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Hotel Overview
We were close to the theater and still able to see other spots of interest
Staff was very friendly, professional, and helpful from the time we arrived with our car, checking...
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Jayjai
- Mar 22, 2012
Quick trip to Cambridge
The Charles Hotel was a perfect place for us to stay as we visited with our daughter on the Harvard...
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adventurous travel mom
- Feb 26, 2012
AAA four diamond renovated property in Harvard Square
Sitting along the banks of the Charles River and steps from Harvard Square, the Charles Hotel acts as an extension of the storied scholastic institution. Known as Cambridge's most intellectual property, each of the hotel's guest rooms contains a hanging oversized chalkboard and a professor's chair. The AAA four diamond-rated property is a member of Preferred Hotels and Resorts. All rooms feature free Wi-Fi, free local and long distance calls, Bose Wave radio and LCD TV. The Charles offers 18,000 square feet of meeting space and a winter ice rink.
The Charles Hotel Rooms
- Deluxe Room
- Deluxe room with king bed or 2 double beds. Our renovated guest rooms include custom designed pieces, such as spacious cherry-wood desks, oversized clocks, Hi-Def LCD Plasma Televisions and hand-crafted quilts. Additionally, the rooms are furnished with a custom created professor's chair, and a hanging peg board that is reminiscent of a New England boarding school. Decor combines shaker-inspired aesthetic with modern touches. All rooms have Bose Wave radios, DVD players, down comforters & pillows and aromatherapy bath products by Origins, size 273 sq ft. All rooms are non-smoking. A distinguishing guestroom attribute -- currently unique to The Charles -- is the hotel's installation of Seura televisions in every room. These innovative "in-mirror" LCD screens can be hooked up to cable, DVD, satellite, sound, or other systems, and are completely hidden when turned off.
- Cambridge Suite
- Spacious one bedroom suite with King bed and separate living room and dining area. Hi-Def LCD Plasma, Seura "in mirror" bathroom TV", Bose Wave radio, DVD player, down comforters & pillows, pull out sofa bed and EO products. Oversized Shower only. 475 square feet.
Hotel Map
- Area served
- Cambridge, MA
- Nearby airports
- BOS - Logan International
- Area description
- The charm, history and culture in Harvard Square Cambridge are unrivaled, Blending tradition education, and International diversity. Harvard Square's dynamic offering are just outside our front door. World-class performances at The American Repertory Theatre, Harvard's prestigious collection of museums, the best in ethnic dining and erudite cafes and unique shops all contribute to the area's legendary appeal. Minutes across the river, Boston proper offers its own unique environment that complements your experience at The Charles Hotel.
Amenities
- Business center
- Concierge
- Conference Facilities
- Fitness center
- Handicapped Rooms/Facilities
- Health Club
- High-speed Internet
- Internet Access
- Meeting/Banquet Facilities
- Pets allowed
- Pool
- Restaurant
- Room Service
- Spa services
- Wireless Internet
Meeting facilities
- Meeting Info
- The Charles Hotel offers more than 13,000 square feet of meeting and special event space, including a 4,700 square foot ballroom, 8 private rooms and 3 executive boardrooms.
Dining
- Henrietta's Table
- Henrietta's Table is comfort food, redefined. This means full, robust flavors using the freshest of ingredients obtained from local farmers and fishermen. In addition to serving the best breakfast in Boston (as chosen by Boston Magazine in 2000), a meal that attracts more Nobel Prize dinner following. For reservations call 617.661.5005.
- Rialto
- Recently awarded one of the Top 50 Hotel Restaurants in America by Food and Wine Magazine in addition to four stars by The Boston Globe. Since it opened in 1994, Rialto is consistently chosen for fine dining by food critics and patrons, on both a local and national level. Chef Jody Adams, winner of the 1997 James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Northeast, invites you to delight in her unique cuisine inspired by the flavors of France. Italy and Spain, and enhanced with seasonal New England ingredients. For reservations call 617.661.5050.
- Regattabar
- Regatta bar included in "Best of Boston" Hall of Fame. The Charles Hotel's Regatta bar brings to the hotel the most dynamic live jazz both national and international. Branford Marsalis, Joshua Redman, McCoy Tyner, Ruth Brown, Michael Brecker, and Elvin Jones and other luminaries are all Regatta bar regulars. For reservations and schedule of upcoming performances, call Concertix 617.876.7777.
- Noir
- Noir is located in a discreet corner of The Charles Hotel's Lobby with street-level views of Harvard Square. A warm sophisticated bar serving classic cocktails, sweet and sultry signature drinks and a menu suited for a late afternoon or late night snack. Designed to reflect the intense decadent atmosphere of 1940's nightlife, Noir is the right place to meet friends after work, a date Noir is open seven days a week 4:00PM- 2:00AM. Food served until 1:00AM.
Hotel Policies
- Check-in:
- 1500
- Check-out:
- 1200
Terms and conditions
Rates quoted in currencies other than the hotel's base currency are subject to the rate of the international exchange. Rate may change throughout stay. Rate may reflect average nightly rate. Extra charges may apply. Incidental charges, such as room service, are not included in the rate.
The amenities and/or facilities may not be located at the hotel, but within a reasonable distance, and additional charges may apply for use.
Guest Reviews (41)
Ratings and reviews for The Charles Hotel
- All travelers (41) 4.2 / 5
- Business (5) 3.6 / 5
- Couples (13) 4.2 / 5
- Families (14) 4.3 / 5
- Friends (2) 4.5 / 5
- Singles (7) 4.4 / 5
- Amenities:
- 4.4
- Room cleanliness:
- 4.7
- Hotel staff:
- 4.5
- Room comfort:
- 4.6
- Location:
- 4.7
- Value:
- 4
100%
would recommend to a friend.
- Most recent
- Highest score
- Lowest score
Reviewer score
Would recommend
shazi
wonderful
I and my friend lived there two nights.Location is very good for us having some meetings with the Harvard staff.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 2
- Room cleanliness:
- 1
- Hotel staff:
- 1
- Room comfort:
- 1
- Location:
- 1
- Value:
- 1
Trip purpose:
Business
Reviewer score
Would recommend
Jayjai
We were close to the theater and still able to see other spots of interest
Staff was very friendly, professional, and helpful from the time we arrived with our car, checking in, finding directions. Exercise facility was first rate!
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 4
- Room cleanliness:
- 4
- Hotel staff:
- 5
- Room comfort:
- 4
- Location:
- 5
- Value:
- 4
Sightseeing tip:
Short walk from hotel
Harvard Square, shopping, dining, both theaters we attended.
Reviewer score
Would recommend
adventurous travel mom
Quick trip to Cambridge
The Charles Hotel was a perfect place for us to stay as we visited with our daughter on the Harvard campus. The hotel offered us not only a perfect location in relation to Harvard, but also it has wonderful dining options, a spa and athletic facilities. The room was perfect as it was large, clean and very comfortable!
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 5
- Room cleanliness:
- 5
- Hotel staff:
- 5
- Room comfort:
- 5
- Location:
- 5
- Value:
- 5
Reviewer score
Would recommend
Golden Lotus
Fantastic Harvard campus visit trip
Very good location for visiting Harvard & MIT, extremely warm interior design, two fantastic & convenient restaurents and others surrounding, excellent fitness center, swimming pool & Spa center. and very very well room setting.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 5
- Room cleanliness:
- 5
- Hotel staff:
- 5
- Room comfort:
- 5
- Location:
- 5
- Value:
- 5
Reviewer score
Would recommend
Youngwook
the charles hotel
the room was clean and the bathroon was also nice.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 3
- Room cleanliness:
- 4
- Hotel staff:
- 3
- Room comfort:
- 4
- Location:
- 3
- Value:
- 3
Reviewer score
Would recommend
ocelot
Overpriced in a perfect location
As far as room size and comfort is concerned, it's a decent hotel -- on par with an average suburban motel. Our room (a standard room) was quite small, our request for an additional bed for the child has not been passed on to the hotel (so she had to sleep in a crib), and the heating system was a bit outdated -- the powerful fan had to run continuously so it was a bit uncomfortable climate-wise. Complimentary internet was reasonably fast. The main thing about this hotel, of course, is that it is in the middle of Harvard Square, so the location can't be better. The hotel caters to Harvard conference attendees, so the public you meet in the lobby would most likely discuss "mind-boggling interest rate spread" or something of that kind. Also, the hotel's restaurant is so good that people from outside come to dine there. Do not drive to this hotel though -- parking in the hotel garage (the only option) is outrageously expensive. If you rent a car, do yourself a favor and stay in a suburban motel and get a similar room for half the price -- then take the subway to Harvard Sq. and have dinner at this hotel. Note also Avis and Thrifty car rentals are in the hotel garage and across the street, respectively.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 4
- Room cleanliness:
- 4
- Hotel staff:
- 4
- Room comfort:
- 2
- Location:
- 5
- Value:
- 2
Dining tip:
Short walk from hotel
Pete's Coffee has the best espresso drinks in town (and that's a lot to say for that area) -- just across the intersection towards Harvard Sq.
Reviewer score
Would recommend
Asha2
Feels like home
The Charles is quiet, peaceful and comfortable. It is an ideal hotel in beautiful Harvard Square
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 5
- Room cleanliness:
- 5
- Hotel staff:
- 3
- Room comfort:
- 5
- Location:
- 5
- Value:
- 3
Dining tip:
Short walk from hotel
Walk 10 minutes into Central Square to find great restaurants.
Reviewer score
Would recommend
Mistys Mom
Excellent Choice
Great location; beautiful room, nice linens, big bathroom with makeup mirror and tv in the mirror (very cool), good restaurants. Will definately stay there again and recommend to friends.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 4
- Room cleanliness:
- 5
- Hotel staff:
- 5
- Room comfort:
- 4
- Location:
- 5
- Value:
- 5
Reviewer score
Would recommend
csma
Comfort in Cambridge
The Charles provided a perfect suite for more than two people (my mother accompanied me and my companion to an afternoon Red Sox game). The ambience of the hotel was very comfortable and the hand sewn quilts were a perfect addition to the decor of the lobby and halls. We sampled the more casual of the two restauants and were a bit disappointed in the lack of a maitre d' function to greet us as we tried to enter through a collection of barflies standing at the bar. The cost of the food was more akin to the more formal dining, but good nonetheless. The availability of a spa, its facilities and Sunday morning yoga class included in the price of the hotel was a real plus. Parkintg underneath the hotel was also very convenient, but not included in the price.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 5
- Room cleanliness:
- 5
- Hotel staff:
- 3
- Room comfort:
- 5
- Location:
- 5
- Value:
- 3
Sightseeing tip:
Short walk from hotel
A local farmers' market just outside the hotel on a Sunday was something we noticed as we were leaving. I wish we would have known about it earlier
Reviewer score
Would recommend
a happy traveler
college visits
Hotel conveniently located to visit colleges in Boston and Cambridge. Great rooms, location, staff and amenities.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 5
- Room cleanliness:
- 5
- Hotel staff:
- 5
- Room comfort:
- 5
- Location:
- 5
- Value:
- 5
