The Charles Hotel is the leading hotel in Harvard Square, an upscale, understated property at the center of Cambridge just across the river from Boston. Its rooms blend contemporary comfort with a clean New England aesthetic, and the hotel is known for its on-site jazz club, well-regarded dining, and a genuinely walkable location — Harvard, the Square's bookstores and cafés, and the Charles River are all steps away. For travelers focused on Cambridge, or who prefer a quieter base with quick transit to downtown Boston, it's the obvious choice.
The Charles Hotel has anchored Harvard Square for decades as Cambridge's premier hotel — an upscale property with a relaxed, understated New England sensibility, set right at the heart of the action across the river from Boston. It's the natural base for anyone whose trip centers on Harvard, Cambridge, or a quieter, college-town atmosphere.
Rooms are comfortable and clean-lined, with a restrained New England style (the brand's signature quilts among the touches), and the hotel offers full amenities including a spa and fitness center. It's particularly known for the Regattabar, a respected jazz club that has hosted major names over the years, and for solid on-site dining — making the hotel itself an evening destination, not just a place to sleep.
The location is the clincher for Cambridge-focused visitors: Harvard Yard, Harvard Square's celebrated bookstores and cafés, and the Charles River paths are all within a short walk, and the Red Line at Harvard Square puts downtown Boston minutes away. The Charles suits travelers who want to be in Cambridge — for the university, the intellectual atmosphere, or simply a calmer, walkable neighborhood — with easy access to the rest of the city.
Why stay here
- ✓Regattabar jazz club
- ✓On-site dining
- ✓Spa and fitness center
- ✓New England-style rooms
- ✓Concierge
- ✓Valet parking
- ✓Steps from Harvard Square and the Red Line
- ✓Harvard Square on the doorstep
Good questions
Where is The Charles Hotel?+
In the heart of Harvard Square in Cambridge, across the river from Boston — steps from Harvard Yard, the Square's bookstores and cafés, and the Charles River, with the Red Line minutes from downtown Boston.
What is the Regattabar?+
A respected on-site jazz club at the hotel that has hosted major names over the years, making the hotel an evening destination in its own right.
Is it a good base for visiting Boston?+
Yes, especially for Cambridge-focused trips or travelers who prefer a quieter, walkable base. The Red Line at Harvard Square reaches downtown Boston in minutes.
