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InterContinental Boston Boston, Massachusetts
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Hotel comparison guide

InterContinental Boston vs The Charles Hotel

InterContinental Boston is a 5-star waterfront hotel on the Fort Point Channel with harbor access and big downtown event spaces; read this if you want a central, water-view Boston base with a hotel spa and indoor lap pool. The Charles Hotel is a refined 5-star property in Harvard Square, Cambridge; read this if you prefer a quieter, collegiate neighborhood with on-site dining and a full-service spa.

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Exterior view of InterContinental Boston twin glass towers and waterfront park.

InterContinental Boston

Waterfront · Large (424 rooms) · Indoor lap pool

Best for travelers who want downtown/Boston Harbor access, larger meeting and ballroom capacity, and an indoor heated lap pool included for guests.

See rooms & suites
The Charles Hotel, Cambridge, Massachusetts

The Charles Hotel

Harvard Square · Refined · Full-service spa

Best for travelers who want a quieter Harvard Square location, free wired internet in rooms, and easy access to Harvard University and Cambridge attractions.

Quick Verdict: InterContinental Boston vs The Charles Hotel

When InterContinental Boston wins: choose it for downtown waterfront views, larger event spaces and ballrooms, and a full-service spa with a 45-foot heated indoor lap pool that’s complimentary for guests.

When The Charles Hotel wins: choose it for a quieter stay in Harvard Square, three on-site restaurants and bars in a Cambridge setting, generous meeting space for mid-sized events, and complimentary wired internet in rooms.

Bottom line: both are five-star, refined hotels; pick InterContinental for waterfront scale, meetings, and a hotel pool, and pick The Charles Hotel for a Harvard Square location and a quieter, campus-adjacent Cambridge experience.

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InterContinental Boston vs The Charles Hotel – At a Glance

Side-by-side facts for InterContinental Boston and The Charles Hotel
CategoryInterContinental BostonThe Charles Hotel
Overall vibeLarge waterfront luxury hotel with downtown energy and event focusRefined, quieter Harvard Square luxury hotel with a campus-neighborhood feel
Location510 Atlantic Ave, Fort Point Channel / near South Station and HarborwalkOne Bennett Street, Harvard Square, Cambridge; steps from Harvard University
Size (rooms)424 rooms303 guestrooms
Minimum check-in age18 (primary guest)21 (primary guest)
Pool45-foot heated indoor lap pool (complimentary for guests)Not published
Restaurants & barsMultiple: Matria, Bar Fellini, Loyall Counting Room, Five-10 Waterfront (water views)Three restaurants and 3 bars/lounges including Henrietta's Table; 24-hour room service available
Spa & wellnessSpa InterContinental (about 6,600 sq ft, six treatment rooms, steam rooms, 24-hour fitness)Full-service spa with massages, body treatments, and facials; reservations required
Meeting & event spaceApprox. 32,000 sq ft across multiple ballrooms and function rooms (up to ~1,200 guests)Conference space ~17,997 sq ft with 18 meeting rooms (suitable for weddings, conferences)
Parking & EVValet parking only (hotel lists $65/day); EV charging availableCovered parking available; electric car charging station listed
PetsPets welcome under VIPaw program (fee; weight limit conflicting across sources)Pet fee USD 75 per pet, per stay (service animals exempt)

A Look Inside InterContinental Boston

InterContinental Boston: rooms & suitesRooms & suitesInterContinental Boston: diningDiningInterContinental Boston: spa & wellnessSpa & wellness
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Location: InterContinental Boston vs The Charles Hotel

InterContinental Boston – Location

InterContinental Boston sits on the Fort Point Channel waterfront between the Financial District and Seaport, steps from the Harborwalk and adjacent to the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum.

  • Address: 510 Atlantic Ave, Boston — near South Station and the Freedom Trail.
  • Waterfront access and a water taxi dock directly outside the hotel.
  • Good base for downtown attractions, Seaport dining, and harbor excursions.

Choose InterContinental if you want central Boston/harbor access and easy connections to downtown attractions.

The Charles Hotel – Location

The Charles Hotel is in the heart of Harvard Square in Cambridge, a short walk to Harvard University and Cambridge cafés, shops, and cultural spots.

  • Address: One Bennett Street, Cambridge — very close to Harvard University and Harvard Square.
  • Cambridge setting is quieter than downtown Boston and oriented toward the university neighborhood.
  • Convenient for Fenway Park, MIT, Kendall Square and local transit connections into Boston.

Choose The Charles Hotel if you prefer staying in Harvard Square with quick access to Cambridge neighborhoods and Harvard.

Rooms: InterContinental Boston vs The Charles Hotel

InterContinental Boston – Rooms

InterContinental Boston offers 424 rooms and a mix of view and club options across multiple categories and suites.

  • Room list includes Classic Room, Club Room (InterContinental), Channel- or Greenway-view options, and multiple suite types.
  • Club lounge access available for an extra fee with breakfast and evening hors d’oeuvres.
  • Rooms typically emphasize water or city views and hotel-level bedding and amenities.

InterContinental is the larger property with more room categories and water-view options.

The Charles Hotel – Rooms

The Charles Hotel has 303 guestrooms with refrigerators and LCD TVs; down comforters and premium bedding are standard.

  • Room types include Deluxe Room, Suites (Fellows, Deans, Chancellors), accessible options, and multiple double/twin setups.
  • Complimentary wired and wireless internet access in rooms.
  • Private bathrooms with deep soaking bathtubs and designer toiletries in many rooms.

The Charles emphasizes classic, comfortable rooms and a full complement of suite choices in a Cambridge setting.

Dining & drinks: InterContinental Boston vs The Charles Hotel

InterContinental Boston – Dining & drinks

InterContinental Boston offers several on-site venues, including a new Northern Italian restaurant and multiple cocktail bars.

  • Matria (Northern Italian steakhouse) with Fort Point Channel views and a seasonal terrace.
  • Bar Fellini (Italian cocktail bar) and the Loyall Counting Room speakeasy for cocktails.
  • Five-10 Waterfront provides water-view American seasonal dining.

Choose InterContinental for waterfront dining and a broader variety of hotel bars and a speakeasy experience.

The Charles Hotel – Dining & drinks

The Charles Hotel has three restaurants (including Henrietta’s Table) and three bars/lounges plus 24-hour room service.

  • Henrietta's Table serves American cuisine; cooked-to-order breakfast is available (fee applies).
  • A coffee shop/café on-site and multiple bars for pre- or post-dinner drinks.
  • Room service is available 24 hours for guests who prefer in-room dining.

Choose The Charles for dependable on-site dining tied to the Harvard Square neighborhood and 24-hour room service.

Pools & signature amenity: InterContinental Boston vs The Charles Hotel

InterContinental Boston – Pools & signature amenity

InterContinental Boston’s signature amenity is its indoor heated 45-foot lap pool within Spa InterContinental.

  • 45-foot heated indoor lap pool overlooking the Rose Kennedy Greenway.
  • Pool hours listed by the hotel; complimentary for registered guests.
  • Pool area is adjacent to the fitness center and steam rooms.

InterContinental’s indoor heated lap pool is a clear draw for guests who want on-site pool access year-round.

The Charles Hotel – Pools & signature amenity

The Charles Hotel listing does not publish an on-site pool.

  • Not published: no on-site pool is listed in the supplier facts provided.
  • The Charles focuses on other amenities like free bicycles, spa services, and meeting spaces.
  • Guests should contact the hotel directly if a pool is required for their stay.

The Charles does not advertise a pool in the supplied facts; check directly if pool access is important to you.

Wellness & nightlife: InterContinental Boston vs The Charles Hotel

InterContinental Boston – Wellness & nightlife

InterContinental pairs Spa InterContinental with multiple bars and a speakeasy-style nightlife option on site.

  • Spa InterContinental: ~6,600 sq ft, six treatment rooms, steam rooms and spa treatments.
  • 24-hour fitness center adjacent to the spa; pool and spa access included for guests booking treatments.
  • Evening options include Bar Fellini and the Loyall Counting Room speakeasy.

InterContinental blends a full spa and on-site cocktail bars for a combined wellness-plus-evening experience.

The Charles Hotel – Wellness & nightlife

The Charles Hotel offers a full-service spa plus bars and live events in a campus-neighborhood setting.

  • Spa services include massages, facials and body treatments; reservations required before arrival.
  • Three bars/lounges and occasional live shows or concerts listed among hotel offerings.
  • Complimentary bicycles and a dog exercise area add low-key wellness/active options.

The Charles focuses on spa treatments and neighborhood nightlife rather than large on-site nightlife venues.

Who Wins? Best Pick by Travel Style

Best for harbor and water views
Hotel lobby seating area with sculptural lighting at InterContinental Boston.

InterContinental Boston

InterContinental Boston — waterfront location on Fort Point Channel with water-view dining and a water taxi dock.

Best for Harvard Square location
The Charles Hotel, Cambridge, Massachusetts

The Charles Hotel

The Charles Hotel — in the heart of Harvard Square, steps from Harvard University and Cambridge shops.

Best for an on-site pool
Lobby banquette seating and wall art at InterContinental Boston.

InterContinental Boston

InterContinental Boston — a guest-accessible 45-foot heated indoor lap pool inside Spa InterContinental.

Best for a quieter, campus-style stay
The Charles Hotel, Cambridge, Massachusetts

The Charles Hotel

The Charles Hotel — refined, quieter setting in Cambridge with free wired internet and bicycles on site.

Frequently asked questions

InterContinental Boston vs The Charles Hotel: FAQs

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Which hotel is better for meetings and large events?

InterContinental Boston — it has roughly 32,000 sq ft of meeting and event space including large ballrooms; The Charles Hotel has substantial conference space (~17,997 sq ft) but is smaller overall.

Which hotel has a pool?

InterContinental Boston has a 45-foot heated indoor lap pool included for guests; The Charles Hotel's supplied listing does not publish a pool.

Which is more convenient for visiting Harvard University?

The Charles Hotel — it sits in Harvard Square and is a short walk from the university.

Are both hotels family-friendly?

Both properties operate as general-audience hotels; The Charles lists a minimum check-in age of 21 and InterContinental lists a minimum check-in age of 18 for the primary guest.

More InterContinental Boston Comparison Guides

Explore how InterContinental Boston stacks up against other hotels nearby:

Wide view of indoor pool with patterned ceiling and city views at InterContinental Boston
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