Affordable accommodations aren't easy to come by in Boston--an overnight stay normally comes with a price tag of at least $200 for a hotel room and parking. My strategy has frequently been to stay at a hotel outside the city, but even a night at the Super 8 in Watertown, Massachusetts, last November rang up at $108! And then there's the "cost" in stress and time of having to drive into the city and pay for parking in order to enjoy Boston's historic and cultural attractions.
So, for an excursion to Boston in May, I was determined to find a downtown hotel that wouldn't break the bank but that offered clean, comfortable accommodations with location, location, location. I was delighted to stumble upon a write-up of The Buckminster at a hotel booking Web site called Boston4less.com. The description said the hotel's best feature was "the rate," which starts at $129 for a single or double, $159 for a suite.
I was even more delighted when I called the hotel's own toll-free reservation number, 800 727-BUCK, and quickly learned that a room was indeed available for our night of arrival at the $129 price. The individual I spoke with was also very helpful in answering questions about the hotel's location and distance from the restaurant and theater we intended to visit. Reservations are guaranteed with a credit card and may be cancelled with notice of at least 48 hours prior to arrival. Check-in time is 3 p.m.; check-out time is 11 a.m.
The Buckminster Hotel's Kenmore Square location in Boston's historic Back Bay puts it within easy walking distance of Boston University and Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. In fact, the larger-than-life Citgo sign that's a landmark because of its visibility from Fenway was right outside the Buckminster's door. The hotel is about 4 miles from Logan Airport, and the front desk staff was very helpful in providing us with driving directions when needed and with securing taxi cabs when we requested, so we were able to get around Boston easily and affordably. A subway station is also located within easy walking distance of the hotel.
Granted, The Buckminster is an older-style hotel, and the heavy mahogany furnishings in our room were a bit dinged up. But the "worn" look of carpets and furniture gave the hotel a bit of character--at least to someone like me whose imagination runs wild in places like this contemplating (and romanticizing, of course!) the lives of those who have occupied the hotel's 67 rooms and 26 suites over the years. While amenities such as room service or an on-site restaurant are missing, others such as laundry and kitchen facilities on each of the hotel's six floors make this a solid choice for an extended stay. All of the necessities--color TV, telephone, air conditioning--are present, and we were actually quite impressed with the size of our room's updated bathroom.
Parking is not provided, but there is a garage next door that charges less than $20 per night. We lucked out by arriving late in the day Saturday and simply feeding the parking meter a few dollars in quarters until on-street parking became free of charge after 6 p.m. The front desk staff actually recommended this option and assured us that it was reasonably safe.
I checked the Fodor's, Frommer's, and Lonely Planet guidebooks for New England and none mention the existence of this bargain Boston hotel, so I'm pleased to let you in on this little "secret." The Buckminster will give you a home base that sets a mood of "old Boston" style; provides easy access to the city's shopping, sightseeing, and dining highlights; and leaves you with enough vacation funds to enjoy all that Boston has to offer.
The Buckminster Hotel
Check rates at Kayak.com
645 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02215
800 727-BUCK (2825) or (617) 267-7370
Fax: (617) 262-0068
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