37 Forbes Road, Braintree, MA, 781-848-0600,
RATES: $99 to $185, with plenty of free parking
STAY HERE IF YOU: Want to be close to Boston (just a 10-minute drive on the interstate) but don’t want to fight the downtown traffic. The hotel offers complimentary drop-offs and pickups at the nearest T stop (mass transit). Sports fans also might catch a glimpse of their heroes because visiting major- league soccer and National Football League teams stay here.
IT’S CLOSE TO: A big mall and three interstates that will take you into the city, and all history-laden destinations north and south of Boston.
THE ROOMS ARE: Spacious and adequate. The beds and pillows are so comfortable, you won’t have to worry about first-night sleeplessness. The decor is minimal, but every room has a large TV and Internet hookups.
THEY PUT ALL THE MONEY INTO: The health club, which has a huge weight room, resistance machines, a Jacuzzi and an indoor-outdoor pool.
THE BOTTOM LINE: There are two restaurants attached – Forbes, which serves a decent but pricey breakfast buffet, and a T.G.I. Friday’s that’s open for lunch and dinner.
