Housed in a handsome, 1890 restored townhouse, Anthony's offers guests a true Bostonian experience. It isn't hard to imagine you are part of the family who lived in this beautiful house at the turn of the last century while you stay here. The 10 elegant rooms in this family-owned and operated (since 1944) guest house are adorned with silk flowers and each has a different style -- Rococo, French, Victorian or Venetian. Singles and large doubles cost $75-100+/night during the summer; ask about special winter rates. All rooms have shared baths, A/C, refrigerator, and cable TV. Not wheelchair-accessible. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard. Boston Marathon® Tip: Barbara Anthony, owner of the 14-room guest house, will be waiting for you--and ready to snap a picture of you, too. Each runner who stays at her 19th century brownstone receives an 8" x 10" action shot; a nice parting schwag, you might say. Anthony's has been housing runners since 1983, lured by the intimate Victorian-style rooms and rates ($90-$110 a night). The one hitch: With its limited number of rooms, you need to book several months in advance.

The Beacon Inn's two Brookline locations feature charming rooms in restored, late 19th-century townhouses. Hardwood floors and winding staircases lend to the antique feel, while the spacious rooms include modern conveniences -- private baths, cable TV, hairdryers, data ports, and phones. The 1087 Beacon location is the slightly smaller and more elegant of the two. Prices range $100-130 in the summer and $90-110 in the winter. Continental breakfast is included. Not wheelchair-accessible. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

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This Zipcar is parked behind 1077 Beacon Street in Brookline.