Expert reviews
“Once the Engine 7 Firehouse, this city landmark is now a cool and classy all-American hotel. The 65 guest rooms exhibit a firefighter riff, alongside the requisite creature comforts.”
“This gorgeous Victorian firehouse turned boutique hotel near buzzy Kendall Square – a Historic Hotels of America member – is just minutes from downtown Boston. The Kendall’s Black Sheep restaurant is a gem, with a tempting menu that includes delicious vegan options.”
What guests liked
- Friendly staff
- Great breakfast
- Comfortable beds
- Boutique style
- Top location
All you need to know
This luxury hotel was originally built in the 19th century and this is evident in its design which typifies historic Victorian architecture. The hotel is located in a pristine location where it offers guests an opportunity to get closer to the famous city attractions of the city. The hotel is located just adjacent to the world-renowned MIT Campus in Cambridge.
The atmosphere in the hotel is cozy and serene, ensuring that guests feel at home when they are in Boston. For the Kendall Hotel Boston, the guests are the number one priority and their needs are put first. Throughout their stay in the hotel, guests should expect maximum comfort and nothing short of that. Five-star hospitality and the perfect departure spot to enjoy all the excitement and glamour of the city.
Immediately outside the hotel premises, guests can get to see the fantastic transportation system that would provide them with access to all the great and illustrious places in Boston. In fact, with the system, both downtown Boston and Harvard University are a stone’s throw away from the hotel.
The rooms in the hotel are designed with the best colors that give the hotel added elegance. The rooms are also furnished with the latest decors and equipped with modern hospitality amenities and facilities.
Guests have the opportunity to start their day with the deliciously prepared breakfast that the hotel offers. At the Rooftop Retreat, a wine hour is hosted each night where relaxation and refreshment are guaranteed.
Lowest price guarantee
We partner with Booking.com and Agoda. Both booking websites offer the lowest price guarantee so you can be certain you will always get the best deal for this hotel. If you have seen a better price elsewhere, all you need to do is contact the booking website and they will refund you the difference immediately. You can price match right up until the day before check-in.
Location
Recent guest reviews
27 May 2025
Exceptional
The breakfast was good! Loved that there were gluten free options!! The location was fantastic. Close to Cambridge activities and super easy to get to all the activities downtown Boston. The staff here went above and beyond to make sure our stay was exceptional.
The pillows could be firmer, but that isn’t even a big issue.
27 May 2025
Fabulous
Very unique and special- decorated with a touch of humor; great location
27 May 2025
Fabulous
Different in a good way
20 May 2025
Exceptional
Everything was perfect! Thank you so much, next time in Boston will be only here.
17 May 2025
Other than the restaurant being closed and the fact that we were not notified of the situation, it M
The cozy vibe, the firehouse theme, cleanliness and location. We felt very safe.
Our only disappointment was the restaurant/ bar area. We were notable to comeback to the hotel and relax with a drink etc.
10 May 2025
Fabulous
Location; smooth operation
Some hum during the night. Hallway light shone through the door edges all night. No option to decline room refresh.
8 May 2025
Go here. You won't be disappointed.
Excellent breakfast, beautiful room, fantastic location. It felt clean and the staff was very helpful. It was a great place to stay and I wish we had more time there.
My only two slight issues were one that the wait times to check in and out can be long since staff is limited, and two the parking is only for cars and small SUVs. My pickup truck couldn't get into the garage. I found the parking fee to be kind of high.
30 April 2025
Traditional hotel with an authentic vibe in great location - lovely experience!
Extremely comfortable bed and courteous staff.
Fan in the bathroom didn’t work.
28 April 2025
Exceptional
This is an absolute treasure! It's a definite place we will return to. The charm of the hotel is beyond words, as is the staff. There is so much to see and do in the area, and all of it is walking distance.
Our schedule didn't allow us to extend our stay as if it had we would have stayed longer.
22 April 2025
excellent
All
19 April 2025
Enjoyed the location. The breakfast was excellent and the people at the desk were friendly.
Liked the room overall and breakfast was very good.
Could use more drawer or dresser space and more hangers in the closet.
15 April 2025
We’ll be back if my son goes to school in Boston.
Amazing front desk staff morning through night. They engaged in lively conversation and made the stay even better. The maid staff was also very thorough.
15 April 2025
Very comfortable, quiet and amazing location
Beautiful hotel. Will definitely stay there again.
15 April 2025
Great place for a family get together. We ate breakfast at the hotel 2 of our 3 mornings.
Breakfast was good. Eggs were warm. I love having 2 bathrobes in the room.
All good.
14 April 2025
Amazing
The cozy feel Great staff Clean Comfy bed Warm rooms Great food And very peaceful
The amount to pay for parking $50 for one night stay
13 April 2025
Exceptional
Friendly staff
Nothing. Pretty perfect.
11 April 2025
Nice hotel - a change from large chain hotels
Lots of character- beats the Marriot opposite
5 April 2025
Delectable
A charming hotel in a historic building. Thoughtful decor and steps from public transit.
3 April 2025
Beautiful hotel to stay in Cambridge, MA
Beautiful hotel with lovely touches. Stunning rooms and superb showers in the bathrooms. Fabulous breakfast and above all superb and very kindly helpful and concerned staff.
21 March 2025
Very comfortable, enjoyable stay
Neat old feel, very welcoming staff. I booked 3 rooms and had some special requests, they did everything I asked for. It was a surprise for my husband's birthday. Great breakfast, breakfast room and social area. Also oved location
Everything was excellent, no dislikes at all!!
19 March 2025
Great Location!
Comfortable rooms and bedding. Great breakfast included. Close to the Kendall/MIT station
N/A
28 February 2025
great stay
very nice quaint hotel. perfect location. very well appointed.
13 February 2025
Exceptional
nice location, in MIT
8 February 2025
This hotel has seen better days but it's still a great place to stay on a business trip to Cambridge
I like this hotel and this was my fourth time staying there. It still has its great vibes, the location is perfect between MIT and the big tech offices and right on the Red T Line. The staff are very friendly and helpful.
This was my first time back to this hotel since 2019 and I was sad to learn that the in-house restaurant had closed down. The breakfast used to have a better selection of coffee an pastries, as well as a better coffee machine, and there were free apples all day IIRC. They also used to gift complimentary t-shirts to people staying for long and that sadly had also been discontinued. The elevator was broken for 6 days out of 13 that I stayed there (but the staff were very helpful with the luggage).
7 February 2025
Excellent, boutique hotel. Would stay again.
Small boutique hotel with personality - so much nicer than a bland chain hotel.
Nothing
3 February 2025
I love fire trucks, and this hotel was a great way to learn how far the fire department came!
Absolutely everything! Very historical and breakfast was amazing!
17 January 2025
It was the perfect place to stay for our MIT visit.
This hotel was totally charming. Warm and comfy for our January visit. The complimentary breakfast is varied and delicious.
Zero. We will stay here again
15 January 2025
Charming restored building with lovely staff and good location.
A lovely restored building. Charming room and common room. Wine in the early evening and snacks. Breakfast decent. Good location could walk to restaurants and the train station. I would stay there again.
9 January 2025
Comfortable and well appointed room in a historic building in an interesting part of Cambridge
Located in the heart of Kendall Square on the grounds of an old firehouse--a motif that is used throughout the property. Friendly staff. My room had windows that I could open to let in the night air and a comfortable couch to lounge on with a coffee table in front. I wound up spending a lot of time in my room and in the lobby because they were so welcoming. Great coffee. Breakfast had real food, not just prepackaged muffins. If the startup/hi-tech Kendall Square isn't your cup of tea, it's a nice walk to Central Square or a short subway ride to Harvard Square.
All of the things I mention above come at a price, and it was the same amount I paid to stay at a hipster hotel in NYC. However, unlike the hipster hotel in the city, these guys give you breakfast. I was there on New Year's Eve and it was quiet. I stayed two days recovering from a long road trip and I wish I could have stayed a third.
7 January 2025
Great solution in Cambridge
Very friendly staff, excellent breakfast, large room with a very good bathroom
1 January 2025
Truly a lovely stay. We couldn't have been more comfortable. The hotel is charming and very, very comfortable.
Comfortable bed, great breakfast, warm staff, quiet room, excellent shower
Parking is available but at a hefty price ($45/night+)
25 December 2024
Value for Money. Attentive Staff. Good size rooms.
Charming decors, very cozy, strategic location
None
25 November 2024
Fabulous
Super comfortable and clean. 200m from MIT campus and 1500m from Harvard.
Breakfast could be better, but still quite good for US standards.
24 November 2024
Perfect, as always.
The room is always clean and comfortable.
Nothing!
11 November 2024
Great place, great people and a stay that felt like home
I loved the decor of the hotel! It stayed very true to the building being a firehouse before remodeling into a hotel. The staff were friendly and the space was very clean and comfortable! The breakfast was delicious, healthy and had plenty options.
I did not like how small the parking garage was! For $45 a day it should be easily accessed and not have to take a 25 pt turn to get in and out
26 October 2024
Highly recommend this lovely historic hotel
The decor of the hotel is lovely and matches the old fire station ambiance. Nice breakfast and coffee selection. Nice wine reception for guests in the lobby! Very well trained and attentive staff.
Ventilation did not exist in the room 307. No fan in bathroom, no air flow except a ceiling fan. It was warm and stuffy for 3 nights.
19 October 2024
Hit all the check boxes for a superbly managed, skillfully renovated fire station-boutique hotel.
Incredibly gracious and resourceful staff. Left behind four valuable ties and a Coach leather tie travel case (an irreplaceable heirloom)—the Kendall team and I coordinated seamlessly to ship the ties back to Seattle.
18 October 2024
Fabulous
A very good boutique hotel. Cool firefighter-themed interiors.
none
18 October 2024
Quality boutique hotel in a prime location near MIT.
Unique boutique hotel in a repurposed historic firehouse. Interesting decor, clean, and friendly staff. We were greeted and upgraded to a suite because one of the rooms was not quite ready on arrival. The location is Steph’s from the subway making it convenient to explore Cambridge Boston. Also walk to MIT campus.
Breakfast was okay but didn’t feel special.
12 October 2024
Lovely boutique hotel. Good value for Boston.
Lovely old converted building right by the underground line to get into or out of the city. Great decor, clean and comfortable. Good breakfast arrangement - buffet style with lots of options, which you take to a casual seating area where there are coffee, tea and juices. Really friendly, helpful staff. Easy parking and so good we were allowed to leave our car for the day after checking out.
The room was a bit small for two people to move around easily.
11 October 2024
Very very nice hotel! Beautifully curated lounge area. Perfect location for my needs. Would def stay there again
Excellent mattress and bedding. The bathtub was amazing. The toiletries were very nice
I would have liked to have the option of some better quality baked goods/pastries on the buffet. The bar was set high during my recent trip to Ireland
10 October 2024
Exceptional
The staff was helpful and friendly. The facility was clean and the atmosphere was very nice.
It was cold even with the air conditioner off.
5 October 2024
Exceptional
Beautiful building, lovely room and great breakfast! Staff very friendly too.
Loved everything
30 September 2024
Uniquely beautiful
Everything
Nothing
22 September 2024
Exceptional
The staff
Nothing
21 September 2024
Exceptional
Perfect service and so close to MIT
20 September 2024
Fabulous
Great location, great and friendly staff
16 September 2024
The whole entire stay was top notch and very welcoming from the staff.
Very Homey feel. The ambiance was exceptional and the complimentary breakfast was outstanding. Great atmosphere and charming home décor. This is my third time staying and The Kendall has never disappointed.
Unfortunately the car garage is very cramped and small.
9 September 2024
Exceptional
The room has beautiful furniture and comfort. And the best customer service at the front desk. Breakfast was delicious as well.
Parking not being available and the additional cost for an external parking lot
Hotel facilities
Business facilities
- - Meeting/banquet facilities (additional charge)
- - Business centre
- - Fax/photocopying
Reception services
- - 24-hour front desk
- - Express check-in/check-out
- - Luggage storage
- - Concierge service
- - Invoice provided
Activities
- - Fitness centre
- - Fitness
General
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Facilities for disabled guests
- - Family rooms
- - Safety deposit box
- - Soundproof rooms
- - Heating
- - Non-smoking throughout
- - Air conditioning
- - Vending machine (drinks)
- - Vending machine (snacks)
- - Shared lounge/TV area
Cleaning services
- - Dry cleaning (additional charge)
- - Ironing service (additional charge)
Food & Drink
- - Kid-friendly buffet
Parking
- - Parking garage
Accessibility
- - Wheelchair accessible
- - Toilet with grab rails
Outdoors
- - Outdoor furniture
Miscellaneous
- - 24-hour security
- - Key card access
- - Smoke alarms
- - CCTV in common areas
- - CCTV outside property
- - Fire extinguishers
- - Delivered food is securely covered
- - Face masks for guests available
15 June 2025
A comfortable stay in a good location.