The Charles Hotel in Harvard Square

Hotels
8.7 (794 reviews)
1 Bennett Street , Cambridge , US

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Paid
Children allowed

Facilities

Fitness facilities
WiFi available
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Fitness center
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
Room service
Business center
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Excellent Harvard Square location
Friendly, helpful staff
Comfortable rooms and suites
Strong on-site restaurants and good breakfast
Nice common areas, gym and convenient garage/ride service
Clean, quiet hotel
Cons:
Perceived as overpriced / poor value for money
Some rooms small or dated; inconsistent room quality
Issues with shower controls, temperature control and limited power outlets
Occasional check-in/reservation confusion
Some parts feel tired/outdated; small item complaints (e.g., bathrobe fabric)

Categories

Cleanliness
9
Multiple reviews describe rooms and common areas as very clean, quiet and well maintained; no major cleanliness complaints.
Service
9.2
Staff repeatedly described as friendly, helpful and accommodating; one mention of check-in confusion but overall service is a strong point.
Location
9.6
Consistently praised as ideally located in Harvard Square—walkable to attractions and transit; a standout positive across reviews.
Room Quality
8.1
Rooms range from very comfortable/spacious suites to small/tired rooms; multiple complaints about shower controls, temperature control and limited power outlets.
Amenities
9
Good on-site amenities noted (restaurants, gym, ride service, garage); common areas and facilities described as differentiated and comfortable.
Value for Money
6.5
Several guests call the hotel overpriced (rates elevated for events) and note limited included value (e.g., breakfast not always included), making value the weakest area.
Food and Beverage
9.1
Breakfast and hotel dining repeatedly praised (Henrietta’s, Noir); guests enjoyed cocktails and meals—strong F&B sentiment overall.
Overall Experience
9.1
Majority of reviews describe an outstanding or excellent stay with classic character, good service and location, despite some dated/tired elements.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-07-03 08:49

Property Description

Unparalleled Location
The Charles Hotel is nestled in the heart of Harvard Square, offering easy access to both the Harvard campus and downtown Boston's attractions, making it the perfect base for your stay.

Charming Ambiance
Experience the inviting warmth of a New England home at The Charles Hotel, where elegant charm meets a cozy atmosphere. Relax in one of our 303 well-appointed rooms, including 46 suites, and enjoy the intellectual discourse and vibrant atmosphere that sets us apart.

Diverse Offerings
From a captivating quilt collection to jazz concerts and an eclectic restaurant, The Charles Hotel offers a unique blend of experiences for guests of all ages. Our commitment to excellence ensures that every stay is memorable and tailored to meet the highest standards.

Book your stay at The Charles Hotel and indulge in a blend of sophistication and comfort that promises an unforgettable experience.

Important information:

If the method of payment provided is from someone who is not staying in the room, a credit card authorization form (sent via email) is required.Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Guests under the age of 18 can only check in with a parent or official guardian.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 12:00 PM
Airport code: BOS

Location

Property Video

Property Accessibility

Total Disability Score: 35.71
Public Area
  • Ramp: No
  • Entrance Leveled: No
  • Pet Friendly: No
Reception And Restaurant
  • Reception Hearing Accessible: No
  • Reception Wheelchair Accessible: No
  • Restaurant Wheelchair Accessible: No
Elevator
  • Elevator Audio Signals: No
  • Elevator Braille Numbers: No
  • Elevator Contrasting Buttons: No
  • Elevator Visual Signs: No
Show all accessibility features

Guest Reviews

8.7
Based on 794 reviews
Cleanliness: 9
Service: 9.2
Location: 9.6
Room Quality: 8.1
Amenities: 9
Value for Money: 6.5
Food and Beverage: 9.1
Overall Experience: 9.1
P
Peniel • solo_traveller • us
9
I enjoyed my stay and access to Henrietta’s Table and Harvard Square.
Pros:

Property is nice. A little bit dated although I stayed in the wing that appeared a bit newer.

Cons:

Parts of the carpeting is old and some staining. The bed was too soft and the mattress pad made it even worse.

2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
C
Catherine • couple • us
9
Pros:

Just about everything

Cons:

The price for overnight parking $65.00 is obscene

2026-09-17 • via Nuitee
M
Marco • solo_traveller • nl
10
2026-09-14 • via Nuitee
G
Gregory • family_with_children • zw
7
great hotel
Pros:

location

Cons:

n/a

2026-09-14 • via Nuitee
A
Aleksei • couple • es
8
2026-09-10 • via Nuitee
G
Guzainuer • extended_group • us
10
2026-09-05 • via Nuitee
C
Cuevas Villegas • extended_group • mx
9
Excelente hotel
Pros:

La comida es buena, clasicamente americana y un poco cara

Cons:

No varían el menú

2026-09-01 • via Nuitee
M
Michael • couple • us
9
Great place I’ll definitely come back
Pros:

Clean
Plenty of spaces to sit and work
Room was excellent

Cons:

The pillows

2026-08-24 • via Nuitee
R
Richard • couple • us
10
2026-08-22 • via Nuitee
L
Lin • couple • us
10
2026-08-19 • via Nuitee
S
Seung Hyeon • family_with_children • se
9
2026-08-18 • via Nuitee
B
Bernhard • couple • de
9
2026-08-16 • via Nuitee
I
ibrahimt981 • Business
10
A Charles Hotel experience - Cambridge MA
Pros:

I found great synergy between hotel design and staff behavior, resulting in an experiential immersion in the environment.

2026-08-15 • via Tripadvisor
R
Rebecca • family_with_children • us
10
2026-08-13 • via Nuitee
O
Othmane • family_with_children • ma
9
2026-08-12 • via Nuitee
J
Joseph • couple • us
10
2026-08-11 • via Nuitee
T
TheFickleFoodie • NONE
10
Wonderful professionally run upper level hotel on the edge of Harvard Square
Pros:

Wonderful professionally run upper level hotel on the edge of Harvard Square. Two good restaurants and a bar, plus the Regattabar with top touring jazz acts if they are in town when you are. It was great for my mom who uses a walker because of the professional service and having multiple in house restaurant options. Good ADA support, although the bathtub in the ADA room should have had a shorter step over.

2026-08-10 • via Tripadvisor
P
PHILIPPE • solo_traveller • fr
9
2026-08-10 • via Nuitee
M
MICHIKO • family_with_children • jp
10
2026-08-07 • via Nuitee
A
Aigerim • family_with_children • kz
3
2026-08-07 • via Nuitee