Cambria Hotel Boston Somerville has opened its doors. Situated on the Somerville-Cambridge line, it converges with a unique moment in time for Somerville as it experiences a modern-day renaissance, and it adds to the exciting transformation that Somerville’s historic Union Square is undergoing. Travellers will find a design forward, accessibly priced hotel that celebrates the city’s art, culture and funk. Cambria Hotel Boston Somerville offers 163 spacious guest rooms across its six stories and a dynamic lobby space that is sure to attract locals and visitors alike. The hotel is located just a half a mile from Harvard University and historic Union Square. Boston’s The Noannet Group teamed up with Cambria® Hotels, an upscale brand franchised by Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), to bring the project to life, and the local, family-owned Saunders Hotel Group will manage all hotel operations. Design is at the forefront of Cambria Boston Somerville with the renowned CambridgeSeven behind the project’s architecture, and award-winning hospitality interior designer Bill Rooney Studio helming hotel interiors. 

 

 
“We could not ask for better neighbours, with Somerville and Cambridge being two of Greater Boston’s most energetic and forward-looking communities; lovable, quirky and historic, all while being at the forefront of Boston’s accelerated growth. We are excited to offer guests the opportunity to enjoy all that this destination has to offer: an unmatched culinary scene, a vibrant music and arts culture, and cutting-edge tech and life science industries. Beyond its location, we are also extremely proud of our hotel’s innovative design, social gathering space within the lobby, upscale guest amenities and exceptional hospitality. We extend our appreciation to the City of Somerville, Mayor Ballantyne and Councilor J.T. Scott for collaborating with us on this special project,” says Jordan Warshaw, hotel developer and President of The Noannet Group.
 
“Boston has long been lauded for its thriving academic community and innovation-driven culture, which makes it the ideal location to introduce another Cambria hotel as we look to expand our upscale offerings in popular markets across the country,” said Janis Cannon, Senior Vice President, Upscale Brands, Choice Hotels. “We know modern travellers want sophisticated accommodations and enriching experiences when they visit, and the Cambria Boston Somerville offers this and more, positioning guests at the center of the city’s vibrance and diversity while delivering top-notch amenities to help them stay at their best.”

 

With CambridgeSeven’s leadership, the hotel’s crenelated façade highlights the building’s presence while providing interior guest rooms with oblique glimpses of the streetscape from within. Composed of wood-textured cement panels, the building’s aesthetic relates to its residential neighbours, nodding to classic contemporary design in a unique urban form.
 
“Cambria Boston Somerville speaks to the transformation of nearby Union Square into a burgeoning, transit-oriented neighbourhood while being equally close to Cambridge. The hotel is a blend of urban chic, influenced by Somerville’s unique neighbourhoods, combined with a dynamic exterior design that boldly reframes this location into a focal point along Somerville Avenue. With guest amenities such as an oversized fitness room, game room, event space and a unique top floor suite with a roof deck and stunning views of the Boston skyline, this hotel sets high standards for a memorable guest experience,” says Jan L. Brenner, AIA, Associate Principal, CambridgeSeven.
 
The award-winning Bill Rooney Studio, known for its work on Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton and other five-star hotels, makes its design debut in Somerville with this project. Upon entering the hotel lobby, guests will be embraced by walnut wood panelled walls, richly detailed ceilings and a dramatic double-sided fireplace. A contemporary bookshelf wraps around the seating area, creating a cozy retreat.
 
“The new Cambria hotel offering is rooted in context of place.  Somerville is home to a population of switched-on, at ease, artistic, independent thinkers who are diverse, and with a strong sense of community involvement.  The personality of the hotel is derived from a modern spirit alongside a nod to the casual refinement that exists in the region, the eclectic mix of the light industrial fabric, historic legacy, adjacency to world class academics, and the abundance of culinary experiences,” says designer Bill Rooney.
 
Spacious guest rooms (found on floors two through six) span an average of 375 square feet and are available in King and Double Queen formations with the option of connecting rooms. Guest rooms possess modernized regional design elements as well as industrial references while art reflects the hotel’s spirited community with hints of humor. A deep blue wallcovering, accented with bronze rivets, makes a statement on the bedside wall, as do long tufted headboards, knit striped carpeting, and navy-blue wainscoting. White wall surfaces juxtapose with walnut case pieces, and pop against bright yellow bedside table lamps. Inviting seating areas – whether a round table and black open back wood chairs, or a cushy chaise lounge – give rooms the comforts of home. Nine suites offer guests even more space, with the largest of them being the 960-square-foot Rooftop Suite. Its expansive private balcony and sweeping views of Somerville, Cambridge, the Boston city skyline and beyond, are sure to make it a favourite among guests. Bathrooms boast stretched black stone hexagon mosaic floors and Bluetooth, high touch bathroom mirrors that sync with guests’ music of choice, alongside PURE bath products. Pets are welcome and the hotel offers complimentary Wi-Fi.
 
With 1,175 square feet of multifunction space on the first floor, Cambria Boston Somerville is well equipped for private functions and weddings. The 2,000 square foot fitness room boasts floor to ceiling windows and caters to all wellness needs with Peloton and LifeFitness machines. The game room lets guests relax with shuffleboard, foosball and a variety of retro games.
 
Infusing the hotel with local style, Cambria Hotel Boston Somerville will host a small market on the first floor, highlighting artisan beverages and snacks from surrounding local, small businesses. Look for MEM Teas out of Cambridge and Q’s Nuts, Tower Beverages, Brewer’s Food crackers and Taza Chocolates from Somerville – to name a few. Furthering the guest’s direct line to local culture, the hotel also tapped Boston’s award-winning online music, film, TV and comedy magazine, Vanyaland, to curate unique music programming that spotlights local artists. Vanyaland created playlists for the hotel’s various common area and private function rooms and is set to program and produce a series of live music events at the hotel in the months to come.

Cambria’s energetic lobby will be complemented this fall by an exciting 4,000 sf restaurant helmed by one of Greater Boston’s most renowned chefs. The restaurant will also offer outdoor dining at what will be one of the area’s largest outdoor terraces. While the restaurant is underway, Cambria is treating its guests to a menu of small bites, local craft beer and Cambria Estate Wines  every evening; the menu is sourced from local Somerville restaurants.

“Whether you are a destination or business traveller, or one of our neighbours stopping in to enjoy the hotel, we look forward to welcoming you with a unique, people first experience,” said Gary Saunders, Chairman of Saunders Hotel Group, a third-generation family-owned hotel management company.  “As leaders in Boston’s hotel industry, our team enriches each visitor’s experience, and we are excited to be a part of the vibrant and diverse Somerville-Cambridge neighbourhood.”

Cambria Hotel Boston Somerville is equidistant from Harvard, Union and Porter Squares, and in close proximity to Kendall Square, Tufts University and MIT. The property also neighbours the newly opened MBTA Union Square Station stop on the Green Line, which shuttles passengers to North Station in less than ten minutes. Three key nearby developments that are in the process of greatly transforming the Union Square area of Somerville include the 15-acre USQ, a master-planned development that includes lab, office, multi-family, retail, and open space, the 7.4-acre Somernova, an innovation-focused business park, and the 43-acre Cambridge Crossing.
  
Cambria Hotel Boston Somerville’s opening underscores the Cambria brand’s growth across New England, joining the Cambria Hotel Boston Downtown – South Boston as well as soon-to-open Cambria hotels in South Windsor, Connecticut, New Haven, Connecticut, and Portland, Maine, which are expected to debut this year.
 
Located at 515 Somerville Avenue in Somerville, MA, the hotel is now accepting reservations with rates starting at $250. For more information, please visit www.cambriasomerville.com; @cambriasomerville.
 

With an organization-level commitment to excellence for over 75 years, family owned and operated Saunders Hotel Group has extensive, time-tested experience in the development, management and ownership of hospitality assets throughout Greater Boston. www.saundershotelgroup.com