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The Cambridge Karma House

3.5 star property
3.5-star apartment near Harvard University

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your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for The Cambridge Karma House

Apartment, 2 Bedrooms, Kitchen, Corner | Private kitchen
Front of property
Apartment, 1 Bedroom, Kitchen | Terrace/patio
Apartment, 1 Bedroom, Kitchen | Living area
Traditional Apartment, 1 Bedroom, Kitchen, Garden Area | Living area

Reviews

6.4 out of 10

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

Map
17 Banks Street St, Cambridge, MA, 02138
  • Harvard University
    2 min walk
  • Harvard Square
    7 min walk
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    4 min drive
  • Boston, MA (BOS-Logan Intl.)
    19 min drive

Room options

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

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 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 Apartment, 1 Bedroom, Kitchen

Apartment, 1 Bedroom, Kitchen | Living area

Apartment, 1 Bedroom, Kitchen

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

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About the area

Cambridge

Riverside stay.Within a 10-minute walk of this Riverside apartment, you'll find Harvard University and Harvard Square. Boston University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology are also within 2 miles (3 km).
View more Apartments in BostonOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Harvard University - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Harvard Square - 7 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology - 4 min drive - 2.6 km
  • Boston University - 4 min drive - 3.5 km
  • Fenway Park - 6 min drive - 4.5 km

Getting around

  • Union Square Station - 4 min drive
  • Harvard Square Station - 7 min walk
  • Logan International Airport (BOS) - 19 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Tatte Bakery & Cafe - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Insomnia Cookies - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪J.P. Licks - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Waypoint - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Pavement Coffeehouse - ‬6 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

3.5-star apartment near Harvard University
As a guest of The Cambridge Karma House, you'll find a terrace, a garden, and a picnic area. Public spaces have free WiFi. The Cambridge Karma House also features laundry facilities, express check-in, and express check-out.

This 3.5-star Cambridge apartment is smoke free.

  • 5 guestrooms or units
  • 3 levels
  • 2 buildings
  • Built in 1885
  • Self-service laundry
  • Express check-in
  • Express check-out
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Outdoor picnic space
  • No smoking on site
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.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator (full size)
  • Microwave
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Coffee/tea maker

Bedrooms

  • Rollaway/extra beds: USD 45.0 per stay

Bathrooms

  • Free toiletries

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with cable service

Outdoor areas

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

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.
  • No elevators
  • 5 stairs to reach property
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Luggage storage

Location highlights

  • Near a metro station
  • In the historical district

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

  • 5 rooms
  • 3 floors
  • 2 buildings
  • Built in 1885
  • Individually decorated

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 more details, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation

Renovations and closures

This property is closed from September 19 2022 to January 11 2025 (dates subject to change).

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

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

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:

  • Cleaning fee: USD 29.00 per accommodation, per stay

We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 45.0 per stay

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A credit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. The tax ID number is C0177510491. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.

Property Registration Number No Registration ID

We should mention

  • Please note that this property can refuse certain bookings for the purpose of group events or parties, which include 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

The Cambridge Karma House Reviews

Reviews

6.4
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" "

7.0/10

Cleanliness

6.2/10

Staff & service

5.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

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

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.

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.

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
This is not a hotel
This is not a hotel. It's a room out of some one's house. This may make sense for a grad student looking for temporary housing, but not for someone on business travel.

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Room comfort
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Convenient, Reasonable and Comfortable
The place is very convenient to the Harvard campus and away from the square. It's a couple blocks from Quincy House and Dunster House in a residential community. Our room was basically the second floor of a duplex. Compared to a hotel room it's very spacious though rundown. The porch could use a new paint job and many of the cabinets were missing handles. I presume they're in the process of fixing it up though I could have added the handles in an hour. On the plus side, it was reasonably priced, nicely located, had new double pane windows which kept it quiet and warm, a kitchen with full size refrigerator and microwave, and balcony deck. It even provided lotion which was great since Cambridge was so dry. There were dishes, utensils, spices, and even coffee maker and French press, though we didn't use any of it -- found the coffee too late. A couch opens into a full size futon in the living room. That and the bed were both very comfortable. Would prefer this for an extended stay over a hotel. No one to greet for check-in. An email with codes to unlock the doors is provided before arrival.