Hotel review: The Kendall Hotel, Cambridge, Mass.

#kendallhotelcambridge

The Kendall Hotel - You really do know this is something special as soon as you walk into the lobby. It doesn't remotely resemble most hotel lobbies. It is small, intimate really. You pull up in front of the hotel and there is parking available under the hotel. Be sure to reserve it before you arrive, it will be less expensive that way.

It was a couple weeks before Christmas and a fire was going in the fireplace and comfortable places to sit were offered by the Christmas tree. The Black Sheep Restaurant and Bar also shares the lobby. We were given room 413 and our friends 412. It was a comedy of errors, their key didn't work, it is the electronic kind and after a few false starts, they too got to cozy up in their room.

You can choose to have a queen bed, a king bed or a suite. We chose the king bedded rooms which were slightly more expensive because the rooms are also larger. It is a lovely room. It had a king sized bed with a beautiful carved headboard. The bed had six pillows of varying size making it looks very comfy cozy. The walls are painted a very soft and relaxing green.

An upholstered chair with a pole lamp, a desk and chair and a flat screen TV with 100 channels round out the decor. This hotel is everything you could want and more. An antique trunk with a mirror over it and an antique Empire dresser add some historic flair. The bed has a neutral cover and a patchwork comforter, a very comfortable bed it is too.



Just walking in the halls is interesting, antiques and additional trunks everywhere. No two rooms are identical, the furniture is individual and the quilts are too. Our friends had a red comforter in their room.

On the main floor off of the hall, there is a business center with a computer, there is also one on the seventh floor in the lounge. It is a very pretty room on the seventh floor where they have a reception Monday -Thursday. It has one wall that is all glass and offers interesting views of the city. All the rooms have high-speed internet as well as WiFi.




The bathroom is surprisingly large with a pedestal sink, tub and shower combination and an oriental design small cabinet. Charming is the word that comes to mind. A water and soda machine are located on the first floor as well as a candy machine. Coffee is available in the breakfast room early in the morning. Breakfast is included in your room rate.


The lobby and the restaurant are located in the historic Victorian firehouse Engine Company #7. The firehouse closed in the early 1990's and had fallen into disrepair. It was rescued and turned into a boutique hotel which opened in 2002. The Kendall is the only boutique hotel in Cambridge. If you are visiting MIT this hotel is located perfectly adjacent to the campus. A Legal Seafood Restaurant is located right across the street or you can eat in the hotel.