Best Kid-Friendly Hotels in Downtown and Waterfront, Boston

Palatial, contemporary, and elegant, the InterContinental offers huge, immaculate rooms and an array of decadent amenities (massage, pool, sushi, cocktails) in a scenic harborside location, but the service doesn't quite compare to that at Boston's best luxury hotels.

One of the city's top hotels, the Four Seasons offers unrivaled service, a great health club with a beautiful pool, an iconic restaurant, and a Public Garden-facing location. The 272 rooms are comfortable and understatedly luxurious; their traditional decor may seem dated, but all of the rooms are scheduled to be renovated in 2017 (the beautiful marble bathrooms, some with separate rainfall showers and soaking tubs, were all renovated in 2015). Luxury travelers willing to swap a pool for a spa should consider Mandarin Oriental Boston, which houses a 16,000-square-foot award-winning spa (but lacks a pool).

The all-suite Marriott Custom House is like your mom's Toyota minivan -- stylish it ain't, but it's reliable, comfortable, and accommodates large groups. Service is minimal, but big rooms with kitchenettes, a pool table-outfitted game room, daily fresh-baked cookies, and proximity to attractions make it a good value, especially for families.

The upscale, 502-room Hyatt Regency Boston is a contemporary high-rise hotel located in the downtown Boston theater district, a spot that's convenient for both tourists and business travelers. Features include a large gym and indoor pool, several bars, and a farm-to-table restaurant. Guest rooms are spacious, understated, and sophisticated, with pillow-top beds and large flat-screen HDTVs. Nearby are the similarly priced Ames, which has a trendier feel but no pool, and the Intercontinental Boston, which has a waterfront location. 

Surrounded by three parks, the New England Aquarium, and facing the harbor, the Boston Marriott Long Wharf owns a picturesque residence along the Long Wharf Pier on Boston Harbor. The idyllic waterfront address (near the airport, tourist sites, and downtown Boston) means this three-and-a-half-pearl property can afford to be expensive. Luckily the price tag translates to value that remains consistent even at 397 rooms: a clean, contemporary design, modern amenities, and spacious rooms with all the fixings. For those on a budget, it might be worth comparing rates with the nearby Hilton Boston Downtown -- a significantly cheaper stay that’s just as close to downtown. 

This 793-room, sleek, modern, 16-story hotel is a fantastic option for travelers with business at the attached convention center. Spacious rooms, a solid pool and gym, and a lively bar scene are corporate crowd pleasers. On-site dining is limited -- at the moment, as a new steakhouse is coming in October 2013 -- but there are several other dining options in the area.