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Charles Hotel in Harvard Square – reviews, photos

4.0 of 5
1 Bennett St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Hotel amenities
Charles Hotel in Harvard Square
Ranked #6 of 17 hotels in Cambridge
4.0 of 5 stars 247 Reviews
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247 reviews from our community

What travellers say about this hotel
  • Henrietta Table(13)
  • Great location(7)
  • Room service(6)
  • Very good(5)
  • Fitness center(3)
  • Friendly and helpful(3)
  • Would highly recommend(3)
Traveller rating
    116
    79
    24
    16
    12
Only show reviews for Family (57) | Couples (40) | Business (85)
Date Rating
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
1 review
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Terrible Service and knowledge of Harvard Square”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 February 2012
2
people found this review helpful

Upon checking into the hotel on December 16th I asked the concierge the name of the new pub/tavern in the Square. The concierge had no idea which was surprising considering the popularity of Russell House.

I parked my car across the street in a handi-cap accessible spot. I had even moved my car to what I thought was a more secure area of Harvard Square. The door man and valet drivers saw me come and go. Signage was up but not clear that cars would be towed after midnight 00:01 Hours of the 17th. This was due to the subway being down for maintenance. No one at the Hotel directly across the street cautioned, you may not wish to park there as Transit Maintenance is set for the next morning.

The next morning the transit police saw a out of country plate and went into the hotel to inquire whether a guest was with their establishment. HE was told NO. The man was very nice and felt badly that the Hotel could not be bothered to search their computer registry with my address in their database.

Well a cab ride, tow fees added up to near 200 dollars and a lost two hours with a 8 hour drive ahead that day.

You know my expectation of a 4 star may seem high but when the transit police actually go into the establishment and the front desk can't be bothered well....you are not getting 4 star service at all...an average gas jockey would be more helpful to their patrons.

Spoke with Mr. ATTia GM and he feels he cannot police the street even though the police came off the street to speak to him about a guest, but not a valued guest.

Room Tip: All rooms are good so long as they don't let in Partys, which happened on another stay and they...
See more room tips
  • Stayed December 2011, travelled with family
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 1 of 5 stars Service
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Ask John S about Charles Hotel in Harvard Square
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Amazing”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 February 2012 via mobile
1
person found this review helpful

Amazing word can not describe enough :-)
I must thank you for your hospitality.
The front desk, consierge service and i want to thank especialy to Mr Duje.

  • Stayed February 2012
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Wronghouse about Charles Hotel in Harvard Square
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
New York City, New York
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
“TV in the mirror!”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 10 February 2012
1
person found this review helpful

No matter how many times I stay at the Charles Hotel, I still love the TV in the mirror in the bathroom. This is a great little hotel -- staff are nice, location is fabulous. The rooms are very clean, but dark -- hard to work because light isn't really sufficient -- and not huge. The Harvard chairs are a nice touch, but they aren't all that comfortable (though the shams on the bed fit nicely). Restaurant and bar are great spaces and they keep upgrading the public areas of the hotel, which means that some of the passe technology in the rooms (web TV? computerized metal keys rather than key cards) is a little strange. Very comfortable bed. Definitely recommend.

  • Stayed January 2012, travelled on business
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Changes2001 about Charles Hotel in Harvard Square
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Birmingham, Alabama
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“Cozy New England Chic with Modern Comforts”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 4 February 2012
1
person found this review helpful

Perfect cozy New England charm, the only thing missing from my room at the Charles Hotel was a fireplace. Perfect please to stay when visiting Harvard. Wonderful spa, Corbu. Great food at Henrietta's Table. Bose alarm clock. NYT delivered to my door every morning. The TV mirror in the bathroom is a funny amenity, but I do use it.

  • Stayed February 2012, travelled on business
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask zmoyo about Charles Hotel in Harvard Square
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
New York City, New York
1 review
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“Living upto standards of a Preferred Hotel”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 February 2012
3
people found this review helpful

Have been staying at charles hotel since 2000. Unfortunately recent experiences have been less than optimal. While the location and rooms are great.. the requested rooms were not ready for check in at 3 pm the last two times . Asked to hang around as the room was getting ready . Option was another room. but was facing garbage dump. Second time the manger who volunteered to look into the matter did not even respond back to respond but disappeared.
I booked again to stay there this weekend and called to request a 1 hour early check in ..only answer i got from front desk was " i cannot guarantee early check in "
If this kind of service attitude continues for a returning guest of 11 years I am wondering if I should stay there any more... And i am sure they are not bothered !!!

  • Stayed January 2012, travelled with family
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 2 of 5 stars Service
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Ask jaynjayaraman about Charles Hotel in Harvard Square
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Additional Information about Charles Hotel in Harvard Square

  • Charles Hotel Cambridge
Address: 1 Bennett St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Price range (per night):* INR15,179 - 37,415

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Charles Hotel in Harvard Square
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