225 Derby St, Salem, Massachusetts, United States | (978) 740-8788
In downtown Salem, less than a five-minute walk from restaurants, shops,
and the historical district
Adjacent to an active marina
iPad loaning program and free Wi-Fi
On-site restaurant and bar, The Regatta Pub, serves American fusion cuisine
Golf cart shuttle service is available to transport guests to nearby Pickering Wharf
Indoor, heated pool and a small gym
Rooms come with Keurig coffeemakers, working desks, and flat-screen TVs
Limited views of the water from most rooms
Business center is small and cramped
Streets below can be loud, crowded, and congested with partiers during Halloween
The Salem Waterfront Hotel and Suites is an attractive hotel that caters families
and business travelers, as well as those looking to party during Halloween. The hotel is located in downtown Salem, an artsy Boston surburb that uses its history as the site of the Salem Witch Trials to maintain an economy based on tourism. At Halloween, the streets come alive with costumed party-goers, historical reenactors, and Salem's famous ghost tours. This culture colors the experiences of those staying at The Salem Waterfront Hotel, especially during October, when noise (and congestion, as traffic must be rerouted) from the streets below can either make this an exciting, centrally-located place to stay, or a loud, crowded, and annoying one -- depending upon what guests are seeking during their stay. The Salem Waterfront's name could be considered misleading; located
adjacent to an active functioning marina, rather than a beach, guests with water views from their rooms are far more likely to look out over
docked boats than shoreline or ocean. Amenities such as free Wi-Fi and
an iPad lending program also make this hotel a good choice for business travelers who are passing through during the hotel's quieter off-seasons.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
A multifaceted hotel with a penchant for fresh flowers and simple, slightly nautical decor
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.
Location
Located in downtown Salem near historical sites, dining, shopping, and the Peabody Essex Museum
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.
Rooms
Rooms designed for combined functionality and visual appeal
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.
Features
Some free amenities, including Wi-Fi, parking, printing, and use of a small on-site gym
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.
