Travel Tales

Marlowe offers a a trip to Hogwarts

Last weekend we tested out the new Marlowe Hotel in Kendall Square which is celebrating a Harry Potter festival of sorts. We were equally interested in the Bambara Restaurant where my wife had the best, aged steak of her life while I dined on meatloaf of a unique quality. The rooms are impressive, and the hotel is in the same block with the fabulous, three-story Cambridge Galleria.

The new Marlowe Hotel in Kendall Square offer a Harry Potter package

 Deathly Hallow & the Order of the Phoenix, but you must look like Harry

CAMBRIDGE, MA – July 23, 2007 - Hotel Marlowe, Kimpton’s AAA Four-Diamond rated  property on Edwin Land Blvd, adjacent to the Cambridge Galleria in Kendall square, celebrates the record-breaking sales of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and the cinematic success of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix with a package inspired by the highly anticipated blockbuster movie. Hotel Marlowe’s Harry Potter package offers guests and their families the opportunity to experience the enchantment of Harry’s return to Hogwarts Academy as he encounters new adventures facing familiar perils along the way. Guests and their families will be transported into the wizardly world of Harry Potter! 

The hotel is brand new with all the innovations needed to satisfy the high-tech clientel from the nearby IT firms. Our eighth-floor room looked down on the bucolic, canalside park on the right and the Charles Riverboat Company.

It's not more than fifty steps to the Cambridge Galleria and it's great shops and restauarnts like Best Buy, Borders, Sears, Macy's, Apple Store and more or enjoy casual dining at The Cheesecake Factory and California Pizza Kitchen.

An impressive, wizardly package 

The Hotel Marlowe Harry Potter package sends guests on a scavenger hunt around Harvard Square, collecting clues and gathering goodies, including Harry’s famous circular glasses - the perfect accessory for a wizard-in-training!

Upon completion of the scavenger hunt, families will receive passes to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix at Loews Theater. After a magical day, guests and their family can return to the Hotel Marlowe for a sorcerer’s slumber and enjoy breakfast the next morning at Bambara.

The Harry Potter package includes:

• One night stay at Hotel Marlowe
• Map that will lead guests on a Hunt for Harry around Harvard Square
• Magical sweets at Sweet Treats
• The entire family can look just like Harry, with Harry Potter Spectacles from The Curious George Store
• Four tickets to see the release of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix at the Loews Theater
  

After the movie the whole family can test their knowledge of one of the world's most famous wizards in Harry Potter Scene It?

After a day and night filled of Wizard’s adventures relax and enjoy breakfast at Bambara

• Rates: From $399.00 per night, based on double occupancy.
• Terms & Conditions: Rated subject to space, availability and change.  Taxes and gratuities not included.  Black out dates may apply.
• Valid: Through September 3
• Reservations: Call 800-825-7040; ask for rate code PPOT.
  

A word about Bambara

The restaurant is called Bambara, and knowing how difficult  to impress constant diners like ourselves, we were delighted at both the food and the service.

My wife is not a steak eater, but our server Mustapha urged her to try their "Signature Steak Frites" with its Angus flatiron, dry-aged steak shown on the right.  She claims it was the best cut of beef she's ever eaten.

The chef also offers a Summer Prix Fixe which is fit for a wizard at $36 for the three courses.