Stay at Cobble Hill | Somerville Bed & Breakfast

First Opened to guests in 1988

An intimate Bed & Breakfast home originally built as a single family in 1873 by Walter Durell, a successful Boston window, sash and door merchant. This classic Second Empire Victorian Mansard home was built in what was then the first suburb of Historic Boston. The neighborhood was prestigious and filled with gracious estates overlooking the growing commercial sector in the flats below. Over time, Somerville became more and more densely populated as the wealthy business owners moved farther out to make room for the growing tide of immigrants needed for the Industrial Revolution. This once distinguished home was expanded into a three family dwelling with eight garages and a barn, most likely used for some sort of delivery business.

Renovations began in the 1980′s with an eye toward returning to the ageless tradition of sharing one’s home and hospitality with visitors and guests. The Victorian style and spirit remains with full marble mantles, high ceilings and intricate moldings, restored gas light fixtures and warm furnishings, all in well proportioned rooms.

The second floor has been modified for private guest use where the front foyer provides direct access to the bed and breakfast. The first floor is home to the proprietors and the third floor is discretely tenanted. There are three guestrooms (although the smaller third is rarely used), a shared bath and a parlor with a cherry mantle and bay window, ideal for entertaining or simply relaxing. The front room is the largest bedroom with a four poster bed and marble mantle. The middle room is a bit more intimate and offers a sleigh bed. Each room has a queen sized bed and is air-conditioned. There is also a large private porch accessed through French doors, allowing generous views of Charlestown, Bunker Hill and the Boston skyline through the trees that surround.

Guests will find hot and cold spring water, a variety of teas, a small microwave oven and refrigerator always available for their use.