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The Cambridge Karma House

3.5 star property

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Apartment, 2 Bedrooms, Kitchen, Corner | Private kitchen
Apartment, 1 Bedroom, Kitchen | Living area
BBQ/picnic Area
Property grounds
Apartment, 1 Bedroom, Kitchen | Private kitchen

Reviews

6.4 out of 10

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendly
  • Dryer
  • Outdoor space
  • Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

View map
17 Banks Street St, Cambridge, MA, 02138
  • Place, Harvard University
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Harvard Square
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Place, Fenway Park
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Airport, Boston, MA (BOS-Logan Intl.)
    ‪11 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Apartment, 1 Bedroom, Kitchen

Apartment, 1 Bedroom, Kitchen | Living area

Apartment, 1 Bedroom, Kitchen

  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 Queen Bed and 2 Double Sofa Beds

View all photos for Apartment, 2 Bedrooms, Kitchen, Corner

Apartment, 2 Bedrooms, Kitchen, Corner

Apartment, 2 Bedrooms, Kitchen, Corner

  • 13 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Traditional Apartment, 1 Bedroom, Kitchen, Garden Area

Traditional Apartment, 1 Bedroom, Kitchen, Garden Area | Private kitchen

Traditional Apartment, 1 Bedroom, Kitchen, Garden Area

  • 79 sq m
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 Double Bed OR 1 Queen Bed

Classic Apartment, 1 Queen Bed, Kitchen, Garden View

  • 79 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Comfort Apartment, 1 Bedroom, Kitchen, Garden Area

Comfort Apartment, 1 Bedroom, Kitchen, Garden Area

Comfort Apartment, 1 Bedroom, Kitchen, Garden Area

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed

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About the area

Cambridge

With a stay at The Cambridge Karma House in Cambridge (Riverside), you'll be steps from Harvard University and 7 minutes by foot from Harvard Square. .This apartment is 1.6 mi (2.5 km) from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and 2.1 mi (3.4 km) from Boston University.
View more Apartments in BostonOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Harvard University - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Harvard Square - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Boston University - 3 min drive - 3.2 km
  • Fenway Park - 4 min drive - 4.3 km
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology - 5 min drive - 2.5 km

Getting around

  • Union Square Station - 4 min drive
  • Harvard Square Station - 7 min walk
  • Logan International Airport (BOS) - 24 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Tatte - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Zinneken's - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Santouka Ramen - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Insomnia Cookies - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Cafe Sushi - ‬2 min walk

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire apartment to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

The Cambridge Karma House

Apartment with kitchen, steps from Harvard University
The Cambridge Karma House offers 5 air-conditioned accommodations with coffee/tea makers and irons/ironing boards. Rooms open to balconies or patios. These individually decorated and furnished accommodations include desks. Accommodations at this 3.5-star apartment have kitchens with full-sized refrigerators/freezers, microwaves, and cookware/dishes/utensils.

Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Flat-screen televisions come with cable channels.

Make yourself at home in one of the 5 individually decorated guestrooms, featuring kitchens with full-sized refrigerators/freezers and microwaves. Rooms have private balconies or patios. Flat-screen televisions with cable programming provide entertainment, while complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected. Conveniences include desks and coffee/tea makers, and you can also request rollaway/extra beds (surcharge).
Take in the views from a terrace and a garden and make use of amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access.
Featured amenities include express check-in, express check-out, and luggage storage.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the apartment: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Full-sized refrigerator/freezer
  • Microwave

Bedrooms

  • Bedroom
  • Rollaway/extra bed: USD 45 per stay

Bathroom

  • 1 private bathroom
  • Free toiletries

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with cable channels

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony/patio
  • Garden
  • Picnic area
  • Terrace
  • Yard

Laundry

  • Dryer
  • Laundry facilities

Work spaces

  • Desk

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • 5 steps to reach entrance
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Luggage storage

Location highlights

  • In a historical district
  • Near a metro station

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • 2 buildings
  • 3 floors
  • 5 units
  • Built in 1885
  • Garden
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 2 AM
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before noon
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

There is no front desk at this property
Guests will receive an email with check-in information
For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 45.0 per stay

Payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Cleaning fee: USD 29.00 per accommodation, per stay

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 45.0 per stay

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Tax ID - C0177510491
This property accepts credit cards
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Property Registration Number No Registration ID

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
This property's policy is to refuse certain bookings for the purpose of group events or parties, including pre-wedding stag/bachelor and hen/bachelorette parties

Property is also known as

Cambridge Karma House Apartment
Karma House Apartment
Cambridge Karma House
The Cambridge Karma House Apartment
The Cambridge Karma House Cambridge
The Cambridge Karma House Apartment Cambridge

Reviews

The Cambridge Karma House Reviews

6.4

7.0/10

Cleanliness

6.2/10

Staff & service

5.8/10

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 5 out of 48 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 16 out of 48 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 13 out of 48 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 10 out of 48 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 4 out of 48 reviews

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Marleneq

Business traveller
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Not a good experience

I am sorry I did not take the reviews into account when booking this property. The house is falling apart, very run down. Even though the cleaner made a huge effort to clean, it is actually not clean-able.Not sure how come this is listed on hotels.com
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
excellent location close to harvard square. the building is not in the best of shape but is more than sufficient for comfort. all the amenities are in excellent condition and i found the apartment very functional and well suited to my needs. arrival and checking in was very smooth and well managed.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Disliked: Staff & service, room comfort
It's convenient to Harvard Square and the T. There is no AC, which shouldn't be a problem in most, but not all months. But--Two days before my scheduled check-in, they sent me a message saying the space I had reserved months earlier was not available and my reservation was cancelled. I had plane fare and a commitment to be in Cambridge. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A RESERVATION? Phone conversations with Expedia, totaling some 3 hours over two days, resulted in something being worked out with the property. The owner told Expedia those in the apt. I had reserved had extended their stay. CAN YOU LET SOMEONE EXTEND STAY IN A SPACE THAT'S BEEN RESERVED? The owner communicated to me that my reservation had been cancelled because the credit card I gave Expedia didn't work. It had worked for the airline, however. This was after he was renting us a space. The number he had was off by one digit from that which I gave Expedia. So maybe there was a typo, but THIS WAS A DIFFERENT story from the original communication. Also, if a card doesn't work, DO YOU SUMMARILY CANCEL SOMEONE'S RESERVATION AT THE LAST MINUTE WITHOUT EXPLANATION OR DO YOU ASK FOR ANOTHER CARD? It's always been the latter in my experience.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2018

6/10 Okay

Leah

Liked: Room comfort
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities

Know what it is before you arrive

Location was good. Cambridge is an expensive place to stay. This is more of a VRBO type of set up than a hotel.

8/10 Good

Mary, Silver Spring, MD

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Convenient location near Harvard

The property manager is easy to get in touch with and responds very quickly. I had some questions and they were answered politely and professionally. The apartment is clean and conveniently located and is a good price for the value. This is not a new place so if you are someone who needs a modern place or a slick-looking hotel room --this is not for you. However, if you want affordable accommodations in an older building with a living room, bedroom, and kitchen all to your own -- this is the place ! I stayed here while participating in the Boston marathon for the second time and it was again a great experience. I loved being able to relax and watch TV and then have my own cup of coffee in a cute little kitchen. It was perfect. If you are driving - Cambridge has resident parking everywhere and your own options are meters or a lot 1/4 mile away. No need for a car here, it's completely walkable with public transportation around the corner.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2018

6/10 Okay

Chris

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort

Great place and location...but a little dirty

We had a comfortable stay over the weekend but it needed a little sprucing up. Under the bed it was filthy - hadn't been swept there for weeks which is a little off putting.... but generally a pleasant experience. Thank you
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2018

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Excellent price and location

The room is spacious -- three rooms plus bath. Location can't be beat. The flat is very much "grad student" in quality, but for the price and the location it can't be beat.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2017

6/10 Okay

Nancy, Pittsburgh, PA

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort

Close to son's dorm at Harvard

It was the weekend of the Head of the Charles and the hotels in Harvard Sq I usually stay at when visiting my son were asking a king's ransom for a room. Then I discovered Karma House! Very moderate price for a 3-room apartment! I wish I had known about it three years ago when my son was a freshman. It's a little rough around the edges, but clean and the staff is friendly. Great location for all I was doing in Cambridge that visit. As there is no check-in desk, I had to wait till the day of check-in to get an email with check-in instructions. This was difficult for someone like me who likes to plan ahead. I had tried to call, and sent a message via Expedia. Unfortunately, my phone wasn't set up for voicemail when the property manager called back, but Karma House did try to reach me. I just wasn't prepared to answer a call from a strange number located in NJ.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2017

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

This isn't a hotel.

Strange multi-apartment building. You need to call the number you get a code to get in, and text them for the wifi. Fridge full of half-eaten food. Not what I expected from Expedia. Bed was OK.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2017

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

You should not stay here

This property should not be listed by Expedia. It was a total disappointment. It was very difficult to get in touch with anyone. I am trying to get ready for work and the power goes off and the maintenance person is going to be a couple of hours before he can get there. I had to go to the basement and find the breaker box so I could use a dryer to get ready for work Expedia should not have this property on their site. Sherry Cosper and Steve Poston
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2017

2/10 Terrible

PJK, Washington DC

Disliked: Staff & service

Worse Ever Lodging Experience

Look like it is graduate school housing in transition. Hallway and stairs filled with clutter, shipped paint. Residence overbooked; double booked the room I was allocated on arrival and at 9:30 p.m. I was requested to vacate; when I provided my confirmed booking I was still hassled to leave - including knocking on my door at 11:00 p.m. by the person who claimed I was "squatting" in his room - even though I had been given the occupancy and was in bed sleeping. How did he get in and to my room on the third floor - walk up. I have filed a harassment report with the local police. No manager was on location to pay for the room either on arrival or departure - only the maintenance person. Without authorization someone submitted a bank debit.

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness

Hotel was close to Harvard square, transportation

Roomy. It was more of an apartment rather than a hotel room. Air conditioning handled the bedroom adequately but the living room and kitchen was quite warm.

2/10 Terrible

Dustin, DO NOT STAY HERE

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

DO NOT STAY HERE

This is a place to stay if you are fresh out of high school and are looking to experience the college life. it I were going to summarize this location by a few words it would be: small, dirty, uncomfortable, cramped and unrefined... AKA do not stay here.

8/10 Good

Wendy, Silver Lake, NH

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

Home away from home

Fantastic quality and price balance. It had home away from home comfort, so it didn't feel like a hotel, but like staying in your own home. Beautiful old apartment in converted house with old wood floors. The house was oozing charm and comfort. The Cambridge Karma House would be my first choice when returning to the Boston area.

8/10 Good

Ken, Tacoma WA

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great location

Very spacious, clean and convenient to points of interest in Cambridge.

6/10 Okay

Bryan, Jacksonville

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Location is awesome. Dusty and hot. Very spacious.

8/10 Good

James, South Salem, NY

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Karma House Review

Great facility - clean, easy to access, quiet....great location

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Disliked: Room comfort

Good Location

Lacation is good and is easy walk to Harvard Square. Nice on site laundry facility. Communication on check in was good but poor on check out.

6/10 Okay

Steven, Anthem, AZ

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Very nice for a stay. Has a full kitchen and was clean.

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Liked: Room comfort
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Not worth $320 per night with peeling paint in the bathroom and on the exterior interior. Locks we covered with tape and said don't remove will fix soon. Shared Ironing Board and No A/C in my unit.

4/10 Poor

George

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities

10/10 Excellent

Felix, Abroad

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great Day in Cambridge

Chester the manager delivered on all that he promised - amenities, parking permit, beds. Dependable, thanks. Very happy with the rental. Hotel service a 3 only because it is basically an apartment.

8/10 Good

Ben, Kansas City

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great for the price.

I didn't know what to expect but was happy with my stay. Living room, Bed room, Kitchen, even though I didn't need it. Bath room was nice. This is not a modern room so don't expect the Hilton but not the price either.

8/10 Good

kathy l, Florence Ma

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The hotel room was more of an apartment setting. Very comfortable and spacious. It was a convenient 5 min walk to Harvard Square. My only complaint is that the family upstairs had very active young children/ child and the running around was very noisy. I didn't spend a lot of time in the apt so it was manageable. If the situation remains the same and you're planning to be home all day, it might not be optimal. Other than that, all was well.