Upgraded Television Content
 

The Commander now has many, many (HD?) TV channels via DirectTV. All your channel surfing faves from home are probably here now: A&E, Food, Travel, History, HGTV, NFL, etc. to name a few. Seems that Showtime may have displaced HBO.

New Connect@Sheraton area being constructed off the lobby by the restaurant. Club Lounge is allegedly being remodeled.

Yeah, I live in a small apartment in a brick courtyard building on a pretty busy urban street. Ergo, I felt right at home at the Commander. I can see how others might not feel the same way, though.

Even in 2005, that wasn't quite correct -- yes, you can take the shuttle bus to the Blue to the Red line, but since 2004 the faster way is to take the Silver Line (it's actually a bus) from the airport terminals' arrivals level to South Station, and transfer there to the Red Line.

Thank you to the Sheraton Commander in Boston, MA
 

Just wanted to say thanks for the Sheraton Commander. Booking the hotel was a very pleasant experience over the phone. The customer service rep looked up the best deals in town and asked if there was any thing in particular I was looking to do while I was in Boston so that he could make a better recommendation. He suggested that I take advantage of the 50% coupon rate for the Sheraton Commander. Turned out to be a great decision.

I had mentioned that I was in Boston for my 2 year anniversary with my girlfriend and I was surprised to find out that they upgraded me to an awesome corner room. Then on top of that, they sent up a fresh fruit and cheese/cracker tray with a happy anniversary card.

Top notch service!

I live just around the corner from this hotel, and just wanted to throw this suggestion out there for people who are staying here. In my opinion, the best restaurant in the area is only a short walk from the Commander.

Ten Tables is about a 3-minute walk up Concord Avenue away from Harvard Square. It's not in Harvard Square, so it's often forgotten. If you're staying in the area and looking for a nice meal, I recommend checking it out. It sure beats the restaurant in the hotel.

Had a great stay at the Sheraton Commander last night; decided to make a last-minute trip up to Boston with my father and redeemed a FWN at this property around 4 hours before arrival. When I showed up, I mentioned how I would prefer two beds as my father would be joining me, and the front desk agent instead upgraded me to an enormous two-bedroom suite. It had two full bedrooms, a bath, a living room, work area, and conference table area. It was a great room as we had plenty of privacy and I didn't have to listen to him snoring all night.

The staff at the hotel is all friendly and eager to please. Went up to the club lounge for breakfast this morning and the typical offerings were out - nothing hot, but plenty of cold choices. The club lounge is very comfortable and there are plenty of seats. We also really liked the location as it's no more than a 7-10 minute walk to Harvard Square.

Parking is $29/night but we easily found a street spot which we could keep the car in until 9AM today.

I would definitely return to this hotel in the future; the two-bedroom suite was one of the best, most useful upgrades I've had in a long time.

Recent stay
 

Just stayed 2 nights at the Sheraton Commander with Mrs DRGLRD. The staff was extremely friendly from the doorman to the front desk staff to housekeeping. Tuesday nights is free ice cream night which we discovered as we checked in...the F&B staff was dishing our vanilla ice cream with fresh fruit....a very nice touch. We were upgraded to a corner suite which looked like it had recently been renovated. All in all, a great stay. The only negative comment that I can offer is that the elevator was tiny (similar to what one finds in old european hotels). Highly recommended...we'd return to the Coimmander without hesitation.

I have stayed at this hotel a few times over the years, but just had a great stay this past week. I received a very nice corner junior suite with about seven windows and a nice view. The canopy bed was very comfortable and had the new white Sheraton bedding (the last time I was here in 2006, they had the darker blue/red bedding). The furniture all looked new and everything was in great condition. The bathroom was long and narrow but had plenty of space and the bathtub/shower was also a jacuzi. The front desk was friendly and helpful. I really enjoyed the hotel and the renovations and will not hesitate to stay here if I am in Harvard Square.

I had a very bad experience this week at the Sheraton Commander. I really like this hotel, and I like the staff, but they really made a huge mistake.

The engineering department hired an outside work crew to clean the brass fixtures in the lobby and the elevators (there's lots of it). Apparently, the week after New Year's is among their least busiest at the Commander, and so it was deemed the right time to use some very harsh chemicals to clean the brass. When I checked in, I was overwhelmed by the strong chemical fumes. Within 30 minutes, I had a severe headache and nausea. The manager moved me to a different floor, but it didn't help, and even she admitted that the ventilation for the project apparently was inadequate.

Several employees told me they'd been breathing the fumes all day, and that it had been difficult for them, too....and the work crew was scheduled to return for every day this week.

I went out for fresh air for a couple hours, and returned, but I knew I couldn't stay. To the manager's credit, she honored my request to re-book me to the Meridien a couple miles away.

That said, I feel very sorry for the employees, who essentially are forced to endure something that I believe is hazardous to their health.

I graduated in June 2004. Right before the opening. Boy, would that have made my life easier!

It used to be the case that to get to/from the airport, you had to take the Red Line, then the Green Line-Lechmere (one of several, and I definitely got it wrong once and had to backtrack) one stop, then the Blue Line. Lots of stairs and platform changing involved, too, which was always fun with a wheeled suitcase.

I've been back once or twice a year on average, and the airport commute is super easy now!

Had to stay in Cambridge due to sellouts in Boston for the Stanley cup. Upgraded to the massive two bedroom suite previously mentioned. Though not as full service as the W or Westin, the property does well with its limited size and had terrific staff. It's a tired, old hotel, but I wasn't looking for or expecting anything more. Overall a pleasant experience.

Had business at Harvard and stayed at the Commander for a night. All in all, good period-decorated hotel, friendly staff and facilities appear good and functional.

Upgraded to corner suite as a plat. Room was nice and had a good view. A little noisy at times but that is par for the course anywhere in Cambridge. Convenient location about 5-10 min walk to Harvard Square and the T stop.

Lounge on 6th floor had evening snacks and drinks (non-alcoholic IIRC). Decent gym. Restaurant in lobby looked good but I did not try as I preferred to venture out.

Rooms in period decor. There was a "4-poster" bed in mine. Not my style but I can see how it appeals to certain crowds. While thematic, the items were relatively new and in good condition.

All in all, good hotel if you have any business to conduct in the area.

The restaurant in the hotel is newly redone/branded in April 2011, and is surprisingly good. I completely understand if you want to explore cuisine outside the hotel in Cambridge, but for anyone who wants to stay inside and relax, the Commander's "NuBar" restaurant is worthwhile, not your average hotel fare.

I stay here a lot, and even though I'm Platinum, I generally refuse the suite upgrades offered on the front of the hotel. I'm sensitive to street noise, and those rooms are too noisy for me. I always ask for a standard room on the back of the hotel, so I can sleep soundly.

I stayed here with my family (wife and daughter) at the end of June 2012. I was upgraded to a Junior Suite (larger room with a small office next to it with a desk). The office wasn't big enough for a rollaway bed. The suite was a corner room, so we had a fair amount of daylight. I am currently SPG Gold, so it was nice to get the upgrade (though I did call a couple of days earlier to make sure that my request for a rollaway was noticed -- that might have triggered the upgrade).

We also got access to the 6th floor Club Lounge. The morning offerings were cold cereal (Kellogg's, if I remember correctly), cold cuts, cheese, hard-boiled eggs, and various baked goods (bagels, pastries, bread). Also four different juices and teas and coffee.

The evening Lounge snack were various hot finger foods.

The Club Lounge is open 24 hours a day, and the breakfast and evening snacks offered seven days a week.

The free internet access was fast enough for me.

Three little nits to pick -- about the middle of the day, I went up to the lounge to get some cold bottles of water, and the meats and dirty dishes were still out -- not very appetizing. Also the (two) elevators were pretty slow. By the time we left the full-size elevator was out of service (being repaired), leaving the half-size elevator to do the work. Finally, for the life of me I could not find stairs into the lobby. We were on the second floor (the third level), and the stairs either led to emergency exits on the lobby level, or directly outside to the street.

Having said that, I'd stay again. The location (near Harvard Square) is ideal.

Just returned from a stay at the Sheraton Commander...we got a very nice upgrade to a one bedroom suite...large living room with a nice two-double bed bedroom for myself and my business partner.

My son, who lives in Boston, was with us for check-in and thought the hotel was quite nice compared with other hotels in Cambridge, and I agree! I like the Commander's old-style aura, superimposed on the current Sheraton overall brown color scheme...upgraded TV and baths with a nice club lounge and breakfast buffet...

Highly recommended for it's Harvard/Washingtonian ambiance and really comfortable rooms!

Recent Stay
 

Just back from 1 night stay at Sheraton Commander.. Overall, it was OK stay, but Le Meridien-MIT is much better option for me, I think..

Used gov rate, and upgrade to Junior suite as a plat. It was quite thanksful. :)

Club lounge opened for breakfast and evening cocktail, breakfast time is little bit short 6:30-9:30am (Mon-Fri) and 7-10am (Sat/Sun). I expected to be open until 10am even during weekdays.. Lounge has a variety of F&B amenity including bottled sparkling water and espresso machine, which I liked..

For the room, I have a suggestion. If possible, please ask the rooms not-facing the main road in front the hotel. In the night, the siren/car sound was really bothering my sleep.. So if the room facing back of the hotel, it would be much more silent, I guess..

Parking was $31 at adjacent small parking lot, valet only available.. (I used University Place Garage which was 5 mins walk from the hotel, $20 per 24 hours.. no in/out privilege..)

I had an issue for expired in-room coffee which was not pleasant experience..

But overall, OK stay.. However, I might go back to LM-MIT during my visiting to Cambridge.. :)