Worst stay at a hotel we have ever had. First Valet could not see key to vehicle left on dash. Very odd. They offered to take cash of $30 to park in front of entrance to hotel overnight. When we tried to check in person at counter was more concerned to be talking to friends instead of doing their job. Gave us he wrong room number. There were other guest in room already. Got new room and 1 of 2 keys did not work. Was told by front desk to use the key working only. When checking out it took over a half hour to get car as we used valet. Which created a bad situation at airport. Kept telling front desk clerk we needed to get to the airport by a certain time. Clerk did not care. Room was ok. Overall avoid this place at all costs. read more

My family and I had to stay at this hotel due to power outage a few towns over. During this time the staff was very understanding, flexible and accommodating. Everyone was very understanding and helpful. Woody and the other members at the front desk did an exceptional job! I would Highly recommend the rooms are very comfy, modern and clean. All the staff is very friendly and helpful! We traveled with our puppy and we're glad to see how pet friendly this place was! 10/10 read more

I don't want to be one of those crazy yelp reviewers that writes a novel so I'm going be brief. In town for Redsox game. Perfect distance from Fenway. Near the River & bike/walking paths. Close to shopping in downtown Boston (also walkable). The Hotel was clean and stylish. All that was good but what made this place great was the service. Ramsey, at the front desk was so sweet, welcoming and helpful. I know it is her job but it seemed to come natural to her. There was also a delightful waitress in Bambara that recommended not only a perfect cocktail but she went out of her way to get us to a restaurant that accommodated some dietary restrictions. Even right down to the quick witted Chambermaid. Really just a fabulous time. We will be back. read more

Simply gorgeous and simply divine!!! Surprised by husband for a romantic Valentine's evening, complete with rose petal entrance to the stunningly decorated room with a spectacular view of the Charles. The lobby was actually one of my favorite parts of the hotel. Plush artistic seating, dramatic and bold colors and backdrops on the walls. Very warm and inviting with just the right touch of Cambridge throughout. Highly recommend for anyone visiting Boston via Cambridge or for any Bostonians who want to take a "staycaction"... read more

See all

Unimpressed with service, facility. This is a review based on 3 separate stays over total of 11 nights. - issue with check in due to crashed system - stuck bathroom sink cover - room card stopped working. No apologies given at the front desk - no mini bar key given on the first check in - when asked if there was a vending machine, told to go to the mall next door - a room service order for 8 dollar smoothie ended up costing 20+ dollars with misc service charges (tip already added) - do hotels not believe in soap tray? (See pic) - disgusting hair dryer (see pic) - granted that this hotel is located in a prime location near MIT, i expect better for a hotel that charged me some of nights $599. read more

Kimpton Hotel Marlowe - No soap tray provided. This was my solution. - Hotels Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

See all

I'm not the type of person who normally writes reviews of Hotels. I've done a couple Bed and Breakfasts on Trip Advisor, but never a hotel on Yelp. First off, I didn't pick Hotel Marlowe. I bought it on hotwire. I think that is important, because I was treated like a star even though I went through hotwire. I've been to a few hotels where it is the "oh, priceline okay you go into the corner". Before check-in I was assured I would get a king size bed and a crib for my 10 month old (no need to bring the pack-n-play). More than what Hotwire guaranteed. Upon check-in we were treated with a ton of smiles, and a lot of help. It was the holiday weekend so I parked for free near-bye (cambridge parkway along the river, by the charles avenue bike path). No issues with getting the crib or the king size bed. The crib came packed with a baby travel kit (baby soap, etc). The room was nice, robes included. We cleaned up and had a nice adventure on the town. When we got back we had wine, chocolate, nuts. We were so surprised we called to make sure it wasn't some sort of "eat and pay" thing. Nope, it was complimentary. The next day we took advantage of the free kayaks (fun!) and had no issue walking across the bridge into the city. Free bikes, free kayakas, manager reception (wine! more wine!). Last time for Hotwire, when in boston I'm going to try to stay here. BTW - sign up for their free reward program. $10.00 from the mini-bar, free wireless, 7 stays get one free. read more

It's over-overdue This belated yelp review! I know. I'll stop. Sorry. So. It was the end of the year. Middle of the week. Humdrum routine. But then surprise! Whisked away by b. for a 2-night stay at Hotel Marlowe, our second Kimpton experience, to ring in the new year together and to belatedly celebrate our anniversary. Check-in was prompt and friendly. A lovely gift of champagne, chocolates, and bottled water with a thoughtful note from Paul wishing us a Happy Anniversary was brought up to us soon after we arrived in our room. Thanks Paul! Our "King Deluxe" room was curiously decorated (e.g., odd lamps with a bust and light-up base; a variety of patterned fabrics throughout), but not unappealing. b. found the mattress to be very comfy (firm with a plush pillow-top), but I was not fond of the flat, shapeless pillows. Since b. joined the Kimpton Karma rewards program at check-in, we received free wifi, which was problem-free during our stay. The minibar was also well-stocked with all sorts of beverages, snacks, and even a "mini intimacy kit" in case you forgot your feather tickler at home. Doesn't that happen like, ALL the time?! Overall, we had a wonderful stay at Hotel Marlowe. Conveniently tucked behind the Cambridgeside Galleria mall and an easy walk to the Lechmere T station. Impeccable service. Free coffee and tea in the mornings and wine hour (missed it again! we really need to plan around this next time) during the evenings in the lobby area. Looking forward to our next Kimpton stay! read more

See all

I absolutely loved this place. I was our honeymoon and they had lovely treats for us in our rooms. The daily wine bar, great food suggestions, kayak rentals and the best staff imaginable. Meghan, our concierge really took care of us. It was also great to see all the dogs as they are pet friendly. Highly recommend if you are coming to the Boston area. read more

Kimpton Hotel Marlowe - A great view. - Hotels Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

You are THE BEST! Thank you for an extraordinary MARLOWE greeting Sunday night upon arrival. You make all the hard things seem easy because EXCELLENT attention and service have always been your standard practice. KIMPTON can be proud of this jewel in their crown. Nicholas P. Schiavone read more

See all

Clean and spacious room. Bed was comfortable. Not enough outlet to plug your phone, camera, and laptop in at the same time. Good location. They have wine hour every evening. The restaurant/bar downstairs in descent if you want to grab dinner quickly, but with all the good restaurants in Cambridge why would you waste the calories there? I'd definitely stay at Marlow's again next time I'm in Boston. read more

This hotel has outstanding ADA accommodations. When I had a last minute question about my accommodation, the night clerk actually checked the room before he answered my question. As we arrived late in the evening, the restaurant manager could not have been nicer in fulfilling our order and the food was hot and delicious. The excellent service continued the next morning at breakfast. All staff members were very courteous, respectful, and accommodating. We will definitely stay here again. read more

This place is great! It's on the more costly stay of hotel staying. But it is worth every penny. The rooms are clean, comfortable and almost over the top fun with animal prints. In a rich lady way, not in a prostitute way. The lobby is awesome and the reception area is a great place to hang at any time. Free wine from 5-6pm every day. You can't lose. read more

Kimpton Hotel Marlowe - Hotels Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Its decent, Its nice, They give me top service because my boss is a Big Timer over there so never a complaint & they are always helpful when it comes to last minute changes/needs. read more

I love Kimpton hotels but this one kinda let me down. Pros: friendly desk staff, excellent maid service, and connected to a mall that has several dining options. Cons: the mattresses definitely need replacing. There was a "dip" in the middle so deep you'd think an elephant had been sleeping on the bed for the past year, the walls were kinda thin and we could hear the wedding parties 2 floors beneath us which was not good for people who like sleep. The view is horrible on the inside rooms. For the price this is unacceptable. On our last day we ordered room service to save time, we clearly checked the box stating deliver between 6:45 and 7am. That didn't happen, I had to call downstairs and ask what happened. Breakfast finally showed up at 7:15. Overall it's an OK place for the money, but if you need a good nights sleep, this may not be the place. read more

I will probably stay here anytime I go to Boston. Here's why: GREAT STAFF - They're attentive, helpful, and committed to making their guests' stay comfortable. I indicated my husband and I would be celebrating our anniversary and his birthday while there, and they sent a personalized welcome card along with a plate of chocolate covered strawberries and a bottle of wine. I reserved a garden view room, but surprisingly got an upgrade to a room with a view of the Charles! Also, ahead of your stay, and this is totally optional, they'll ask (via e-mail) if you want to send them a picture which they post in your room to add a personal touch. I did, just for the heck of it, and it was a pleasant sight to see in a city I'd never been to. GREAT LOCATION - Just a short train ride from Boston, far away from the hustle and bustle, but still close enough to get there in a heartbeat. A 5-minute walk to the T (green line, Lechmere), a 5-min. walk to MIT/shops/restaurants in Cambridge. In the immediate area, Bambara (great food, separate review) is in the lobby, the Museum of Science (one of the Duck Tour's starting points) is just across the street, and right next to the hotel is a shopping mall (which has a CVS drugstore and a good foodcourt). GREAT AMENITIES - While there's no free breakfast, in the morning they put out cold brew coffee and jars of almonds, house-made granola, and dried bananas. Fruit-infused water is available all day, and ice-cold bottled water is ready for pick up at the entrance. For a pet friendly hotel (they even have a greeting sign at the door for the furry friends), it is very clean and does not have any smells indicating so. They have a room to store luggage while not checked into the hotel. Free kayak and bike (first come, first served). The beds are very comfortable. Animal print comfy robes. WiFi is free for Kimpton Karma members (free to join). Things that weren't so great (but don't affect me wanting to stay there again) - the pillows were awfully high, curtains let in too much light for my taste (especially when on vacation and I want to sleep in. The thick decorative curtains that could actually block out the light didn't close all the way), not much counter space in the bathroom (bathroom itself is very spacious, but the space not utilized very well). These things may be just room-specific because I saw pics of the other rooms, and it didn't look like the room I stayed in. Look no further, this place will meet all your needs and then some. read more

It's become tradition for my husband and me to stay at the Kimpton Marlowe whenever we're back in Cambridge/Boston, and it will continue to be tradition given this last trip. I left a valuable item in my room after we checked out this past week, and the hotel staff went above and beyond to retrieve it for me, then send it to my home in NYC. I'm so impressed with the Kimpton Marlowe managers and staff and this is certainly reflective of the hotel, as you can see in other reviews. Aside from the service, I love the toiletries here (the mandarin soap smell is heavenly!), and the free wine happy hour is THE BEST. read more

It has to be one of my favorite hotels. After staying here for 30 minutes I already booked Allegro another Kimpton hotel in Chicago for my next visit. This is the first time the entire staff is friendly. From front desk to house keepers to valet. All amazing! They also have free bike rentals! read more

See all

I love this hotel. Like one of my absolute favorite hotels I have ever stayed in, and I wish it could have been for more than one night! From check in to check out, my boyfriend and I had a wonderful stay! I do wish they did a little something like the free cookie that Hilton does, I think I saw something on here about a free glass of wine but unfortunately we did not receive that. Regardless, the hotel room was sparkling clean, the bed was comfortable, they gave us silverware for our takeout without hesitation, and the view from our room was very quaint. I will definitely be back, and will be sure to check in earlier and stay an extra day to ensure the full experience and explore more of what the hotel has to offer. Big thank you to the staff! read more

I have stayed at plenty of Kimpton properties and this one was one of my favorites. I loved the decor it was very sophisticated and elegant. All Kimpton's are pet friendly as well and Free of charge they do not charge per day like other hotels. I LOVE this and is one of the major reasons I always stay with them. Ok on to the good stuff. Pros: The Bed- excellent very comfortable and super plush The feel- although I stayed in a standard room it still had the elegance and furniture quality of a presidential suite. The service- my Yorkie was treated like a ViP they already had set up a doggy bed for heron the room along with treats and a bowl. It was my birthday month so they left chocolates in my room during my stay(what a detail). My hubby and I went to dinner and they doggy sat my Yorkie for a small fee. Cons: None really I truly enjoyed my stay and will be back. read more

See all

I had a delightful stay at the Kimpton! The manager Sophie truly made my experience memorable - she helped out at the front desk and I remember her smile! She was kind, professional, held her poise when awful guest yelled at her, and was overall an angel! I hope when I stay again she is still there! Thank you for a great visit! read more

Some weeks, it feels like Hotel Marlowe is my second home. Irrespective of whether my trip is well planned or last minute, my stay is always a pleasure. Comfortable rooms, accommodating staff (special shout out to Ali and Paul), and a location that makes my hectic work schedule a little easier. When the price is too high for my liking or there isn't a room available, I head across the river to Nine Zero or Onyx, the other Kimpton properties in town. Though the experience at these spots is nothing to scoff at, Hotel Marlowe is still my favorite. See y'all soon. read more

I stayed here for a work meeting in March 2017. I've gone to other hotels for work meetings but this is the best one I've stayed. First of all, the food provided by the hotel for the work meeting was delicious and interesting since they had dishes that were local like clam chowder, Island Creek oysters, shrimp, etc. I like that they had stations - carving station and raw bar for dinner and an omelette station for breakfast. It definitely wasn't the same boring buffet all the time. They also had pitchers of infused water at every table during the meeting which was great since I'm not a soda person. I also appreciated the Mighty Leaf Tea which is high quality tea. As for the room, it was clean and decorated very nicely. I appreciated that there were outlets on all the lamps to charge your phone or iPad. I just wish I came in the summer since they have kayaks and bikes to borrow for free. read more

Kimpton Hotel Marlowe - King room - Hotels Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

It was loud, the wine selection at their restaurant leaves much to be desired as did their food. They also charged my credit card a hold of $115-For what,exactly??There is no mini bar there. Dogs stay free,it's situated next to the Charles. read more

All of the staff at the hotel were friendly and very helpful. We stayed in a room facing the river and loved the view. The room was perfectly cleaned and very comfortable. The restaurant attached to the hotel is lovely and the food and drinks were good. The atmosphere of the hotel is energetic and they strive to make people feel welcome. Parking was also a snap with the valet. We are looking forward to going back. read more

My family came to visit this summer and stayed here - and I wished that I had too! This hotel seems to have it all. The rooms are so cushy and comfy, and also very jungle-like with the animal prints and faux-fur throw rugs. Strange balance that sounds tacky, but somehow works and looks elegant. The lounge area in the lobby is GORGEOUS, and bonus points for free wine hour everyday from 5-6pm. FREE WINE. Red AND white. I love it. read more

I am definitely a fan of Kimpton properties. This one in Boston does not disappoint. I was in Boston for a photoshoot and loved coming back to my suite for a night of relaxation and room service after a long day of shooting at the harbor. Staff was courteous and helpful. My one complaint is that there was major construction being conducted across the street. Although that is not the Hotel Marlowe's fault, it would have been nice to see slightly more accommodation for the many guests who were upset about the construction noise (which lasted until nearly 1 a.m.!) Perhaps free wifi or some other accommodation could have been offered. Regardless, I would definitely return :) read more

My best friend, Natasha, got married here! It was such an awesome wedding spot, I can't even begin to explain. First, it's not too huge of a hotel, and that makes it just the right size for a wedding. As Natasha mentioned, the fact that they only do one wedding at a time is definitely nice, it would be annoying to have 2 weddings at the same time! The decor is funky and chic, and I swung by quite a few different rooms, which were also super funky and fun. The leopard print bath robes are quite a cool touch, I must say. The staff is super nice, when I went on a hunt for safety pins for Natasha's dress (hey, open bar reception and DJ means someone stepping her dress was inevitable) they opened every sewing kit they could find and pulled out the pins for me so I could run up and help fix her dress. Kickass, thanks guys! The food was absolutely incredible, from the passed appetizers to the seated dinner. I loved the coconut shrimp and the oysters, the soup, everything! The crab cakes were awesome too, definitely some amazing food. And the booze was a-flowin so you know we had a great time! A really great hotel, and an even better wedding, How can you possibly complain? read more

Boutique hotels are fun...especially when one is not picking up the tab. So after the aforementioned house burned down, we had a 3k hotel allowance from the insurance people. Well, we were only homeless for a few days and spent most of them with family because it was Thanksgiving. The night before the movers came to put us into the new place, I booked us the Presidential Suite at the Hotel Marlowe. (bua-ha-ha-ha) We pulled up in my now-a-one-door honda civic coupe, grubby and covered in soot. Not having showered recently...but looking for all intents like it had been weeks. We both climbed out the driver door (since the passenger door is broken) and then rifled through the car full of stuff for things we needed. Beverly Hill Billies. Then we handed the valet the key. Amazing. (It's only $5 more (plus gratuity) to park in their valet area than to park in the galleria garage which is your other option) We checked in, went without hesitation to the hosted wine hour and drank and talked to random strangers for a while--FW is *VERY FRIENDLY.* Then we changed and went over to the Cambridgeside Galleria which it's basically attached to. On returning, we put on the animal print robes provided to us by the hotel, drank some wine, sat in the jacuzzi, and then promptly passed out. The atmosphere is swank and vaguely 1940s (bellhops in fedoras and trench coats), we had a room that overlooked the Charles (across a road and through some trees). The leopard print fainting couch was kind of amazing...and the jacuzzi tub with a full complement of L'Occitaine goodies was a fabulous addition. They're also dog friendly and have cookies at the door for the little ones. I don't know that I would pay that price on a regular trip (almost $500 for the suite), but when insurance is picking up the tab...or while on honeymoon...or if you just happen to have that kind of disposable income...it's my favorite hotel so far. read more

Had a plumbing emergency at our apt in Alston. My boyfriend works near the area and we naturally chose to stay here while the emergency repairs were happening. Nice accommodations. Sleek and efficient. Having breakfast in the room tomorrow before work in the am. Nice little getaway thanks valet and concierge read more

Nice alternative to generic business-traveller hotel. Marlowe disguises the fact that they're basically an upscale road warrior hotel with lots of leopard print and slightly-hip decor. Things I liked: - The decor - The in-room coffee maker was superior to any other I have ever had as it had Torrefazione coffee and both mugs AND travel cups - Nice spa-quality products in bathroom - Leopard print robes - Super nice staff - Free NYT rather than local paper Things I didn't like: - Phone in our room was broken - TV channels: 5 ESPN derivatives and no MTV, VH1, E!, Bravo - Crap view of the other side of the hotel - Location is set apart from the actual living part of Cambridge and is on a long strip with a lot of other hotels. - Concierge was on perpetual smoke breaks and never actually answered our question for a decent dinner venue, so we ended up eating in the hotel, which was not that great (see my review) I am picky picky (my favorite hotel is The Hotel on Rivington in the LES in NYC) but I'd definitely stay in the Marlowe again despite my nitpicks. It's about $325/night after taxes and charges, which is very expensive IMO for what you're getting, but Boston hotels are exorbitantly priced. read more

I recently went here for a poetry reading. Let me say that the staff is ultra-friendly, as I called up for directions and they gave me the phone equivalent of a hug from mom after a skinned knee; ie, they made me feel safe and warm, like I could navigate Cambridge, like it was easy. I knew then everything was going to be okay. It was during their complimentary wine hour from 5 to 6, where wine and refreshments are served to guests of the hotel. And I guess wayfaring strangers accepted too, because that's what I was, sunk deep into one of their deliciously plush chairs like an incognito French rock star, holding a riesling. OK, so only the riesling part's true. All around me out of towners crooned and bemoaned the heat, the poet mingled with the crowd, and I dipped my hand into the complimentary bowls of trail mix, utterly bored. The decor is like a whore house, as reported. But some people, including myself, really like that. I think it could be done up more--and why not go all out? The leopard print couches in the lobby are a nice touch, as are the winding staircases. But, something more... Why not some bordello-red velour wallpaper? Rockstars passed out in hallways with syringes hanging out of their arms? Led Zeppelin wake-up calls? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! After the reading, I had a class of wine in the restaurant, Bambara. It seemed like pretty decent fare. I witnessed a caesar salad, complete with one whole anchovie splayed atop a bed of iceberg lettuce. Now that's something to marvel. read more

We stayed here for about 10 days and I'm wavering between 3 and 4 stars. I really loved having the park next door to walk my dog at. Overall it's a good hotel if you're in town for business, etc in Cambridge. It's close to the Galleria too and other little cafes that are walkable. The Cheesecake Factory, P.F. Changes, and CPK aren't my favorite restaurants, but they are a more viable option for late night dining near by if you have to eat something. I've stayed at other Kimpton properties around the country but this one was my least favorite though. The service was pretty good, but we really didn't demand much overall so I'm basically referring to the kind folks behind the counter who always greeted us when we walked in. This was nice. And we were given some good insight into the area too. The front desk was quite friendly which was probably my favorite part of the hotel. But the hotel to me overall didn't have much boutique charm going for it. It's nice but it's not rave worthy nice. And the decor is a little gaudy at times for my personal taste, a little too Z Gallerie-ish. I would hardly describe it as hip, it's interesting. And once at 7am when I came down for breakfast, some pop song was blaring so loud it was rather disconcerting for that time of day. And the closet space was really small and the set of drawers was quite small for two people to share. I guess that was my biggest complaint. For staying such a long period of time, it became a little uncomfortable living out of a suitcase. I did however like how the TV could sync with an app on my phone to control it. This was a nice touch. But I enjoyed breakfast at their restaurant on at least three different occasions and I thought it was actually excellent. They have gluten free bread and fresh green juice so major points for that. That said, some of the folks working at the restaurant had a bit of a begrudging vibe and hardly managed to crack a smile at all. So, yea it's definitely not a bad hotel, it's good in some respects, but I wouldn't easily place it in the boutique category. read more

If you ever find yourself selling your house, moving across the country and dragging your tired butt into a hotel, the Marlowe should be your (very!) first choice. The staff was calm, welcoming and engaged. The bell captain just grinned at our 1400 pieces of luggage, cranky child and enormous dog. We enjoyed a four-star room service meal - the organic roast chicken blew my mind and the milk and cookies closed the deal. Thank you team Marlowe for making our last 48 hours in Boston, some of the best! read more

The rooms are nice. The service is not great at all. Our five night stay has not started off very good. Upon arrival we packed all our suitcases onto there cart. The doorman brought it in asked if he could help I said ok , and gave him our room number. After waiting a very long time I went downstairs and saw our cart just sitting there. I asked if I could just take it. They said ok they weren't sure who it belonged to. At that point the front desk man asked if he could help me upstairs, I said no at that point I would just take it. Our room was reserved for four people yet there was only one washcloth and three towels. We called for more things and they never came. To say the least I'm a bit disappointed. read more

Traveling as often I do, most stays are pretty uneventful. But, when something comes up out of the ordinary, that's when you can really see how a hotel treats their customers. We arrived in the afternoon, shortly after normal check-in time. As at every other Kimpton the valet was friendly, quickly took care of my car and directed us to the front desk. At the front desk though, there was a small problem with my status. Even with this issue though the agent was friendly and I was still offered a generous upgrade. After a quick call to the always friendly Kimpton InTouch service desk, I was told there was certainly no problem with my account and that they would personally call the Marlowe. I called the front desk a bit later about requesting a sewing kit, which was promptly delivered, and they said InTouch had called them and they were already working on my IC items. I was extremely impressed at the speed these were put together and really appreciated the apology letter attached. It's this customer service that really sets Kimpton apart from everyone else. As far as the rest of the stay went, it was again pretty uneventful, but comfortable and fun. Their was a delicious gazpacho available during the wine hour to hold me over until dinner. The room itself was great. The room, as usual, was very clean and well stocked. Are all Kimpton hotels brand new, or are they just really good at keeping the furniture looking new? Turn down was done while we were out and the chocolates were a nice bedtime snack. I would compare the style of the Marlowe to the Monaco chain, which is a nationwide Kimpton brand. The furniture was therefore interesting, but more importantly comfortable. This was another excellent stay and the friendly, excellent staff continue to amaze me at this Kimpton. Next time I'm in the Cambridge area, the Marlowe will be at the top my choices. read more

We had a great time staying in this hotel with my husband. The customer service is truly amazing, bed was super comfy and a the decour make this place feel both luxurious and cozy in the same time. Highly recommend! read more

Kimpton Hotel Marlowe - Very beautiful and cozy hotel. Comfy bed. Great customer service! - Hotels Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I came for a one night stay for an interview and was so incredibly grateful for Sean, the night manager who helped me. I had accidentally left my resume and reference letters on my night stand at home and had called the hotel to ask if they had a business center, of which they did. I printed my resume and letters, but they looked terrible in greyscale with no option of color and on standard printer paper. I didn't have time to head to a Fedex to print these, so I asked the night manager Sean if he could do anything. He spent lots of time with me, printing all of my documents on heavy stock paper in color, even offering two copies and a couple of folders to place them in. He truly went above and beyond for me and helped decrease my nerves big time. I really appreciate it. You never know when someone might go above and beyond for you and for that, I am grateful. Nice, clean hotel. Quiet room. Friendly staff. I'll be back. read more

FRONT DESK STAFF WILL LIE TO YOU TO MAKE THEIR LIVES EASIER. So my girlfriend booked the Hotel Marlowe for one night via Hotels.com the night before we were to arrive. She called the hotel directly on the morning of our check-in to both confirm and add my name to the room in case I arrived before her. At 6:20 AM that morning the Marlowe confirmed and off to work she went. I arrived at 3:30 to check in to find out there was a "glitch" and they did not have a room for us. However they would be putting us across the street at the Royal Sonesta. The Sonesta is just fine but it was aggravating nonetheless as I had just unloaded the car and parked, etc . I asked Aiden, the apologetic front desk manager if Hotels.com would be charging us the same rate for the Sonesta and he informed me that because of the screw up the room would be taken care of, which sounded like a nice thing to do when things get screwed up. When I asked him how exactly that would happen, as Hotels.com (owned by Expedia) already had charged us, he told me that either Expedia would or the Marlowe would because of how bad it made the hotel look. He offered to connect me to Expedia so I could speak with them directly and once I did they quickly informed me that yes I was being walked to the Royal Sonesta and they were not apologetic at all and that I would NOT be getting the room for free, but they were happy to tell me I would not have to pay more. ( Though yes I was, as they charge $40 for parking vs $20 for the Marlowe). Getting more aggravated now. I then handed the phone back to Aiden and told them what Expedia said and asked what how he wanted to handle the cost of the room. He disappeared for a few minutes and then came back and totally changed his story and said that the Marlowe would not in fact be able to comp the room because it was Expedia's mistake. So basically - the guy tried to get rid of me by bullsh*tting me and when I called him on it - he got caught in a lie. Now really aggravated. THEN - I said "look - I understand that you wanted to make me feel better - but you made things worse because you told me you could do something that you couldn't - just don't promise what you cannot deliver". And at that point he said" Well, since I did say that I could cover the cost of the room, we will cover it" . Wait - what? So I have no idea if that will ever happen - but they took my phone number and will update if they do. Anyways - I travel a lot and understand a lot of why travel problems happen - but I will no longer stay in Kimpton's due to the fact that they CONFIRMED in the morning and then walked us and the guy totally lied to me and then kept changing his story. I cannot trust them to do the right thing. read more

I wish the Marlowe were a little more modern in design aesthetic, but that and the slightly wind-swept location are perhaps my only complaints. Inside it's really no more swank than the average full-on Marriott, with the same sort of 80's-90's faux antique motif, laden with overly patterned decor. And the "spectacular view" I was promised was really just a B-grade view of the modern bridge from Cambridge to Boston proper, rather than the truly spectacular view of the Boston skyline and Beacon Hill that must be afforded by rooms on a different corridor. But the service here is impeccable, the bed comfortable, and good deals are to be had if you book carefully. It's adjacent to a nice little mall with a tunnel connecting, and if you crave Cheesecake Factory (I don't, ever) or P.F. Chang(e)'s (God Forbid, see my review of the Palo Alto location) then you'll love this place. Me, I found it a drive to Harvard Square or the North End or even Kendall Square, so I'm not sure it's really as convenient a location as I might like, depending on what I'm in Boston to do. read more

I liked the Marlowe but it isn't for everybody. Like any good Kimpton hotel, it was funky, clean, the service was excellent, and it's pet-friendly. If you don't like dogs or are allergic to them, you won't be happy here although the staff is likely to go overboard in trying to accommodate you. We had one problem, a dog who doesn't like to be left alone was brought by an owner who had better things to do. It barked and it howled endlessly. Cute dog, too. But the owner should realize that their dog isn't a good hotel dog. The staff took care of it and moved the dog and its owner somewhere else. I love Kimpton hotels. I'm giving this hotel 5 stars, but if I was reviewing the owner of that dog, it would be a one-star review. Thanks to the staff for letting me get sleep. read more