What to expect: A brightly lit entryway with granite countertops and cherry-finish wood furnishings opens onto the lobby, where large sofas offer plenty of seating. Business travelers appreciate the Best Western New Englander's proximity to numerous corporate offices, including high-tech companies. Weekends bring leisure travelers visiting downtown Boston, nine miles away.

Amenity highlights: The hotel offers complimentary shuttle service from early morning until late evening, providing access to shopping, businesses, and public transportation within a three-mile radius. An American diner-style restaurant and adjacent late-night lounge are popular local hangouts. Complimentary Continental breakfast with waffles is served each morning.

What to expect: Cherry-wood accents, recessed lighting, and a free-flowing layout characterize this hotel’s inviting lobby. A curving wall of glass and stained wood separates the white-marble entryway from a breezy restaurant area. The lobby lounge has floor-to-ceiling windows and a two-way gas-lit fireplace that separates the sitting area from the business center. The hotel is a popular choice for businesspeople visiting nearby high-tech companies, and for vacationers exploring Boston.

Amenity highlights: This hotel features an indoor swimming pool and a fitness facility, and is one block from the Unicorn Golf Course, a 9-hole municipal course. Parking is free, and a complimentary shuttle service is available Monday–Friday for transportation stops within a five-mile radius (limited hours). Complimentary high-speed Internet access is available in the hotel’s well-equipped business center. A small, well-stocked market in the lobby is open 24 hours.

Insider tip: Two miles away is the Stoneham Theatre, built in 1917 as a silent- movie and vaudeville house. After 25 years of disrepair, it was meticulously restored and opened as a playhouse in 2000. Besides live theater, the Stoneham hosts concerts and community events.