Boston is a popular destination for travelers. In peak season, lodging can be expensive. While Back Bay and Beacon Hill area hotels can strain the budget, nearby Cambridge may be the place to find value, enjoy a pleasant stay, and still have access to everything Boston offers.
The Kimpton Marlowe Hotel in Boston’s Cambridge area is a boutique hotel that offers quiet, green surroundings, a wide range of amenities, and, bottom line, good value. For Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders, the value can be even stronger.
Here’s what to expect when you stay at the hotel, how to get the best deal using Chase hotel credits, and how to maximize the available benefits.
1. You Can Double-Dip Chase Hotel Statement Credits
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card and Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ offer 2 valuable statement credits for 2-night stays at The Edit by Chase Travel hotels and select brand hotels.
Cardholders receive up to $500 in annual credits for qualifying stays at The Edit hotels (up to $250 per stay) and an additional $250 annual credit (through December 31, 2026) at select hotel brands, including IHG.
The Kimpton Marlowe Hotel qualifies for both credits for up to $500 in statement credits for a 2-night (or longer) stay.
I booked the Kimpton Marlowe Hotel for $609.54 and received both hotel statement credits the next day.
I used statement credits to cover most of my stay, but you can also use points to book a stay at the Kimpton Marlowe Hotel.
Because the Kimpton Marlowe Hotel is part of The Edit hotel collection, the booking qualifies for Chase Points Boost. In this case, your points would have been worth 1.65 cents each when used to pay any balance not covered by the statement credits. Any amount charged to your eligible card that is not covered by statement credits earns 8x Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card qualify for Points Boost (up to 1.5 cents for standard hotels). These cards do not have access to The Edit or select brand credits, but IHG One Rewards member benefits will apply when booking the Kimpton Marlowe Hotel.
Since the property is an IHG hotel, you could also use IHG One Rewards to book your stay, with typical rates ranging from 29,000 to more than 100,000 points per night.
No matter how you book, don’t forget to check for a valid Kimpton social password to receive bonus perks during your stay.
Bottom Line:
The Edit $250 statement credit and the $250 select-brand statement credit on Chase Sapphire Reserve cards can be applied to a single 2-night stay when booked through Chase Travel. Charge at least $500 to your eligible Chase Sapphire Reserve card in order to receive both statement credits.
2. You Can Double-Dip on Perks and Benefits
Another way I double dipped is with benefits, combining The Edit and IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status. I received benefits from booking through The Edit, and I also have complimentary IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status with my Chase Sapphire Reserve card through December 31, 2027.
The Edit Benefits
- Daily breakfast ($30 per person, $60 total)
- Room upgrade and early check-in (both based on availability)
- $100 property credit (to be used for dining or parking)
- Late checkout, up until 4 p.m.
- Welcome amenity
IHG One Rewards Benefits (Platinum Elite)
- 60% bonus points
- Welcome amenity at check-in
- Room upgrade, when available
- Early check-in and late checkout (subject to availability)
Some benefits overlap, but IHG’s 60% bonus points were a clear positive. The IHG welcome amenity at the hotel included a summer play package of a frisbee, sunglasses, hydration packets, a tote bag, and snacks. The welcome amenity for The Edit was a drink voucher (worth $15).
The hotel charges a $30 daily guest amenity fee, but no additional charge was added to my bill beyond what I paid through Chase Travel.
3. The Hotel Location Was Convenient
The Kimpton Marlowe Hotel is a modern boutique-style IHG-branded hotel just a 12-minute ride from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). Located in Cambridge, the hotel is a convenient choice for early-morning flights or late-night arrivals. Expect to pay $25 to $30 for a ride-share or a taxi to reach the hotel.
Although the hotel is close to the airport, it has lovely surroundings. The area around the hotel is tree-lined and very walkable. The hotel is attached to a mall, and several parks, restaurants, and museums are nearby. One definite highlight of the hotel’s location is access to the Charles River.
It’s also a quick ride to the Boston waterfront, or about 30 minutes away via the Green Line MBTA station, which is a short walk from the hotel.
There are 3 great options for exploring the area by boat. The Charles River Boat Company offers sightseeing tours of the Charles River (70 minutes), where you can view the Boston skyline and the various educational institutions situated along the river while learning about the area’s history.
Additionally, the boat company offers an architectural tour along Boston Harbor (2 hours) and a sunset cocktail cruise (90 minutes). Prices range from $30 to $46.50. Hotel guests qualify for a 20% discount, and the cruises depart less than 500 feet from the hotel.
Additional sights include the Harvard campus, just over 2 miles from the hotel. You can easily ride a hotel bike to several of the area’s campuses. The Museum of Science is less than a 10-minute walk away, and the CambridgeSide shopping mall is next door.
4. The Room Was Functional and Clean
Although both The Edit and IHG benefits included an upgraded room at check-in, the hotel was full, and an upgrade was not available. However, my room was lovely and comfortable.
I had a functional desk and chair with appropriate lighting, perfect for working. Robes, a safe, and a refrigerator were also included.
The bathroom appeared newly refurbished, immaculately clean, and offered full-sized amenities. The customary hair dryer and plenty of towels were also provided.
I had a nice view of the hotel’s outdoor courtyard and the one-of-a-kind locally produced steampunk art piece, Celeste, that lights up at night.
One amenity absent from my room was a coffee station. However, a quick trip to the lobby lounge gave me all the fresh coffee I needed.
I was very happy with the cleanliness, comfort, and functionality of my room, even without the upgrade.
5. The Hotel Was Packed With Amenities
The Kimpton Marlowe Hotel features modern decor and has a festive atmosphere. Whether you participate in one of the mixology classes at the restaurant, attend a movie in the courtyard, or listen to vinyl on an in-house record player, there’s always something to do at the hotel.
The hotel is also big on amenities. Here is what you can expect during your stay.
The guest lounge, located right off the lobby, serves coffee from 6 to 10 a.m. There was no in-room coffee maker, but the lounge area was very convenient and opened much earlier than the restaurant. The guest lounge is always open for seating, but a social hour is hosted from 5 to 6 p.m.
The hotel offers complimentary paddleboards and kayaks for use on the nearby river. Bicycles are also available free of charge.
The hotel hosts a fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment, including stationary bikes, treadmills, elliptical machines, punching bags, and free weights.
The hotel does not have a pool or spa. Pets are welcome at the hotel for no additional fee, provided they are signed in and a waiver is completed.
There is more than 15,000 square feet of meeting and event space at the hotel with full catering, meeting support, and wedding services.
6. Dining Was Excellent and Fairly Priced
The single on-site restaurant, Bambara Kitchen and Bar, was brightly lit for breakfast and subdued at dinnertime. The atmosphere was casual with high-top seating, booths, and tables.
Breakfast was à la carte from a menu, and The Edit $30 breakfast credit easily covered a full breakfast, including coffee. Omelets were around $20, avocado toast $18, coffee $5, and juice $6.
The $100 property credit nearly covered 2 dinners. Entrees were about $40, and a glass of wine was $15. The food was very good, and the service was excellent.
The cheese plate was also very good. Although the cheese was excellent, the homemade sourdough toastettes made the dish.
Final Thoughts
My stay at the Kimpton Marlowe Hotel was lovely and such great value. It was a fun, relaxing experience, and I would stay at the hotel again.
Gretchen, the host at social hour, Joe, our restaurant server, and Teddy, a delightful hotel employee who walked me to the boat launch, all stood out during my stay.
If you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve card and can find a good nightly rate, I highly recommend using The Edit and select brand credit at the Kimpton Marlowe Hotel.