Review: The Charles Hotel

So, what's the scoop on this place?
The Charles has long been the unofficial stomping grounds for academics, politicians, artists, and celebrities passing through Cambridge. The hotel's library is stocked with biographies that pay tribute to its famous past guests, from David Mamet to Caroline Kennedy, which today's guests can borrow or purchase. With Cambridge's restaurant and nightlife scene on par with Boston proper, Harvard Square has become a very desirable place to stay, even if you won't be auditing an astrophysics class at Harvard or M.I.T.

What’s the crowd like?
The Charles is a little too removed from the city's financial center to attract bankers or lawyers, so the crowd here is largely politicians, artists, professors, parents of Harvard students, thought leaders, and guest speakers.

Tell us about your room.
Quilts, wainscoting, plaid carpeting, and wood paneling: There's no question this is a New England hotel.

And the amenities?
The rooms have a traditional feel, but there are plenty of modern creature comforts: TV screens built into the bathroom mirror; heavenly C.O. Bigelow bath products; fast and free Wi-Fi; Italian waffle bathrobes; and goose-down comforters upon request. The Shaker furniture and wingback leather chairs are especially covetable.

How about the room service, or the dining scene in general?
There's a pretty extensive 24-hour room service menu, and the pie of the day is always a divine choice for a late-night snack, especially during farmers' market season—think rhubarb or Maine blueberries with a handmade crust. Four other excellent dining options make The Charles a destination not just for travelers but for locals, too: Henrietta's Table, the award-winning farm-to-table restaurant that has hosted everyone from Hillary Clinton to the Dalai Lama; Bar Enza by chef Tony Susi, (where Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez have been spotted); Noir, a mid-century-inspired cocktail lounge; and Regattabar, one of the most famous jazz clubs in town.

And the staff—did anyone in particular impress you?
Upon check-in, make friends with the wonderful Henrietta's Table maitre d'—when dinner time rolls around, you'll get a prime table within sight of whichever VIP is passing through the restaurant that night.

Anything else you want to mention?
Corbu Spa & Salon is the best place in Harvard Square to get a body treatment and a haircut. In 2023, the hotel added its own stylish in-house fitness center (after years of sending guests to the nearby Wellbridge Athletic Club). The hotel is also a seamless part of the local neighborhood, and offers the area's best farmers' market in summer.