Irving House is a convenient and inexpensive alternative when visiting Harvard. The rooms can be quite small and at the low end (singles without a bath) it is often just a single bed and small desk. But if you are spending most of your time outside of the hotel then this is perfect. The breakfast buffet is nothing fancy: several types of cold cereal, an assortment of muffins/croissants (albeit in varying stages of stale-ness), as much coffee as you want, and juice. Top that off with free wireless internet and you are pretty much set.

The guests tend to be visiting scholars and/or visiting students. I stayed in a room without bath and have yet had to wait to take a shower or use the bathroom. Quite a deal for $100/night in the "high season" I would definitely recommend Irving House and will definitely stay here again.

Perhaps not quite the charm of its sister facility, the Harding House, but altogether a very nice B&B. Comfy beds, wireless Internet in your room, a warm and cozy feeling to the breakfast which includes both plain and flavored yogurt and some healthy cereals in addition to a nice selection of pastry type items, a good selection of teas, newspapers and magazines galore, free computer in the lovely parlor.

My room was small but I was traveling as a single. It was well lit and had plenty of plugs and a good work area. The bed was very comfy. The closet had its own light which was nice. Very few s.f but no problem if you don't need dance floor or exercise space in your hotel room.

"Views" are of the congested but quaint residential Cambridge neighborhood where it sits. What I liked was the option of a screen window rather than AC.

If you are looking to visit the Law School or a freshman who lives on the Cabridge St. side of the Yard, the location can't be beat, a couple blocks up Cambridge Street from Mem Hall / Annenberg Dining, a great location, more economical than the big 3 hotels that grab most of the Law School business. It is about a 10-minute walk to the Square (I walk pretty fast) but about a 20 min. stroll across Cambridge Common to the Quad and the Radcliffe buildings.

Pretty accessible to Inman Square if you are going in that direction for some cheaper eats and more interesting population than the yuppified Square.

Staff was friendly and helpful. You can drop off bags before check-in and leave them after check-out (at your own risk).

Front entrance is pretty, a nice flowered garden with an interesting modern stone sculpture of a nude female torso as the centerpiece. Front parlor a very inviting library-like place to hang out if so inclined.

My only negative comments are minor: the directions to send outgoing mail via Internet did not work; and the guest guidebook in the room did not mention the 11 am checkout time. Like many of these places the narrow hallways and many stairs might be difficult for elderly/handicapped, but that's the nature of the beast. Typical guests are visiting parents/college insiders I'd guess. Overall this is very comparable, maybe slightly nicer (esp. in food dept.) than its next door neighbor, the Friendly Inn (also a good value). I felt welcomed and comfortable.

Despite being a little over-priced (I paid $110 for a single room), the Irving House is lovely - the type of accommodation that is all-too-rare in the United States. I found the House spotlessly clean - the cleaners do a great job - and a comfortable, and relaxing place to spend time.

The continental breakfasts are great, and complimentary hot drinks and cookies and cakes are available all day.

There is a nice laundry for guests to use ($1.25 to wash, $0.75 to dry).

On the down side, the walls in some rooms (mine at least) are very thin - I could literally hear someone breathing in the next room.

The location is great for anyone visiting Harvard Square.

I LOVE this B&B. It is on a great, tree lined street that is a short walk (5-10 minutes) from the heart of Harvard Square ... the employees are friendly, the house is beautiful and breakfast, though not fancy, is wonderful and complete with several different newspapers to read. In the summer, there is a large porch for sitting, sipping coffee and reading the Globe. It is my home away from home.