator, iPod dock, telephone, flat-screen TV with cable channels, and ensuite bathroom. Additional facilities include on-site dining, free Wi-Fi, and a business center. Great for all kinds of travelers, including groups of up to 5 members.
• Hotel Commonwealth – A few hundred meters from Boston University and Fenway Park, Hotel Commonwealth features well-appointed guestrooms with flat-screen TV, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, safety deposit box, ironing facilities, and ensuite bathroom with free toiletries. On-site facilities include a 24-hour fitness center, a fine-dining restaurant, a bar, and an award-winning concierge. Suitable for all kinds of luxury travelers.
• The Verb Hotel – Featuring an outdoor pool, free Wi-Fi throughout the property, a full-service fitness center, and a bar and restaurant, the Verb Hotel offers comfortable guestrooms with all modern facilities such as air-conditioning, private bathroom, flat-screen TV, and tea/coffee maker. An optional breakfast is available daily. Suitable for all kinds of travelers.