Longwood Inn

For individuals exploring the "Hotels Near Of Me" category in the Boston area, particularly those seeking accommodations in Brookline with close proximity to medical institutions, the Longwood Inn offers a distinct experience. Located at 123 Longwood Ave, Brookline, MA 02446, USA, and contactable via phone at (617) 566-8615 or +1 617-566-8615, this inn provides a blend of historic charm and practical convenience. An objective introduction, drawing from its unique characteristics and recent guest feedback, highlights its environment, services, features, and key promotional aspects.

The Longwood Inn is housed within a warm 1900s Victorian mansion, nestled in the peaceful residential neighborhood of Brookline. This setting offers a distinct contrast to the more bustling urban hotels, providing guests with a tranquil and homely atmosphere. The inn's historical architecture, featuring elements like oak-paneled lobbies, hand-carved fireplaces, and antique decor, contributes to a charming "old-world ambiance." The exterior boasts an outdoor patio with tables and chairs, surrounded by hedges and shrubs, creating a café-style atmosphere facing Longwood Avenue. An enclosed front porch with teak rocking chairs and tables further enhances the welcoming feel.

Its location is particularly advantageous for those visiting the Longwood Medical Area (LMA), which includes renowned institutions such as Boston Children's Hospital (approximately 0.6 miles or a 20-minute walk), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (0.6 miles), Brigham and Women's Hospital (0.7 miles), Harvard Medical School (0.8 miles), and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (0.5 miles). This proximity is a major draw, especially given the challenges of driving and parking in Boston.

Beyond the medical area, the Longwood Inn is also well-situated for exploring other parts of Boston and Cambridge. It's close to public transportation, with several subway (MBTA Green Line C & D trains are within a 6-7 minute walk) and bus stops nearby, offering easy access to Fenway Park (less than a mile away, approximately 1.1 miles or a 15-minute walk), Brookline's vibrant Coolidge Corner (known for shops, restaurants, and an Art Deco movie theater), and downtown Boston (reachable by public transportation in 10-20 minutes). Directly behind the Inn, a newly renovated public park features tennis courts, a running track, baseball diamonds, and a children's playground, adding to the recreational amenities available to guests. The surrounding area is an upscale residential neighborhood, contributing to a sense of safety and quiet.

The Longwood Inn offers 22 individually decorated rooms, designed to evoke a cozy and comfortable feel within a historic setting. Rooms generally include air conditioning (often via window units, which guests noted were "fine" for cooling the room), flat-screen TVs (though channel options may be limited), free Wi-Fi, and private bathrooms with showers. While some rooms feature full-sized beds, it's worth noting that king or queen beds may not be standard in all accommodations; available room types include Standard Double, Single Room with Private External Bathroom, Deluxe Apartment, Superior Room with Two Double Beds, Superior Room with Double Bed and Single Bed, and Standard Queen Room. The inn also provides coffee for guests, a small but appreciated amenity.

A significant feature of the Longwood Inn, highlighted positively in numerous reviews, is the availability of a fully equipped communal kitchen and dining room for guest use. This amenity is invaluable for guests on longer stays, those with dietary restrictions, or families looking to save on dining costs. It allows guests to prepare their own meals, store groceries (with Trader Joe's and Whole Foods nearby), and interact with other guests in a relaxed setting. The presence of shared lounge areas, often filled with books, further enhances the homely atmosphere, providing a comfortable space for relaxation and reading.

Other general facilities include a 24-hour reception (though staff presence may vary, as noted in some reviews), laundry facilities, and a terrace and garden area for relaxation. The inn is a non-smoking facility. While the inn previously advertised free parking, recent reviews indicate a change in policy, with parking now typically costing $25 per night. This change, attributed by some guests to new management, is a significant shift that prospective visitors should note. The inn does not permit pets.

Customer reviews for the Longwood Inn present a mixed but generally fair assessment, often highlighting its unique charm alongside some practical considerations. The "location" consistently receives high praise, particularly for its proximity to the Longwood Medical Area and ease of access to public transportation and amenities like grocery stores. The inn's "historic charm," "beautiful interior," and "old world ambiance" are frequently appreciated, with guests enjoying the "quaint old Victorian home" feel. The overall score for location on review platforms is typically high (e.g., 9.2 out of 10).

The "staff" are generally described as "nice," "friendly," "polite," and "accommodating," indicating a willingness to help when available. Rooms are typically found to be "clean" and "comfortable," and the availability of the shared kitchen is a major positive feature for many. Guests also appreciate the quiet residential neighborhood, which contributes to a peaceful stay.

However, recent reviews also reveal several significant points of concern:

• Parking Fee: The change from historically free parking to a $25 per night charge is a recurring point of disappointment and frustration, with guests feeling it devalues the stay, especially given its non-central location and the previous expectation of complimentary parking.

• Temperature Control/HVAC Issues: Some guests reported issues with heating and air conditioning. Specific feedback mentioned a heating unit running all night, causing the room temperature to reach 81 degrees, and remaining hot even with AC blasting and windows open. This suggests a need for maintenance on climate control systems to ensure consistent comfort.

• Room Condition/Maintenance: Specific complaints include dusty/musty rooms, small room sizes (especially for full-sized beds, which are noted as "not queen, king"), and a general sense that some areas could benefit from updates. One reviewer mentioned that "showers need maintenance" due to water puddling, indicating drainage issues.

• Staff Availability/Responsiveness: While staff are friendly, some guests reported issues with staff not being at the front desk late at night. More critically, there were instances of promises for refunds/discounts for poor experiences not being followed through, and a lack of response to emails, which significantly impacts guest satisfaction and trust.

• Limited TV Options: Some guests found the television options to be limited.

The sentiment from some reviews suggests that while the inn has a great location and unique character, perceived changes under "new management" have led to a decline in certain aspects of the guest experience, particularly concerning service responsiveness and pricing policies. Despite these concerns, many guests still rated their stay as "very good" (e.g., an 8.2 average on some platforms), emphasizing the location and unique ambiance as strong positives.

For local users searching for "Hotels Near Of Me," the Longwood Inn can be promoted by highlighting its unique selling points:

• Proximity to Longwood Medical Area: This is its strongest appeal. Emphasize its walkable distance to major hospitals and medical schools (Boston Children's Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute), making it ideal for patients, families, and healthcare professionals seeking convenient and comfortable accommodation near these institutions.

• Historic Charm and Residential Serenity: Market the inn as a peaceful retreat within a charming 1900s Victorian mansion, offering a "home away from home" feel in a quiet, upscale neighborhood. Appeal to those who prefer a more intimate, unique, and less conventional hotel experience over a modern chain hotel.

• Cost-Effectiveness (Relative to Location): Despite the parking fee, it may still offer a more budget-friendly alternative compared to larger, more modern hotels in direct downtown Boston or the immediate medical area. Highlight the value of having a shared, fully equipped kitchen for self-catering, which can significantly reduce dining expenses, and complimentary coffee.

• Convenient Accessibility: Stress its easy access to public transportation (MBTA Green Line) for exploring Fenway Park (less than a mile away), Brookline's vibrant Coolidge Corner (with its retail stores, banks, specialty shops, fine restaurants, and historic Art Deco movie theatre), and downtown Boston, appealing to tourists and those attending events.

• Unique Amenities: Feature the fully equipped communal kitchen and dining room as a key benefit for longer stays or specific dietary needs. Also, promote the adjacent newly renovated public park with tennis courts, a running track, and a playground for outdoor recreation.

• Cozy and Clean Accommodations: While some rooms are small, highlight that they are clean and comfortable, emphasizing the unique character that comes with an older property.

The Longwood Inn primarily targets individuals and families visiting the Longwood Medical Area for medical reasons, academic visitors to nearby universities (including Harvard, Boston University, Wheelock, Emmanuel), and leisure travelers who prioritize a quiet, residential setting with a unique historic ambiance over modern luxury, and are comfortable with an inn-style experience. While acknowledging and potentially addressing the recent feedback about parking fees, temperature control, and service consistency, the inn’s fundamental charm and strategic location make it a viable option for those seeking "Hotels Near Of Me" with a distinctive character in Brookline.