Boston Great Values

This 13-room charmer (inclusive of a single suite) has the feeling of a cozy B&B, but is a veritable full-service hotel, with a killer Charles Street location, to boot, amidst gas-lit, cobblestone alleys, and near to the Boston Common and Public Garden. The old-world building, with its delightful plantation shutters and large windows, belies the modern conveniences that await inside, like flat-screen TVs and high-speed Internet. It is precisely this combination of old and new that makes Beacon Hill so attractive. Thanks to its charming roof deck, the hotel is a special treat during the warmer months, when guests can relax here, drink and hand, while taking in the on-street hustle and bustle down below.

Expect all the basics – television, coffee makers, and climate control – in this affordable 159-room family-friendly hotel. Already reasonably priced, the Back Bay location ups the value considerably. A favorite for families checking out nearby Northeastern University, it's also within easy walking distance of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, and plenty of shopping, too. If you tote Toto along to Boston, the pet-friendly Midtown won't mind – pups can even make friends with the locals in the Charles and Boylston Streets corner of the Boston Commons during the park's dog-friendliest hours – 6:30 to 8:30am and 5 to 7pm.

If it weren’t for the fact that the address of this hotel doubles as its name, it would be pretty easy to bypass its brownstone façade, which is so unassuming that it blends in seamlessly with the neighboring private homes of this quiet residential street. Budget-conscious travelers would be wise, however, to keep their eyes peeled for 463 Beacon Street, where one of the most economical lodging choices in the city can be found right smack in the heart of Back Bay. Some 20 guest rooms are scattered throughout the five floors of this converted turn-of-the-century mansion, but be warned – there are no elevators here, so guests lodging on the upper floors should prepare for a bit of a workout. There is, however, one room on the fifth floor with its own balcony and (partially obstructed) river view that make it well worth the trek. While the simple rooms are individually decorated, many have winning features such as high ceilings, hardwood floors, and ornamental fireplaces. Note that a few of the least expensive rooms do not have a private bath; several of those that do, however, feature antique linen cabinets built right into the walls.

You could take your slab of beef to go, but those who linger at this cozy charcuterie are...more

Locals know the country’s best burritos and quesadillas are ordered at the counter of this...more

The crowd is young, the beers are cheap, and the outdoor deck is packed at this waterfront watering hole.