We piggy backed on a work trip that my husband took to Boston and enjoyed a luxurious 4 day, 3 night trip where I got to meet up with many of my friends (I grew up in Boston and its metro area for 15 years of my life). After sheltering in the midwest with my parents from March 2020-Feb 2021, and then not seeing many friends in NYC the last few months as people were uncertain over being with my kid (who cannot be vaccinated), it was refreshing to finally meet up and catch up. Here is a run down of how much things cost, what we got out of it travel hacking-wise.
Transportation – $525.40
We took the Amtrak train because it would be easier than schlepping our child through the airport, and would be more comfortable for my husband to work. We took the regional there, and the Acela business class on the way back
Amtrak train rides, 2 adults: $500 (hubby’s ticket was covered by work)
MTA train rides, two round-trips: $11
MBTA train rides, 3 round-trips: $14.4
Lodging – $925
Boston Intercontinental Hotel – $350 for 1 night, 2 queen bed city view (we had a corporate discount, this is after taxes and fees). This was a dream hotel of mine given their super location down by the waterfront and also the fact that they’re known for their good food. My very first corporate holiday party experience was here and I still remember it like it was yesterday. Our stay was amazing. This is probably the first hotel in recent memory that had prompt service with the extra items such as amenity kits, which was amazing given the hotel has been booked out completely. The rooms also have excellent blackout curtains so nap time was also a breeze.
Our room at the Intercon
Hyatt Regency Boston – $575 for 2 nights, free upgrade to junior suite, before taxes and fees. Hubby’s work paid for this hotel. This hotel, though it is also considered a 4 star hotel, felt less luxurious than Boston Intercontinental. The staff was just a little bit less attentive, and I think the hotel primarily suffers from lack of light and grandeur in its design (you enter at street level, then take an elevator up to a dimly lit lobby). However, we did quite the super-hack out of this hotel
For two nights, we received the following points:
– 5x points, which you get if you’re enrolled in the World of Hyatt loyalty program
– 1x points for being a Hyatt Explorist (Hubby received this fast-track status)
– 4x points from the World of Hyatt Visa card
– 10x points from a promotion which gave triple points for a 2-night booking
– in addition, we paid for $250 of our room using the Chase Sapphire Preferred card which was providing 15% cash-back
This totaled around 10,500 points for us, which, at a 1.5 c / point valuation, equals to around $158 in hotel value, and add the $37.50 from our Chase Sapphire Preferred, totaling $195.50 in value back to us!!!
BB enjoying the hotel bed
Looking from entrance into the suite. BB slept in a pack and play in this room
The bedroom
Food and drinks – ~$517
We enjoyed many different places for food and drink throughout Boston. Here are the highlights
Brunch at Committee. $72 for us 3. The grilled cheese was the best!
Dinner at Intercontinental’s Miel. Really liked the service (they gave BB crayons). This halibut however, was overcooked
However, the steak frites were excellent. We paid $123 for us 3 (includes drinks)
I got a strawberry lychee drink and a waffle at Sweet Waffles + Boba ($15). The drink tasted too sweet, but the waffle was fun
Tatte is a Boston institution. Their breakfast items are decadent. $15 for us 3
We brunched at Bistro du Midi ($65 for 3 of us). The lox and eggs benedict was the best dish. They are short on servers so service was slow.
on Sunday I ordered via Uber Eats and phone at Tora Japanese Restaurant for about $82 total for 3 (includes a boba separately at TBaar – highly recommend). Their menu was very hard to find. The sushi was excellent and fresh, I didn’t care for the noodles as much. Don’t confuse this location for Tora Ramen which is separate
We got breakfast and moon cakes from Chinatown’s Great Taste. $15
I visited Harvard Square and had lunch for myself and BB at $24 at the Santouka Hokkaido Ramen . This is a vegetarian ramen (excellent) and a salmon over rice (meh).
For dinner I asked hubby to go to Shabu Zen with me, it’s one of my original favorites when I lived in Boston. It ended up disappointing greatly. Sure, their prices went up because, inflation, but all the portions felt smaller, especially the meats (sooo thin). We left hungry. We gotten a plate each of lamb and beef, an extra order of udon noodles, a veggie gyoza, an order of fish cakes, and an order of beef meatballs.
I also discovered boba at Pin Ming in Boston. Very authentic and fresh, highly recommend
After meeting a friend I went to Dirty Water Dough company on Newbury. Piping hot and thin pizza, great crust. $11 for me and BB
On our way home, I picked up $30 of food from Eataly. I completely agree that food at Eataly is very high quality and diverse, however, I’m often left wanting with their portions
Save My Cents does not recommend travel hacking (using credit card points to travel) unless you are able to treat your credit cards like debit cards.
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