There are cheap places to stay in Boston, despite the city’s high concentration of academic, medical, and other renowned institutions that keep prices at a premium. The best part? These hotels have many of the same perks as their luxury counterparts, just with a more laidback vibe.
The Best Cheap Hotels in Boston
Many of the cheap hotels in Boston are located in up-and-coming areas. Whether you’re looking for rooftop terraces to catch skyline sunsets or a pool for relaxing, the most affordable hotels in Boston are also some of the most fun. Here are our 10 picks for the best budget hotels in Boston.
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YOTEL Boston
Well-connected is basically this hotel’s mantra: The Financial District and Seaport District are at its doorstep, the Wi-Fi is free, and the MBTA Silver Line runs through the basement of the hotel. The real showstopper, though, is the 12th-floor rooftop terrace. Its indoor and outdoor areas mean you can soak in the panoramic skyline and Boston Harbor views no matter what time of year. As far as cheap hotels in Boston go, this one skews trendy versus budget.
Amenities: Rooftop terrace, adjustable SmartBeds, Technowalls with mood lighting, monsoon showers, Urban Skicare bath amenities, minifridges, free Wi-Fi, coworking spaces, 24-hour fitness center, amenity-delivering robot, take-out dining options, 24-hour coffee and tea station, purified water and ice stations on every floor, and free calling within the U.S.
Aloft Boston Seaport
Located next to the hip Lawn on D and a short walk from Harpoon Brewery and Beerhall, Aloft is among the best cheap hotels in Boston. It’s also among the hotels using technology to enhance your stay. Book a voice-activated room and control mood lighting, streaming options, and more from a custom in-room iPad. An indoor pool and local musicians who play most Thursdays make this just as much a hangout as a hotel.
Amenities: Free coffee, grab-n-go breakfast and lunch options, mini fridges in every room, in-room coffee maker, Bliss bath amenities, rainfall showers, free bottled water, live music most Thursdays at W XYZ bar, free Wi-Fi, 24-hour fitness center, indoor pool, and pet-friendly rooms with dog beds, treats, toys, and more.
Element Boston Seaport
Right next door to Aloft is Element. Designed for extended stays, Element hotels double as a great way to experience a city like a local. With fully stocked kitchenettes (think: fridge, range top, microwave), you can visit nearby markets like Foodie’s or the Italian-influenced J. Pace & Son for authentic tastes of the area. It’s what makes Element not only one of the best cheap hotels in Boston, but one of the best ways to save on dining costs, too.
Amenities: Complimentary breakfast bar with homemade granola, complimentary evening reception with appetizers and wine, rainfall shower, free in-room water and coffee, fully equipped kitchenettes in every room, bicycles and helmets to borrow, indoor heated salt-water pool, 24-hour fitness center, 24-hour business center, fully stocked kitchen and patio grill, free Wi-Fi, and pet-friendly rooms with dog beds, bowls, and treats.
Boston Park Plaza
In the heart of Back Bay for more than 90 years, Boston Park Plaza is surprisingly affordable considering its prime location. It’s also one of the few Boston hotels offering rooms designed for solo travelers. The hotel sits on what was once beachfront property where the British landed during the Revolutionary war. Its storied history also includes visits from nearly every U.S. president since its opening. Stay here today to put yourself steps from the Boston Common and Theater District.
Amenities: In-room spa services, access to Lynx Fitness Club, 24-hour business center, dog-friendly rooms, concierge, and in-room dining.
enVision Hotel Boston – Longwood
Located in a residential neighborhood, enVision, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member, will make you feel like a local. The unassuming exterior looks more like a house than a hotel, and it can count Olmsted Park as its backyard. Its location allows you to explore areas off the typical tourist path like Jamaica Plain and Brookline. But a subway stop outside its front door keeps you connected to the city’s main attractions.
Amenities: Mini-fridge and microwave in every room, in-room coffee maker, pillow-top mattress, robes and slippers, onsite café, daily newspaper, fitness center, free Wi-Fi, and a daily evening soiree featuring small bites from local cafes and bakeries.
Wyndham Boston Beacon Hill
Located next door to Massachusetts General Hospital at the foot of Beacon Hill, this Wyndham property is conveniently situated at the crossroads of Boston and Cambridge. Walk over the Longfellow Bridge or take the nearby subway to explore Cambridge hotspots like Harvard Square. In the summer, the outdoor pool surrounded by chaise lounges is a city oasis.
Amenities: Floor-to-ceiling windows, blackout drapes, free Wi-Fi, daily bottled water, complimentary newspaper, in-room coffee maker, pillow-top beds, Blue Harmony bath amenities, outdoor pool, pet-friendly rooms, onsite restaurant and bar, in-room dining, fitness center, discounted passes to local gym, and business center.
Hotel 140
Billing itself as an affordable boutique hotel, Hotel 140’s location between the posh Back Bay and the hip South End makes it one of the best located cheap hotels in Boston. The building itself was once home to the oldest YWCA in the country and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Light pours into the two-story lobby thanks to arched windows, while rooms are designed for maximum comfort while channeling the hotel’s 1920s character.
Amenities: Mini fridges in every room, free Wi-Fi, complimentary daily newspaper, in-room coffee maker, 24-hour business center, and guest lounge with coffee, tea, and water.
Hotel Indigo Boston – Newton Riverside
If you don’t mind staying outside of the downtown action, Hotel Indigo is a good base for exploring Boston as well as the surrounding areas. Interstate 95, the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90), and the subway (Riverside stop) keep you connected no matter your itinerary. Plus, its low price tag, free parking, and comfortable rooms solidify this as one of the best budget hotels in Boston.
Amenities: Hardwood floors, Aveda bath products, in-room coffee maker, free covered parking, complimentary area shuttle, outdoor pool with cabanas and fire pits (seasonal), hot tub, pet-friendly rooms, free Wi-Fi, 24-hour fitness center, 24-hour business center, complimentary newspapers, and an onsite restaurant, cafe, and bar.
DoubleTree Club by Hilton Hotel Boston Bayside
The further you get from the city, the easier it is to find cheap places to stay in Boston. But this DoubleTree, located a short walk from the JFK/UMass subway station, makes you feel connected despite being on the outskirts. It’s also the best hotel for accessing the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, the University of Massachusetts, and Castle Island with its historic Fort Independence, all located along Boston’s Harborwalk.
Amenities: Complimentary chocolate chip cookies, turndown service, in-room coffee, onsite bar and café, free Wi-Fi, fitness center, business center, and complimentary shuttle service to Logan International Airport, local restaurants, the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal, and the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.
Hampton Inn & Suites Boston Crosstown Center
Convenient access to the hip South End and Boston Medical Center draws leisure and business travelers to this budget hotel in Boston. Like any Hampton Inn, it has the basic, comfortable room you expect. This location livens up its décor with work from local artists. Its free area shuttle provides another convenient option to getting around in addition to walking and the subway.
Amenities: Complimentary breakfast, heated indoor pool, in-room mini-fridge and microwave, in-room coffee, free Wi-Fi, complimentary daily newspaper, fitness center, business center, gift shop, and a free shuttle to Logan International Airport, South Station, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, and Longwood medical area, including a stop near Fenway Park.
More from SmarterTravel:
- Boston Travel Guide
- 10 Best Hotels in Boston
- 10 Great Hotels Near Fenway Park in Boston
- 10 Fun Things to Do in Boston
- 10 Must-See Boston Attractions
- 10 Best Day Trips from Boston
- 10 Best Cheap Eats in Boston
- 9 Best Italian Restaurants in Boston
- The 10 Best Boston Food Trucks
- What to Wear in Boston
- What to Pack for Boston
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– Original reporting by Kate Sitarz
We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
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