About Us
A 44 room guesthouse located two blocks from Harvard Yard. With a variety of room types, we accommodate travelers from all over, economically, cheerfully, conveniently, comfortably. Rates include breakfast, off street parking and wifi.
How We Got Started
I have been a business owner for nearly all of my professional life. Irving House was a great opportunity for me to learn and thrive, which we have done for over 20 years.
The products and services we offer
Recommendations Received (126)
"Irving House is among the most welcoming places in Cambridge, MA. Rachael is a wonderful, kind,..."
Read more
"Irving House is among the most welcoming places in Cambridge, MA. Rachael is a wonderful, kind, and passionate hotelier and friend. "
"Great fans. They love my books:(www.sunnyabakwue.com); (www.amazon.com)
Thanks.
S. A. Abakwue,..."
Read more
"Great fans. They love my books:(www.sunnyabakwue.com); (www.amazon.com)
Thanks.
S. A. Abakwue, (Author)"
Products & Services
a 44 room guesthouse serving all travelers. Rates include off street parking and breakfast.
Friendly accommodations in the heart of Cambridge since 1945. Irving House is a 44 room bed and breakfast. We welcome individuals, families, trav...
Recommendations Given (66)
"Ellis is a good neighbor, a fine pastor of a wonderful assembly."
"Seamus is dedicated, intelligent, curious, hard working. He does his research, listens well,..."
Read more
"Seamus is dedicated, intelligent, curious, hard working. He does his research, listens well, considers all the angles. He's a great planner. Easy to work with."
Recent Activity
As a Massachusetts employer, I saw the $15 minimum wage coming years ago. I notified my partners that I would be setting a base wage of $15 in 2015, before MA went there. My employees are loyal & happy in their jobs. This is part of my marketing plan. Payroll DID increase quite a bit, as more...
(more)
As a Massachusetts employer, I saw the $15 minimum wage coming years ago. I notified my partners that I would be setting a base wage of $15 in 2015, before MA went there. My employees are loyal & happy in their jobs. This is part of my marketing plan. Payroll DID increase quite a bit, as more tenured employees got raises in the whole pay scale change. But is has been a good thing all in all. Yes, labor costs have gone up substantially in the past 6 years, but we could afford it then, and hope to be able to resume affording it in the months to come.
2 Replies
It has been a tough year. We lost one business (Harding House) and so I guess I can be grateful that we could sell that property and use the proceeds to fund the gap in our operations at Irving House. And I am grateful for our employees' loyalty and care in their work. They have truly stepped...
(more)
It has been a tough year. We lost one business (Harding House) and so I guess I can be grateful that we could sell that property and use the proceeds to fund the gap in our operations at Irving House. And I am grateful for our employees' loyalty and care in their work. They have truly stepped up to ensure the house is safe and clean at all times. The few guests who are staying with us are happy to find us, and I am grateful to have them return. I am grateful to have a job to go to where I can work safely and look forward to a better future.
We are expecting far fewer guests than usual this year. We are taking all kinds of precautions in cleaning and air handling and physical distancing and the guests who are staying with us appreciate all of these measures and are very pleased to have found us. But there just are not as...
(more)
We are expecting far fewer guests than usual this year. We are taking all kinds of precautions in cleaning and air handling and physical distancing and the guests who are staying with us appreciate all of these measures and are very pleased to have found us. But there just are not as many...October is our busiest month typically. We are expecting about 15% of our past October revenues. Thanksgiving is also a busy time, typically, but not this year, alas.
1 Reply
We have paid them promptly and included them in our newsletter. I have personally checked in with a few to see how they are doing and to ask how we and they will change their operations to continue in a post pandemic world.
(more)
We have paid them promptly and included them in our newsletter. I have personally checked in with a few to see how they are doing and to ask how we and they will change their operations to continue in a post pandemic world.
I have applied for an SBA loan to cover payroll and some fixed costs for six months. I have negotiated with our bank to defer three months of mortgage payments to help with cash flow. My partners and I are all putting in money to get us through the payroll coming up Monday. We have a few hotel...
(more)
I have applied for an SBA loan to cover payroll and some fixed costs for six months. I have negotiated with our bank to defer three months of mortgage payments to help with cash flow. My partners and I are all putting in money to get us through the payroll coming up Monday. We have a few hotel guests, not all of them can pay. If the SBA loan does not come through for next payroll (4/13), I am not sure what we will do. We still must pay employees benefit hours and for the actual work that does exist. Many are at home for health and child care reasons. We do not know when the traveling public will be able to resume our normal habits of visiting and working away from home. But we aim to keep our doors open through all of it.
2 Replies
What do guests need? If you have international visitors, perhaps an adapter to US outlets. If you have noise problems, perhaps earplugs in a little case. If guests complain of hallway or street lights interfering with their sleep, eye patches in a little travel case. If kids come to stay,...
(more)
What do guests need? If you have international visitors, perhaps an adapter to US outlets. If you have noise problems, perhaps earplugs in a little case. If guests complain of hallway or street lights interfering with their sleep, eye patches in a little travel case. If kids come to stay, some crayons and maybe even a coloring book with local images (of YOUR house!)....Mugs are always popular, and pens, of course. Bags for travelers who may have forgotten theirs, especially if your area does not provide plastic bags, or charges for bags...Oh, and a business card with a map of the area on one side.
I wanted to renovate an old house in a good neighborhood. It happened to be a hotel. Knowing nothing of the hospitality business, I learned from my guests. I still do.
(more)
I wanted to renovate an old house in a good neighborhood. It happened to be a hotel. Knowing nothing of the hospitality business, I learned from my guests. I still do.
Imagining the perfect solution to our various persistent problems. Brainstorming marketing ideas in creative/expansive ways.
(more)
Imagining the perfect solution to our various persistent problems. Brainstorming marketing ideas in creative/expansive ways.
I rode my bike around to individual offices at Harvard University, carrying hand made business cards.
(more)
I rode my bike around to individual offices at Harvard University, carrying hand made business cards.
