John Jeffries House

«Excellent Boston Hotel»
John Jeffries House is in Beacon Hill section of Boston. Be prepared to park your car around the corner at Charles Street Parking, at a discounted rate of $ 27/​day, with hotel validation. The hotel is near the T-​train station which makes it handy for traveling to other areas of Boston. The hotel is also near the Black Heritage Walk, which connects to the Freedom Trail walk.
We had a deluxe suite with a lounge area separate from the bedroom. It had a teeny kitchenette with sink, refrigerator, and microwave. The lobby is a perfect place for your morning coffee and watching the morning news. The breakfast, however, consisted of coffee/​tea, juice and day old (if not older) pastries. John Jeffries Hotel is too nice of a place to falter so much on the breakfast items.

The hotel rooms are small, but decently appointed; I would give them three stars. However, I have to give an overall rating of one star due to the fact that the staff is poorly trained and we had a bad time with customer service. Our group stayed at the hotel for a local event during the first week of October 2016. It was in the forties at night and the hotel had no heat. They told us after we had checked in and could not get our money back that they have central heat and it was not yet turned on for the year. We were not warned about this prior, nor was it posted on the hotel’s website. We were all freezing cold all night and the conditions were downright dangerous for the members of our party who were medically fragile and for our infant. The hotel gave us a few thin extra blankets, but would not provide space heaters when we requested them. When I spoke to the desk staff at check out about this, they made no effort to compensate us or to rectify the situation. Instead, they shrugged and told us that some of the staff is poorly trained. Unacceptable!
Also, the breakfast is really more of a snack of processed pastries and coffee. Parking costs an additional $ 27 per day for a garage down the street from the hotel that is managed by a third party. They do not disclose this cost anywhere on their website.
The hotel is not inexpensive. For the price you should expect amenities – and at the very least a temperate room. Do not stay here!

This was a great place to stay for the price. I agree that some of the staff were not schooled in hospitality. We were prepared for this after reading the reviews. It’s unfortunate because it would have added to the character of the hotel. Continental breakfast could be better. Since we were gone from morning til night… we really didn’t need to have much interaction with the staff unless they buzzed us in. They did allow us to drop off our luggage at 6:00 am until a room became available and to leave the luggage after check-​out until our flight left. I would recommend this place, being that it is on the edge of Beacon Hill and the «T» is right across the street.

We went here really wanting to like the place, after reading the reviews. It was just all around a very disappointing experience. Here are the three main reasons:
1. Price. While it was touted as the most affordable place to stay in the area at the prices given, what they didn’t tell me was that they have no parking, and I would have to pay the «discounted» $ 27 fee to park my car in the designated garage a short walk from the B&B. By the time you factored in this and the taxes we wound up paying $ 213 for the night. Not really much of a discount, especially for what are arguably charming but very modest accommodations.
2. The staff. We came in travel weary a little after 8pm and were met at the front desk by two very aloof staff. By stretching the definition they might be called objectively courteous, but cold and with no warmth or hospitality at all. Maybe it’s a California thing to be accustomed to a little more hospitality at lodgings. The woman seemed a cross between patronizingly amused and annoyed that I came by the desk later to ask about where to get something to eat in the town.
3. The breakfast. I have no idea how they conscience calling themselves a bed and breakfast. The breakfast was literally coffee, juice and processed pastries. That’s it. They do say it is continental, but even the most meager continental breakfasts I’ve seen put out some yogurts, or hard boiled eggs or something for protein. Not everyone considers it a good idea to put sugar and chemicals by way Svenhard’s pastries in their system first thing in the morning.
Would unfortunately not recommend. Add to these the fact that the entire area around the place was torn up with construction and the Longfellow Bridge was closed creating a traffic and navigation nightmare and we definitely didn’t think we got our money’s worth.

6-​night stay in August 2014. Desk staff definitely weren’t schooled in hospitality, with their cold uncaring responses tinged with snobby attitude making you feel like you’ve bothered them.
Rooms were clean and well maintained, but 50-​year-​old, mismatched furniture is far from comfy with old creaky bed frames and chairs, wobbly tables. Our room’s tiny kitchenette was a bit under-​accessorized– the only pan was a saucepan, no cooking utensils, 3 each of spoons/​forks/​knives, plates/​bowls. Our unit utilized energy efficient light bulbs which left us fumbling in the dimness for minutes until they reached full brightness.
«Breakfast» was quite minimal– a small display of cold, mediocre pastries, a basket of bananas and apples, and thermoses of coffee.

Do not be fooled by the low price, this is a great little hotel. If you are looking for a privately owned, well-​situated, clean room in an historic building, this may be the place for you.
I chose The John Jeffries House because I was looking for a hotel in or around Beacon Hill from which to explore the Freedom Trail with my 13 year-​old daughter and my 68 year-​old father. The suite was spacious, but not particularly comfortable with a kitchenette, one room with two twin beds, and another with a small pull– out couch, and a table with two chairs. Thick shades darkened the room and newer windows kept the room quiet despite the street noise. It was perfect for our two night stay. If I were to stay longer in Boston with 3 people, I would want a larger suite in a hotel with more amenities.
The hotel is across the street from a T station, CVS, and right on the corner of Charles St where you will find restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, and boutiques. Sweet breads, muffins, juice, coffee, and tea are offered in the large sitting area of the hotel in the morning until 11. Luggage can be left in a small room off the lobby after checking out.

This is not a true bed and BREAKFAST in the sense that it only serves pastries, and dry ones at that. Otherwise, cost and location is great! You need to pay for parking at a local garage or try to find street parking.

I stayed at John Jeffries House for a weekend getaway in Boston and it was great! I’ve never stayed at a bed & breakfast before so I can only compare it to hotels I’ve stayed in. I’d say it’s like a mini cozy hotel. It feels very welcoming and homey.
Perks:
1. Free wifi
2. Free fruit — there’s baskets placed in the lobby filled with apples and bananas for anyone to take
3. Free coffee, hot chocolate, tea, and water
4. Close to the subway station! It’s literally across the street
5. Close to a CVS pharmacy (drugstore)
6. Close to pretty good restaurants and bars
7. There’s a partnership with a garage so you can park your car — you receive a discount since you’re staying at JJH
8. Free breakfast until 11 am (We always went out to eat so unfortunately I won’t be able to review the food! Sorry guys!)
Room review (I stayed in the standard room):
1. Very spacious
2. We booked the only available standard room that had two separate twin beds — they were kind of enough to place the beds together
3. There is a couch, two chairs, and a coffee table — feels like the whole room is a little studio
4. TV with cable
5. Microwave and refrigerator
6. Big bathroom
Bottom line:
1. A very comfortable cozy/​homey place to stay & it’s in a perfect location!

As the expression goes: YOU GET WHAT YOU PAID FOR.
BANG FOR YOUR BUCK: For Boston, you can’t really beat this price. I have a twin bed, full bathroom, kitchenette, mini fridge and free breakfast too. All this for $ 125? Believe it. But before you go ahead and rush to book a room, please keep reading.
STAFF and SERVICE: The staff is extremely friendly and accommodating (if possible). I needed an iron (rooms don’t come equipped with one) and they had one handy in their utility closet.
I flew to Boston on business. Our company has a corporate policy of how much we can spend on hotels. And since Boston is so pricey, I decided to join some of my colleagues and stay here.
I already knew what I was getting into when it came to room size. However, I was EXTREMELY disappointed to learn that the thermostat wasn’t functioning properly. Yes, it has a temperature control lever. However, the front desk told me that the building’s A/​C was switched off and the heat was turned on. So the thermostat is either ON or OFF. Unfortunately, it was ON in my room. I was told that the only way to cool my room down was to open my windows. Seriously? What kind of ghetto living is this? I’m a very light sleeper — so the constant traffic noise, the squeaky brakes and the rail sounds from the T, and the occasional siren make it unbearable for someone like me.
CONCLUSION: Will I likely come back this place? Not likely. Look — I get it. John Jeffries House is a cozy little B&B that doesn’t give you the usual «hotel chain» amenities. I’m sure there are many people who will see the charm in not having the conveniences of individual climate control, an iron to press your clothes, or a grownup bed. Unfortunately, I’m not one of them. I guess I’m just a fancy man.
At the end of the day, I realize that I’m not staying at a major hotel chain and so I’ll take it for what it’s worth and suck it up for one night. Nevertheless, it’s going to be a rough sleep tonight.

While I would not really call it a «bed and breakfast,» having more the amenities and size of a hotel and no full breakfast, John Jeffries House is a comfortable, affordable, well-​located little hotel. The rooms are clean and a bit quirky — ours had a sitting room with a few chairs and a stove and sink, but the bedroom/​bathroom were teeny tiny. Freshly painted and perfectly comfortable, though.
The wifi was a bit spotty, but free. There’s a continental breakfast each morning with coffee, juice, fruit, and pastries. It’s right on the corner of Charles St, so you’re right close to some of the historic/​cool areas of Boston. And the prices, even on the weekend, were decent.

Outstanding service, clean, very cozy/​comfortable, friendly staff. They let me check in quite a bit earlier than the normal check-​in time because there was availability. Highlights: very reasonable rates, great location near that Charles/​MGH subway station, complimentary breakfast. Would highly recommend and would stay here again if visiting Boston.

Not a bad place to rest your head. Very clean and bright. Staff at desk was friendly. They let us check in early and leave our luggage behind after check out. Great location near the Beacon Hill neighborhood, Charles River and the Charles/​MGH station. One can easily walk to Boston Common or Government Center from there. Very affordable spot for being in a city like Boston.

Nothing fancy, but very affordable and clean. FANTASTIC location — across the street from the Charles/​MGH stop on the Red Line. Easy walk to Cambridge, the North End, Boston Common and the South End. Safe neighborhood and the front desk has someone on duty 24 hours a day. My only complaint was that the bed was a little hard, but it was bearable for a weekend trip.

We stayed here for four nights while doing tours of Boston and the area. The prices are reasonable given the great location and the excellent quality of the room. The room was clean, well furnished, and large. The House is located directly across the street from the MTA Charles/​MGH station. Close to Boston Commons where you can walk and start your Freedom Trail walk. Great location and well worth the rate. I’ll stay here again when i am in Boston.

Cozy (small) bedroom with another very cozy «suite» room off of it. Fantastic place to lay your head down for the night. Has everything u need if u aren’t looking for luxury. Clean, quiet, cheap and safe location.

Nice location~
Front desk is extremely nice.
They have coffee available 24-​hours.
Fruit is always available (apples and bananas)
They supply towels, shampoo, and soap.
You can adjust the temperature of your room.
I would say this place is clean… but the pillow case and bed sheets did have some remaining «stains» on it. I don’t think it was bodily fluids… just stains from dirt/​soot or something.
Check-​out is at 11am, but they will hold your bags in the employees lunch room if you want to check-​out, explore Boston some more and then come back to retrieve your bag for departure.

Stayed here the last two days. Ppl nice, service grt, continental breakfast, free wifi, beautiful rooms reminds me of the nat’l trust. This will be my place to stay in BOS.

Okay, NOT cool, John Jeffries House. I called in July to book a 1 bedroom 2 days for the Boston marathon weekend and I was told 1. there is now a 3 night minimum and 2. the only available room (A FULL YEAR IN ADVANCE) was their premium deluxe ultra (add another hyperbolic word or so) suite for $$$. So frustrating and criminal that all the Boston hotels, even this one which I really liked but now will not go to conspire together to totally rip off their customers.

It really is one of Boston’s best kept secrets.
I booked a stay here for the first part of my Boston trip, mainly based on price. My initial interaction had me a bit skeptical about my stay. I was disappointed there was no online reservation system and rather than emailing my credit card number (as was offered), I called, booked and asked them to email me a confirm. I guess this isn’t the norm, I never got an email and when I called a few weeks later to inquire about the mailed confirmation they also promised, they said it would be mailed a few weeks before my trip, which seemed odd and left me uneasy. Fortunately, the confirmation arrived sooner than promised and my stay went off without a hitch, but I still wish there was an online reservation system.
Walking up from the Charles St./MGH station across the street, I was surprised at the size of the B&B. When I think B&B, I think small and converted homes or walk-​ups. The John Jeffries House is named after Dr. John Jeffries, one of the founders of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, and was at one time was a «dwelling house» for nurses which explains its size and almost hotel-​like feel. There are 4-​floors, approximately 50 rooms, and room service.
I really couldn’t ask for more in accommodations for the price. My studio room was not large, but very clean and well laid out. I had a kitchenette with a sink, mini fridge, microwave and cutest little stove. I also had a nice size bedroom, TV, small table, chair, view of the Charles River. The bathroom looked like it had been recently updated and was way better than my trainwreck of a bathroom at the Boston Park Plaza. Despite its size, I didn’t feel cramped.
My only real complaint, in addition to my desire for online booking, is minor in nature. I was never able to get an adequate wifi signal in my room; I know my laptop is finicky, but usually gets some connection.
In addition to being across from the T, the JJ couldn’t be more conveniently located. I was across from an entrance to the path along the Charles, a short walk over to Boston Common and Public Garden. It also was also close to a few CVS’ and a Whole Foods.
4.5 stars — The next time I’m in Boston, I’d definitely put this place on my short list.

Blah: No parking (although there’s a lot down the street you can pay for). Our room was SO HOT for some reason. I think the heater wouldn’t fully turn off. We eventually found a huge fan in the closet, so this must be a common issue. The bathroom door wouldn’t close.
The price and location were good. The free coffee, tea, fruit, and pastries for breakfast were good. The room was huge! With a stove top, microwave, plates, etc.
Some slight «eh» things, but overall a good experience.