Irving House at Harvard

04/29/06

Fine - but there are better options

by azmo at Citysearch

I have stayed at 4 Boston hotels. The room was a little smaller than most, and I could hear my neighbor's TV. It was quiet outside the window though because you are in a mini-neighborhood that was all just built. Many TV channels were not available, and the blanket was foam - not down (compared to Westin, Marriott, and The Charles). The maid came in room despite "do not disturb sign" while I was sleeping. The neighborhood feels a little dead. The room service menu is extremely overpriced. Some of the nearby restaurants on Mass Ave are kinda scary.

• Pros: Near MIT, Very Clean, New
• Cons: Weird Neighborhood, Expensive , Loud Heat / AC

03/10/08

Low key, friendly, convenient

by herrburr at Citysearch

Not sure what Azmo is talking about, since Irving House is in an old neighborhood, where the houses were all built over 100 years ago. While some of Irving House rooms are small, and the tv only gets standard cable channels, the noise factor is about the same as it is in most hotels, and probably less so because it's a smaller establishment. The heating system doesn't make any noise in the rooms, unlike those units in most hotel rooms that do. It is nearer to Harvard than MIT.

There is no room service, and no money is charged for any food there, the breakfast (a wonderful array of baked goods, fresh fruit, yogurt, nuts and seeds, granola, poachable and freshly hardboiled eggs, etc, etc) and afternoon tea (with cookies and cakes) are mostly local, fresh and healthy.

As for the restaurants nearby, Harvard Square is the nearest commercial area, with world class dining options as well as some very comfortable neighborhood places. What's sketchy about that?

I think Azmo is writing about a different property altogether.

I love the homelike atmosphere at Irving House, lowkey, but friendly. You have to share the newspapers at breakfast, take turns on the parlor computer, unless you've brought your own (there is wireless throughout the house). You can even take their books away to read on the plane!

It's not fancy, not trying to be. That is refreshing these days, in that area of town.

• Pros: convenient, free parking, great breakfast, green hotel
• Cons: some small rooms, walk up to 4th floor

Editorial Review by Citysearch Staff

by Contributor at Citysearch

Harvard Square guesthouse provides tourists and visiting parents with a central location and modern facilities.