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1894

The Kendall Hotel

Cambridge, Massachusetts
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350 Main St, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142 Original Property Opened in 1894 Historic Hotels of America member since 2004
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art
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memorabilia

Located in the forward-thinking Kendall Square neighborhood, alongside MIT and major tech firms, The Kendall Hotel is a piece of preserved history amidst technology. This city landmark has been restored in a manner befitting its heroic past. The original Victorian firehouse is home to the hotel’s restaurant and is full of firehouse memorabilia. Eleven of the hotel’s guestrooms are also located here in what was once the firemen’s dormitory. A seven-story tower was constructed when the firehouse was converted into a hotel in 2001, and houses the Engine 7 meeting room, 73 oversized guestrooms, 4 luxury suites, and a Rooftop Retreat. In addition to firehouse artifacts, The Kendall is furnished with antique and reproduction furniture.

Discover

  • Discover the Victorian charm of The Kendall House. Located in a former firehouse from 1895, this historic hotel is among the most historic structures at Kendall Square. As such, The Kendall House is cherished as a local city landmark.
  • Stay in one of the historic guestrooms located in the former firemen’s dormitory, which are decorated according to an American folk art theme. In addition to firehouse artifacts, the Kendall is furnished with handmade quilts and both antique and reproduction furnishings.
  • Step out of the hotel and take a walk around Kendall Square, the most innovative square mile on the planet, which is due in part to its proximity to MIT and the entrepreneurial startups that surround the neighborhood. This historic neighborhood has been an important transportation hub since the construction of the West Boston Bridge in 1793, which provided the first direct wagon route between Boston and Cambridge.

Explore

  • Explore East Cambridge when walking down Cambridge Street to access some of the best fish markets, Portuguese bakeries, and well-loved bars in town. This under-the-radar neighborhood reflects its strong Irish and Portuguese heritage, and be sure to uncover historic treasures at the Cambridge Antique Market.
  • Explore the iconic Freedom Trail and see Revolutionary War history come to life by walking the 2.5 miles that lead to 16 nationally significant historic sites, which include the Paul Revere House, the site of the Boston Massacre, and Faneuil Hall.
  • Stroll through Boston Common, the most historic public park in the United States dating back to 1634. It was known as the Common Land and was used to graze local livestock, was a site for Puritanical punishments, and was also a “trayning field” where more than 1,000 Redcoats made camp during the British occupation of Boston in 1775.

Experience

  • Experience African American history at the Museum of African American History, New England’s largest museum dedicated to preserving, conserving, and interpreting the contributions of African Americans. The museum has preserved numerous historic sites, including the historic African Meeting House.
  • Take a swan boat ride in the Boston Public Garden. The paddle boats date back to the 1870s and allow guests to enjoy the beauty of the Public Garden, the first public botanical garden in the United States.
  • Experience a performance in Boston’s Theater District, which offers a wide variety of entertainment options, including operas, Broadway musicals, and other musical, theatrical, and acrobatic performances.

Taste

  • Enjoy a meal at The Kendall’s signature restaurant, The Black Sheep Lounge & Bar, which is located in the original Victorian firehouse. This restaurant pays homage to the self-proclaimed black sheep of the Cambridge Fire Department who occupied the former Engine 7 Firehouse, and is decorated with early American décor and fireman regalia.
  • Take a step back in time at The Warren Tavern, where founding fathers like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin dined and also where Paul Revere was a frequent tavern guest. Opened in 1780 and considered to be the most historic tavern in Massachusetts, the tavern’s burgers are a Boston favorite.
  • Settle the score of who has the best cannoli in the North End by sampling them all. Mike’s Pastry describes itself as the home of the cannoli, and has been a Boston tradition since 1946.
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FEATURED ACCOMMODATIONS

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Deluxe King
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Deluxe Double
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Luxury Suite
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Featured Offers

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AAA Member Rate

While this hotel typically offers the AAA Member Rate, availability is dependent on your exact dates of stay. Please also plan to present member ID at check-in to prove eligibility

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Best Available Rate

Book the Best Available Rate at this property on HistoricHotels.org and receive a complimentary one-year family membership (a $30 value) to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

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a building with a sign on the front
Best Available Rate

Book the Best Available Rate at this property on HistoricHotels.org and receive a complimentary one-year family membership (a $30 value) to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

BOOK NOW VIEW MORE
Special Occasions

Meetings & Groups

The Kendall Hotel offers three separate spaces for private meeting or event needs: The Black Sheep Restaurant, The Americana, and the Engine 7 conference rooms. The decor of these rooms follow the American folk art theme of the rest of the hotel for a refreshing and inspiring place to conduct business or host an event for that special occasion. Learn more about our Cambridge event venues below.

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