Best Western Plus North Shore Hotel

The hotel consistently impresses guests with its exceptional cleanliness and a comprehensive breakfast that sets a high standard for value. Its signature feature is its strategic location, offering convenient access to both the historic attractions of Salem and the vibrant city of Boston, making it an ideal base for sightseers and families exploring the region. The attentive and friendly staff further enhance the experience, ensuring a welcoming atmosphere from arrival to departure. For business travelers, the quiet environment and reliable amenities provide a productive stay, while couples appreciate the comfortable accommodations for a relaxing getaway. Guests often highlight the spacious and comfortable rooms, contributing to a restful visit. To maximize your comfort, consider bringing your own pillows if you prefer larger sizes, and be aware that while the hotel is generally quiet, some guests have noted occasional noise from large groups, suggesting a potential for varied experiences.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests frequently praise the hotel's well-maintained facilities, contributing significantly to a comfortable stay. The indoor pool is a popular amenity, often described as heated, clean, and enjoyable for both adults and children, though some guests occasionally found the water too cool or noted excessive chlorine. A well-equipped fitness center is available, providing ample opportunities for exercise with readily available towels and water. The hotel offers reliable free Wi-Fi throughout the property, ensuring guests can stay connected. Convenient coffee machines are accessible 24/7 in the lobby and dining areas, offering a variety of hot beverages. Ample and well-lit parking is consistently highlighted as a major convenience, including designated spots for loyalty program members. While most elevators function adequately, a few guests reported instances of slow service, unusual noises, or doors opening prematurely. An inviting outdoor fire pit provides a pleasant space for relaxation.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
The hotel consistently receives high marks for its cleanliness, with many guests noting the spotless condition of both rooms and common areas. Rooms are frequently described as spacious, providing ample room to move around, and are equipped with convenient amenities such as a microwave and refrigerator. Most guests find the beds comfortable, ensuring a restful night's sleep, though some have reported mattresses feeling too firm or saggy, and a few noted rough bedsheets. The bathrooms are generally clean, featuring individual small shampoo bottles which are appreciated. However, feedback on water pressure in showers is mixed, with many finding it low, while others found it perfect. A recurring concern is the thin walls, leading to significant noise levels from neighboring rooms, including conversations, televisions, and children running or slamming doors, which can disrupt sleep. Some guests also found the pillows to be small and uncomfortable. Isolated incidents of uncleanliness, such as beard shavings or a used syringe, were reported but appear to be rare.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's complimentary breakfast is a major highlight for many guests, consistently praised for its large variety and overall quality. The buffet typically includes a range of hot items such as eggs, bacon, sausage, and potatoes, along with popular self-serve options like a waffle station and pancake machine. Guests appreciate the availability of various juices, milk, yogurt, cereals, and pastries, ensuring ample choices for different preferences. The coffee offerings, including 24/7 access in the lobby, are also well-received. The breakfast area is noted for being spacious and well-maintained, accommodating many guests comfortably. While most reviews are positive, some guests have expressed dissatisfaction with the taste and texture of the eggs, describing them as powdered or dry, and occasionally found the hot meats undercooked or hard. Despite these isolated critiques, the breakfast is widely considered a significant value-add to the stay.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is a significant advantage for guests, offering convenient access to major highways and a quiet, safe environment. It serves as an excellent base for exploring the region, being particularly close to Salem, typically a 15 to 25-minute drive or an easy ride via ride-sharing services, which helps avoid the hassle of parking in the popular town. Its proximity also makes it a suitable option for visiting Boston and other nearby attractions. Guests appreciate the ample parking available on-site, which is often described as well-lit and free, adding to the convenience. While the hotel is situated in a generally accessible area, some guests note that the driveway entrance can be easy to miss, especially at night. The hotel's setting means that dining and shopping options are not within walking distance, necessitating transportation for off-site activities.

Staff & Service
The staff at the hotel consistently receives high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and professionalism, significantly contributing to a positive guest experience. Many reviews highlight their welcoming demeanor and willingness to assist with requests, from providing local information to resolving issues promptly. The check-in process is frequently described as quick and efficient. While most guests commend the housekeeping for maintaining clean rooms and providing fresh towels daily, a notable recurring concern is instances of staff ignoring "Do Not Disturb" signs, leading to unexpected room entries. Some guests reported isolated issues with reservation accuracy, such as incorrect room types or misspelled names, and a few experienced unresponsiveness to noise complaints or difficulties with specific payment methods. Despite these occasional challenges, the overall sentiment is that the team strives to provide attentive service and ensure guest satisfaction.

Additional Information
The hotel enhances the guest experience with several unique and appreciated features. During the autumn season, the hotel embraces the spirit of the area with extensive and tasteful Halloween decorations, which many guests find festive, fun, and a delightful complement to visits to nearby attractions. A convenient water bottle filling station is available, promoting sustainability and providing easy access to filtered water throughout the day, a thoughtful touch for active travelers. Guests should be aware that while the hotel generally offers good value, some have noted an early check-in fee if rooms are desired before the standard time, which can be an unexpected charge. Feedback regarding rewards program benefits is mixed, with some members reporting difficulties in applying points or receiving expected perks, while others found the benefits satisfactory. Additionally, some guests have mentioned the absence of non-dairy milk alternatives for breakfast, which could be a consideration for those with specific dietary preferences.