Members-only rates
4.7 / 5 Excellent

The Charles Hotel

The Charles Hotel
The Charles Hotel – Cambridge, MA
The Charles Hotel – Cambridge, MA
Check in 3:00 PM
Check out 12:00 PM

About The Charles Hotel

Experience the charm of The Charles. The Charles Hotel is a proud member of Preferred Hotels and Resorts and a AAA Four Diamond award-winning hotel. Located in the heart of Harvard Square, bordering the Harvard campus and a mere 10 minutes from downtown Boston's world-class attractions and Logan International Airport, our location is unparalleled. At The Charles Hotel, we pride ourselves on offering an understated, elegant charm that seamlessly combines with the warmth and ambiance of a New England home. Picture yourself in our inviting library, where you can savor a drink and engage in meaningful conversations with friends. Relax in one of our 303 well-appointed rooms, including 46 suites. What sets us apart is the dynamic atmosphere of thoughtful intellectual discourse and learning, which captivates both the young and old, the influential and the contemplative. We bring together the best of both worlds, blending our serious side with a touch of zany off-beat fun. From our captivating quilt collection to the soulful notes of jazz concerts and an eclectic restaurant inspired by the essence of a pig, our offerings are as diverse as they are delightful. At The Charles Hotel, we serve as a home-away-from-home for accomplished, esteemed guests visiting Boston or Harvard. We're their choice because we consistently meet their exceptionally high standards. We look forward to welcoming you! For those in search of exhilaration or relaxation, we offer our new state of the art Fitness Center and world-class spa and salon experience at Corbu, ensuring that our guests can unwind and rejuvenate. No pool, additional rooms - total 303, restaurant Bendetto now Bar Enza, new Hotel Fitness Center.

Amenities

  • On-site parking
  • 24-hour front desk
  • Meeting space
  • Fitness center
  • On-site dining
  • Valet parking
  • Bar / lounge
  • Café / coffee shop
  • Breakfast available
  • Business center
  • Express check-in / check-out
  • Concierge
  • Dry cleaning
  • Self-service laundry
  • Luggage storage
  • Multilingual staff
  • Full kitchen / kitchenette
  • Pool
  • Spa / sauna
  • Pet friendly
  • Family friendly
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Smoke-free property
  • Air conditioning

Reviews

4.7 / 5
Excellent 1012 reviews
  • Engine customer Aug 2026

    The rooms were clean and the staff friendly. The complimentary snacks were a big hit, and the breakfast café was, as well. Great location along the Charles River near Harvard Square.

  • Engine customer Aug 2026

    Favorite hotel and brunch in Cambridge

  • Engine customer Aug 2026

    Great hotel. Only issue is the lack of space for storing clothes.

  • Engine customer Aug 2026

    The room was very clean and nicely appointed. Staff very friendly and accommodating.

  • Engine customer Aug 2026

    This is my favorite hotel. I will continue to to go there.

  • Engine customer Jul 2026

    Hotel was clean, room was comfortable, service was excellent. Real nice gym, only wish there was a pool. Convenient to everything, much less expensive parking, about a block away that lets you park overnight during the weekend.

  • Engine customer Jul 2026

    Very attentive and helpful. Classic hotel. Great location.

  • Engine customer Jul 2026

    A perfect, charming hotel with a great location. The bed linens were incredibly soft, and the food served at Henrietta’s Table was very good. We loved the free snack pantry in the lobby, especially the bottles of water. Will absolutely stay again!

  • Engine customer Jul 2026

    The Charles Hotel exceeded expectations on every front. The rooms and common areas were spotless, and the amenities felt genuinely upscale. Staff were accommodating and allowed us extra time to check out, which made the end of our stay stress-free. On-site parking was a huge plus, and the location couldn’t be better — just steps from Harvard Square, with great restaurants and shops within easy walking distance. Highly recommend for anyone visiting the area.

  • Engine customer Jul 2026

    Wonderful property. Very well maintained. Will definitely stay again

  • Engine customer Jul 2026

    酒店大堂很舒服,像个图书馆。可以在那边看书,看电脑,呆很长时间。

  • Engine customer Jul 2026

    It was a great experience.

  • Engine customer Jul 2026

    Good location in Cambridge... close to many commercial places. Will stay there again.

  • Engine customer Jul 2026

    clean room

  • Engine customer Jul 2026

    Very nice small touches like excellent apples and the reading nook. There are bikes in the garage but no way to rent and the app based rides aren’t suitable for children or families. might be nice to invest in that because the hotel is on a bikeway. no pool. no hot tub. no outdoor dining despite nice terrace. very quiet at night.

  • Engine customer Jul 2026

    Great location

  • Engine customer Jul 2026

    Great experience but check in was delayed for a while and ended up in a different room category but hotel is beautiful and centrally located.

  • Engine customer Jul 2026

    Food options limited at both restaurants and room service Loud celebrations in lobby with kids (world cup & foosball). Lots of visiting teenage athletes (Harvard etc) and crowds. Expensive for quality now (run down) but good location for walking, Uber to Mass General. Room quiet. Signs of ? Recent flood with big fans in hallway

  • Engine customer Jul 2026

    You literally can't select a more centrally located hotel than this one. It is smack in the middle of Harvard Square. Restaurants and the campus are all walkable. The stadium is a 12 minute walk. CVS is down the street. Lots of food options everywhere. Loved this. One minor issue is the hotel doesn't have ice machines and the rooms have coolers. When traveling for sports with families, it's nice to have both. We called for room service and 45 minutes later (and an additional prompt), they finally brought ice to the room. First world issues, but it was annoying. NOTE: make sure if you order a room with two beds, you're aware that they also have DOUBLE beds. We didn't notice this until it was too late. All that aside, we loved our stay there!!

  • Engine customer Jul 2026

    The lobby, restaurant, staff and amenities were great. Our room faced a building so not a great view and the shower curtain didn’t keep the water from going on the floor. The bed was super comfortable and the room nicely decorated. Overall I enjoyed our stay but would make sure to get a room with a better view next time.

Frequently asked questions about The Charles Hotel

Does The Charles Hotel have free Wi-Fi?
Yes, The Charles Hotel offers free Wi-Fi for all guests. Free wired internet is also available in select rooms.
Does The Charles Hotel offer parking?
Yes, The Charles Hotel offers both self-parking and valet parking. Fees may apply.
Does The Charles Hotel have meeting spaces, conference centers, or conference rooms?
Yes. The Charles Hotel features meeting spaces and dedicated conference rooms, suitable for corporate meetings and group gatherings. Banquet and reception facilities are also available.
Does The Charles Hotel have a fitness center?
Yes, The Charles Hotel features an on-site fitness center for guests. Additional wellness amenities include spa, pool.
Where is The Charles Hotel located, and how walkable is the area?
The Charles Hotel is located at One Bennett Street, Cambridge, MA 02138. With a Walk Score of 96, the area is rated Walker's Paradise. Most daily errands can be done on foot — ideal for travelers without a car.

What's nearby

Map of points of interest near The Charles Hotel
  • Harvard University 0.3 mi
  • American Academy of Arts and Sciences 0.9 mi
  • World Wide Web Consortium 1.8 mi
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1.8 mi
  • Boston University 2.0 mi
  • Museum of Fine Arts Boston 2.7 mi
  • Boston Marathon bombings 2.7 mi

Why no public rates?

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