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Private Luxury House, Fenced Yard, Short Walk to Harvard/MIT/T. Dogs OK.

Private Luxury House, Fenced Yard, Short Walk to Harvard/MIT/T. Dogs OK.

Photo gallery for Private Luxury House, Fenced Yard, Short Walk to Harvard/MIT/T. Dogs OK.

Master Bedroom
Master Bedroom
Master Bedroom, skylight has remote controlled solar shades
Master, fireplace has remote and temperature control
Master, showing walk-in closet

Overview of Private Luxury House, Fenced Yard, Short Walk to Harvard/MIT/T. Dogs OK.

Reviews
9.8 out of 10 Exceptional
3 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 6143 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendlyPet-friendlyPet-friendly
  • Hot tubHot tubHot tub
  • FireplaceFireplaceFireplace
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grillBarbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • Free WiFiFree WiFiFree WiFi

Explore the area

Map
Cambridge, MA
  • Popular LocationHarvard University6 min walk
  • Popular LocationHarvard Square14 min walk
  • Popular LocationFenway Park5 min drive
  • AirportBoston, MA (BNH-Boston Harbor Seaplane Base)18 min drive

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

2nd Floor Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

2nd Floor Bedroom

1 Double Bed

Additional Sleeping Accomodations

1 Double Futon

Master Suite

1 King Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

1st Floor Half Bath

Toilet

2nd Floor Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Master

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Office
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Private Luxury House, Fenced Yard, Short Walk to Harvard/MIT/T. Dogs OK.


We custom built this house ourselves, with every comfort we could imagine, and we invite you to enjoy this oasis within Cambridge. With over 60 windows, it is a free-standing single family, hidden from the street, with a completely fenced yard - perfect for letting your dogs roam free if they are traveling with you. The house has a deluxe gourmet kitchen with an indoor grill & griddle - for when you want a steak in the middle of winter or just pancakes.

The first floor has an over-sized gas fireplace for those cold wintry nights. (If you're staying over Christmas, feel free to get a Christmas Tree and hang stockings from the mantle.) The second floor has a bathroom with washer and dryer, access to an outdoor deck, two bedrooms and a private office.

Our favorite part of the house - which often works as a family room because no one wants to leave it - is the third floor, which is dedicated entirely to a master suite. It has a 13 foot high ceiling with huge windows that wrap around the master. From the front right corner, you can see the downtown skyline and often a partial-view of the July 4th fireworks in the distance.

The window seat underneath the front windows is the perfect spot to read. Or you may choose the comfy chair under the (remote control) fireplace. The king size bed sits beneath 4 skylights (with remote control solar shades) so depending on the weather, you can lie back and watch the pitter-patter of rain, snowflakes falling, clouds passing, or at night, watch the stars. The thirteen foot high ceiling helps create a feeling of openness. (A new $3,000+ luxury mattress was purchased at the end of 2023).

The house is Gold LEED certified with 10 inches of icynene insulation and top of the line Andersen windows, so it always feels cozy and quiet. The first floor fireplace can easily heat the entire home, but just in case, there's a second fireplace and three heating/cooling zones.

In the master, all windows have black-out shades/curtains so at night, it is pitch black if that's your preference. The master has a separate dressing room, and an amazing bathroom - double sink, laundry chute, 5 head shower with independent temperature control, steam shower, and a huge soaking tub.

What makes the home magical to us is its location - within a few blocks, you have Harvard University (the College), MIT, Harvard Business School, Whole Foods, excellent chinese and indian restaurants, high end restaurants like Waypoint and Pammys, Central Square and the T. It is also a few blocks from the Charles River. No car is required.

We allow pets - particularly dogs, and built in a number of dog-friendly features such as a completely fenced yard (so no dog walks required - just let them out), a 'dog window' so you know when they want to come in, and a 'dog cave' so they can sit in the kitchen but be out of the way if you wish to put pillows or a crate there.

All told, we love our home and invite you to enjoy it too.

NOTE: If you enjoyed this property and are looking for a nice summer getaway, we have a Main House (HA 4745951) and a Cottage (HA 4746520) available for summer rentals, also dog friendly, with fenced yard, and a short walk to the beach through a nature preserve.

Property manager

Mike Langlois
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Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 3 total)
Enclosed Yard for Dogs

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Maximum Occupancy 6 persons without prior permission.
Cancellation refund only available if able to rebook dates.

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
Property Registration Number C0024870491

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Cambridge

Located on the waterfront, this holiday home is in Riverside, a neighbourhood in Cambridge. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Boston Common and Revere Beach, while Berklee College of Music and Museum of Science are cultural highlights. Looking to enjoy an event or a game? See what's going on at Fenway Park or TD Garden.
Map
Cambridge, MA

What's nearby

  • Harvard University - 6 min walk
  • Harvard Square - 14 min walk
  • Boston University - 3 min drive
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology - 4 min drive
  • Fenway Park - 5 min drive

Getting around

  • Boston Yawkey Station - 4 min drive
  • Central Square Station - 8 min walk
  • Boston, MA (BNH-Boston Harbor Seaplane Base) - 23 min drive

Restaurants

  • 730 Tavern, Kitchen & Patio - 8 min walk
  • Waypoint - 6 min walk
  • Tasty Burger - 9 min walk
  • Dumpling House - 4 min walk
  • Life Alive - 7 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Private Luxury House, Fenced Yard, Short Walk to Harvard/MIT/T. Dogs OK. pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 3 total).

What time is check-in at Private Luxury House, Fenced Yard, Short Walk to Harvard/MIT/T. Dogs OK.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Private Luxury House, Fenced Yard, Short Walk to Harvard/MIT/T. Dogs OK.?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Private Luxury House, Fenced Yard, Short Walk to Harvard/MIT/T. Dogs OK. located?

Located in Riverside, this holiday home is within a 15-minute walk of Harvard University and Harvard Square. Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Boston University are also within 2 miles (3 km). Central Square Station is 8 minutes by foot and Harvard Square Station is 14 minutes.

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 84 out of 96 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 12 out of 96 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 96 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 96 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 96 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Paul T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our stay
Superb. Thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Katie M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Boston Marathon trip
Whole experience was easy from start to finish, beautiful place, perfect trip.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alexandra I.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Home away from home
The home was beautiful and the perfect location and amount of space for our week in Boston. Walking distance to great restaurants and shops, and the fireplaces and heating made everything so cozy.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lisa S., Fairfield, CT

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Convenient & Comfortable house in Cambridge
Great location for Central/Harvard Square. House exactly as promised - modern, clean, roomy. Kitchen very nice (made several meals). Yard perfect for our dog. Felt surprisingly private yet steps from everything.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

The F., San Diego, CA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great
Attended events at Harvard. Was great.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

About the host

Hosted by Mike Langlois

Host profile image

Why they chose this property

We spent years looking for a property that fit our requirements - a single family with enclosed yard near Harvard University. We finally found our home but it was in poor condition, so we did a gut renovation and added a third floor. Our goal was to make an oasis in the city, and we feel we've succeeded. During the past few years, the city of Cambridge has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in the neighborhood - a new school, redesign of Western Avenue and buildings in Central Square. And Harvard is investing massively in the area, building its new engineering school across from the Business School (a short walk away) and rehabbing bridges and dorms nearby. As a result, the entire area has become one of the hot neighborhoods of Boston - with tons of new high end restaurants. Along with the old favorites, the short walks to Harvard and MIT and the Charles, we love our house. It's in the middle of the action, but feels like an oasis inside.

What makes this property unique

2 gas fireplaces. Wide plank natural maple floors, doors and cabinets. A massive 8 burner gas stove. dog friendly features - dog cave and dog windows, for example. Ultra luxury master bath with 5 head shower with separate heat control, a steam shower, giant soaking tub, walk-in closet, large window seat, seven 10-foot tall windows, and 4 skylights to watch the stars at night, and clouds and rain during the day. 10 inch icynene insulation so it is as close to soundproof as you can get in a busy city. Washer/dryer on second floor with laundry chute from the third floor. Set back from the street and entirely surrounded by a six foot tall pine fence. Basically, this is our dream home. We worked closely with our architect and spent a year and a half building our dream home, and now we'd like to share it with others.

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