Wait'll he sees Harvard...

It's sorta summed up in the old chestnut about the Beacon Hill lady and her hat. A newcomer to Boston, wishing to ingratiate herself with the grande dame, complimented her on her hat and asked her where she bought it. She was told, by way of a reply, that in Boston "we don't buy our hats, we simply have them."

For decades, judging by appearances. Nothing much changes quickly, at least on this side of the Charles River.

The Sheraton Commander, in Cambridge - not Boston - is convenient to the campus and while old is well-maintained and well-run. It doesn't have the blue ribbed wallpaper behind the sleigh bed flanked by the faux-mahogany nightstands but I expect he'll sleep quietly and comfortably. The staff is pleasant and the concierge is particularly helpful with tickets, tours, etc.

You could do far worse.