but the hotels tend to be pricey.   It is also convenient to get to.

 
I don't want to list specific hotels in line with good sense policy since this is an open board, but there is a range from 3 to 5 star hotels, and they are all quite nice.

 
If you are budget minded, the hotels at Logan Airport are nice, but unless you like watching planes come and go, there's not a lot to do there.

 
There are also hotels that line Route I-95 that are nice and not too expensive, also very convenient.  Again, not a lot to do or see there.

The north end has some nice hotels, but are expensive.   Plenty to do there, but not convenient to get to.

 
The hotels in the theater district are nice but pricey, and walking around late at night is not recommended.  Not quite as convenient to get to.

 
Seaport District hotels are nice, some restaurants and places to go to on foot, but not very convenient to get to.

...with Waltham being the best imo. That's where all high-tech companies are.

Is this your first trip to Boston?  
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I think that touring Providers fall into three (or more?) categories:  
1. Those that love to travel and see new places.  Even if they don't recoup all of their expenses, they have a good tourist-y time.
2. Those that like to travel but need to at least break even on their trip.
3. Those that like to travel but whose goal is to cover all of their expenses and then some.
Where do you put yourself for this trip?
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If you really need to come out ahead on this trip, even if you don't do any sight seeing or museum gawking, the suburbs MIGHT be a better choice. Check hotel costs in town vs. suburbs. It is NOT easy to "commute" from a Route 128 (I 95) hotel to downtown Boston without a car so you might want to split your trip (X working days in the suburbs, 1 or 2 fewer appointments / more tourist stuff days downtown).
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Will you be driving to Boston from DC or wherever you're traveling from? Will you rent a car while your here? Parking at the downtown hotels is an extra cost; suburban hotels have big, free parking lots. There is NO public transit to the suburban hotels. Guys can scoot around downtown on foot or via the subways.
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If you really want walkable sight seeing stuff and walkable restaurant options, you should stay in downtown Boston.  
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mrfisher made some good suggestions.  
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I like to post a Boston Neighborhood Map so you can familiarize yourself with stuff people might ask about. "Will you be staying near the Waterfront?" You can show off your Boston knowledge and ask THEM: "Downtown Waterfront (Aquarium) or South Boston Waterfront (Convention Center)?"

Kind of like Monty Python and the turnabout Q at the Bridge of Death: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnvNk07XkgU&t=3s "African or European?")
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I also suggest that tourists check or ask about "current events" in Boston during the time of their visit. Sporting events (especially playoffs), major conventions (5,000+ attendees), major construction or MBTA repair projects, September is "college move in" time for families helping their kids move to Boston, etc.. Feel free to post the dates and locations you might want to ask about.
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Search the Boston Board for "Neighborhood Map" (auther = impposter) and you'll find more discussions about the Downtown Boston vs 128 / I95 Suburb options.
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If you narrow down your choices and have more Qs, post again.
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Good luck!