My husband is considering enrolling in a seminar the later part of July at Harvard.

When it is the two of us we prefer to stay at Cambridge so we have time to meet for lunch. I have mastered the T well enough to go back and forth.

This year we are considering taking 3 teens so my line of thinking was to stay in Boston where more is happening.

I will need 2 rooms, affordable but comfortable and no car so location is important. Please send suggestions....

What's your definition of "affordable"?

There has been good reviews of the Liberty Hotel. Nine Zero is also in the same neighborhood (Beacon Hill).

For Back Bay, you have the Marriott Copley Sq, Fairmont Copley, Taj, Lenox, Eliot.

Well, I would like $250 a night...If I could find $200 we could fund another night in savings.

I did read that review on the Liberty Hotel...Will check on those listed. Thanks!

Anyone stayed at The Marlowe in Cambridge? Good prices and good reviews on Tripadvisor...

joebear, if you're concerned about keeping teens happy, then access to the T is of prime importance, whether you're in Boston or Cambridge. Frankly Harvard Square is more interesting than much of Boston; whereabouts at Harvard is the seminar; it could be right in the Square or across the river in Brighton. The location of the Marlowe isn't particularly interesting or convenient.

The reviews of the Liberty indicate that the lobby nightclub causes a lot of noise disruption -- doesn't sound like a good venue for either teens nor their scholarly dad. On the other hand, across the street, equally accessible to the Charles Street Red Line station, is the more modest John Jeffries hotel, a former nurses' dorm that gets good reviews and is apparently more homey.

I've never stayed at the Marlowe - I guess the reviews are good but its location is a minus, esp when you said in your first post that you wanted to "stay in Boston where more is happening".

The hotel is next to the Cambridgeside Galleria - your usual mall; but not as convenient compared to hotels in Beacon Hill or Back Bay.

We've stayed at the Marlowe and loved it. Very comfortable, nice wine reception. I would avoid the restaurant, at least for breakfast, as ours was terrible and about $30 each.

It's right across from the Museum of Science. Easily walkable.

Cambridge Hyatt Regency is showing a special on Travelzoo right now for $139/night through the summer. http://hotels.travelzoo.com/lodging-hotels/417432

I love Hotwire for Boston and Cambridge. You can narrow down the possibilities with www.betterbidding.com

We really like the Hyatt in Cambridge, but it is not convenient to the "T". They do offer shuttle service, but you'd want to verify times and destinations.

So long as you're convenient to a "T" station, I don't think it matters much where you stay.

Yeah, the Cambridge Hyatt Regency is a good deal, but it's very incovenient for public transportation. Plus the reviews over at tripadvisor are quite bad.

My perennial "secret" - the John Jeffries -- some rooms have kitchenettes, extraordinarily convenient to T (first stop on Red Line between Park Sq. and Harvard is just outside the door).

We stayed at the Hyatt Cambridge recently, and it is just fine. Our room was huge and had an enormous outdoor terrace overlooking the river. Decor was attractive and "fresh". We really enjoyed our stay.

There is a bus stop nearby, but I'm not familiar with the buses. You can find routing, etc., at www.mbta.com

We had our car, so drove everywhere.

It was a bit of a disappointment that the rooftop dining room/lounge, with those magnificent views, is only used for functions now.

I lived in Cambridge forever, and always put my family up at the Harding House or Irving House. Looks like they have longer-term accommodations now, too. Very nice people. http://www.cambridgeinns.com

Both of those B&B's look wonderful. I will call when I firm up my dates. Looks like they may be full already...I will check out for next. The reviews are good...thanks!

They Hyatt is a nice hotel but the T access is crucial, we will have limited time so we need to be close.

joebear-

Saw good deal on Travelzoo for Nine Zero - $189/night Thurs thru Sundays

http://hotels.travelzoo.com/lodging-hotels/420044

If you score a good deal with Hotwire, the savings will cover taxis, if you need them, and then some...

I tried right away and that rate at Nine Zero is not available. Should I call or does that mean only a few rooms are held for that special? I can get the rooms for my nights during the special but at the regular rate.

Has anyone stayed at the Doubletree lately? I can get a good rate since we are visiting Harvard.

The Doubletree on Soldiers Field Road is not convenient to public transit.

But they (Doubletree) used to have a free shuttle service to popular locations -- you might want to check with the hotel.