Five Last-Minute Places to Stay During the Marathon

Note: Availability and rates are updated as of April 7, 2016. Check websites and call ahead for details about accommodations.

Photo by Wally Gobetz on Flickr/Creative Commons

If you’ve dropped the ball on finding a place to stay during the Boston Marathon, well, shame on you.

Thousands of runners and spectators will descend upon the city for the world’s oldest annual marathon, and they’ll all need a place to rest their head Sunday and Monday nights. Chances are that most runners booked their lodging months ago. But there’s still room—and hope—at a couple of places.

The marathon route winds through eight cities and towns, meaning there are eight areas to scout for room and board. By looking beyond hotels located near the finish line, we’ve found five Airbnbs and regular old bed and breakfasts that still have rooms available on the nights of April 17 and April 18. Snatch them up while you can.

1. A comfy and chic spot in JP
$85 per night, Airbnb, airbnb.com.

Photo courtesy of Airbnb

This highly-rated private room in a Jamaica Plain triple decker can serve as a quiet getaway from the crowds of spectators. Plus, you can take the Orange Line to the race and avoid being tightly packed into a Green Line train.

2. Bunking in a brownstone
Rooms starting at $475 per night, The Gryphon House, innboston.com.

Sandwiched between the finish line and the Charles, the Gryphon House offers luxe accommodations. The most affordable (and most popular) room is the Tuscany Suite—where Victorian meets Mediterranean.

3. An entire apartment near Harvard
$340 per night, Airbnb, airbnb.com.

For the out-of-towners who also want to do some sightseeing, this apartment in Cambridge sleeps four.

4. Suburban charm
Rooms starting at $145 per night, Wellesley Bed & Breakfast, wellesleybnb.com.

This spot in Wellesley Hills offers quick access to the marathon route. But if you want to head to the finish line, the Wellesley Bed & Breakfast offers a private driver for hire.

5. An artsy Beacon Hill room
$113 per night, Airbnb, airbnb.com.

Photo courtesy of Airbnb

Located in the city’s most charming neighborhood, this quaint room in Beacon Hill is tiny, yes, but has an agreeable price tag. A stroll through the Boston Common and Public Garden will lead you to right Boylston Street.