Need help on where to stay - hubby can't walk far (Boston: rent, hotels)

[Meenie]

I'm meeting my husband in Boston in the middle of September. He's flying in and I'm taking the train.
We're looking for a hotel that doesn't cost an arm and a leg but doesn't smell like mildew, lol.
We'll only be in Boston for the weekend but would like to see some sights. Hubby says he's looked at hotels on trip adviser and Kayak, but in the downtown area they're all $250 - 450 a night!!! Yikes!
Now he's trying to figure out if we should rent a car and go farther out or keep hunting for something closer and rely on the trolleys.
Some things we're thinking of doing:
going to see "Shear Madness" at the Charles Playhouse
Doing the Boston Harbor Lighthouse Tour (boat)
Checking out The Prudential Skywalk Observatory

Possible problem with trolleys vs car: Hubby had a bad back (has had 3 surgeries - last was 9.5 hours!!) and can get painful if he has to walk too much.
How often do they run and do you have to go far to catch one?
Thanks! Meenie

[gf2020]

The Radisson in the Theater District would be a good compromise location for you.

Downtown Boston Hotels: Radisson Boston: Hotel in Boston, MA: Hotel

The AAA rate is under $300 per night.

[bostonguy1960]

Gf2020:

That Radisson looks kind of nasty, at least from the exterior. I stayed there on my first trip to Boston in '78 when it was Howard Johnson, and it still looks similar or worse from the outside. But you're right, it's an ideal location. Seriously, it costs as much as under $300 with AAA? Yikes! How sad for visitors. It won't even be fall foliage yet...what nerve to charge that! I'm not attacking your post AT ALL; it's nice to read members' opinions here, but it's just that the price on that concrete ediface is sinful. But maybe that's a bargain at that time compared to newer hotels? Mmm...

Gee, on Pricline just two years ago in August, I heard of two instances where someone got a Seaport hotel for less than $95. And I've read stuff here where those sites yielded $69 or so for lesser hotels at times.

If the OP doesn't mind uncertainty of hotels, instead just knowing the general district of the Boston hotel before purchasing, perhaps they'll choose that option.


...
Meenie: subway waits should be no more than 15 minutes most times, often less. You'll be able to reach most subway or bus stops within 10-15 minutes on foot.

Not sure if the lighthouse tours run that late in the season. If so, maybe just weekends. I think that's the way Charles RiverBoat Co. operates for their Charles River excursions (I recommend it...maybe $12-$13?). You can get half price tix for some of those theatre shows at the Copley Sq. & Faneuil Hall booths (plus handling charge of $4 or so).

Maybe an inn in Brookline would suffice. Not necessarily cheap, but less than 10 min. to the trolley. Longwood Inn, Beacon Inn, Beechtree Inn,, along with a few others would get you some local flavor, without a car.

Hope you enjoy the trip.

[anouk_pantoufle]

I'll let others with experience give suggestions about hotels. My suggestion for your husband, however, is to get a good, lightweight foldable cane (I got one on Amazon). I've had some health issues, especially with my knees - I've been doing much better & I don't need the cane at all lately. However, while riding the T, it's a visible sign that he needs a seat - also, for the seats available while waiting for the subway (bus stops don't always have seats, but you might not need to travel by bus).

This is a small thing - but with his bad back, it can be a life saver!

[Meenie]

thanks for your suggestions, everyone. Wow, $250 a night is the best price? wow. That's a bummer. And 15 minutes walk - that's a mile! whew. Maybe we need a car.