Homestays in Massachusetts, United States

This Summer, I came to Harvard University to continue my professional studies, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have stayed in such a beautiful home during my week here. My host , Nicole, has been exceptionally kind, thoughtful, and caring. From the very beginning, I felt warmly welcomed. She even picked me up from the airport, prepared breakfast for me, and generously told me to help myself to anything in the fridge. She also made delicious homemade desserts for me, which made the whole experience feel even more special. I feel truly blessed to have been able to call this beautiful house my home for the week. The surrounding neighbourhood is peaceful, elegant, and very safe, giving me a wonderful sense of comfort whenever I come and go. Although I need to take a taxi to Harvard each day, I feel it is absolutely worth it. Having such a quiet and relaxing environment has allowed me to rest properly, reflect on what I have learned, and fully focus on my studies. My host has even kindly allowed me to use her study, giving me a perfect space to read, work, and prepare for my Harvard programme. Sometimes I genuinely wonder how I became so fortunate to find such a beautiful home and such a wonderful host. All I can feel is gratitude. This peaceful home, together with my host’s kindness and thoughtful support, has made my Harvard learning experience even more memorable and enjoyable. I was able to complete my programme feeling happy, focused, supported, and deeply grateful. Thank you once again to my wonderful host for everything you have done for me. Your generosity and kindness have made this week at Harvard a truly special chapter of my journey. ❤️🙏

Stay at Pearl St property (Room 2) — rude host, would not recommend I stayed in Room 2 at the Pearl St property booked via Trip.com. The cleaning staff were kind and professional. Overall the stay was okay except for two very noisy nights—and the host’s attitude. Before arrival they demanded my ID over WhatsApp. I asked to show it when I arrived in Boston, in case my flight was delayed or canceled, and because I don’t want private documents in a chat with no clear reason. Their reply was a blunt “No.” No explanation, no privacy assurance. Just rude. One night the AC blew cold air nonstop; I asked them to turn it off or move me. On another night, guests in Room 1 talked and laughed loudly past quiet hours—from after 10 PM until about 6:30 AM. I heard everything even with earplugs, asked them politely to keep it down, and was still woken three times. At 3 AM I asked to move rooms. Help that night was basically none. In the morning the host said the house might not be “a good fit,” that if I “complain about everything” maybe I shouldn’t stay, and that this isn’t a hotel so I shouldn’t expect privacy—while admitting I followed the rules and others didn’t. You took payment. Taking money does not mean the job is done; it means you are responsible for the stay you sold. Reasonable complaints within house rules are not a problem. Drop the arrogance—nobody cares how superior you act. I would not book again.

It is a 5-minute walk from the Red Line subway Andrew station, with convenient transportation, very clean and comfortable, providing drinks and fruits, and the boss is a foreigner and very friendly. It’s will be my first choice next time.

The staff were very friendly and welcoming. The breakfast had more variety than expected, so I was able to have a filling meal every morning. Although the bathroom was shared, it was only among three rooms, so I rarely ran into anyone else. The location was especially great — perfect for sightseeing! They also stored my luggage after checkout, which made traveling much more convenient.

What attracted me most was the rare and cozy interior design; I highly recommend it to anyone who likes this style! The hotel's location is also superb, right next to the beautiful Boston Garden, very close to the upscale Beacon Hill neighborhood and the bustling Newbury Street—all within walking distance. It's truly comfortable; there are no homeless people in this area, and it's extremely quiet at night, allowing for a good night's sleep. The only thing to note is that the bathrooms are shared; about four households share one bathroom per floor, which isn't exactly convenient, and those who are particular about hygiene should consider this. However, this factor is taken into account in the price, so I recommend it to anyone who likes this style.

I decided to go to see the Major League Baseball with my daughter and find a cheap hotel near Fenway Park and decide here. I was worried about security on my first trip to the United States, but the cityscape was calm and gentle, so I was able to stay with peace of mind. The building and rooms were nice. As in other word of mouth, it was difficult to bring large luggage up to the 4th floor without an elevator, but there was no problem because I was careful. Thank you for your kindness to the owner. I would like to stay here if I go to Boston again.

The Centerboard is a perfect place and has a wealth of history and heritage.  The room was in perfect condition.  The king bed was firm but also comfy and allowed me to sleep comfortably.  The Porch was an excellent place to sit and plan our walks to the downtown area.  Only 8-10 minutes away  Gary & Zita

A home away from home! Some of the B&Bs I have stayed in are beautiful but not warm/inviting.. this place was both. Great location, beautiful grounds and outstanding hosts ( my sister and I could have talked to Lisa (host) and Paul ( owner) all day! We will be back! Thank you!!

Absolutely perfect!! We couldn’t fault it.  Our breakfast was made fresh for us each morning and was delicious. Thank you Jennifer!

The best place to stay at Harvard. Gorgeous gorgeous common house.