Booked two hotels online in April in Boston. Both times we said we needed parking. The Harvard Square Hotel Cambridge, did not email a reply and when we arrived said that parking was $35 per night. When we questioned this at check in they at first did not respond and when pressed said we should chillout and just pay! This is at best just poor customer care and at worst, seem like sharpe practice to obtain even more money for a very basic and tired product. The Hampton in Cambridge was very good.

Mark & Sara, Devon England

We stayed here for Marathon weekend '07 and had a decent experience. The rooms aren't great and felt more like a dorm than a hotel but the location was fantastic. This place was pricey for what you get but compared to every other place over marathon weekend, it seemed like a steal. It was just a block to walk to the T and head in to Boston so we were able to get in and out of the city easily, to the race expo and to the airport. We loved Cambridge and had a great time walking around. The front desk staff didn't seem to know anything about Boston, where to eat, how to get to certain places which seemed a little odd to us but not too big of a deal. If you're not going to be spending much time in your room, we'd recommend this place.

This place stinks literallly and figuratively.

Splendid location does not make up for high cost, smelly lobby or the cheap dormitory aspects. Exposed pipes in hallways, metal doors, uncovered closet niche gives this hotel the aspect of a Motel Six that is 15 years overdue for a remodeling.

A completely charming desk clerk was the only nice thing about this awful hotel experience.

I stayed at the Harvard Square for 2 night in November 2005.

This hotel is quite expensive for what it is, but that seems to be Boston prices for you! The room I had was spacious and clean but as other reviewers have said it could have done with a facelift. The bathroom was clean and everything, TV, fridge etc was working. My big gripe was that my room was right next to the ice machine and the cleaning cupboard and every now and then throughout the night I was woken by the avalanche of ice cubes and then in the early morning by the sounds of mops and vacuum cleaners. Just take some earplugs!

There is nowhere to eat in this hotel so if you arrive late evening like me then you will have to find food elsewhere!

I think money could be better spent on a good B and B in the area as the hotel has no amenities. I spent the rest of my stay at the Inn at Harvard and much preferred that - interestingly the rate wasn't much more expensive per night and you get a lot more for your buck.

The location is great though and Cambridge has a lot of nice places to eat.

So all in all, clean and basic with a good location but needs updating.