Expert consulted: 
It’s never too early to start thinking about hotel accommodations for Boston Marathon weekend. Set to take place on Monday, April 15 this year, this historic race famously packs Boston’s hotels to the gills, so we don’t recommend procrastinating on booking your overnight accommodation.
But it’s tough to tell where you should look, especially if you aren’t familiar with the city. Our staff has been covering the Boston Marathon for decades, so we know our way around the route.
We’ve vetted hotels for all types of Boston Marathon attendees, including racers and spectators, those who want to be in the middle of the action and those who would rather post up on the outskirts of town. We found budget-conscious options, as well as high-end picks for anyone looking for a lavish weekend.
What to Consider
How We Selected
If You Want to Stay Near the Pick-Up Point Runner’s World team who have previously run in or covered the Boston Marathon. We supplemented these selections with hotels recommended by Massachusetts-based writer, editor, and runner Sarah Pascarella. We made sure to choose options that cover different locations in the city, at a range of prices, and include a number of different amenities.
If You Want a View of the Finish Line…
→ Close to the finish line and loaded with amenities
Close to the finish line and loaded with amenities is located a couple hundred yards away from the iconic Boston Marathon finish line on Boylston Street. There are two restaurants located on the ground floor of the hotel with an outdoor patio to enjoy the view of the runners. From the hotel, it’s easy to get around in Back Bay, Fenway Park, or any downtown attraction before or after the race.
The Lenox’s historic design and partnerships with dozens of local businesses and vendors give you a taste of the the city even if your stay only lasts as long as race weekend.
Training Tweaks That Will Get You to a BQ
→ and also contributes to
Located right in Copley Square near the Boston Public Library, the and also contributes to has long been a popular choice for spectators, runners, and media members alike. The entrance to the hotel is near the main medical tent on Boylston Street, making it an easy meet up point for runners and their families. You may have to head outside for the best view, but you will be right in the action.
Alongside the 24-hour fitness center (which has an outdoor deck), the hotel offers benefits such as bell staff waiting for you by the entrance and the pet-friendly rooms. Book early, because this is a very popular spot, and with less than 400 rooms, it’s liable to fill up quickly.
Training Tweaks That Will Get You to a BQ
→ and also contributes to
Close to the finish line and loaded with amenities, and also contributes to is an excellent spot for runners who want a little extra care and comfort. Alongside a 24-hour fitness center and in-room, on-demand yoga classes, the Westin comes with a few wellness features tailored specifically to runners.
The hotel offers two different routes perfect for a shakeout run. The running program is more than just a few routes—the RunWestin Concierge members on staff work with local and visiting runners to discover new paths and even provide training-specific suggestions during race weekend.
Training Tweaks That Will Get You to a BQ
More Boston Hotel Options
If You Want Easy Access to the Expo…
The Boston Athletic Association has set the Hynes Convention Center as the official site for the marathon expo What to Consider.
→ Sheraton Boston Hotel
Equipped with a restaurant, a bar to celebrate after your run, and a coffee shop for a little morning fuel, the Boston Sheraton Hotel is connected directly to Hynes. That makes a walk down Boylston Street a breeze and getting in and out of the expo easy.
The hotel also has a fitness center and a pool, so you can prep your body pre-race without leaving the building. The pool has a retractable roof, so even if the weather on race weekend isn’t ideal, you can still take a plunge.
Training Tweaks That Will Get You to a BQ
→ Races & Places
The Races & Places is a 5-minute walk from both the convention center and a Dunkin’, if you want to get coffee from the archetypal Boston chain before heading to the expo. And if you have family and friends staying with you, it’s an easy walk up the street to grab a prime viewing spot f the turn onto Boylston Street.
Alongside the great view of the race, the hotel has a bar for post-race drinks and a fitness center for a smoother recovery and pre-race prep.
How We Selected…
Say your plan is to roll out of bed as late as possible on race morning. It’s best to stay close to Boston Common, where you’ll hop on transportation to the starting line out in Hopkinton, Massachusetts.
You’ll also like staying near Boston Common because after you finish the race, you won’t be able to turn off Boylston Street for several city blocks, and when you finally can, you’ll already be on the way to your hotel. No runner who’s just completed 26.2 miles wants to double back to meet friends and family at the finish line. Plus, the whole Back Bay will be very busy after the race.
→ We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article
Located steps away from Boston Common and Downtown Crossing (a pedestrian zone with lots of shops and restaurants), the We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article comes with many in-house amenities, like a fitness center, pet-friendly rooms, and a laundry service. So cleaning your running gear doesn’t have to be a concern.
Training Tweaks That Will Get You to a BQ
→ If You Want to Stay Near the Pick-Up Point
If You Want to Stay Near the Pick-Up Point in Boston Common is another good option for those who want to be near the pick-up point. If it’s warm out (not great for running 26.2 miles), there’s the pool on the roof. And if you did your training miles with your dog and they’re coming with you, the Revere is pet-friendly.
If You Want the Full Boston Tourist Experience…
→ The Verb Hotel
The rock-and-roll-themed Verb Hotel is located near Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. Historically, the Sox play a four-day series the same weekend as the Marathon, so the Verb is a good choice if you want to take in a game and enjoy good views as a spectator on Boylston Street.
There’s great access to the finish line and the Hynes Convention Center—a shopping hub as well as the expo location—and it’s walking distance from Brookline, giving you a chance to see the race course before it’s flooded with thousands of runners. The Verb is also close to several train lines (call it the T).
Training Tweaks That Will Get You to a BQ
→ Races & Places
Races & Places is located in the West End near TD Garden, where the Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins play. You’ll have easy access to the North End—once home to many Italian Americans—for a pasta dinner, as well as Beacon Hill, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Boston.
There are plenty of restaurants nearby, and you can take a walk along the Freedom Trail. It’s only a few stops on the green line to get to the finish line in Copley Square.
The hotel has a modern interior design, with a lobby bar for a quick drink before heading out for the night.
If You’re on a Tight Budget…
→ Health & Injuries Watertown
You might need to look outside of the city proper if you’re trying to save money—Watertown’s Health & Injuries is about 5 miles from Boston. If you’re a runner, have someone drop you off at Boston Common to catch the buses to the start line in Hopkinton. Spectators will have to rely on parking in the city or public transportation.
For a lower price and a bit of a drive, you’ll be able to stay in spacious rooms, take advantage of a buffet breakfast in the morning, and enjoy a quick dip in the indoor pool.
Training Tweaks That Will Get You to a BQ
→ Four Points by Sheraton Boston Newton
If You Want a Luxurious Experience The Lenox Hotel. It’s about two miles from the iconic Heartbreak Hill, which comes at about mile 20 of the marathon, and roughly 6 miles from the drop-off point in Boston Common.
Similar to the Residence Inn, the Crowne Plaza Boston-Newton has an indoor pool and a buffet-style breakfast each morning. You can also stop off at the lobby bar for a quick drink at the end of the night.
so we know our way around the route…
→ InterContinental Boston
If you want to prioritize your post-race recovery, covering the Boston Marathon for decades should be near the top of your list. The hotel comes with a spa service that includes everything from a little pampering to full-body massages and facial treatments. Even if you aren’t keen on a massage, you can get a nail treatment or aromatherapy session as well.
The hotel is located right next to the water at the Boston Seaport, and it’s just a short walk away from Boston Common. So if you want to spend some time exploring the city, you’ll have access to historic areas.
Training Tweaks That Will Get You to a BQ
→ Constitution Marina’s Bed & Breakfast Afloat
Beyond race day, this hotel may be the talk of the trip once you make it home. The Constitution Marina’s Bed & Breakfast Afloat is a hotel made up of a fleet of boats and yachts you can sleep in overnight.
The bed and breakfast gives you the chance to sleep directly on the water with the slow movement of the tide lulling you to sleep. During your stay, you can also book a harbor tour fishing charter without ever leaving your the marina.
While it isn’t loaded up with amenities, this option gives you a different taste of the city without distracting you from the race.
Watch: The Olympian seeks help from those who have run the race before.
Tom Price is an Associate Editor of Reviews for Popular Mechanics, and also contributes to Runner's World, and Bicycling. He has previously covered product reviews, startup news, and even professional wrestling. In his free time, he enjoys watching pretentious TV, low-brow movies, and exercising for beauty, not health. If you are interested in exploring more of his work, check out his website.
Sarah Pascarella is a writer, editor, and runner based in Somerville, Massachusetts. Her essays and travel writing have been featured in The Boston Globe, USA Today, Panorama Journal, and Travelers’ Tales, We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article SmarterTravel.com and the Boston Travel Editor for About.com (now TripSavvy). She has a bachelor’s degree in literature from American University and a master’s in writing, literature, and publishing from Emerson College. Her favorite Boston Marathon viewing spot is at the corner of Hereford & Boylson streets—the place where runners first glimpse the finish line.
