Just across the Charles River in Cambridge, the Kimpton Marlowe Hotel is one of my favorite places to stay near Boston. It’s a short drive from the airport but feels a little more relaxed than the busier downtown hotels. The location really hits the sweet spot — close enough to downtown Boston that you can be at Quincy Market or Fenway in minutes, yet tucked just far enough away to feel calm. If you love being able to walk or bike along the Charles River, the Kimpton Marlowe Hotel is a dream base. You get skyline views and neighborhood charm in one stay.With oversized rooms, thoughtful amenities, and a staff that actually seems happy you’re there, it’s a hotel I’d book again in a heartbeat.
The Kimpton Marlowe Hotel is just a 12-minute drive from the Logan Airport. I recommend rideshare unless you’re renting a car, in which case there’s valet and self-parking available.
The lobby is stunning—bright, stylish, and welcoming without being overdone. The staff was wonderful, accommodating, and genuinely friendly. It set the tone for the rest of the stay. I also appreciated the little details — complimentary infused water in the lobby, cozy seating nooks perfect for planning your day, and a modern art collection that gives the space personality without feeling pretentious. It’s one of those lobbies where you actually want to linger for a minute.
The location makes it perfect for following my Ultimate 7 Day Boston Itinerary.
The rooms at the Kimpton Marlowe Hotel are spacious and spotless. My exterior-view room overlooking the bridge was one of the highlights. There’s something special about waking up to the Charles River each morning. The rooms are spacious and spotless, with plenty of room to unpack and breathe. The beds were incredibly comfortable, with crisp linens and plenty of pillows — not those sad, flat ones you sometimes get. The bathrooms were bright and modern, stocked with full-size Atelier Bloem products that smelled like a spa.
One thing that really sets the Kimpton Marlowe Hotel apart is how much it encourages guests to explore. On sunny days, you’ll see people kayaking right from the nearby dock or pedaling down the Esplanade. In cooler months, it’s just as inviting to grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the river views from inside. It’s the kind of property that makes both business trips and weekend getaways feel a little more personal and memorable.
The Kimpton Marlowe Hotel stands out for its thoughtful amenities:
Bicycles, kayaks, and paddleboards available for guests—perfect for exploring the Charles when the weather cooperates.
24-hour fitness center with cardio and strength equipment.
Evening hosted wine reception in the lobby (a classic Kimpton touch).
Pet-friendly with no extra fees—huge perk if you’re traveling with a furry friend.
Business-friendly with a 24-hour business center and meeting spaces.
Bambara Kitchen & Bar is the hotel’s restaurant, and it’s excellent for both breakfast and dinner.
Breakfast highlights:
Dinner: creative New American cuisine with craft cocktails (or mocktails if that’s more your style).
I also love that Bambara doesn’t feel like a typical “hotel restaurant.” It draws locals for brunch and after-work cocktails, which says a lot. The service was attentive but never rushed, and everything I tried was beautifully plated. If you’re a breakfast person, splurge on the brioche French toast — it’s worth every bite and pairs perfectly with a latte from their espresso bar.
This is the kind of hotel you could use as a home base for your entire Boston trip, especially if you like a quieter, more spacious vibe. For variety, I recommend pairing it with a few nights downtown at the Revere Hotel, but the Marlowe alone would be a comfortable choice for a week. Even if you’re visiting Boston for a long weekend, staying here makes sightseeing easier and mornings feel less rushed.
The Kimpton Marlowe Hotel blends convenience, personality, and a touch of luxury. From river views to thoughtful amenities like kayaks and bikes, it’s a hotel that makes you feel like more than just another guest. It’s pet-friendly, traveler-friendly, and stylish in a way that doesn’t try too hard. I loved it, and I’d book it again in a heartbeat.
Overall, the Kimpton Marlowe Hotel delivers the rare mix of boutique charm and practical convenience. Whether you’re heading out to explore Harvard Square, catching a show downtown, or just relaxing by the river, it fits seamlessly into any Boston itinerary. Between the warm staff, stylish decor, and those easy Charles River views, it’s one of those hotels that quietly becomes your favorite — the one you recommend to everyone afterward.
Compare it to my Revere Hotel Boston Common Review for another great Boston stay option.
There are two kinds of travelers: people who plan a trip and then figure out where to eat, and people who book a restaurant and then build the rest of the itinerary around it.I am the second kind. I will not apologize for this.
The reservation gets locked in first. The hotel search happens within the same 24 hours. The flights get compared around the restaurant’s hours of operation. The rest of the trip exists to fill the days before and after the table I actually came for.
If this sounds unhinged, I completely understand. It has also resulted in some of the best meals of my life, so I’m going to keep doing it.
Drop a 🍽️ if you plan your trips around food too.
Let’s talk about when to actually book that Dubai trip you’ve been pinning for two years. I get asked this constantly, so here’s the honest breakdown: October through April is your window. Anything outside that and you’re basically touring in a sauna!
October and November give you warm days and cooler nights, which is basically the sweet spot for wandering around without melting. December through February is peak season: gorgeous weather. March and April are the quiet insider pick, right before summer heat shows up and ruins everyone’s plans.
Saving this for later? That’s what it’s here for. Full breakdown linked in bio.
If you’re chasing energy, beaches, nightlife, and nonstop luxury, Dubai takes the crown. If you’re craving culture, iconic architecture, and meaningful landmarks at a slower pace, Abu Dhabi shines.🤍
My advice? Base yourself in Dubai and do Abu Dhabi as a day trip! The perfect balance of excitement and culture in the UAE.
Want the full breakdown? Check out my Dubai and Abu Dhabi guide for tips, itineraries, and must-sees!
I do not like seafood. 🐟 So when I booked a tasting menu at a restaurant built around aquarium walls at Atlantis The Palm, I was nervous.
Ossiano sits underwater fish gliding past the whole meal, moody lighting, the kind of room that makes you lower your voice without meaning to. It’s not cheap, and it’s not trying to be. You’re paying for the entire experience.
Here’s the honest part: they have a vegetarian tasting menu, and I assumed it would be an afterthought. It ended up in my top five meals of all time. Course after course, the same care and precision as the seafood-forward menu everyone comes for. They even swapped in a steak for the main and it still felt cohesive with everything around it.
By course four you’re full. They bring out three more breads anyway. I ate all of it. No regrets.
Small detail that stuck with me my dress was black, so they swapped my napkin from white to black without me asking. That’s the kind of thing that tells you everything about a place.
Full breakdown of the menu, the vegetarian option, and what to expect linked in bio.
Dubai is all skyline until you drive an hour into the dunes and it goes completely silent. Bab Al Shams was that shift for us: slower, quieter, more intentional than anything we did in the city.
If you want nightlife or walkable everything, this isn’t your stop. But if you want a night that feels like a reset, it delivers, polished service, food I’m still thinking about, and a setting that never tries too hard.
Full review (and whether it’s worth adding to your Dubai itinerary) is linked in bio. 🏜️
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
