Hotel Recommendations in Cambridge
 

I have a meeting at Harvard in a few months and am looking for recommendations on where to stay. Two years ago I stayed at the Sheraton Commander which was nothing more than okay. Since then, I've heard of a few bad reviews which gives me a bit of concern before I reserve again.

Does anyone have any hotel recommendations? Specifically, any recent experiences with the Charles, Harvard Square, 1868 and even the Sheraton Commander? I'll be staying three or four nights.

I think the Charles Hotel is the best Harvard Square option. I’ve always been very happy there. And I love the breakfast at Henrietta’s Table.

I have stayed at the Sheraton Commander as well, only when it has been a function of cost, and agree that it is ok but nothing more.

i haven’t stayed at the 1868, but the location is much less convenient to Harvard. Not terribly inconvenient, but far less convenient than the Charles.

The only other hotel I’ve stayed in in Harvard Square is the Veritas, which I would say is better than the Sheraton Commander but not as good as The Charles. Still I would stay there again.

Agree with Blumie. If the Charles is too pricey, then think about 1868 or Porter Square Hotel or Le Meridien Central Square or new Sonder 907 Central Square -- none of which will be super convenient but all of which (other than the Meridien) are newish.

The Porter Square Hotel is another where I’ve stayed. I recall it being a fairly basic hotel, but I was perfectly happy there. Like the 1868, it’s a bus or taxi ride (or a pleasant, if long, walk) to campus, but right across the street from a supermarket and walking distance to several good eateries and bars.

Oh, and I also have stayed at Le Meridien, and was happy there, too. Fifty years ago Harvard Square was the coolest place in the world and Central Square was seedy. Nowadays Harvard Square is Starbucks and Shake Shack and Central Square is the coolest place to be. And in addition to easy bus service to Harvard Square (or, again, a longish walk), it’s one stop on the Red Line. (Also true for the hotels in Porter Square: one stop on the Red Line.)

Yes, Charles Hotel is better, not Sheraton Commander or Harvard Square Hotel. Have not tried Hotel Veritas but it is much closer and has good reviews. Used to enjoy The Inn at Harvard but it closed some time ago.

Much closer, but we're talking about a few blocks. And that's to Harvard Yard; it all depends on where one is going, of course. If, for example, one is going to the Kennedy School, the Charles Hotel is much closer, but again only by a few blocks.

Thank you all who responded. I've gone with the Charles. Maybe I'll post something in a few months after I stay there. Blumie points out the question of cost. If you get a Harvard discount things become a lot better. The Sheraton Commander would have been the closest to my meetings but it's not like the Charles is not within walking distance.

I know this is not the subject of the thread but are Cambridge restaurants still enamored with closing early? Rather than go to any place that closes at 8:00, when I want to start dinner, I think I'll just go into Boston and have a nice meal at maybe Zuma.

Well, there's also Tatte.

The Charles is very nice.

1868 is a boutique hotel, IIRC located in an old firehouse and furnished with quilts. It's pretty close to MIT, but not Harvard. Years ago there was a Marriott and a Residence Inn or similar Bonvoy extended stay hotel on the same side of the MIT campus.

Between them is a Hyatt Regency, essentially across the river from BU, but without much else nearby.

Isn't there still a Peet's Coffee near Harvard Square?

The former firehouse is the Kendall Hotel.

Thanks and sorry for my confusion.

I'm somewhat out of touch with the local restaurants, but it seems like Somerville is the happening place for good and interesting restaurants nowadays. I would look into options there as opposed to Boston. (How many locations is Zuma up to now? It seems a shame to go there just because they happened to have a Boston location.)

For a solid meal, I like Legal Seafood with a handful of locations around Boston. I remember also a Portuguese restaurant and a modern farm-to-table foodie type place in Cambridge, but it's been a while since I've been there and I don't remember the names although I can picture the locations.

Many good restaurants in Cambridge right now - Oleana, Pammy's, Waypoint, Bar Enza, Alden & Harlow, Giulia, Moeca. All should still be seating people between 9 and 10.