Quiet and Luxurious

Quietness: ★★★★★

Across the Charles River from downtown Boston, Kimpton Marlowe Hotel is ranked by US News as the best hotel in Cambridge, MA—and I can see why. I’ve stayed here regularly over the past year for business trips, and it has never once disappointed me.

Quietness: The hotel is generally quiet, but for extra peace of mind, light sleepers like me can request a room facing either the courtyard or the canal to further guarantee a good night of sleep. The staff has always managed to accommodate my request for a quiet room, thanks to the hotel’s ample inventory. Once inside, the excellent soundproofing ensures an undisturbed night’s sleep.

Rooms: All guest rooms measure 314 square feet, well-sized for business travelers. Each features a spacious work desk and swivel chair, perfect for getting work done. For families, the hotel offers 15 suites ranging from 600 to 700 square feet. My family stayed in one of the suites and thoroughly enjoyed the extra space and comfort.

Dining: The hotel has one on-site restaurant, Bambara. Don’t miss the complimentary coffee served in the lobby’s living room before heading there for breakfast. For more variety, you’ll find plenty of options nearby. The Cheesecake Factory in the adjacent CambridgeSide mall is literally next door, as is Monteverdi, a waterfront Italian restaurant with amazing Charles River and Boston skyline views. My personal favorite, though, is bōm dough, a cozy Brazilian café known for its signature cheese bread sandwiches.

Pet Policy: The hotel is genuinely pet-friendly, welcoming any number of pets with no size or weight restrictions. It’s common to see happy dogs riding the elevator. The reception team clearly loves them too—they have dog treats waiting on the counter and often come out to pet the dogs. And don’t forget to take advantage of the perks included in the $30 amenities fee.

Fun fact: Before stepping inside the hotel, you’ll be greeted by Celeste, a 25-foot-tall, moving Steampunk-style sculpture in the courtyard. Weighing 6,000 pounds, it was created by a local art studio after 6,000 hours of design and construction. Today, it stands proudly at the hotel entrance as a symbol of the innovation and technology that define Kendall Square.
Verdict: The Kimpton Marlowe Hotel is easily the best place to stay in Cambridge—whether you’re visiting for business or enjoying a family getaway, it offers the perfect blend of comfort and quiet.