Homewood Suites by Hilton Cambridge Arlington, Arlington

Clean, quiet, and a good value. Recommend that you have a car while staying here as we did. The subway is a 8-10 minute walk and gets old after a few days. Not many nearby restaurants. On the other hand, close to Harvard and a nice town called Somerville. We would stay here again.

Important to know if traveling with children... It is a bus ride and 3 T stops to get to the aquarium area of downtown. We did it with three kids and although it was doable, I'm not sure this hotel or the meager savings over the Omni Parker House was worth it. The front desk staff was wonderful, couldn't have asked for better service of advice. However, the housekeeping staff is clearly lacking. Our dishwasher was full when we arrived, a thin layer of dust covered the sink and lampshades, not to mention the broken false cabinet front left lying on the counter. The breakfast is nice and a real benefit and I'm sure for business travelers the light dinner was as well although we weren't back in time to sample it. Oh, the "hosts" at breakfast are less than enthusiastic...oftentimes refusing to refill the buffet even when breakfast is scheduled to last another 30 minutes.

The parking garage is very dark and not very safe. Plan to get there while it's light out. The only entrance into the hotel is around a dark corner, I was terrified. They've had two break-ins in that parking garage so far this year. And there were homeless people around the corner. Next time I'll pick someplace more safe than this place.

Hotel is a 3-story structure in great condition, looked and felt brand new to me; very well maintained. All rooms have one large bed, along with one couch/fold-out bed, along with a small fridge, kitchen sink, electric stovetop and cable-connected TV/VCR combo. Bathrooms have walk-in showers, no tubs. Air is conditioned by 1 wall unit per room, and is sufficient. No wireless internet access, but broadband-speed access is available through a wired connection, available in every room; cables are provided on request, along with toiletries. Underground parking and continental breakfast is complimentary, and the hotel is a stone's throw away from a CVS, a fitness center and a Hollywood video rental. Only vending machines on-site, but there are many restaurants of all styles up and down adjacent Massachusetts Avenue. Depending on traffic, 15-20 minutes drive to Harvard Square, 25-30 minutes to Kendall/MIT. Great value, especially during mid-to-late August.