Ginkgo House on Harvard — Hotel in Cambridge

I spent 19 nights at the Ginkgo (288 Harvard Street) and I loved every bit of it. From the antiquated interiors and quaint vibes to the peaceful atmosphere and caring staff, this house-turned-hotel is where I’ll be staying whenever I come back to Cambridge.

What I loved: Value for Money: In a standard room of a regular hotel, you don’t get a kitchen, and you certainly don’t get a living room. The Ginkgo, however, offers access to a shared kitchen, dining room, and living room – all for a lower price than a typical hotel room. While these areas are common spaces, I rarely encountered other guests, allowing me to enjoy them as if they were my own. Complimentary Treats: Having access to light snacks like fruit and granola bars was a thoughtful touch, and the extensive selection of Chinese teas was a delightful bonus. Convenient Location: While not directly in Harvard Square, it's a manageable 16-minute walk away. For those who prefer not to walk, a Blue Bikes station is just 4 minutes away, and a Whole Foods is a quick 5-minute stroll. Even the bustling Massachusetts Avenue is only a 15-minute walk. Plus, an Uber can arrive at your doorstep within minutes. Outstanding Staff: Lance, Nancy, Sophia, and the rest of the team are genuinely the most friendly and caring staff I've encountered. They maintain order with their established rules, but they are incredibly accommodating and quick to rectify any minor slips. Well-Equipped Rooms: My room was fully fitted with a 55-inch smart TV, a fancy sit/stand desk, a mini-fridge, and windows on two different sides, both with fly nets. Beautiful Decor and Ambiance: The hotel itself is lovely. There's a cute porch perfect for sitting, and the foyer is gorgeous, adorned with various artworks. The living room has a quaint, old-library feel. My floor (the third floor) even had two skyboxes that flooded the house with natural light, adding to the overall charm. There’s also a seating area in the beautiful backyard where you will be surrounded by flowering plants.

Things to consider: No Elevator: This wasn't an issue for me, but it's important to note if you're elderly, traveling with heavy luggage, or plan on frequenting the shared kitchen and common areas, especially if your room is on an upper floor. That said, it might be possible to request a ground-level room. Dishwasher Not for Guest Use: The kitchen has a dishwasher, and it was a bit puzzling that guests couldn't load it during the day for housekeeping to run at night when the kitchen closes at 10 PM. Limited Storage Space: While sufficient for a couple of nights, the closet and storage space might feel limited for longer stays (over a week), especially if you're not traveling solo. I did find various nooks and crannies to tuck away luggage, but a bigger closet and/or more storage space would be a plus. Squeaky Wooden Floors: Honestly, I found this added to the hotel's charm. However, if you're looking for complete isolation in your room with no disturbances or to avoid disturbing others, The Ginkgo might not be ideal. The hotel's quiet policy is essential because the house-like layout makes other guests feel more like housemates than strangers.

Overall, the pros of staying at The Ginkgo far outweigh the cons. It was a truly fantastic place to stay, and I can confidently say I will...

Lack of hospitality and way too pricy for what it is.

My Fiance and I were looking for a quiet weekend get away in Boston but he got covid 2 days before our trip and they would not refund us. The manager did offer us a partial credit back for a future stay but at a price of over $400 a night a partial credit just was not going to cut it. Because of this I ended up traveling alone in order to not waste the money. Upon arrival Lance, the manager, says that we gave too short of notice to receive a full credit or any money back.... Covid doesn't really give notice does it? For a city that still requires vaccine proof you'd think they would take this more seriously and be grateful he did not come while sick.

Upon arrival, Lance tells me I should have checked my email for entry instructions.... I was not on my phone as I was driving from VA. He then saw me struggling to carry my multiple bags into the house (I am traveling for 3 months so I had a number of bags) and did not offer to assist. Definitely not the warm welcome you would expect from a Boutique Inn.

The room is bland and was hot upon my arrival. The bed was comfortable but overall definitely not worth over $400 a night. Cheap decor and old towels in the bedroom. You have to search for parking and Lance does not really give you any tips... just hands you a card with "instructions". No tour of the house was given. The "historic house" really just feels like an old hot house turned into an overpriced inn.

I would rather spend a little extra money next time and stay somewhere that felt more hospitable. I felt like because I was on the younger side of their typical guest list (I am 27) I did not receive the same level of service that someone older than myself might receive. I hope others had a better experience here because it is in a great location. Unfortunately, I would not recommend...

This place was absolutely amazing to stay in! When you approach the house, you can't help but revel in the gorgeous architecture and pleasant flowers surrounding it. However, the inside is on a different level, with beautiful and ancient-looking furniture and designs. The authentic wood floors and banisters creaked softly as we walked around the house, and our lovely host, Nancy, greeted us warmly. There is a kitchen where you can make your own breakfast and coffee, though it also comes with a basket full of snacks and fruit. The bottom floor is luxurious and comfortable; the living room has plush couches and chairs that you can lounge on and read. In fact, that room is full of books: magazines, history books, biographies, and more. Our room immediately reminded me of home. It was spacious and comfortable, with little trinkets that show the thought this place put into everything. I was personally overjoyed when I discovered a bag of earplugs they provided. There is also quite a large personal fridge, great wifi, and a very comfortable bed. Service was marvelous. Nancy is always downstairs, interacting with the guests, asking how their day was, and recommending the best places to go. She is so kind, even letting us keep our bags here and hang around in the living room after we'd already checked our room out. She truly made Ginkgo House special, personalizing everyone's experience. Also, the location of this place is great. It's in a quiet, pretty neighborhood and near a Whole Foods. It's an easy and pleasant walk to Harvard Square and University.

I know this is an egregiously long review, but this place deserves it. I will most certainly be staying here if I ever come to Boston again, and highly recommend...