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The Sonesta Club Health & Fitness Center includes an atrium-style pool with a retractable roof, sliding glass walls, and an environmentally friendly Electrolytic sanitization system that is "chemical chlorine free." Noodles, kickboards and goggles can be borrowed from a poolside storage bin. The rectangular pool has lap lanes and a three-foot deep "shallow" end that slopes (rather quickly) to the nine-foot deep end. There is no lifeguard on duty and an adult must accompany children under 16. Swim diapers are required for young children.
The Club's fitness room has Cybex cable weight machines, stationary bikes, and Precor elliptical, treadmills, and Stairmaster machines (children under 15 not permitted). The Royal Treatment Spa (tucked away off the fitness room) offers pre-natal massage and manicures for teens as part of its spa service lineup. The reception area has a nice selection of magazines for use in the club, plus fruit (gratis).
Stop by Sonesta Club (or Guest Services) and pick up the jogging course card (even if you're not a runner). Kids love this great little map of the river area that lies between Harvard Square and the Museum of Science, and that lets you know the mileage for various loops depending on what bridges you use. A wide selection of bikes (and helmets) is available in the summer, including tag-along attachments, infant seats, and bikes with training wheels.
Bike, or take a long stroll, to a fantastic playground on the Boston side of the Charles River, located just before the Harvard Bridge. Here you'll find two separately fenced and nicely shaded playgrounds overlooking the river. One is for ages 2 to 5 with infant swings, a Flintstones looking car, xylophone, slides, and mini monkey bars. The other, for older children, has tall slides, tire swings, climbing bridges, and a jump and touch where kids can see how high they can jump.
The hotel also offers seasonal family-friendly perks. For example, Autumnfest includes chilled apple cider, cookies and apples each evening; while guests traveling during Summerfest season receive complimentary boat rides on the Charles, free use of bicycles, plus ice-cream in the lobby during designated hours. Check the hotel website for up-to-date perks.
The Museum of Science (617-723-2500, www.mos.org) is right around the corner from the hotel and offers more than 700 interactive exhibits, an IMAX Dome theatre, planetarium, Theatre of Electricity, and Butterfly Garden. What many don't know though is the museum's Gilliland Observatory (located atop the garage roof) is open for star gazing, Friday evenings from 8:30 to 10 pm (weather permitting). The Observatory features a Meade 7-inch refractor telescope plus a computer software program called "The Sky" that links the telescopes to a star map. Here you can zoom in on any object in the sky - including satellites and space shuttles. Admission is free and on a first-come, first-serve basis. Call 617-589-0267 for current hours and viewing status.
The CambridgeSide Galleria Mall, located directly across the street (617-621-8666, www.shopcambridgeside.com) and has over 129 stores and restaurants, including many useful ones for parents: a CVS pharmacy for last minute diaper, formula, or other kid needs, food-court, plus a KB Toy and Borders. Coin-operated kiddie rides can be found on level two.
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