The Royal Sonesta Boston

We stayed 3 nights at the Royal Sonesta Cambridge in August following our first visit 12 years ago. The hotel is in a good location if you want to be on the edge of the main tourist area and on the Cambridge side of the Charles River, thus allowing beautiful views of the Boston Skyline. Our second visit didn’t get off to a great start. We booked a river view room and paid an upgrade for a balcony. The allocated room had a partial river view and a very small balcony, with no room to sit on, standing room only. We requested a move of room following our first night stay. Our request was granted by a very helpful member of staff, at no extra charge. Our second room had a specular view and resulted in a lift to our mood. The hotel rooms (we had 2 during our stay) and the public areas are in need of a makeover, the hotel has a tired look about it. We used the pool facility once. We were denied access on the second day for no apparent reason. Other previous guests seem to have experienced a similar situation. We did not use the restaurant facilities so we were unable to comment on the food, however, an observation seemed to suggest the food was quite expensive.

The view from our room is incredible. The beds were comfy and lots of space. Like w all places we've stayed in, never enough places to hang wet towels ...room was clean...what a treat to stay here

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I recently had the absolute pleasure of staying at the Royal Sonesta Boston while at a conference, and I can confidently say it’s a five-star experience from start to finish! The hotel’s location along the Charles River is stunning, offering breathtaking views and easy access to Boston’s key attractions. A special shoutout goes to the General Manager, Mark Jeffery, who truly stood out with his exceptional leadership and warm hospitality. His dedication to ensuring every detail of our stay was perfect made all the difference. The dining options, especially the riverside restaurant, were a delightful bonus! Awesome hotel experience —well deserved five stars ⭐️

Absolutely loved our stay at the Royal Sonesta! We booked the panoramic view room—if you can splurge, it’s 100% worth it. The views of the skyline were breathtaking. The room was spotless, the amenities were excellent, and the location couldn’t be better—right on the water, within walking distance to downtown, Boston, and plenty of great restaurants. When our airline canceled our flight last minute, we had to stay an extra night. Dom at the front desk was incredible—knowledgeable, kind, and genuinely helpful. Even though we booked through Kayak (so rates can be tricky), he worked hard to get us as close as possible to our original rate and made the whole process stress-free. His above-and-beyond service turned what could have been a headache into part of the fun. Thanks to Dom and the Royal Sonesta team, our trip went from great to unforgettable. 10/10 recommend!

I stayed at this hotel unexpectedly after being stranded in Boston due to a flight issue. It was the only option available through the airline, and while the property looks nice on the surface and is in a decent location, my overall experience was extremely disappointing. Cleanliness Concerns: One of the most alarming issues was the presence of mice in the lobby and dining areas. I noticed them early in the morning, along with visible droppings near the lobby chairs. When I mentioned it to staff, they acknowledged seeing the mice before but didn’t seem concerned or take any action. Billing Problems: I was charged multiple times on a card I only authorized for a $75 incidental hold. Despite speaking with staff several times and being told the issue was resolved, the charges continued. This ongoing problem has caused a lot of stress and wasted time. The issue should be between the hotel and the airline, yet I’m left footing the bill. Facilities and Food: The hotel feels worn. The furniture is visibly damaged, the gym and pool areas were not clean, and the menu was outdated and overpriced. Late-night food options were practically nonexistent after 10pm. Overall Impression: Aside from a decent view, there was little to justify this hotel’s “upscale” branding. I would strongly advise others to double-check charges, manage expectations, and explore alternative options if possible — even if you're being placed here by an airline.