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Reviews of Union Square House

Union Square House
Somerville, MA

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 39 out of 47 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 47 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 47 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 47 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 47 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Paul M.

Liked: Cleanliness
A Boston Launchpad
Joe's place is v well-situated for exploring central Boston and its many tourist splendors. The T (subway) station is a 5-minute walk and then you have quick and easy access to all parts of the city. This newish train line extension makes Union Square feel like the Williamsburg/Brooklyn of Boston – a hip neighbourhood itself with superior travel options into the main parts of the center (which is perhaps why Union Square is now the hot neighbourhood for new restaurants in Boston). The house is a home, not a rental property, so it is full of charm and amenities. It will well-maintained and, while the internal stairways are steep, my young kids and not-so-young parents had minimal trouble navigating them thanks to the bannisters in place. Finally, the host is well-organized, informative, responsive and really friendly. A first-rate experience.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Judy S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place to stay on Marathon Weekend!
We were in town for my husband and his 15th Boston Marathon. We are looking for something nice but reasonably priced. This property fit the bill. Communication with Joe was excellent. He responded quickly to every question. The entry code was supplied to us in a timely manner before check-in. For informational purposes only, the entire apartment is on the second floor. The main entry is private and enters a stairway leading up to it. Property is extremely clean and well maintained. The bathroom has been recently renovated and is very nice and updated. A blow dryer is included as well as various shampoos and conditioners. The kitchen has all major necessities including a drip coffee maker, a microwave, a gas stove, plates and utensils and cookware. The main floor bedroom with a queen size bed is a sufficient size although a tight squeeze for the bed. There is the narrow and very steep short stairway leading up to the top two bedrooms. There is no AC but two box fans are located in closets and were more than adequate for us to stay comfortable this time of year (April) Also, a large smart TV is in the main living area. It's only a 5 minute walk to the T station, which connects to all downtown rails. We very much enjoyed our stay and I highly recommend it should your travels bring you to Boston. *We realized there was a foam athletic roller sitting in the living area. I don't know if it is always there or added for us but that thoughtful gesture did not go unnoticed!!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Peter C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Comfortable and convenient
Clean, well-organized place. Host incredibly helpful and easy to deal with. Would definitely stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Emily

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Pros: Plenty of room for our family of 5. Our kids loved the upstairs bedrooms and little backyard. Very close to shopping/dining and we loved the Maprang Bakery for breakfast! Walkable distance to Harvard & plenty of parks & playgrounds nearby. Owner was a fast communicator and accommodating to our requests. Cons: Would not be a good choice for visitors with mobility issues (steep stairs, beds are very low to the ground).
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023

4/10 Poor

al b.

Not worth it - bare minimum on accommodations
We are normally staying in a hotel, but there were six of us and the VRBO seemed a better option. We stayed one of the two nights, opting to get a hotel for night two instead of staying. The apartment - on the second/third floor is fine. The bedroom we stayed in was not. The bed was jammed into the room so that only one person could touch the floor. There is an overwhelming pet odor. There is only parking for one car - maybe. No dishwasher or laundry, kind of standard in a short term rental. No live tv, only streaming on one smart tv in the living room.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mark H., Belmont, MI

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice Neighborhood Location
Arrived early to the area. Owner accommodated storage of our luggage so we could jump start our visit to Boston. Home was close to several restaurants, convenience stores and other local businesses. We also used the “Blue Bike” rentals found nearby. Gave us a fun way to travel and visit Fenway Park. Lots of bike lanes throughout the area. We found Ride Share cars were easy to hire to get to further destinations. Walking was also an easy way to get around. We made walking trips to Harvard University and Bunker Hill area. Overall, we liked the location of this home for access to Boston, the host was great and the house accommodations were good for the 3 of us. Like many older homes, be ready to navigate some narrow steep stairs to access this home.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

David C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect
Perfect place, amazing location and the host is amazingly responsive and easy to communicate with. All around hope to stay here on another visit again
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kristi W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent stay
Very clean and comfortable. Great backyard and very convenient to the CVS, Target, farmers market, Warehouse XI wedding venue and more. Communication was great. The bathroom is updated and very nice. The stairs to the upstairs bedrooms are very very steep—not a problem for our group but be aware if anyone in your group has mobility issues!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location, well equipped
The house is right around the corner from good restaurants and bars. It was well equipped with extra bedding, kitchen items and a visitor parking pass. The stairs are steep but we got comfortable using them after the first day. We turned on the ac's, lights, tv and fans, ended up blowing a fuse but the property manager was very responsive and it was an easy fix. The bed was too firm for me but the rest of the family slept fine. The neighborhood is peaceful and felt safe. It is very close to Union Square T station. Overall, great place to stay. I'd stay again
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Jennifer W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fun neighborhood with lots of restaurants
We picked this house with plans to use the nearby subway station for a day trip into Boston, but with so many nearby restaurants and a great farmers market (on Saturday) there was no need. We walked to/from Harvard Square and visited lots of nice shops. Parking late on Friday was a little challenging but we found a spot. My “babies” are young adults so this wasn’t an issue, but the steepness of the steps up to the 3rd floor rooms would be tricky with littles. Thanks for a fun family weekend!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Connor R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing time
The house was great and the host was amazing!! Would come again if I’m ever in the area!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susannah R., Austin, TX

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location, steep stairs
This property was great for our quick visit to Boston. The neighborhood is very nice and walkable. It was quiet and the beds were comfortable. Window units upstairs kept it cool. The stairs to the third floor are treacherous, the treads are narrow and there's nothing to hold on to at the top. The motion sensor lights on the steps are helpful for night, though. The bathroom is very nice, love the shower. The walk to Union Square station is very easy, we took the green line into town and it was great. There's a little park at the end of the street that's sweet as well.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

David Y., Trinity

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent Place and Host!
My wife and our best friends stayed here for five days while visiting Boston for our 40th birthday trip. The listing is accurate, especially regarding the steep stairs (or carpeted ladders as we jokingly called them). If you are okay with that, then this place is great. We went to Fenway, the Sam Adams Brewery, and the Freedom Trail, plus visited a few places in downtown Somerville for drinks and dinner. The only issue we had was a fuse blew when we were using the microwave and AC, but the host helped us get it fixed right away with no issues. The house also came with some great coffee and all the cookware we needed to make a nice dinner and breakfasts. The shower is awesome, too - I need one of those for my place! Five stars!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lynne C.

Liked: Cleanliness
July 4th
Location was fabulous! The T was a short 2 block walk. Excellent communication with Joe. Each room had its own air conditioning unit.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Eric M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Union Square Home
This was a perfect location for our family vacation to Boston! There is a new train station just 3 blocks from the house and we used public transportation the whole trip. Super easy to get in and out of Boston. Union Square (just right around the corner from the house) has plenty of restaurants and markets as well. GREAT PROPERTY!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

melissa s.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place to stay!
Stayed for 2 nights. Great location, house was very clean and well stocked. Kids loved the top floor. Highly recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Anthony W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Experience!
The house fit our needs perfectly for our short vacation in Boston. It was close to amenities and the T, which was important for us, since we came carless and wanted to go into the city each morning for sightseeing. There were plenty of good restaurants very close by as well. Thanks to Joe for his hospitality!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Jason

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Enjoyed the property. Location was great. Owner was responsive and helpful when there was an issue.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

David K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Visit family in Boston
Great location to see the sights in and around Boston. Comfortable and clean. Host was very welcoming and responsive.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alisha S., Halfway USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Great house, great location to restaurants and the subway
Plenty of room, clean, owner very responsive. One bit of advise - when mapping, do not click on map shown (it takes you to Somerville center) enter address itself. We had trouble due to that - but owner very responsive and we found our way!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Simon P., Durham, NC

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location
Great location close to Union Square. Be aware - no washer/dryer or hairdryer in the unit. Also note that the staircase up to the attic bedrooms is very steep and narrow. Not for the elderly or those who make frequent bathroom visits! Otherwise a great stay.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

8/10 Good

Greg T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Location Location Location Location
The best thing about the property is the location since it is a little cul de sac off of Union square. Plenty of restaurants THE T is close by. Overall the place is in good condition but the mattresses could be a little better. They could also have some better glasses and some wine glasses. There was no AC when we stayed.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Caryn D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Kid-friendly, amazing shower
Our kids had a blast at what they called “the fun house.” The swings in the backyard was perfect for them (they’re almost 3 and 4 1/2). The little Lego wall was fun too for them. It was close to where we needed to be for an event. Parking was easy and best of all was the brand new rainfall shower. Everyone loved it. For those worried about the stairs, there was a baby gate available which put us at ease at night. Would definitely recommend:)
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tom G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Spring break
We traveled with our college aged and adult kids for spring break over St Patricks Day. Location was easy to get to. The house has two bedrooms on the upper level and one on the main level Transportation on the Green Line was super convenient and easy to use to get to downtown activities. Plenty to do in Union Square, also. We would stay again!
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stephen K., Adelaide, Australia

Liked: Cleanliness
Convenient, spacious and well equipped and
Union Square is a great little location with everything you need including a T stop. The free street parking was excellent and everything worked smoothly. The stairs to the top level rooms are steep but with hanging hammock chairs, a climbing wall and space to spare it was all worth it.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

6/10 Okay

Brett K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect location, really nice property owner, but very cold!
The house is just as pictured: a bit funky, but very clean and comfortable. The bathroom is newly remodeled and my guess is they plan to remodel the rest? Anyway, it's in an amazing location in Somerville near shops and restaurants and the T. The check-in process was very smooth and Joe was a great communicator. The only problem was it was really cold. We were there in December. It seems there was some sort of issue with the heat controls but there was no way for us to adjust the heat so I just kept emailing Joe. By the end, it was warmer. But did consider going back to our overheated apartment one day early--but we had plans so stayed. That was really the only problem, otherwise, five stars!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

6/10 Okay

Frances G.

Sock smelly dirty laundry odor
Waited in the rain for nearly 1 hour. Didn’t know what our next steps would be as we hadn’t planned to pay for a hotel, had no other alternative & were in a totally unfamiliar city, state in the country. VRBO Representatives also were unable to make contact with the manager. We knocked on neighbors doors in hopes of making contact. It was very concerning. Upon gaining entry the place smelled like dirty socks and dirty laundry. The dish towels were so stained & used we were reluctant to use them. There were dents in the walls. We felt like we were in a used 2 nd hand store. The bathroom had a full trash can but otherwise was the nicest place of the property. I received a very meager refund from the mgr. for his absence. VRBO was unresponsive to our situation as was the manager. I would not recommend this place or VRBO.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

Xavier B.

Liked: Cleanliness
A reasonable place for a stay in Boston
Overall impression is fine. Only surprise has been to discover that the owner was staying in the basement, on the way to the patio. This could be more clearly stated in the description. Otherwise, situation, aspect and conveniences were fine.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jay W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great little place in fun location
Great location, close to lots of stuff. Also well insulated. Be aware that the Stairs were pretty steep, especially to upper bedrooms, but rooms were clean and nice and comfortable. Shower was amazing. Check In and out was easy. Would stay again!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing trip to Boston
The listing is exactly what it is. Amazing shower! Up, upstairs bedrooms super cool. Stairs are steep so don’t be faint of heart. Very close to everything. Study the train lines. Commute Boston and further very easily. Location is perfect for trains. Lots of great food nearby. Great spot. Would do it again!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Margaret V.

Liked: Cleanliness
Location, Location!
Very convenient access to subway and nearby restaurants were excellent. Host was prompt in answering questions and gave great recommendations of things to do in the area. The Prospect Hill Tower located just 5 minutes away was an interesting attraction. Fully stocked kitchen. Overall a great spot!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rachel S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location
Location is excellent and house was perfect for our family of 4. Just a short walk to the subway. Many great restaurants and breweries within walking distance of the house.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jackie S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location, great property
Right around the corner from several bars and restaurants. Discovered a farmers market Saturday morning. Short ride to Logan and all things Boston. A/C was appreciated. Just hang on going up the stairs! Would definitely stay again!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

yi z.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location
Good for family stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Cleon M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Unique & cool
This house was clean and well appointed. A bit small, with steep, narrow stairs, but no big deal for us. In a quite neighborhood, about 15-20 minutes from downtown.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Christi M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Host and Location
This property was in a great spot. Plenty to walk to, breakfast places, lunch, dinner, bars. Not far from all the places we wanted to see in Boston. Definitely not for anyone that would have a hard time with stairs. The stairs up to the two extra bedrooms are steep (I know that it’s been said, but important to keep in mind). Seating available in living room could be a bit more sturdy. There’s a comfy couch, but the bungee chair and the big bean bag weren’t the best for someone who has back issues. Great bathroom. Clean. The owner was very prompt, friendly, and gave great recommendations! Would recommend, especially if you are 20 something through 40’s. Great stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Robert M.

Liked: Cleanliness
A great base for visiting Boston
Very well kept-up and nicely furnished 3-story house just off of Union Sq in Somerville. Really nice neighborhood, stores and restaurants nearby, easy cab ride to Cambridge or subway to downtown. Surprisingly well-stocked kitchen. Host was very helpful and incredibly responsive. Renters should know that the upper two bedrooms (nicely converted and well air-conditioned attic) are reached by a steep stairway which requires caution even for adults. Overall this was perfect for us, even on a few hot days late in August.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Christine M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing find!
Not knowing anything about the area I was hesitant. From the very first communication with Joe was smooth and informative. The location of the house was amazing! Once we found out the "T" was right down the road we saved on Ubers. Stop in by the Mexican Restaurant on the corner and say "HI" to Robert. Tell him his Milwaukee people say "Hey, and tell your folks I say HI!"
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Anna B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cute neighborhood
Nice little place in a quiet neighborhood. Parking worked good, easy access and perfect for a place to stay while exploring the area. Nice host and clean. The stairs to the second floor are steep but good for kids. Backyard was very nice
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tiera N., Denver, CO

Liked: Cleanliness
Family stay
Great home. Great location.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

SCOTT M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Better than advertised!
We absolutely loved Joe's place. There was plenty of space for 5 adults and it was very clean. It was also in a lovely section of Somerville and very close to restaurants and the green line. Joe was a very helpful host and gave us some outstanding advice for the Freedom Trail. We would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Anna H.

Liked: Cleanliness
It is a wonderful space. Love the fun stuff.
The house was very clean. It was a wonderful space. The little back area was cozy and relaxing. There are some fun touches within the house.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Damien D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place and location
Feels like home in the best location at Somerville. And the host answers quickly for any question we had. I highly recommend this place.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Emil G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Boston vicinity
A great property very close to the green line with fabulous restaurants all around. There was a small hiccup in getting the correct code for the door lock however Joe was immediately responsive and fixed everything almost instantly.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Juan Carlos P., Arlington, VA USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful stay!
It was perfect— just what we needed for a family weekend in Boston. Close o the T, farmer’s market, wonderful bakeries/coffee shops, restaurants and more. Highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Harris G.

Liked: Cleanliness
The wonderful house in Homer Square
On a recent visit to see our daughter my wife and I and our dog had an incredible stay in a wonderful house near Union Square. The pictures on VRBO don’t really do I justice, but we had a great weekend discovering wonderful restaurants, a great farmers’ market and interesting street life. The house itself was immaculate with the coolest touches including a wall with climbing holds and campus rungs, access to a beautiful little park and beautifully appointed rooms. This is a great find in Somerville.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Heike J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Tolle Stadt und eine super Lage!
Großartig
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023