Hotel 1868

For a short Boston visit, I'd come back here for up to two nights. The rate was good and cheap, and Porter Square has places to eat nearby, since the hotel offers neither a kitchen nor breakfast. It's small and handy for both Porter Square and Harvard Square, with good decor but the feel of a lower-end two- or three-star hotel. I stayed one night in the cheapest room, which was tiny, with a standing shower and a single chair. The bed only had a comforter, no thin sheet underneath. The shower didn't keep water in well, leaving a small puddle in the bathroom after showers longer than three minutes. They offer valet parking, and you can't park yourself in their small lot.

Porter Square is a walkable Cambridge neighborhood with predictably great places to eat, and there's a great coffee shop in the same building. The hotel sits right across Mass Ave from the station entrance, so it's a convenient spot for a business trip or a quick visit to a child studying in Cambridge. Staff are attentive and very helpful. The building and its amenities are all very new in 2025, including the gym equipment, business center, and on-demand filtered H2O downstairs. The rooms are small and modern, though not quite POD style. I don't know what all the room types are, but a small room may be tough with kids (YMMV). For business or a brief visit, it's an A++ option. Definitely recommended.

The rooms run a little small, but the beds are comfortable, there's water and a Keurig in the room, enough bathroom counter space to unpack toiletries, and an amazing shower head. The rates are reasonable, and the staff are friendly, helpful, and kind. The location is right across from the station, about 18 minutes to MGH, with great restaurants and shops nearby. We've often traveled to Boston for medical care at Mass General, and usually stay outside the area and take the T to avoid expensive parking and the endless hospital construction. This was our first stay here, and it's now my favorite Boston area option.

Porter Square is a great alternative to the much more expensive Harvard Square. A short T ride gets you into the heart of Boston. The room design is beautiful, modern, cozy, and functional, among the best I've stayed in. The slightly smaller Queen is affordable and has loads of cleverly tucked-away storage. This is my go-to in the Boston area. I almost kept this glowing review to myself because I don't want my best-kept secret to drive rates up, but they deserve the business. Thanks for a great stay, see you next time!