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 your choice 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.
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 – 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!
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.
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.
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.
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 so comfortable for families.
The Colonnade Hotel
The Colonnade Hotel is a fabulous hotel for a summer stay in Boston, due to its location right near the Prudential Center, and its popular rooftop pool. It’s walking distance from many popular spots in Boston, and is located right on public transportation. If you plan to walk down Boston’s Newbury Street, the Colonnade isn’t too far of a walk.
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 new 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.
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 and the Boston Children’s Museum are within walking distance. During our stay, we walked and took cabs. 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.
It’s currently closed for renovation, but the Langham Boston hotel is another great option once it reopens.
Boston Luxury Hotels
Boston is home to several wonderful luxury hotels. Three are located right on Boston Common, in the center of Boston. They are among the best places to stay in Boston.
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 to 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. You can read our full review here to learn more.
Hotel Indigo, Newton, MA
This boutique hotel is located right off the highway, and adjacent to an MBTA station that can take you into Boston. The rooftop pool makes it a popular destination for families. Again, it’s not in the city, but it’s just a short drive away.
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
Families who want to visit the only American Girl store and cafe in New England will need to visit Natick, MA, home of the Natick Mall. The Natick Mall, the largest mall in New England (by number of stores), offers many popular stores including the American Girl store, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, 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.
What is your favorite place to stay in Boston with kids?