Thousands of visitors visit Boston and the surrounding areas each year, especially in the spring and summer. Accommodations range from resort-like establishments to inexpensive hostels and motels. Business travellers can choose from locations near the heart of the Financial District or hotels in the high tech neighbourhoods of Waltham and Lexington. An excellent public transportation system vastly increases your lodging options. Keep in mind that with many colleges and universities in the greater Boston area, room availability is tied to the academic calendar. If your travel plans require that you stay in Boston during the September or the May commencement seasons, book your room as early as possible.

Downtown
You can reach downtown hotels by taking the water shuttle directly from the Logan Airport, an excellent alternative to sitting in traffic in the Sumner Tunnel. In addition to a great location, many downtown hotels offer fabulous views and beautiful rooms. Business travellers will be close to the Financial District, and tourists are within walking distance of Faneuil Hall Marketplace, the New England Aquarium, the quaint North End and the TD Banknorth Garden (formerly the FleetCentre).

The Boston Harbour Hotel on Rowes Wharf is a beautiful and modern hotel with balconies and a rotunda overlooking the harbour. For a truly unique piece of Boston's history, be sure to check out the Omni Parker House, the country's oldest continuously-operating hotel. The Boston Marriott Hotel on Long Wharf is another splendid choice for both business and leisure travellers seeking modern accommodations and a great view. A little further inland is the Millenium Bostonian and Langham Hotel, both offering distinctive lodgings and impeccable service.

Back Bay
Back Bay lodgings tend to be pricey, but offer a location near downtown, Cambridge, the Theatre District and exclusive Newbury Street. The deluxe Sheraton Boston Hotel on Dalton Street offers excellent service and amenities, along with the Hilton Boston Back Bay located across the street. For all-suite elegance, try The Eliot Hotel on the corner of Commonwealth and Massachusetts Avenues, with its marble bathrooms and polite doormen. The Back Bay is also home to such famous hotels as the Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons and Fairmont Copley Plaza.

The elegant Lenox Hotel is located on Exeter and Boylston Streets, parallel to Newbury Street and close to the shops at Prudential Centre. Also nearby is the more modern Colonnade Hotel.

Two mammoth hotels with slightly lower rates are the Westin Copley Place and the Boston Marriot Copley Place. They have fine dining on the premises, are adjacent to large shopping areas, and have comfortable rooms. There are also several brownstones in the Back Bay area that have been converted into modest bed & breakfast lodgings, which are available for long-term stays by both business persons and those on extended visits. One such place to try is 463 Beacon Street Guest House.

Theatre District
This area also has some good hotels that are typically lower in price than its Back Bay and downtown neighbours. However, this area is a little rougher around the edges as well, particularly in the wee hours of the morning. Bordering Chinatown, the Public Garden and the South End, you will find many good nightclubs, lounges and restaurants within easy walking distance. The Courtyard Boston Tremont Hotel is a classy hotel located next to the Wang Centre for the Performing Arts. Around the corner is The Radisson, which offers good rates, even during the summer peak tourist season.

Cambridge
Cambridge is an excellent alternative to high-priced downtown. Many hotels cater to families visiting students at nearby Harvard University and MIT. The Inn at Harvard, the Charles Hotel in Harvard Square and the Harvard Square Hotel all put you close to the prestigious campus. Harvard Yard is a stone's throw away from any of these lodgings, and the MBTA Red Line will take you to downtown destinations.
Featuring personal attention and an intimate setting, A Cambridge House is a beautifully restored mansion on a quiet, tree-lined street. The Hyatt Regency Cambridge is on the banks of the Charles River and has breathtaking views of the Boston skyline. Close to the Museum of Science is the high tech-oriented Royal Sonesta Hotel, with modern amenities like wi-fi.

Alternatives
Charming bed & breakfasts can be found in the South End, Cambridge and Brookline and on Newbury Street and Beacon Hill. Most of these establishments are completely non-smoking. National chains with affordable prices such as Howard Johnson and Holiday Inn are located in the city and surrounding areas. If you really do not need any frills, the Hostelling International-Boston hostel is a nice building in a great location near the Back Bay Fens.

Despite the city's wealth of options, Boston has an extremely low hotel room vacancy rate, especially between the months of April and November. Be sure to book your room early and check your reservation often. The good news is that despite the lack of competition for guests, the lodging establishments here have sterling reputations, and you are almost guaranteed a good night's sleep wherever you choose to stay.