The Godfrey Hotel Boston

The Godfrey Hotel Boston is a boutique hotel in Downtown Crossing, in the centre of the city. It is a good choice for travellers who want a smaller, characterful hotel in a central location, and it has two food and drink venues on site.

Room types include King, Double Queen and Executive King rooms. Some rooms overlook a historically protected interior courtyard, and as a rule courtyard-facing rooms are a good request for light sleepers. Check room sizes before you book if you are travelling with a lot of luggage.

RUKA Restobar is the hotel's restaurant and serves Nikkei cuisine, the blend of Peruvian and Japanese cooking. George Howell Coffee, the roaster's flagship café, is on the ground floor and opens early every day of the year, which is useful for breakfast before sightseeing. The hotel's lobby and lounge are designed as collaboration-friendly spaces, so they work well for remote workers and travellers who need somewhere to meet.

The Godfrey suits couples, solo travellers and business visitors who want character without the price of a luxury hotel. As a general tip, downtown hotels are usually quieter and better value at weekends than during the working week, when business travel fills rooms, so compare dates if your plans are flexible. If you are driving, the coffee café offers parking validation at the nearby Lafayette Garage, which gives a sense of the parking options in the area.

As at most city-centre hotels, it pays to compare room types before booking, since the price difference between a standard room and a larger category can be small at quieter times. If you plan to drive, budget for parking, as downtown garages are expensive, and consider using public transport for most of your stay. A coffee at George Howell before heading out is an easy start to the day, and the café's long opening hours suit early risers.

A downtown base like this one makes it easy to explore on foot, and the Freedom Trail, which starts on Boston Common, is the obvious first outing. For dinner, RUKA Restobar on site is a convenient choice after a long day of sightseeing.