If you're looking for lodging near Harvard Square, it's hard to imagine a better choice than Irving House. We expected a charming B&B at a reasonable price, and they certainly delivered that. Positive surprises beyond the usual included: wide variety of healthy home-made breakfast choices, delicious coffee, snacks all day (until 10pm) including fruit and great cookies, free off-street parking, extra room heater upon request and plenty of extra blankets, fantastic location convenient for walking to Harvard Square or driving elsewhere (without having to contend with Harvard Sq), interesting people doing short-term or longer-term visits to Harvard... Free wifi, with reasonable speed. Books that you are encouraged to take away with you. Wall St Journal, Boston Globe, and New York Times. We will definitely be back and will send all our friends here.

I stayed in The Irving House in Decermber as a few friends were staying there too. It was a good value for the location, but my room was a bit small, (a twin up against the wall) and had to share a bathroom which I am not a big fan of. But this was the only room that was available. The bigger rooms with the private baths were very nice. And the location is great with a 10-15 minute walk to Harvard Square. The breakfast was yummy and had a great variety. It reminded me of the European B&B's.

I would definitely stay here again. But would prefer a room with my own bath.

The Irving House really embodies the definition of hospitality and home-from-home. It was such a joy to stay there.
Highlights included:
- I stayed here for business but during my birthday. When Rachel, the manager, found out that it was my birthday, she gave me a room discount, a gift bag with local goodies in it, and giftcards to local shops and restaurants.
- The food! It's all locally sourced. When I arrived, I was welcomed to the kitchen for pie, tea, and hot apple cider. Breakfast is also a feast of local delicacies, including multiple kinds of eggs, jams, cheeses, fruits (dried + fresh), and veggies (olives and tomatoes). And there's afternoon/evening snacks, also locally baked, (cookies, cakes, savory pastries). Divine!
Also: The value for money is unbeatable. I opted for a single room w/shared bath for 70 dollars per night. It was never a problem to find a bathroom, which were always clean and well supplied. It's a delightful touch to have books - to take away - dotted around the house and its rooms. And the artwork and prints are beautiful.
Do, DO, stay there!
To Rachel, Leah, and all the staff - THANK YOU for a delightful visit to Cambridge.

The irving house is a clean affordable place to stay, without pretention. The old house is well maintain and the staff is very helpfull. You wont be having breakfast made by the owners, its not that sort of B&B, it is probably more an Inn then a B&B.

No fancy Breakfast, but we did not felt the need to get breakfast elsewhere, we were very satisfied with the choices offered.

The location is excellent (we used the subway), the room was very comfortable, and everything there is clean.

There are four floors and there are no elevator, but that was not a problem at all. And when you reserve they make sure you are aware.