Boston is a beautiful city for a family vacation, and its proximity to other vacation destinations like Cape Cod, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine add to the appeal. There are so many different hotels and resorts, so it can be challenging to figure out where to stay in Boston with kids.
Here are some great hotel options in Boston and surrounding communities where you may want to visit. There are lots of great hotels in Boston, however, so if you are considering a hotel that isn’t here, it still may be a great option. Remember that as a large city, hotels in Boston can definitely be expensive, but there still are plenty of affordable options.
It’s also important to keep track of what is going on in Boston, because that may affect hotel availability and rates. College move-in and graduation, for instance, is an especially busy time near the many universities and colleges in Boston. Other events, like sports playoffs, the Boston Marathon, and the annual Head of the Charles Regatta fall Boston event, attract people from all over the country to the best hotels in Boston.
Disclosure: We stayed at some of these best family hotels in Boston as a part of a hosted stay or press trip. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links (including on the map) – A purchase and/or click on these links can result in a commission being paid to us.
Where to Stay in Boston With Kids
The Bostonian Hotel
We stayed at the Bostonian Hotel over the holidays last year and were so impressed. It’s located right in the center of the world-famous Faneuil Hall and is adjacent to the North End (Boston’s Italian neighborhood). If you are choosing a hotel based on location, this should be your pick since it’s a short walk to many popular attractions.
Rooms at the Bostonian Hotel are comfortable for families, and amenities include valet parking, a fitness center, an on-site restaurant, and a concierge. It’s also located near the Freedom Trail, and not too far from the Boston Harbor and the New England Aquarium.
Book the Bostonian here.
Hotel Commonwealth
The Hotel Commonwealth, located in the heart of Kenmore Square adjacent to Fenway Park, offers family-friendly programming during school vacations. It’s located right near public transportation, for easy access to the rest of the city. It’s especially a convenient location for Boston University.
The Hotel Commonwealth is also a pet-friendly hotel, for pets up to 35 lbs (be sure to talk to the hotel directly for all rules before bringing along your pet). If you are planning to visit Fenway Park during your family vacation, this is a great option for convenience. Just keep in mind that this hotel can be especially busy during Red Sox games.
See reviews of the Hotel Commonwealth here.
The Seaport Hotel
Boston’s Seaport neighborhood is a thriving new community, but the very first hotel in the area was the Seaport Hotel. It’s a beautiful hotel with fantastic service. It offers a 24-hour gym, pool, and business center, and is also a pet-friendly hotel. The Seaport is an extremely modern hotel and is very comfortable for families.
While there are plenty of dining options in the Seaport area, the hotel does have excellent restaurants. TAMO Bistro + Bar offers local-inspired dinner options, while Aura offers breakfast (with a buffet on the weekends. You can also choose to visit TAMO’s terrace, with small plate options.
See reviews of the Seaport Hotel here.
Fairmont Copley Plaza
This gorgeous, historic hotel is located in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston. Newbury Street, Copley Plaza, the Boston Public Library, and the Prudential Center are within easy walking access. The hotel itself offers a lot of unique rooms – many that are larger than what you’d expect from a historic hotel.
See reviews of the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel here.
The Colonnade Hotel
The Colonnade Hotel is a fabulous hotel for a summer stay in Boston, due to its location in the Back Bay neighborhood in Boston, right near the Prudential Center. It’s also well known for its popular rooftop pool.
The Colonnade is conveniently located within walking distance of many popular spots in Boston and is located right on public transportation. If you plan to walk down Boston’s Newbury Street, Boylston Street, the Boston Public Library, or Copley Square, the Colonnade isn’t too far of a walk.
See reviews of the Colonnade Hotel here.
Residence Inn Back Bay/Fenway
If you are looking for a little more space for your family to spread out, we love the Residence Inn chain. This newish location, right near Fenway Park, is a great choice for families. This all-suite hotel offers a heated indoor pool, a rooftop deck, free breakfast, and free high-speed internet access. It’s also pet-friendly.
Rooms include kitchens/kitchenettes, so you can prepare some meals yourself to help save money. It’s another great spot for a family vacation that includes a Boston Red Sox game. While you are there, be sure to stop into the Time Out Market Boston for lunch or dinner.
See reviews of the Residence Inn Back Bay/Fenway here.
The Element Boston Seaport Hotel
The Element Hotel, which is located near the Boston Convention Center in the Seaport District of Boston, is a great spot for a family vacation. This green boutique hotel chain, part of the Westin brand, is perfect for an extended stay. Rooms include kitchens, and there’s plenty of space for the whole family to spread out.
While the area is a bit remote, some areas, like Faneuil Hall, the Boston Tea Party Ships, and the Boston Children’s Museum, are within walking distance. During our stay, we walked and took cabs around the city. The hotel offers a small saline pool, fitness center, and complimentary breakfast buffet. It’s definitely a great place to stay if you’d like to save some money on your trip.
The Langham Boston Hotel
The former location of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, the Langham Boston Hotel is located in the Financial District of Boston. While this tends to be a quieter area of town on the weekends, it’s adjacent to Faneuil Hall. So, you’ll be within quick walking distance of some of the more popular tourist attractions in the area.
Boston Luxury Hotels
Boston is home to several wonderful luxury hotels. Two of these are located right on Boston Common, in the center of Boston near Beacon Hill, the Boston Public Garden, and the Statehouse. They are among the best places to stay in Boston.
There’s also the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, which is located near the Prudential Center.
You can see other lodging options here.
Where to Stay in Boston Suburbs
Westin in Waltham
I’ve always been a fan of the Westin brand, so if you are staying in the Route 128 suburbs, the Westin in Waltham is a great choice. It’s located right off the highway – 15 miles from downtown Boston, but do keep in mind that you’ll need to do a lot of driving on your vacation.
There aren’t many attractions for families right in Waltham. It is very convenient for highways, however, so it is a good option to save money if you don’t want to stay right in the city. The hotel offers an indoor pool, a lounge, a restaurant, and a fitness center.
Great Wolf Lodge New England
Although Fitchburg is a bit of a drive from Boston, a stay at the Great Wolf Lodge is worth the drive. Kids absolutely love the indoor water park, which is only available to hotel guests.
In addition, they can play on the indoor ropes course, the climbing wall, the XD theater, bowling, and more. You definitely don’t have to leave the resort at all if you don’t want to. You can read our full review here to learn more.
If you are visiting the Boston area and want to include a stay at the Great Wolf Lodge, it’s definitely possible. I’d probably recommend staying there for a night or two so you can experience the indoor water park and other fun indoor activities.
Sea Crest Beach Hotel, Falmouth, MA
We absolutely love the Sea Crest Beach Hotel, which is located in Falmouth on Cape Cod. It’s right on the beach and also has indoor and outdoor pools. My kids have always loved our stays there because the beach is so nice and the resort is fun and relaxing. If you want to stay on the beach, this is a great choice for a family hotel.
Crowne Plaza, Natick
Looking to visit the Boston suburbs? One option is Natick, MA, home of the Natick Mall as well as the Belkin Lookout Farm, the Natick Community Organic Farm, and Mass Audubon’s Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary.
The Natick Mall, which has been referenced as the largest mall in New England, offers many popular stores including Nordstrom, Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany and Company. If you want to stay near the mall, the Crowne Plaza in Natick is a great choice. It’s located right across the street.
Boston is a short drive away, so you can definitely make it into the city easily. Natick is located right off the Massachusetts Turnpike, so it’s easy to access from many different locations.
What is your favorite place to stay in Boston with kids?
