Waltham has a population of over 60,000 people and is home to two universities: Brandeis University and Bentley University. It got the nickname "Watch City" because of the Waltham Watch Company, which started producing timepieces in 1850. The company stopped producing watches in 1957, and in 1959 they became part of the Hallmark Watch Company. The city's nickname, however, has stuck since then.
Popular tourist activities in Waltham include the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation, Gore Place, Prospect Hill Park, and Stonehurst, the Robert Treat Paine estate.
When to Visit Waltham, MA
Waltham is about 11 miles from central Boston, which means that hotel rates in Waltham will go up and down when tourist season in Boston swells. Keep in mind, too, that Waltham is home to two universities, which means that seasonal college events like graduation and move-in day will cause hotels to book up well in advance and room rates to increase.
Waltham's warmest months are July and August, when temperatures during the day average in the low 80s. Though the weather is good, people converge on the Boston area in the summer, which means you'll find room rates spiking when you try to visit Waltham. October is the peak month for fall foliage in Massachusetts, so if you want a gorgeous visit full of vibrant leaf colors, choose October. Although the fall foliage will draw some other visitors, room rates drop as tourist season tapers off. Winter and early spring boast the cheapest hotel rates, but the weather is extremely cold.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Waltham, MA:
Waltham, MA: Prices by Star Rating Class
Below are 3 charts illustrating avg. rate trends by star rating class in Waltham, MA. Browse these charts to calculate the best months to stay in Waltham for any future trips.
Luxury Hotel Options in Waltham, MA
4 Star Average Prices: $181.05
The Westin Waltham-Boston is a lovely four-star hotel with understated interior design and fascinating mirrored architecture. You'll love sleeping on the pillow-top beds and using the designer toiletries in your comfortable room. Keep up with your exercise routine by visiting the health club or enjoy a cocktail at the hotel bar. The restaurant provides delicious meals, or you can call for 24-hour room service. A terrace and an indoor pool are among the other great amenities you'll find at this property.
The 3 1/2-star Embassy Suites Boston Waltham features high-ceilings and modern decor in its common areas. Rooms are extremely comfortable, and you can peruse the positive guest reviews to see that former guests loved the beds and the amount of space available. This Embassy Suites location offers great complimentary amenities, including Wi-Fi, an area shuttle, breakfast, and parking. The property has a convenience store on-site, a restaurant, a sauna, a spa tub, an indoor pool, and laundry facilities.
If you're looking for five-star luxury, a stay in nearby Boston at the Boston Harbor Hotel will provide you with every upscale comfort and amenity you crave. The Boston Harbor Hotel features all the best resort hotel amenities, like a full-service spa, a hair salon, a steam room, a bellhop, a limo service, and valet parking. This property offers gorgeous harbor views and features an on-site marina. Free Wi-Fi, a health club, a 24-hour front desk, and 24-hour room service are a few more perks that will make your stay perfect.
Affordable Options in Waltham, MA
3 Star Average Prices: $149.08
The most affordable options in the Waltham area are actually outside of Waltham itself. Most of Waltham's hotels don't offer room rates below $100 a night, so if you're looking for a low cost deal, expand your search outside of the city to find a room rate that suits your budget.
Your most inexpensive option near Waltham is the Motel 6 Westborough in Northborough, Massachusetts. It's about 22 miles from the center of Waltham, and nightly rates start under $70. When you stay at this Motel 6 location, you'll get amenities like a 24-hour front desk, Wi-Fi, fitness facility access, laundry facility access, free parking, and a policy that welcomes pets.
To get a little closer to Waltham, check out the Red Roof Inn Boston Southborough/Worcester. Room rates start just over $71 a night, and it's about 17 miles from central Waltham. When you stay at this location, you can bring kids 17 and younger to stay for free in the same room as a parent or guardian as long as they use existing bedding. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk, a pet policy, and free parking.
The Bedford Motel is less than nine miles from Waltham and offers room rates as low as $85 a night. If you need a roll-away bed when you stay at the Bedford Motel, you can ask for one for just $10 extra per night. Enjoy free Wi-Fi and free parking at this location. Sattelite programming is available in your room to keep you current on all your favorite TV shows.
2 Star Average Prices: $122.15
Best Discounts in Waltham, MA
Seniors 62 and older get a fantastic discount of more than $20 a night at the Courtyard by Marriott Boston Waltham. The AAA discount saves you more than $10 a night. Don't hesitate to contact the property if you require an accessible bathroom, in-room accessibility, or a roll-in shower. At the Courtyard by Marriott Boston Waltham, you can relax into the spa tub or take a swim in the indoor pool. The front desk is open 24 hours a day, there is a restaurant on-site, and you'll get free Wi-Fi.
To take advantages of discounts like AAA, AARP, senior, and military, widen your Waltham hotel search a little bit. Some of the best discounts are in neighboring cities that are a short drive from central Waltham. At the Radisson Hotel and Suites Chelmsford/Lowell in nearby Chelmsford, the government rate takes the price of a room down by more than $10. AAA members also save around $7 a night. Accessible bathrooms and in-room accessibility is available. This Radisson location also offers great amenities like free Wi-Fi, a free area shuttle, an indoor pool, and a sauna.
At the Courtyard by Marriott Woburn/Boston North, Seniors 62 and older and AAA members both save over $25 nightly on room rates. Former guests of this Courtyard by Marriott location have loved many aspects of the hotel, including the service, the overall vibe, the clean facilities, and the large rooms. A free area shuttle and a limo and town car service will help you get around, you can relax into the spa tub or the indoor pool, and all hotel guests get free Wi-Fi.
Best Value Options in Waltham, MA
Get the best value for your money during your stay in Waltham by checking your hotel options against customer reviews to see where previous guests have enjoyed stellar stays. The Crescent Suites Hotel in downtown Waltham is one three-star property that guests have raved about. A look at the customer reviews shows that every aspect of the hotel has been outstanding, from the amenities, room, and free Wi-Fi to the cleanliness, staff, and overall hotel vibe. The express check-in and check-out, free breakfast, town car service, and 24-hour front desk are all amenities that add convenience to your stay.
The Best Western TLC Hotel is also a three-star property, with guest reviews focusing on the cleanliness, bar and lounge area, service, location, and Wi-Fi as highlights. This Best Western location offers a long list of amenities that will make your stay more comfortable. Check out the free breakfast, the restaurant, the indoor pool, the snack bar, and the 24-hour business center or stay in your room to enjoy free Wi-Fi and the deep soaking tub.
Stay at the three-star Hyatt House Boston/Waltham for spacious, comfortable rooms with kitchens. Guests have called this hotel a great value for the money because of its free Wi-Fi and delicious free breakfast. A free area shuttle, laundry facilities, available town car service, 24-hour business center, and dry cleaning services add convenience and comfort to your stay. You'll also love the seasonal outdoor pool, the bar, and the 24-hour fitness center.
Stay for Business in Waltham, MA
Book a room at the Holiday Inn Express Boston - Waltham when you're traveling to Massachusetts for business. Many of their amenities cater to the business crowd, from the 24-hour business center and on-site ATM to the free Wi-Fi and express check-out. The business center includes faxing and copying services. The free breakfast with omelets, bacon, and sausage gets you ready to tackle business meetings and networking events.
The Hilton Garden Inn Boston/Waltham offers four meeting rooms, which you can book in advance if you'll be meeting with colleagues or contacts once you get to Waltham. Conveniences like a 24-hour front desk, an on-site ATM, a computer station, a business center, and free Wi-Fi make this Hilton Garden Inn location a great choice for business travelers. Other amenities that will add comfort to your stay include fitness facilities, a restaurant, an indoor pool, and laundry facilities.
FAQs about hotels in Waltham
How much does a cheap hotel in Waltham cost per night?
In the last year, a 2 star hotel in Waltham can be as cheap as $122.15 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
How much does a 3 star hotel in Waltham cost per night?
In the last year, the average 3 star hotel in Waltham has been $149.08 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
How much does a higher-end hotel in Waltham cost?
In the last year, the average 4 star hotel in Waltham has been $181.05 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
Verified reviews of the city: Waltham, MA
Below are reviews of the city of Waltham, MA from an actual visitor's perspective.
"Great Location Near Restaurants & I95"
Score
4.0 / 5
Restaurants! And near 95.
Janette Z. L., from 29-Aug-2024
"Lots of Restaurants"
Score
5.0 / 5
Lots of restaurants.
Janette Z. L., from 29-Aug-2024
"In the Heart of the City!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Is close to the heart of the city
Georgina A., from 21-Jul-2024
"The room was clean, comfortable. The staff was friendly."
Score
5.0 / 5
The room was clean, comfortable. The staff was friendly. I was going into Boston each day. Easy commute.
Grace G., from 14-May-2024
"Close to Restaurants & Shopping"
Score
4.0 / 5
Lots of restaurants and close to shopping areas!
David T., from 06-Dec-2023
"Beautiful Area"
Score
5.0 / 5
Clean. Beautiful scenery and lovely architecture.
Harvey B., from 25-Oct-2023
"Prospect Park"
Score
4.0 / 5
Prospect Park
Linda M., from 12-Aug-2023
"Close to Hockey Rinks"
Score
5.0 / 5
We stayed here for hockey, close to multiple ice rinks.
Penny C., from 24-Jun-2023
"Fantastic place to stay for a Boston College graduation."
Score
5.0 / 5
It was a fantastic place to stay when in town for a Boston College graduation.
Barbara D., from 25-May-2023
"Waltham has everything … especially fine dining!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Waltham has everything … especially fine dining!
Richardmartin B., from 26-Feb-2023
"Beautiful Area Near Major Boston Suburbs & Country Clubs!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Beautiful area! Nearby the major Boston suburbs and plenty of country clubs!
Alexis F., from 31-Jan-2023
"Convenient Location"
Score
4.0 / 5
Our Son graduated from Bentley University so we have traveled to Waltham often. Some of his classmates continue to work in the greater Boston area as well as our son. Some own restaraunts in Waltham and it's nice to visit their place of business. It is convient to have the Hotel in Waltham.
William L., from 29-Dec-2022
"Nice places to see and view in Waltham!"
Score
4.0 / 5
The people and the nice places to see and view!
Angel G., from 10-Aug-2022
"Restaurants within walking distance."
Score
5.0 / 5
Restaurants within walking distance.
Misty C., from 12-Jun-2022
"Very scenic and quaint."
Score
4.0 / 5
Very scenic and quaint.
Danna W., from 16-May-2022
"Great Atmosphere & Food"
Score
4.0 / 5
Food and atmosphere were great.
Janieva L M., from 06-Nov-2021
"Great Area"
Score
5.0 / 5
Great restaurants and markets. Public Library is topnotch. Centrally located.
Joan C., from 08-Oct-2016
"A Diverse and Interesting City"
Score
4.0 / 5
Wonderful restaurants and markets. Convenient to Boston and Cambridge. The Library is topnotch.
Joan C., from 29-Sep-2015
"An Absolute Delight"
Score
5.0 / 5
Downtown Waltham is very charming. Walked around downtown and had coffee. Delightful.
Elizabeth S., from 23-Jun-2014
"Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation"
Score
4.0 / 5
Love the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation, where I got married. The park outside was also a great spot for our ceremony, and parking at the Embassy lot was convenient, though guests would have had trouble finding their way without detailed directions.
Randy L., from 21-May-2014
"Boston Adjacent"
Score
5.0 / 5
Good compromise between being close enough to Boston without paying an exorbitant rate.
Andre D., from 07-Apr-2014
The average traveler rating of the city of Waltham, MA shown above is
4.4 out of 5 based on 21 reviews