Ginkgo House on Harvard

3.0 star property

Photo gallery for Ginkgo House on Harvard

Terrace/patio
Microwave, oven, stovetop, toaster oven
Standard Doble Room
Front of property
Garden

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Laundry
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

View map
288 Harvard St, Cambridge, MA, 02139
  • Harvard University
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Fenway Park
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Boston, MA (BOS-Logan Intl.)
    ‪11 min drive‬

Room options

Deluxe Room

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed and 2 Twin Beds

Family Room

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed

Superior Room

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin Sofa Bed

Standard Doble Room

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Double Beds

Private Studio Suite

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

Private Family Suite

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed, 1 Double Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Standard Single Room With Share Bath

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • 19 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Classic Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(4 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Similar properties

About the area

Cambridge

Located in Cambridge (Central Square), Ginkgo House on Harvard is within a 5-minute drive of Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. .This inn is 2.4 mi (3.9 km) from Boston University and 2.5 mi (4 km) from Northeastern University.

What's nearby

  • Harvard University - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology - 3 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Boston University - 4 min drive - 3.6 km
  • Fenway Park - 4 min drive - 3.2 km
  • TD Garden - 5 min drive - 4.0 km

Getting around

  • Central Square Station - 8 min walk
  • Union Square Station - 19 min walk
  • Boston, MA (BNH-Boston Harbor Seaplane Base) - 27 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Andala Coffee House - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Moge Tee - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Life Alive - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪730 Tavern, Kitchen & Patio - ‬6 min walk
  • Dumpling House

About this property

Ginkgo House on Harvard

Inn in Cambridge, near Harvard University
Ginkgo House on Harvard offers 19 air-conditioned accommodations with complimentary bottled water and hair dryers. This Cambridge inn provides complimentary wired and wireless Internet access, with a WiFi speed of 250+ Mbps (good for 3–5 people or up to 10 devices). Guests can make use of the shared/communal kitchen. Guests have access to shared bathrooms. Bathrooms include bathtubs or showers with rainfall showerheads. Additionally, rooms include irons/ironing boards and portable fans. Change of towels and change of bedsheets can be requested. Housekeeping is provided on request.
Make yourself at home in one of the 19 air-conditioned rooms featuring microwaves. Prepare your meals in the shared/communal kitchen. Complimentary wired and wireless internet access is available. Bathrooms feature bathtubs or showers with rainfall showerheads and hair dryers.
Take in the views from a garden and make use of amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access and a picnic area.
Featured amenities include complimentary wired internet access, express check-in, and express check-out.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi and wired internet
  • In-room WiFi speed: 250+ Mbps (good for 3–5 people or up to 10 devices)
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi and wired internet

Parking and transport

  • Onsite parking available only on request

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave

Conveniences

  • Luggage storage
  • Virtual front desk

Guest services

  • Change of bedsheets (on request)
  • Change of towels on request
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (on request)

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Picnic area

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Front entrance ramp
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible public bathroom

More

  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bathroom

  • Bathtub or shower
  • Detached shared bathroom
  • Hair dryer
  • Rainfall showerhead
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste (on request)
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Cleaning supplies
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Free bottled water
  • Hob
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Shared kitchen access
  • Toaster oven

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Portable fan

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 9:00 PM
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

There is no front desk at this property
Guests planning to arrive outside of normal check-in hours will receive an email within 24 hours before arrival with check-in instructions and an access code; access will be through a private entrance
Prior to arrival, you must complete online registration via a secure link
If you are planning to arrive after 9:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
A virtual front desk provides assistance to guests

Access methods

Access code, private entrance

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
Guests must contact this property in advance to reserve onsite parking
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and outdoor lighting
Property Registration Number C0344430491

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

Property is also known as

Ginkgo House on Harvard Inn
Ginkgo House on Harvard Cambridge
Ginkgo House on Harvard Inn Cambridge

Ginkgo House on Harvard Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 55 out of 66 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 66 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 66 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 66 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 66 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

9.0/10

Amenities

9.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.4/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Yanling

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I stayed at Ginkgo House on Harvard while attending a conference and couldn’t have been happier. The place was spotless, the staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming, and the whole atmosphere made me feel right at home. The location is super convenient—close to everything I needed. I’ll definitely recommend this place to all my friends and would love to stay here again. Thank you for a great experience!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

James

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lindsay

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Friendly staff, delightful historic and tastefully remodeled. Walking distance to Harvard
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Yonina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
For us, the location was perfect as it was a five minute walk in a very safe neighborhood to our daughter's apartment. The owner was very friendly and connected well with us, explaining the door lock mechanism and inquiring about our grandkids. Our room was clean, comfortable, and bright. The room was made up each day of our stay. New towels and water bottles were provided without having to request them. Hubby's only disappointment was the lack of a TV in our room. I definitely would reserve at Ginkgo House again.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

Judy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was comfortable. Some things I would have liked: - more towels (e.g. hand towel & wash cloth); and disposable hand towels in the shared bathroom. - a fan in the bathroom (I was swetting after I finished drying my hair; I have a small fan in my own bathroom, and it really helps!) Otherwise, I enjoyed my stay; wish it could have been longer.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Shawn

Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sanli

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean, spacey room with large 1st floor shared common place, living room, dining room, and patio. Breakfast is pefect
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

6/10 Okay

Martha

Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Humberto, Port Saint Lucie

Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Herve

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice place to stay in a convenient location. The staff is super welcoming and willing to accommodate special request. I recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

Jonathan

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Needs to add central A/C or window units.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Timothy

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

Charming Alternative to Stale Hotels

The Ginkgo House is a lovely option for those seeking a cozy and beautiful stay over a standard hotel. They have various room options so make sure you select the best fit for you.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Leda, Brooklyn

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Well maintained, comfortable rooms that were thoughtfully provided. Excellent service and staff. Convenient location to all mass transit and a variety of dining options were in easy walking distance.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Friendly helpful proprietors and beautiful property and comfortable accommodations.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Louis

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The house built in 1876 was immaculate!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Martin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Paul

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Such a nice spot with so much character and very comfortable beds. We slept great!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

hyung chul

Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
wonderful place and very welcoming.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Annie

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cecille

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Our stay last President’s Day weekend at Ginkgo House exceeded beyond our expectations. It is very clean, organized and quiet place to relax and enjoy. A big plus is that it is walkable to all the areas we need to go to and restaurants are nearby. Nancy was one of the best staff and she made us feel so comfortable. We felt like we are so much closer to home because of her hospitality, we will definitely return.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

NAMTRAN

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Highly recommend for a clean, comfortable and atmospheric stay in a historic Boston house. Easy, online check in and out. A great value!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Close to Central and Inman squares. Quiet neighborhood. The terrace looks like it would be nice if it wasn't 15 degrees. Appreciate the kitchen access and on site parking.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025