Where to stay in Boston
There is a reason that, of the three major North American sports that have traveling annual All-Star games, Boston has been the host city only twice (NHL in 1996, MLB in 1999) in the last 50 years: because there just are not enough suitable hotel rooms in the city. That can make lodging in Boston more expensive. But the good news is that because Boston is a small city, no matter where you stay you’re not going to be too far from something to see or do – and you won’t be too far from Fenway Park, either.
Relative to most of the city’s attractions, Fenway Park is on Boston’s western edge. There are a few well-known areas – the North End, Beacon Hill, Charlestown – that you might like to visit, but that have little or no hotel space. We’ll look at eight neighborhoods to stay in, all of which are within just 3.5 miles of Fenway Park.
Closest to Fenway: Kenmore Square
Commonwealth Ave in Kenmore Square
There is very limited hotel-room inventory in the immediate Fenway Park area—the place was built into a neighborhood, not into a center of commerce. But there are some options, including what once was, for decades, a ramshackle Howard Johnson’s that has been rebuilt in the past decade as the Verb, a funky rock ‘n’ roll boutique hotel in the shadow of the park’s grandstands. Around the corner from Fenway on Commonwealth Ave. is the four-star Hotel Commonwealth, and a reliable Residence Inn opened in 2013, just a two-minute walk from the box office. All of these are likely to be very expensive during homestands, but if the price fits your budget, this is as convenient to Fenway as it can possibly get.
Kenmore Square is lively with Red Sox fans when the team is in town, and if Fenway is your sole focus (and you can afford the game-day upcharge), this is a great choice. But beyond the Red Sox, there is not a lot to see in the immediate area.
Pros
- It’s right next door to Fenway, no commute necessary
- Safe neighborhood, and great for access to tours and gameday activities
Cons
- It can be pricey
- Other tourist sights are a subway or car ride away
Best of all worlds: Copley Square/Back Bay
The Back Bay covers a large chunk of Boston, and it’s where most of the locals do their living—between the tourist areas to the east and Fenway to the west. There are easy connections to the rest of the city, mostly on the subway’s Green Line, and there are excellent restaurants, as well as the Museum of Fine Arts, nearby. It’s a central location, too, equidistant to Faneuil Hall and Fenway.
It’s also where you’re likely to find the best combination of value and convenience when it comes to Fenway Park. Most major hotel brands have a presence here, whether the Hilton and Sheraton that are 0.7 miles from Fenway or the Westin and Marriott that are a mile away. Smaller hotels, too, like The Colonnade and the Copley Square Hotel, are popular, too.
Regardless of which hotel you pick, you can take the safe and enjoyable 20-minute walk, or jump on the T and be at the ballpark in three quick stops. When factoring in price, quality, and convenience, this is our favorite choice for a Fenway visit.
Oh, and one more really important benefit: the Logan Express from the airport, which runs every 30 minutes, picks up and drops off right at Copley Square. It’s free to take from the airport to Copley, and just $3 to take from Copley to the airport. This is one of the best travel hacks around, and one more amazing reason to stay in Copley Square / Back Bay.
Pros
- Central location
- Lots of hotel options
- Prices are fair (for Boston)
- Walkable to Fenway
- Three stops away from Fenway on the T with no transfer required
- The Logan Express to Boston stops here
Cons
- None really. Copley is a top pick for us, and a strong recommendation.
Theater District
It’s not the height of elegance, the scenery is lacking and it does not have many choices, but the Theater District is a viable option—it’s about two miles from Fenway and just steps from Boston Common. If you’re planning to see a show as a sidelight on your Fenway adventure, then the Theater District may be a good fit. And it’s also close to the very authentic restaurants of Boston’s Chinatown, so if dim sum is your thing, it’s worth considering. But otherwise, it’s not where we’d typically recommend Fenway visitors stay.
This is where Boston’s W Hotel is located and nearby, the Revere Hotel is a good choice.
Pros
- Close to Chinatown, Boston’s theaters, and Boston Common
- On Green Line, no transfer necessary to reach Fenway
Cons
- Not many hotel choices
- Not the most scenic part of Boston
Downtown
In Downtown Boston, you can go from the Old South Meeting House, to the New England Aquarium, to the 1826 Union Oyster House, to the statue of Red Auerbach, to the Sam Adams Tasting Room, all without walking more than a half-mile. It is a place well packed with things to do, and even if your focus is on Fenway, it’s worth spending a little time seeing the sights.
This is also the busiest place in the city for hotels, and the most convenient. It is accessible to the rest of Boston through all four subway lines and offers the widest range of options for dining and evening entertainment. Generally, staying downtown is a bit more expensive during the week, but cheaper than other neighborhoods on weekends.
Pros
- Closest to a lot of tourist attractions
- Central location on subway, no transfer required to reach Fenway
Cons
- Further away from Fenway than Copley, about an hour walking, which might be a bit much for many. But for subway access, it’s fine.
Seaport
The building up of Boston’s Seaport area in the past 10-15 years has been remarkable, transforming an area largely dominated by warehouses and vacant lots into a bustling string of restaurants and bars with a great view of the harbor. Two relatively new museums—the Children’s Museum and the Institute of Contemporary Art—have added some daytime activity to the area’s lively nightlife.
That’s spurred the addition of several hotels to the area, as well as some staples that had previously been used mostly for conventions—there’s a Westin, an Envoy, a VOTEL and a Residence Inn among the choices.
The downside is that the Seaport is not integrated into the city’s subway system, and it’s about three miles to Fenway. The free Silver Line bus connects to the Red Line, or it is about a 15-20 minute walk to the Red Line. A rideshare to Fenway will cost about $20-25 each way, depending on the time of day. But in terms of convenience to Fenway, this is one of the less attractive options.
Pros
- Close to a bunch of tourist attractions
- Relatively new part of town
Cons
- Not near the subway, not convenient to Fenway via public transportation. You’ll need a taxi or rideshare.
North Station
This area is mostly non-residential and dominated by the Boston Garden and Massachusetts General Hospital. But in recent years, the area has been built up, highlighted by The Hub, a new restaurant and nightlife district. The nearby North End, with its sardine-can streets, charming old shops, and exquisite old-school Italian restaurants, is a major attraction for those put off by the bright lights of The Hub.
There are only a handful of hotels in the area, mostly boutiques (and a well-placed Courtyard), but it is an area to consider—the Green Line and Orange Line run out of North Station.
Pros
- Close to Boston Garden, so it’s great if you’re trying a doubleheader with the Celtics or Bruins in early April or during the playoffs in May/June/October.
- Close to great restaurants and nightlife
- Can take the T to Fenway without transferring
Cons
- Somewhat secluded from the rest of the city
Less expensive option: Cambridge
If you’re having a hard time finding a reasonable hotel in Boston, consider Cambridge, just on the other side of the Charles River. Heck, consider Cambridge even if you do find suitable Boston hotels—it is usually more affordable, connects to the city via the Red Line or Green Line, is great for restaurants and bars, and (depending on your room) can offer a great view of the skyline across the water. There is also plenty of daytime activity on the river or touring Harvard and MIT.
Oh, and it is as close to Fenway Park as Downtown Boston, and even closer than the Seaport.
There are some small hotels around Harvard Square, but the best choice is to pick a place near the river, if possible. The famed Hyatt Regency in Cambridge, for example, is a 40-minute walk along the river and over the Mass. Ave. bridge to Fenway (but is not accessible via the T). The Royal Sonesta, just up the Charles River, is a short walk from the Green Line.
Pros
- Great area
- Great views across the river
- Surprisingly close to the park
Cons
- Farther away from Boston’s tourist attractions and the airport
- Accessibility to public transportation depends on location within Cambridge, but most Cambridge hotels will require a subway transfer. Either option will take 35-45 minutes. Check your hotel choice on Google Maps to see how long it will take you to get to the ballpark, but you may want to consider a taxi or rideshare, which will cost about $18-$25.
Less expensive option: Brookline
If you’re looking for reasonable prices and are willing to sacrifice some of the thrill of the big city, it’s worth checking out the relatively inexpensive options in Brookline, just west of Boston.
The Green Line basically becomes an above-ground trolley and splits into four different tracks west of the city, but the primary one for Brookline is the C line, and there is a handful of hotels (Beacon Inn, The Arcadian, Marriott Courtyard among others) within an easy walk of a Green Line C train stop. It’s only two to six stops to Fenway from there, depending on which hotel you choose.
There are also hotels further south in Brookline along Route 9 (Homewood Suites, Hilton Garden Inn), which is just about two miles away from Fenway, and connects via a quick and safe 15-minute bus ride or an easy rideshare.
Brookline does not have the sightseeing and history of Boston, of course, but it is a lively area itself, with bars and restaurants, as well as convenience to the city. And you’re still close enough to downtown to do your sightseeing. If you’re looking for a budget pick, this is probably it.
Pros
- Safe, neighborhood atmosphere
- Convenient to the Green Line
- Price
Cons
- Not a very “city” feel to it
- 40-minute train ride to main Boston attractions (but less than 20 to Fenway)
Bottom Line
As far as location goes, you can’t go wrong when staying in Boston, because it is such a small and easily accessible city. You’re never more than three miles away from anywhere you’d want to be. That does limit the supply of hotel rooms and can make things a little expensive—there are not a lot of bargains to be had in Boston lodging—but it does open up most any Boston neighborhood as a good starting point for a Fenway trek.
