Discover the Best Area to Stay in Boston in 2026

Founded in 1630, at almost 400 years old, Massachusetts’ state capital is one of the oldest cities in the U.S. At the center of the American Revolution and War of Independence, Boston is rightfully proud of its history. A history lover’s paradise, around every corner, there’s another relic waiting for you.

Making up the northern component of BosNYWash, or the Northeast megapolis to use its proper name, Boston is one of the East Coast’s major hubs. Well connected to New York and Washington, as well as some of New England’s finest coastal towns, it’s hardly surprising that over 22 million travelers descend upon Beantown every year.

For European visitors, Boston is the ideal introduction to the U.S. Providing some of the shortest, and most frequent, air links across the Atlantic, Boston is the perfect city break for first timers.

Whether it’s your first time setting foot on U.S. soil or you’re a seasoned veteran, choosing the best area to stay in Boston is an important decision.

The Best Areas to Stay in Boston

1. Back Bay

Speaking of first time visits to the U.S, my very first nights in America were spent at the Boston Park Plaza. Now a Hilton, it’s still a Back Bay institution, albeit somewhat pricier than it was seven years ago.

I may be getting a tad sentimental, but Back Bay really did prove itself as the best area to stay in Boston. Packed with excellent restaurants – Parish Café on Boylston Street deserves a special mention for their epic sandwiches – great shopping and within walking distance of Downtown, Back Bay is the ideal base for exploring the city.

A stones’ throw from the starting point of the Freedom Trail you’ll get to see all the historic sights. Take a guided walk, or explore at your leisure. If you’re feeling a little more energetic, join a jogging group on the Revolutionary Running Tour.

Travel tip: If you decide to tackle the Freedom Trail on your own, check out our guide to the Best of Boston in One Day.

Back Bay is also the starting point for a number of Boston sightseeing tours. Take an old-school trolley through the Old Town or hop on (and off) an open top bus tour. For something a little more niche, learn about the suffragette movement or head off on an architecture walk.

The Best Hotels in Back Bay

Boston Park Plaza aside, Back Bay’s eclectic selection of hotels cements its position as a contender for the best area to stay in Boston. A Back Bay cornerstone, The Lenox, provides a good balance of value and luxury. If you prefer something a little more modern, Charlesmark Hotel has an unbeatable location on Copley Square.

Back Bay is also home to some of Boston’s most exclusive chain hotels. Raffles, Mandarin Oriental and Fairmont all have their Beantown outposts around Copley Square. At the other end of the scale, The Revolution Hotel is one of Boston’s best value offerings.

2. Boston Common

Just east of Back Bay, Boston Common has to be the best area to stay in Boston if you want to escape city life. The oldest public park in the U.S, designated in 1634, before the notion of a United States was even a mere pipe dream, Boston Common may be towered over by the city skyline, but a few minutes here and you could easily forget you were in one of the country’s economic powerhouses.

Covering 50 acres, stretching from Back Bay to Beacon Hill and Downtown, you could spend a day here alone. Once you’ve finished exploring, grab a taste of New Orleans at French Quarter, catch a show in the Theater District (running down the eastern edge of the Common) before simmering down with a cocktail from Temple Records.

The Best Hotels around Boston Common

Flanked by hotels on every side, there are plenty of great places to stay around Boston Common. If you want park views, The Newbury has to be on your radar. Overlooking the Public Garden, to the west of the Common, stumping up for a room with a view is well worth it.

If you fancy staying on the north side of the Common, Beacon Hill Hotel is the top pick. On the north-eastern edge, right in front of the Granary Burying Ground, Hotel AKA features modern rooms with a suave, minimalist design.

3. Downtown

When choosing the best area to stay in Boston is all about seeing the sights, nowhere can quite beat Downtown. Wedged between Boston Common and the Waterfront, within easy walking distance of both, Downtown Boston is home to all the city’s major historical sights.

Hosting iconic sites like Faneuil Hall, the Old City Hall, the site of the 1770 Boston Massacre and the Old South Meeting House, whether you choose Downtown as the best area to stay in Boston or not, you’re sure to pass through more than once. Once you’ve ticked off the big names on the Freedom Trail, see Boston’s dark side on a ghost tour, or come face to face with murderers on an organized crime walking tour.

When it comes to food, Downtown Boston is in a league of its own. A must for all, foodie or plain hungry, Quincy Market is a Boston institution. There are enough options here to keep you fed for days, but the Boston Chowda Co. and Regina Pizza are our must-eats.

Once you’ve eaten Quincy out of house and home, head to the North End for a foodie tour of Little Italy. And, if there’s one thing you can’t leave Boston without trying, it’s a Lobster Roll. Join a seafood history tour with tastings to sample some of New England’s finest.

The Best Hotels in Downtown Boston

If we’re judging the best are to stay in Boston based on accommodation options alone, Downtown wins hands down. For great value, look no further than Harborside Inn. Albeit not quite on the harborside, the boutique rooms are beautifully finished, and the patio is the perfect place to unwind with a drink.

The Bostonian is a Boston icon which proves appearances can be deceptive. Despite being only 40 years old, it was built to blend in with the historic buildings surrounding it. Sitting in the north of Downtown, a short walk from Quincy Market, it’s dubbed one of the city’s most haunted hotels. If you’d rather share your hotel room with the living, The Dagny might be a better option.

4. Boston Waterfront

Stepping on Boston Common’s lead as the best area to stay in Boston for scenic views, the Waterfront spans the North End, Downtown and South Boston. Historically the city’s most important location, this is place where British colonists landed to take Boston for their own and where the Sons of Liberty prompted an end to British rule with the sort of tea party you wouldn’t want an invite to.

A visit to the Boston Tea Party Ships and attached museum is a must. Getting out on the water for a different perspective of the city is always a good idea. For the best views, take a harbor cruise on a yacht at sunset.

Of course, there’s no place quite like the Waterfront to indulge in Boston’s seafood scene. Lunch at Legal Sea Foods’ Harborside location, a Boston icon, comes with a side to feast your eyes on. The Barking Crab is the place to go for specialty seafood, though be prepared, the prices are more romantic dinner than lunch on-the-go. If you want to experience a classic New England seafood shack, Luke’s Lobster is a great choice.

The Best Hotels on Boston Waterfront

With views like these, it should come as no surprise that the Waterfront isn’t the best area to stay in Boston for hotel bargains. It is proof, however, that you get what you pay for. Many of the city’s best independent boutiques are dotted along the harborfront.

Battery Wharf Hotel, at the northern end, is our top pick. If you can, upgrade to a water view room or a balcony suite. Working southwards, Boston Yacht Haven has the personal touch so many big city hotels lack. Boston Harbour Hotel is the best option for a luxury stay. The rooms, views and service are unparalleled.

5. Cambridge

On the north bank of the Charles River, if swapping the city for suburbia is your idea of a great escape, Cambridge will be your best area to stay in Boston. Named after Cambridge, England, it has a university to rival its namesake.

One of the world’s most prestigious schools, Ivy League Harvard was founded in 1636. If you choose to stay in Cambridge, be sure to take a tour of the campus. If you have a little longer to spare, combine your visit to Harvard with a tour of MIT.

Away from the reference books, indulge your sweet tooth with a donut tasting experience and soak up the culture at Harvard Art Museum. When it comes to dinner, Harvard Square is home to Cambridge’s best restaurants. Underground Alden & Harlow is our number one recommendation.

The Best Hotels in Cambridge

The area around Harvard Square is, without doubt, the place to stay in Cambridge. The Charles Hotel is our top pick. Being that little further from the city center means space is less of a premium, something The Charles’ room sizes is living proof of.

Harvard Square Hotel can’t be beaten on location. An evening at neighboring Wusong Tiki Bar is obligatory if you choose to stay here. For a spot of luxury, boutique Cambridge Common House has some of the most elaborately decorated rooms in Boston.

Which is the Best Area to Stay in Boston for First Timers?

All the areas we’ve covered are fantastic places to base yourself to explore all Boston has to offer. That said, there are a couple which, based purely on location, are ideal for first timers.

Back Bay, somewhere which I will always have fond memories of from my first time in Boston, and the U.S, is a solid option. Close to the center and packed with things to do, yet slightly removed from the throngs of tourists working their way along the Freedom Trail, it’s the best area to stay in Boston for the first time if you value a balance of relaxing and sightseeing.

On the other hand, if you’re heading to Beantown to be in the heart of the action, with the intent to methodically tick off the sights by day and let your hair down at night, Downtown is the best area to stay in Boston for your first time.

---

Read more of our best insights from around the world

• 
  Discover the Best Area to Stay in Boston in 2026
• 
  Best Area To Stay In Hanoi, From The Old Quarter To Tay Ho + Accommodation
• 
  These Are The 8 Best Bars in Sarajevo for 2026
• 
  10 Unique Places To Stay In Bali: Treehouses, Bamboo Villas, Jungle Stays & More
• 
  8 Unusual Things To Do In Hanoi: A Local’s Guide
• 
  The Ultimate 3 Months In Europe Itinerary