It's just a couple of blocks off of Harvard Square, an easy walk from the subway. Puts you in the middle of the local scene. That's the up side. The down side is that it is a pretty bare bones affair. Small room and no signs of luxury. Did have a refrigerator, which could have come in handy, but no microwave. Really basic feel in the bathroom and the grout in the shower/tub area is beginning to grow mold. But, I slept OK (exhaustion helps) and the neighbors who had been so noisy earlier did not disturb me later. However, be aware that there is a great deal of room-to-room noise transmission, and you could be unlucky. Location mattered a lot for me, particularly proximity to the subway. So I would probably stay here again even though it is just a step or two above a Motel 6.

We needed to stay one night in Harvard, and found this hotel to offer the cheapest rate, so we didn't expect much. It is a no-frills hotel, ie. no valet parking, no one to help with your luggage, which was all okay and expected. But not even to help us with the lobby door when they saw us struggling with the bags and a baby - I found that appalling since there were two receptionist behind the counter, neither were busy, and just stood there and watched us (a nice fellow guest ended up opening the door for us!).
We had the two queen beds room, because no baby crib was available. The room was a bit cramped with the two beds, and the bathroom was small and old. But all in all, it was clean and all we needed for the one night. And it had free wi-fi.

The Harvard Square Hotel offers a simple trade-off: you get an unbeatable location just off Harvard Square at less expensive prices than neighboring hotels BUT you have to put up with tired, drab, and slightly run-down interiors. If you have a car, the hotel offers one more bonus: a small self-park lot that you can drive in and out of at will, without bothering with valets or getting parking tickets stamped. I also want to give kudos to the front desk staff: they are very competent, offer sound advice, and take care of requests and problems remarkably quickly. While the facility is not as nice as other hotels in Cambridge, I'm sure we'll be staying there again -- it's the best deal in the neighborhood.

As with any hotel stay, your experience at the Harvard Square Hotel depends upon your personal priorities. I just returned from a 5-day stay in Cambridge, and this property had everything that I needed. I'm surprised that other guests complained about the rooms. I found the rooms to be basic (i.e., not particularly stylish) but completely clean; also, the in-room wireless worked flawlessly, and the bed was very comfortable. All of the staff members I dealt with, at both the front desk and the housekeepers, were friendly and accommodating. (I fully believe that you get back from people in any service industry the attitude that you put out toward them--makes me wonder how some of those who were so critical behaved toward the staff). So, in summary, if you're looking for luxury and super amenities, this isn't the place for you. If you want something economical that is clean, has the basic comforts, and is well located, check it out.