Boston Vacation Rentals

Where to find the best Boston vacation rentals

Top neighborhoods and great rates

Planning to visit Boston for a couple of days or more? Boston vacation rentals may be a great alternative to a hotel.

Perhaps you and your family want to visit Boston for a week and stay in a nice place that won't break your budget.

Or you're going to be in Boston to teach a 6-week course at the Kennedy School and you want a place that's a little more homey - and affordable - than a hotel.

Or you'll be here on business for 6 months but you can only find apartments with 1-year leases.

Vacation rentals in Boston are typically apartments, condos, and even inns or B&Bs that offer attractive weekly or monthly rates. Some of them offer daily rates, although a two-day minimum stay may be requested.

Most of them include a fully-equipped kitchenette so that you can cook meals if you want. Just like a hotel, linens are provided. You'll almost always find a nice TV, and usually high speed internet access, and perhaps a DVD player - in short, the basics of civilized living.

Because Boston has so many universities and research centers that attract people from all over the world for stays in Boston for anywhere from a week to a few years, short term rentals can be really tough to find. There's a lot of competition, especially for nice places right in the city.

If this is something that you're interested in, here are several excellent places to consider:

Apartments in the heart of the South End

Condo on Marlborough Street in Back Bay

Apartment in Back Bay - sleeps 5

All of these places are in very nice neighborhoods, close to lots of restaurants, shopping, attractions, and public transportation. If you want more information, just e-mail the owners directly. You can also check out what others who have stayed in them say about their experience.

The rates for one night tend to be about what you'd pay for just a room in one of Boston's less-expensive, no-frills hotels. These places are nicer, and tend to be more centrally located. Plus, the weekly and monthly rates are even less on a per-night basis, so you can save significant money.

So what's the catch? Well, it's the competition. It can be fierce for short-term rentals. The demand far exceeds the supply.

So if you're interested in short-term Boston vacation rentals, the best strategy is to start looking as soon as you know your dates. When you find something that you like, you can book it right away while it is still available.

Good luck, and enjoy your stay in Boston!