John Jeffries House

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.

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!

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.

Location was everything, there's a bit of remodeling on the outside being done but still the grounds were maintained with beautiful flowers everywhere. Our room worked for us, we were hardly in it for 4 days. The T is so close, Beacon Hill everything is minutes on foot. We didn't rent a car or use a cab in 4 days, walked to North end, back bay, everywhere. For July I thought it was very quiet at night, there's gorgeous homes next door, as another reviewer said they thought it was loud??? For us the pastries, coffee, bagels were fine. Front desk was always helpful and friendly. We had the standard room with mini kitchen. If I had to criticize anything its the heavy comforter on the bed, it wasnt soft and just to hot.

What a find! Great location within easy walking distance to so many wonderful neighborhoods and areas.We stayed for 3 nights in a junior deluxe room - no kitchen, but we had a refrigerator, which was great. Our view was fine as we faced away from the highway ( not that we were around much ). There was a fan in the room so we used that for background noise at night so that the street noise wouldn't bother us. Room was clean, neat and comfortable. Not gorgeous, but for the price, this was great. Front desk staff were friendly and helpful. Breakfast was basic but just fine for what we needed. We would definitely come back - compared to other hotels we've stayed in in Boston, this is way better given the price and location.

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.

Location, location, location! One block from the train station, it made it easy to grab the T and walking distance to local shops in Beacon Hill. The room and bathroom were clean and they provide their guests with free wi-fi.

Continental breakfast is available from 6am - 11am with coffee, hot chocolate, orange juice, fruit and pastries made it easy for us to start the day and get going with our sightseeing....We would definitely visit John Jeffries House on our next trip to Boston.

Overall, we really liked this place! Its in need of some updating, but the room was quite large, was quite clean, and the location was FANTASTIC!!! We were able to walk all over from here, and its right on Beacon Hill so easy to find lots of good places to eat. The parking garage is only half a block away, so its very convenient, and only $40 for 24 hours for parking which isn't bad. My only complaint was that our room was below the breakfast room, so about 6:30am we started hearing lots of noise above us. So make sure they dont try to give you a room on the bottom floor below the lobby area! Our room also had a kitchenette which would have been great had we been staying longer, and the free wifi and breakfast were a bonus. We will definitely be staying here again, its the best deal in town!

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.

"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.