Hotel Marlowe Review, Cambridge {Kimpton Properties}

Traveling with kids is a combination of pleasure and stress, but it doesn't stop us from wanting a change of scenery! The Hotel Marlowe is a family friendly boutique hotel located in Cambridge, Massachusetts - a little gem that you simply must check out if you are coming to this area or just need a little staycation. We are delighted to share our little getaway with you and to invite you inside this beautifully designed hotel. Please step inside and start with our short video introduction...

Hotel Design

The Hotel Marlowe really impressed me as an Interior Designer by trade. Having worked at several architectural firms, I can tell you I would be proud to have designed such beautiful accommodations inside and out! The lobby, the elevator, the suites, and every corner is thoughtfully created.   

Yes, that's an elevator! 

The lobby is an amazing feast for the eyes, a blend of whimsical and ultra chic. The textures and fabrics are absolutely gorgeous!

Is it a castle? The Titanic? Maybe a scene from Alice in Wonderland? I bet the kids felt like they entered a fairy tale... I did.

The Crib

Upon check in I thought we would be staying in the 340 square foot King Deluxe Room, so imagine our delight when we were upgraded to the 530 square foot King Studio Suite! It was perfect since it was freezing outside and we found ourselves just enjoying not having to go anywhere for a day. The kids had plenty of room to run around. It was nice to just relax, take lots of photos, and pretend we live here. 

A spacious bathroom, way bigger than at home!

A work area with all the necessities and great, high speed wi-fi (below). Yes, I actually had some work to do after the kids went to bed. Somehow it was much easier to do it here than at home!

The beautiful views of Boston from one of the three, floor-to-ceiling windows (below). That's the Museum of Science on the left, just a short walk away. There is a playground right across the river, a splendid place for the kids to play in good weather. Visiting in the winter? You don't even have to step outside, Hotel Marlowe has direct access to the CambridgeSide Galleria Mall.  

Such fine details everywhere you look. From the telescope to the neat 'bust' table lamps and beautiful fabrics. 

The Bib

You won't go hungry at the Marlowe. To start off, you have a stocked mini fridge/bar and a variety of healthy (some organic) snacks. Room service is available and you can have breakfast delivered to your door. This (below) was a pleasant surprise we came back to after we had dinner out. A perfect midnight snack - honey, nuts, cheeses, cookies and milk, water, and wine.

For breakfast, lunch, or dinner, the hotel's own Bambara restaurant is a favorite not only with Marlowe patrons but with locals as well. Serving contemporary American cuisine and utilizing local and/or organic ingredients, chef Jay Silva makes this non-chain restaurant a worthwhile visit.

The Piggy Bank

Staying in the Boston area can be really pricey, just like most cities. Hotel Marlowe can help you save staying in Cambridge - just across the Charles River from Boston. When you sign up for the free Kimpton InTouch loyalty program not only to you get exclusive deals you will not find elsewhere, you can also earn free nights. I signed up and right now you can get amazing rates as low as $105 a night for a weeknight and $120 on a weekend night for a room with two double beds at the Marlowe. That's a really, really good deal! Totally worth signing up. The King Studio Suite would only be $206 a night, a nice discount from the usual $294 per night. You may be reading my review, looking at the photos, and thinking that this place must have astronomical prices - but that's not true, they are very reasonable.

Family Service

Kimpton Hotels are all quite family friendly, and the Hotel Marlowe is not an exception. The Kimpton Kids takes some of the stress off of traveling with children. Okay, so maybe they will not change diapers for you or deal with a tantrum, but at least you can get a Child Safety Kit in your room and a live goldfish to entertain your kids during your stay! One suggestion I have to make it even better is to have a little step stool and spout extender in the bathroom for guests with small children.

Kids a little too hyper? Bring them down to the fitness room to play with some hoops. Baby E was pretty excited about those and Baby T was just fascinated watching his big sister. 

Eco Scoop

If you are looking for a green hotel in Boston, all the Kimpton properties, including Hotel Marlowe, can boast about some Eco initiatives. Staying there with my kids I really appreciate that they use Eco-friendly detergent and cleaning products. They offer organic and fair-trade coffee and tea and the hotel's restaurant, Bambara, features local and organic ingredients. Of course, all the common sense initiatives are there as well such as recycling, towel and linen reuse, low-flow toilets and shower heads, efficient lighting fixtures, and even reusable mugs to minimize the use of disposable cups. 

If you really want to stay in Boston, Kimpton also has the Onyx and Nine Zero hotels. Same family-friendly accommodations, but in the heart of the city. I highly recommend Kimpton Properties for your travels with kids, with over 50 locations nationwide you have a lot to choose from! I

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Disclaimer: I did not receive payment for this review. I did receive complimentary accommodations at the Hotel Marlowe for review purposes. All opinions are my own.