Can you hold a date while I make a decision?
Sorry, we can't hold any dates, we take booking on a first come / first serve basis only.  We use many different agencies that allow direct booking.  If dates are shown open, and an agency books it with a paid booking, we must accept.

What is the refund / cancellation policy?
Once you book, you will receive a guest agreement that guarantees your booking dates are reserved for you from check-in to check-out, without interruption.  If you need to cancel your booking after your payment is processed, there are no refunds of booking fees, period. 

If you think you may need to cancel your trip due to health issues, or other emergency situations, you may want to consider obtaining trip insurance that will cover you in such a situation.  Trip insurance is offered through AAA or other private organizations you can find online searching for trip insurance. 

What contents are included?
Everything needed to properly operate a kitchen and cook a meal is included in the kitchen, including:
- Microwave oven
- Toaster
- Coffee Maker
- Kettle (electric)
- Bosch Digital Electric Oven and 4 Burner Electric Radiant Heat Bosch Glass Cook-top
- Refrigerator, Dishwasher, Sink with Hot and Cold Water Food Waste Disposal
- Pots - pans - serving dishes, utensils, mixing bowels, strainers
- Silverware, plates, side dishes, cups, saucers, desert / cereal  / soup bowels
- Bottle opener, wine key, more
- Laundered dish towels, paper towels, sponges, clothes and cleaning supplies
- Bosch High End Refrigerator and Freeze with water and ice dispenser
- Bosch Dishwasher
- Stone Counter top
- 
Everything you need in the bathroom:
- Initial supply of soap, shampoo, and toilet paper
- Fresh shower curtain for every guest
- Towels including Plush Bath Sheets, Bath Towels, Hand Towels, Wash Cloths and Bath Mats

Everything you need in the living room:
- Dining high top table for 4 with chairs
- Desk to work or write postcards
- 48" LCD HD TV with Cable including HBO, Movie Channel etc. Comcast Premium Service
- High Speed Wireless Internet.
- Leather seating - Queen Sofa Bed with linens if requested.

Everything you need in the bedroom:
- Hair dryer
- Self shut off iron - Ironing board
- Full length mirror
- King bed - made up for you in advance
- Big dresser and closet to keep your stuff
- Two night stands - each with their own light and drawer
- Alarm clock and charging station with 3 USB ports

Also included are:
- Iron and Ironing Board (full size)
- Bosch Washing Machine and Dryer in Unit
- Lots of closet space

What standards for cleanliness can I expect when I check in?
When you check in, everything should be in perfect condition. You should feel as if the apartment was put together just for you, clean and sterile from our cleaning crew on every surface, even the switch plates and remote controls.

Standards for cleanliness exceed those of any 5 star hotel. Every surface, appliance, drawer, ledge and corner are cleaned using a check-list with over 100 points.  All surfaces, including floors and walls are vacuumed, then  hand washed - never mopped.

Once the unit is thoroughly cleaned, it is inspected by your hosts Richard or Victoria or another manager before you check in to be certain everything is up to snuff.  Feel free to do the 'white glove test' anywhere in the apartment.

Linens are laundered locally using bleach, and inspected twice before they go back for use in the unit.  We use cotton sheets and cotton towels.

What is self clean vs. professional cleaning upon check out?

Self-Clean Upon Check Out

Self- Clean Rates are based on "left in same condition or include $150 cleaning fee."  If you select the "self-clean" option it means the unit should be left in the exact same condition in which it was received.  There are no extra fees for self clean.

Cleaning supplies to clean the bathroom, kitchen and floors are under the sink. A vacuum is in the closet. For self clean, we ask guests to clean the surfaces so they are free from debris or hair. 

Also, we ask you to strip the bed and put all towels and linens in the laundry bag, then leave it in the bathroom.   In the kitchen, be sure all dishes are clean or left in a running dishwasher.

Lastly, bag your rubbish and put into the trash chute.

Professional Cleaning Upon Check-Out

Not interested in cleaning anything? No problem. 
Just select "professional cleaning upon check-out", and paid a $150 fee.

This means the unit will be cleaned upon your check out by professional cleaners so you don’t need to worry. 

All you will need to do is upon check out is:
- Throw away all garbage and unused food in the trash chute.
- Be sure all dishes are done or at least left in a running dishwasher. 
- Please strip the bed and put all linens (not the duvet) in the laundry bags provided. 
     [Please note, the eco-down comforter has two button over covers - please remove both covers and leave the core on the bed.]

*Excessive soiling, staining, rubbish removal, paint damage or other damage is not covered under the cleaning arrangement.
 

What about the roof deck?
The roof deck is shared - take the main elevator to the roof (not the back elevator) and find a spot you like.  There is NO SMOKING on the roof, and fines can be upwards of $25,000 for one cigarette!

What is the children policy?
This property is not "KID FRIENDLY" although up to two children are allowed. The Carlyle is designed for adults and is not child-proof. The Suite has high end leather furniture and electronics, wall hung artwork, breakable artwork, unprotected plug outlets, wooden furniture with corners, mirrors, accessible cleaning supplies in low cabinets, wine and other alcohol, as well as other hazards for children and minors. The Carlyle is suitable for mature children who are highly supervised, self disciplined, or otherwise comfortable and appropriately behaved in such an environment. Any damage caused by children will be billed to the adult's credit card if no or insufficient security deposit is provided, as per the guest agreement.

Can I bring my pet?
No - No pets allowed - period. Pets are not allowed to visit or stay.

Can I smoke?
No - No smoking inside the unit OR on the balcony.  The property is smoke free, so you must go out to a designated smoking area or it could cost you up to $25,000 or more.

Why is there a 3 night minimum, is there a way around this?
Because you are renting a fully furnished apartment, it takes time and money to process each guest and turn over the unit. In order to achieve the first class, five star results that we insist upon, we need at least 3 nights to process the linens and then come back to clean and turn the unit.

Really, some people will ask again?  Can't an exception be made? Do you really want a vacant night?
Aside from the laundry logistics of short turnovers, the cost of hosting a guest for just 1 night exceeds the rates that we charge, and would therefore be an overall loss.  

We use local cleaners who live right here in the Boston area. We also use a local laundry service in the South End. Once a unit turns over, we then inspect it to be sure it is "perfect" when the next guest check in.

If there are 2 nights available and you want to book them, you can use a special code "2day" and if the unit has only 2 nights available, it will allow the booking.  If you want just one night, you must book and pay for 2 nights.

What is the premium date charge all about?
The rates for this unit don't fluctuate by the season - they stay the same, all year.  There are a few dates that carry particularly heavy burdens to property management because of parking bans, permits, traffic, demand and the availability of our cleaners. The following dates each come with a $100 surcharge, regardless of weather you check in or out on the day or stay straight through: Marathon Monday, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, 8/31, 9/1, 12/31 & 1/1 and summer season Saturday night stay - add $100 premium rate fee for each date.  Other dates may also be surcharged - please see http://book.sparesuite.com/reservation for a quote.

Why do you need my name and address and the name and address for all occupants?
If you book directly through Richard and Victoria - or if you go through an agency like AirBnB, Roomorama, or Wimdu, where the agency collects the payment, we will still need to verify your identity.  We want to be sure we don't rent knowingly to people who are known to be on the terrorist watch list, or are registered as sex offenders, as well as people who are wanted criminals. To help prevent this, we require EACH AND EVERY OCCUPANT to list first and last name and current address on the guest agreement.

Is a security deposit required?
If you are paying with a credit card, debit card or with your checking account, you don't need a security.  The billing agreement allows you to pay for any damages yourself upon checkout if you cause them, or they will be billed to your initial form of payment - MasterCard, Visa, American Express or other credit card processed.

Are there fees for additional people?
Yes, all rates are based on double occupancy.  If you have only 2 but still want to use the sofa bed, there is a $75 linens fee in addition to your booking.  For a third person at this location, there will be a fee of $25 per day. This includes all children which must be declared when booking.

Where can I park when I stay here?
There are parking garages everywhere and you can take your pick.  Rates are $29 to $45 per day depending on where you choose. 

We have an arrangement with a garage 3 blocks away (about 5 minute walk) where you can park for $20 per day or less and have 24 hour access to the car.  You are billed when you leave.

To take advantage of Longfellow parking, select the parking card(s) option when you check out. Select the number of parking cards based on the number of times you will leave the garage with your car.  Each card will discount your parking from $33 per day to $16 per day when you leave.  If you plan to stay for 1 week and never move your car, you will need only 1 parking card.  If you plan to stay for 7 days and take the car out and in once every day, you will need 7 parking cards.

Can I check in early or check out late?
Standard check in time is 4 p.m. 
Standard check out time is 10 a.m.

This allows us 6 hours to thoroughly turn over the apartment. We pick up the dirty laundry, and drop new clean linens and cleaners spend a minimum of 3 hours cleaning the unit per the specifications of Spare Suite, Inc.  Once the cleaners are done, the bed is made and towels are restocked, the unit is inspected thoroughly - if it meets the specifications for "perfection" it is ready for check - in.  If not, any details not up to snuff are corrected.

If you require late check out up to NOON or early check in - which is as early as 2 p.m. this can be arranged in advance for a $50 fee.  To achieve the faster turn over, we schedule an additional cleaner to speed it all up, hence, the additional fee.

Should you require a super late or super early check in or check out but won't be spending the night, you can block out a half day for $150 and check in as early as 8 a.m. or check out as late as midnight if arranged in advance.

Why book this place rather than some other place I was looking at?
The bottom line here is reputation. If you demand perfection, don't gamble with amateurs!  Book here based on the amazing reviews already left from guests that have already stayed here.

We demand reviews that are first class and five star - Check out our reviews now:

Reviews from AirBnB
Reviews from Roomorama
Reviews from VRBO and Home Away
Reviews from Flip Key & Trip Advisor