Porter Square Hotel

Very clean, compact, comfortable room. Nice coffee maker. Clever use of space for storage. Excellent location literally across the street from the railway station. Helpful staff. Small business centre downstairs with internet access. Attached restaurant looks good but I didn't go so cannot comment.

We had a wonderful stay at Porter Square Hotel! The location is excellent and very convenient. Just a short walk from the hotel is Prisha Esthetician Salon, which made it so easy for my wife to get her waxing and manicure done during our trip. She even tried threading for the first time there and had an awesome experience. The combination of a comfortable hotel stay and having such great services nearby made our visit even more enjoyable. Highly recommend both!

The room was clean, and the staff was friendly and helpful.||My two biggest complaints:||- the bed was a little hard. I slept fine, but it was kind of uncomfortable ||- the walls are very thin. I could hear the person’s conversation in the room next to me.

Super underrated hotel, (not from the area) but based off of reviews i can say this was great to stay the parking was very cheap i believe it was 30-40 for a night and yes you can come in and out whenever you’d like valet is super attentive and very quick, i have no complaints when im in a hotel as long as the room is neat and parking is accessible i dont care for breakfast or anything else. But for sure super clean and it was a nice place to stay quiet area and lots of things to do around the area.

The Porter Square Hotel is one of my favorite hotels in the world. I have traveled to 75 countries now. I am a blogger on RunBlogRun, covering sporting events and a correspondent, occasionally for BBC sports. |The hotel is managed by Curtis Butcher, a good friend, who managed CharlesMark hotel for years. When Curtis Butcher left Charlesmark, I followed him to Porter Square. |The hotel is reasonably priced in an area with $500 hotel rooms. The rooms are European, chic, and wonderfully clean, with a nice bed, great bathroom, wifi that works, and a glorious Keurig coffee machine with Paul Newman coffee and tea. The staff is wonderful and helpful. The cleaning staff are attentive and detail oriented. I was just at Porter Square from April 19-22. Andy's Diner is close, a great breakfast place. DerolKabab is down the block, and McCarthys, an Irish pub with great food is across the street! |Make reservations because many of the beautiful people know the place as do students, families and business travelers.

The Porter Square Hotel is a study in contrasts. I stayed in a twin room, and it smelled like stale air and cigarette smoke. The lighting was harsh and the room was stuffy. The bathroom was clean and the space was functional. When I went downstairs for breakfast in the restaurant, I experienced quite a contrast— the space was bright and airy, and the food was presented with flair. ||The hotel is well-situated, just a few minutes walk to a bookstore, several coffee shops, and two neighborhood restaurants that I would recommend (Sugar & Spice across the street and Abbey Cambridge a few minutes away).||I want to stay here again, and the state of the room makes me pause a bit.

It was hard to rate this hotel. Hotel staff is friendly and professional. Room and lobby areas were clean. Valet parking with in/out privileges is much less than competing hotels. Colette, the attached restaurant, was excellent. ||However, there are some misses. One was no fridge in the room which is big for us when we are on a road trip. But the big reason why it is hard to recommend this place was the extremely small size of the rooms, at least the one (315) that we were placed into. I was surprised it even met building codes. I couldn't even turn around or bend over in the shower (no tub) without contorting my body. To walk in the room meant that my wife and I had to climb over the beds. There was hardly any floor space which meant my wife had to sleep with her luggage on the bed with her. ||If you need some space to spread out in the room, this is not the place for you.

The hotel is across the street from the Red Line T stop, as well as a small shopping plaza. Great for riding public transportation and getting to and from Harvard Square quickly. I arrived at 12:15pm and was surprised and happy that my room was ready and I could be checked in. I booked a Queen Suite and was very happy with the size of the room. I had a separate living area from the bedroom which made it nice to relax after a long day. There was complimentary coffee and tea in the room. Very nice robes and slippers in the bathroom and plenty of towels, the soap, bath wash and shampoo were plentiful. The location was quiet and although on a Main Street you didn’t hear any noise past 11pm. There was a very nice looking restaurant on the main level but I never bothered to try it out because I started my day before they opened. The staff here were absolutely amazing, they could not do enough for you and were genuinely nice with great personalities. I plan on returning to Boston in 2025 and will definitely be staying here again.

Great hotel and very quiet to sleep in. Great location as well. Tried to book again and is sold out!! Bummer

Porter Square Hotel was fine. We were there for two nights and we had a nice stay. We didn't interact much with the staff but when we did they were friendly and helpful. We had requested a roll away and although it wasn't in the room when we arrived, they brought it up right away. Apparently we were supposed to have a different room but they moved us to a better one at the last minute. We were on the top floor in the corner facing the Boston skyline. It was a nice view. The room was a good size. The bed and pillows were comfortable. Would stay again.

Beautiful ambience! Only been here at the bar for apps and drinks but they don't disappoint! Looking forward to trying out their full kitchen menu soon!

I stayed here for a girls' night out earlier this month and it was perfect! Last time I stayed in Boston, I paid about $400 a night for a room plus $80 parking. This was $200/night with $28 parking. The room was small but well-laid out and clean. The beds were comfortable and the shower was hot and relaxing. Maybe if you were doing an extended stay it would get crowded, but this is perfect for a weekend getaway, and I actually preferred the twin beds. Usually on my girls' trips we have to share a bed so it was nice having our own space. It was an easy check-in and check-out, clean room, great location, great price...what more do you need?

What a joke! And I travel a lot and thought I had seen it all. Never again will I book this hotel. Room is ridiculously small. Not even a proper closet to hang your cloths or drawers to put stuff in. Just a poorly designed whatever they call it on the wall where you can hang all of 4 items. The "desk" is barely bigger than my computer and their security for their WiFi is blocking me from receiving any emails. Makes the Cambridge House Inn up the street look like the Ritz. On the other hand, the staff is fantastic!!!

LOVE the Porter Square hotel. Front desk staff were so friendly, greeted us with smiles. Room was small but COZY, beds were so comfy, showers were nice and warm, if you call the front desk and request a fridge they will bring one for you. BEST location EVER, I LOVE the Porter Square area - you can walk to Target, Star Market, sooo many good restaurants (Honeycomb Ice Cream + Zoe Açai Bar are my faves), Starbucks, Panera, Cafe Nero RIGHT OPPOSITE THE T-Stop. Also, the restaurant, Colette Wine Bistro was a fun celebration dinner/drinks kind of place. Service was really good, restaurant is a VIBE, great outdoor seating, food was great but small/French-style portions (I got mushrooms they were super nice and buttery), also don't recall exactly what I had for dessert but it was GOOD. Pricey for sure but good for a nice celebration kind of thing.

used to be very nice. Falling apart Furniture in room worn out--leather worn through, peeling paint. Maid service requires special request. Front desk staff cut in half and useless. When I finally reached front desk she said she was dealing with a "intruder. I'm not feeling especially safe. Find someplace else. Safety first.

We stayed here for a few days prior to a cruise out of Boston. Price was the main reason we stayed here. It was a bit of aways from the pier but the price was good. The room was ok however there was not closet space, no breakfast and the shower drain was very slow. For a short stay it was ok but for more than a day or two I would not recommend it.

absolutely not. perhaps it's my own fault for not conducting proper due diligence but the cost for a night for what you get is borderline fraud. I'm paying for a night what I would pay at a more upscale hotel for the smallest room I've ever seen with the tiniest beds I've ever seen, towels that do not seem the cleanest, and a not so accommodating front desk staff. Save your money and go elsewhere. this place and their restaurant is not worth it. I tried cancelling and going somewhere else even though I had only been in the room for five minutes I was told I would be charged for the full night

Nice location, but rooms are microscopic, with no ventilation fan, no functioning climate controls, and sealed widows. The bar seems to open and close capriciously. Comfy beds, nice staff though.

this is a lovely hotel, a good price point and a safe, convenient location. however whether it's the housekeeping or other hotel staff, i found it quite untrustworthy. while it was my fault to leave a ring in the shower, i called 4 hours after realizing it/checking out and received very little help. no one offered to go up and check the exact location where i left it, and i called back a second time (they never followed up) and was basically told it was gone because 'nothing was in lost and found.' it was obviously stolen, and while i take blame for accidentally leaving it, i find this kind of hotel staff behavior horrid and would not recommend this place to anyone. beware.

I gave this hotel 2 stars as the bed was very nice and the housekeeping staff worked hard and were kind. I was told at the start there was a common area for guests that had computers, a microwave and a small refrigerator. I placed two average size items in the frig, expiration dates good/closed, self contained bag - not wanting to waste space for others. I bought some muffins but was unable to eat them all. I placed the box on the counter to share. (The muffins were individually wrapped/within expiration date.) The manager sitting at the front desk started yelling at me as I passed to the elevator. He asked if I placed the muffins on the counter and that 'we don't do that type of thing here'. When I went to the not so "Common Area", I saw the muffins were gone and my items had been thrown away from the frig. Won't stay here again - I'll try instead: Hotel 1868 located at 1868 Massachusetts Ave, just a few doors down. phone= 617-499-2998.

We had a wonderful stay here. The ambience is lovely in the common areas as well as the room itself. Everything was comfortable and cozy! I want to specifically mention that we had a unique situation that was handled kindly and swiftly by the manager, Alex, who was a delight. We will happily stay at Porter Square Hotel again any time we're in town!

Had a nice stay at this hotel. We were greeted with smiles from pulling up to the valet and throughout our stay. There was always someone available at the front desk (NICE). The hotel was clean, cute and accommodating. Only thing missing in the room was a small cube fridge. The location is perfect - close to everything. They have a restaurant/bar on site that looked fun and the menu looked good too although we didn't get a chance to pop in on this visit. Cleaning services to rooms were spot on! Efficient and very accommodating. We didn't have to ask twice for anything. I would recommend this hotel and plan to go back next time we're in town.

Parking is $28 a night which is understandable because it doesn't seem like there's much space, other option was to park along mass ave (Just wanted to put that out there in case anyone is curious on parking like I was). My experience was fine, it felt a typical hotel experience. The room was small- there's no fridge or microwave which I was a little upset since I like to snack a lot but it was not the biggest issue as I was only staying for the weekend. The room was clean, there was a lot of towels provided as well as a robe and slippers, which was a nice touch because I don't prefer to walk around hotel rooms without shoes. Ice machine and a microwave is in the lower level below the lobby, and there's also complimentary tea and coffee. Staff was pretty good, they were very helpful and accommodating. My biggest issue was that on our first night there we were woken up by housekeeping vacuuming a room close by at 8:30 am. Other than that I would recommend if you can get a room at a good price, because paying full price wouldn't be worth it.

"Come on and take your best shot, let me see what you got, Bring on your wrecking ball" Bruce Springsteen -Wrecking Ball There's a real interesting story behind the location of the Porter Square Hotel. We learned that 1924 Massachusetts Ave used to be the home of a Korean restaurant named Kaya. The building took a few hits from a wrecking ball, and the Porter Hotel rose from the wreckage as a brand new 5-story building. It's been open for less than three months. It's so new that the house restaurant isn't open yet. Every hotel employee (two parking valets and two registration clerks) we interacted with was outstandingly personable and polite. Our room rate was $179 plus $26 in taxes (valet parking was $28). We had a real nice location in the heart of Porter Square, in close proximity to dozens of restaurants and stores. We were unexpectedly upgraded to a small suite that was very nice. A living room with a sofa and a leather chair and a flat screen on a desk were in one room, and a Queen sized bed with another flat screen on a desk in the other room. The roomy bathroom had some nice features- a waterfall sink, sliding door and push button toilet. On the minus side I didn't think the shower temp was that hot, even when maxed out, and I noticed the shower didn't have a wall grab bar. But all in all we really enjoyed our stay here and it perfectly fit our needs for our night in Cambridge.

We booked this hotel because we wanted the local boutique experience. The hotel is well appointed however the rooms are incredibly smmmmaall to the point of not being comfortable. It was a two-twin-bed room however it really should have been one double. The towels were crispy, the shower leaked and soaked the floor and there was no space for a luggage rack or a place for luggage. We let the front desk know about the shower and nothing was done and we received no follow up. It's one thing to build a hotel for those who might spend most of the day enjoying the city and not needing a large room, it's another to make the room so small it's not functional. I would not stay here again.

We arrived several hours prior to check-in, hoping to store our luggage while we explored the city. To our surprise and delight, we were upgraded to a new room and allowed to check-in immediately. The front desk staff was friendly and courteous. The room, albeit small, was very clean and had a lovely view of the courtyard. The twin beds were fine for a night stay, but not overly comfortable. Water pressure in the shower is excellent. Location is prime, as you're in easy walking distance of tons of great bars, restaurants, and Harvard Square. Overall, we enjoyed our stay here!

Just got back from a 2 night stay over the Easter weekend. Staff was fantastic. Friendly and engaging. So much so that I ran across the street to the local Dunkin and got them donuts! Room is small but very comfortable. Loved the bed! No complaints whatsoever!

I just got back from a weekend in Cambridge staying at this hotel. The location is perfect if you're visiting the Harvard area but don't want to stay in Harvard Square. If you stay at this hotel you are well within walking distance of Harvard's campuses and steps from the Porter Square "T" stop if you need to go further into Boston. There are plenty of stores and restaurants right next door if you need to pick up something last-minute. Room rates were competitive with other hotels in the area. The staff was very welcoming and helpful. The lobby amenities are a bit bare bones, which didn't bother me in the least as I was out and about most of the time. While the (single, non-suite) room I stayed in was quiet and comfortable, the bed was a bit narrow - a couple of times I turned over in my sleep and almost fell off! Also, the bathroom had a sliding door that didn't quite close all the way, which might have been awkward if I was sharing the room with someone else...! Overall, though, this is a very good hotel. I will definitely check for vacancies here on my next trip to Cambridge.

We reserved the Petite Double Twin, which was clean, beautiful, and nicely appointed. The room was small, but perfect for an overnight stay. The mattresses and pillows were supportive and comfortable; no troubles for my back. I'm glad we brought sleep masks, as the clock and thermostat displays were bright, in the otherwise dark room. I wish that the $28 valet parking fee had been clearly disclosed upfront. Overall, it offered a great night's sleep. We will come again!

Wonderful place for an overnight theater run to the city. Nicely located near T and has valet parking included in my more then fair room rate. Staff were all plesant and helpful,room was small but space was well utalized. Bathroom a little tight but managable. Great birthday dinner in the restaurant Highly recomend

Located between Tufts and Harvard, quick drive to both. Rooms are small but very nice. Restaurant was closed the last few times I stayed there (remodeling and then COVID) but service is great and neighborhood has plenty of restaurants and coffee shops.

So I leave town for ten years, and they build a hotel here. The pros of this place are (1) next to Porter Square shopping center and Christopher's, (2) close to the law school where I went, (3) decently maintained and priced. The cons are (1) paper thin walls - Not joking you could hear everything from the rooms next door even when they were just talking in a normal voice, really made the stay unpleasant, (2) teeny tiny rooms - not even a closet... just a peg sticking out of the wall where you could hang a few things. I rarely use hotel closets, but I was counting on having one this time since it was my reunion and I had to bring all manner of dressy clothes. Also the room was so small you could barely walk after putting your suitcases down. Next time, I'll shell out an extra $100 and stay somewhere down Harvard Square.

Great location and pretty hotel, but the most uncomfortable bed I have ever slept in. It was like sleeping on the floor with hospital sheets.

We loved this place. Great location and awesome room. I know another reviewer commented on the size of the room - we stayed in a suite and it was absolutely perfect. And no problem with noise (and our room faced the street). The bed was really comfortable, showers were perfect, Beekman bath products, and a Keurig.

Very dirty room. Unhelpful staff when trying to be compensated. I would not recommend this hotel especially during Covid 19

Terrible. Terrible. Cold. Inhospitable. I live in the neighborhood and went to the hotel to make a reservation for relatives coming in from out of town. The man at the front desk continually yawned and rubbed his eyes as if he was tired. He was about to take my credit card number-- we were that far along--and finalize the reservation. I smiled and asked if he had been working all night bc he seemed tired. This ruffled his feathers and he became very hostile. I apologized and said I did not feel comfortable having my family stay there. He didn't let it slide, and escalated. Said "It was rude of me to tell him he seemed tired." He was not in the least bit interested in providing a kind transaction. Sad to think a front desk person in a new hotel would not have courtesy skills. So sad, so sad. And disappointing. All of us Porter Sq residents have been looking forward to a new hotel in the neighborhood to take the load off the often booked and extremely lovely Mary Prentiss Inn, I say Porter Square Hotel is doomed if they continue to pay an inhospitable hospitality staff to interact with the public.

I visit this area bi-monthly and have stayed at various places, including BNB's and so on. I'm sorry, this is not a hotel. This is a poorly designed movie set of a hotel--it's as if some folks got together and said, "How hard could it be? We'll get stationary, robes, sheets, pens, and soap with our name on it! We'll butcher a building and the rooms in it, use the cheapest materials on the market, and make money, thinking nothing of the actual experience, quality, or our reputation!" Some of this guest's grievances are common sense things like having trash cans in the hallways, coffee makers, functioning water spouts, a vending machine, and drawers or closets (I dunno, perhaps you like hanging your undies and socks on the open wall hooks?). Some are a little more gritty, and/or legal: a trained hospitality staff who actually makes up a room (whether you made the mess or the person who booked the room before you--no, their spit and spills were not welcome sights for me), or stair wells (fire exit) that are locked. It wouldn't have been half bad if the front desk staff didn't appear to paste on transparent greetings under which was nearly a neon resentment that you had to bother them to get yourself checked in. I am writing this review because the field of hospitality is real: it is a discipline, it requires serious commitment. I salute everyone who does it. Really. And I am grateful for everyone who does it. It is hard, it is caring, it is often intimate and kind and prescient, and brilliant. So, I don't appreciate those to make light of it. It is an affront to those who care.