Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites

When entering the Salem Waterfront Hotel and Suites, it's difficult to not take note of the homey yet refined vibe. The lobby is decorated weekly with big bouquets of sweet-smelling fresh flowers, and a recessed ceiling, painted to resemble the sky on a sunny afternoon, holds a large chandelier. Victorian-style reproduction sofas surround a fireplace in the lobby. However, the lobby's general layout indicates this common area is a "look but don't touch" area, set up to appeal to those seeking an attractive venue for weddings, business meetings, and formal events, rather than guests who stay in its rooms. Those wishing to socialize, eat, or relax in a casual public space will be better suited to using the on-site restaurant, The Regatta, for these purposes. Nautical-themed photography prints are displayed throughout the hotel, and floors with guest rooms contain vintage concierge stations, which are maintained for visual appeal, but no longer in use. Despite the elegance of the lobby decor, this hotel primarily attracts business travelers, families, and locals seeking a weekend getaway for most of the year, as well as Salem party-goers at Halloween.

The Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites is located in downtown Salem, a Boston suburb that made its mark on history with the Salem Witch Trials during the 1600s. Today, Salem is known for its cultural events and historical legacy. Unsurprisingly, the streets (and the hotel itself) get busy during the Halloween season, with guests arriving to participate in Salem's many Halloween events and ghost tours. Visitors will find a variety of historical sites that have ties to the Witch Trials, as well as architectural landmarks, within walking distance. The Peabody Essex Museum, considered among the top 20 of US art museums, is a five-minute walk from the hotel. Those who enjoy dining out are only blocks away from restaurants offering everything from casual American dining to Indian, Mexican, and ethnic-fusion food. Downtown shopping includes a historic district with cobblestone streets and quirky stores featuring merchandise like local arts and crafts, gifts, and esoterica. The hotel is 16 miles from Boston proper, but a downtown commuter rail station, approximately one-half mile from the Salem Waterfront, will take travelers into Boston's North Station. 

The Salem Waterfront Hotel and Suites has 84 rooms, with four different levels of accommodations, from Traditional Rooms to King Suites. Compared to the eye-catching decor of the lobby and front desk area, the guest rooms are simple and functional, with low-key design elements. Color schemes of grays, blues, and browns support the hotel's nautical theme, and each room contains basic, dark wood furniture. Rooms are spacious and uncluttered. Many have dry bars (wet bars available in suites only) with marble countertops. All except for Traditional rooms have microwaves. Keurigs with free coffee are included, as is free wired and wireless Internet services, iPhone docking, and bottled waters. 

Each room is equipped with a large flat-screen television, and TVs in King Suites are 46 inches. The hotel does not offer movies, but HDMI set-ups allow for easy streaming of video from personal mobile devices. Views include downtown Salem, and the harbor can be seen from some rooms, but only three rooms in the hotel have ocean views. Guests will find Tarocco brand lotions, soaps, and hair care products in their bathrooms, as well as a toothbrush and sample size toothpaste in each as well. 

The Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites provides some free basic amenities, while others are available for additional fees. The hotel's fitness center is free for all guests and includes up-to-date cardio equipment, balance balls, and a foam roller. Those interested in strength training will have to make do with a cable machine, as there are no free weights offered in this facility. The business center is small and unfavorable for lengthy use, but there are no added fees for printing documents. Meals, including breakfast, can be purchased throughout the day from the hotel's on-site restaurant the Regatta Pub. During nice weather, guests can take advantage of the pub's outdoor patio seating, which is surrounded by garden boxes filled with flowers. Room service is available during evening hours. There is free, easily accessible self-parking in a lot outside the building, and metered parking is available on the streets immediately surrounding the hotel. Internet is free and those who wish to borrow an iPad may do so, with a hold placed on their credit card. The hotel's heated indoor pool is free to use, and open throughout the year. The Pickering Wharf Marina, adjacent to the hotel, offers year-round dockage for both sail and power boats. Salem Waterfront's guests can reserve docking with a reservation form provided through the hotel.