With a stay at Charles River Inn in Boston (Brighton), you'll be within a 5-minute drive of Harvard University and Boston University. .This hotel is 2.3 mi (3.8 km) from Harvard Square and 4.1 mi (6.5 km) from Fenway Park.
What's nearby
Charles River Reservation - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
the TRACK at new balance - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
St. Elizabeth's Medical Center - 17 min walk - 1.5 km
Boston University - 2 min drive - 3.6 km
Boston College - 5 min drive - 2.5 km
Getting around
Harvard Av. Station - 3 min drive
Newtonville Station - 6 min drive
Boston, MA (BNH-Boston Harbor Seaplane Base) - 23 min drive
Restaurants
McDonald's - 2 min walk
Mighty Squirrel Biergarten - 15 min walk
Joyful Garden - 18 min walk
IHOP - 3 min walk
Dunkin' - 19 min walk
About this property
Charles River Inn
Hotel with free parking, near Harvard University
Charles River Inn offers 55 accommodations with hair dryers and complimentary toiletries. This Boston hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access, with a speed of 25+ Mbps. Housekeeping is provided daily.
Make yourself at home in one of the 55 guestrooms featuring microwaves. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Bathrooms have complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include desks, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Free self parking is available onsite.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
In-room WiFi speed: 25+ Mbps
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Free uncovered self parking on site
Limited on-site self parking
Family friendly
In-room microwave
Mini-fridge
Conveniences
24-hour front desk
Guest services
Housekeeping (daily)
Accessibility
No lift
More
Smoke-free property
Room amenities
Bathroom
Free toiletries
Hair dryer
Shampoo
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Food and drink
Microwave
Mini-fridge
More
Desk
Heating
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 11:00 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 21
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Access methods
Staffed front desk
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Payment types
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit 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
This property accepts credit cards and cash
Property Registration Number C0001137768
We should mention
This property does not have elevators
Charles River Inn Reviews
Reviews
7.4
Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
It was an easy, friendly, and reasonably priced for our needs and I would return to this location the next time I am in the area. The room was set up nicely, clean, and spacious.
Doretha
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025
4/10 Poor
Stephen
Business traveller
31 Oct 2025
Disliked: Amenities
The hotel allows smoking. Strong smell of pot and cigarettes. Slamming doors and loud voices. It appeared that the staff didn’t care about the general chaos. I would not stay there again. Seriously, I think a motel 6 is a step up.
Stephen
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
8/10 Good
Carlos J.
29 Oct 2025
Carlos J.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
2/10 Terrible
max-olivier
Travelled with family, Business traveller, Travelled with partner
Someone came to my room while I was there in the middle of the night, it was very frightening, this was the worst experience ever, thank God I am safe. They must double check who they give rooms to, bc someone will get hurt.
For an older hotel, it was nice. The staff was eager to please & it was clean. I was accommodated with the 1st floor (due to mobility issues) because of no elevator. I appreciated that. I didn't care for the noise in the evenings (caused by workers or probably guests). There was also someone smoking or vaping (not cigarettes). It was supposed to be a non-smoking hotel. It wasn't a strong smell so I over-looked it. All this considered, I would recommend this hotel to others. Because of the noise & smoking would rate it a 9 out of 10.
Overall, the Charles River Motel served its purpose. While the building and the room felt a bit dated, it was clean and the bed was comfortable. It’s conveniently located with easy access to Brighton, Cambridge and Watertown. For the price and a place to lay our heads, it worked out very well.
floor was dirty, ants crawling around, fitted sheet didn't fit the bed and kept coming off, didn't have enough towels in the bathroom, was told they "sold out" the night before when asked for more, visible layer of dust/dirt on furniture
Rachel
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2025
10/10 Excellent
Christopher
Business traveller
22 Oct 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The room was very clean, the staff were very friendly, and there were plenty of dining options in the area. Will definitely stay there again for work, and I highly recommend this property.