Accommodations

Before you book your hotel, take a few minutes to consider how you would like to spend your week in Cambridge. Would you like to be closer to Boston overlooking the Charles River and Beacon Hill? Or would you like to be a part of Harvard Square and enjoy your evening hours at coffee shops, newstands, great restaurants and pubs?

The hotels listed below have been selected based on the overall value each offers. Each property is reasonably close to public transportation (hotel shuttle or subway). In other words, you are not directly on campus, but this is not such a bad thing. Frankly, there's not much happening after dark in February near MIT. You need to go 10 minutes further away to enjoy city life.

Map

Blue flags=hotel locations

Red flags=subway stops

Gray flag=MIT, airport and other destinations

Hotels

Sheraton Commander Hotel - 16 Garden St., Cambridge, MA 02138

1-800-325-3535 or 1-617-547-4800

Code: SNO or MIT SNO - Rate deadline is January 27th

The Sheraton Commander just had a makeover so you can stay in a new, modern room for a great price. Located on the back corner of Cambridge Common, it's a 3-5 minute walk to Harvard Square and the Red Line. It's 2 train stops from MIT Kendall Square. If you really need a ride, there's 24-hour cab service and the cost to MIT is about $6. Live like a true Cantabrigian in this neighborhood corner.

$125 per night plus tax - this hotel is the furthest from the airport, but I think it's worth the trip. I like walking past the church and historic marks and the beautiful architecture. It's a good place to be and a very nice commute to MIT. The downside is that all Starwood-owned properties charge a $9.95 fee for the wireless connection. MIT has campuswide wireless, if this helps. Overall, it's still a cheap stay in a great place.

Royal Sonesta - 40 Edwin Land Blvd., Cambridge, MA 02142

1-800-SONESTA or 617-806-4200

Code: SNO - Rate deadline is January 24th

The Sonesta is located a little over a mile from MIT. (My best time walking from my office to this corner is 17 minutes 23 seconds). It is next to the Galleria Mall and Museum of Science and 3 blocks from the Green Line which takes you to Boston. There are 3 shuttle options - the hotel shuttle, the mall shuttle and the Cambridge shuttle (all run during business hours, not late night). All pick-up and drop-off on Main Street at MIT/Kendall Square, which is a 3 minute walk to campus.

$129 per night plus tax - The upside is that you'll have 4 star accommodations, free wireless and a luxurious stay in a quiet corner of East Cambridge for little money. Ask for it and you might get a 10th floor room on the Charles River side overlooking Boston. The only thing I would note as a downside is that you'll probably need to take a taxi to get around in the evening.

Harvard Square Hotel - 110 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge, MA 02188

617-864-5200

Code: SNO - Rate deadline is January 17th

This hotel calls itself the "centerpiece" of Cambridge. It is a pleasant budget hotel that gets you in the middle of all the activity. The staff is very friendly and the rooms are clean and cheery. The square footage in the rooms is not as ample as it is in the other two hotels, but you're probably not going to spend that much time inside when there's so much to do outside in the Square. The Red Line is a couple minutes away from the hotel entrance.

$139 per night plus tax -

Parking

Hotel parking is available at each hotel. Inquire about rates when making your reservation. Rates can be up to $35 per day.

Although public parking is available for a fee, we recomend that you park your car at the hotel and use public transportation to come to MIT campus.