1.
The Copley Square Hotel Rating: 3.5 Pearls
One of the least expensive hotels near Copley Square is also one of the best, and not just because it offers free wine and coffee. An $18 million renovation in 2008 brought cute rooms, a fun martini bar, and free Wi-Fi to this 143-room boutique.
2.
The Eliot Hotel Rating: 4.0 Pearls
This French-inspired, 95-unit Back Bay boutique around the corner from Newbury Street offers elegant suites, a well-regarded French restaurant and sashimi bar, and high-tech in-room touch screens for service requests -- all for significantly less than comparable luxury hotels like Fifteen Beacon.
3.
Hotel Marlowe Rating: 4.0 Pearls
This family-friendy Kimpton hotel with a "discovery" theme and playful decor has terrific service -- an unexpected treat, at least for a hotel in this price range.
4.
Courtyard By Marriott Boston Copley Square Rating: 3.0 Pearls
Yes, this Back Bay hotel is part of the Marriott Courtyard chain, but its 81 rooms -- housed in a romantic turn-of-the-century building -- are some of the best and biggest for the buck in the neighborhood.
5.
Hyatt Regency Cambridge Rating: 3.5 Pearls
You probably won't come across the out-of-the-way Hyatt unless you're looking for it, but it's well worth seeking out. It's much more than a bare-bones business hotel, with an indoor pool, well-equipped gym, and charming location overlooking the Charles River. It's a great value for those who don't need to be in the thick of things.
