"The city of Salem is really looking forward to our opening," said J. Hilary Rockett, Jr., Senior Vice President and project manager Rockett Realty, developer of the property. "Demand for hotel rooms, especially from Spring through the popular Halloween holiday here in The Witch City, has exceeded supply for some time. We are pleased to be adding a wonderful new hotel to the inventory, that will appeal to the variety of leisure travelers who come to the city, and to the increasing numbers of business travelers who drive along the Route 128 Technology Highway."

The new Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites is being designed to fit the architectural style of the city, with an emphasis on brickwork and clapboards consistent with the prevailing style that characterizes Salem's 300-year maritime history. Streetscape elements include landscaping and a stately porte cochere opening to a marble and mahogany lobby.

The hotel, which will be a member of the Best Western network for international reservations access, incorporates 101 rooms, nearly half of them suites. Overlooking Salem Harbor and Marina, the property complements the harborside shopping and entertainment area of Pickering Wharf with luxurious guest appointments including free High Speed Internet Access, dual-line speaker telephones, 27 inch remote controlled color television with on-demand movies, irons/ironing boards, hairdryers and in-room coffee makers. The suites additionally feature microwaves, refrigerators and wet bars. Some incorporate full kitchens. More than half of the hotel's guestrooms are equipped with Business Plus amenities, including a large desk with accessible dataports, an ergonomic desk chair and cordless phone with voice mail.

The meeting space covers 3,000 sq. ft. of flexible space, with complimentary Wi-Fi access in all meeting rooms and public spaces. The hotel's Regatta Cafe & Pub will serve guests a complimentary deluxe continental breakfast and offer light fare for lunch and dinner. Guests will have preferred access to the restaurants and shops of Pickering Wharf. Hotel facilities also include an indoor pool, jacuzzi and fully-equipped Fitness Center. The hotel provides free parking to guests and can accommodate motorcoaches.

Mr. Rockett noted that the hotel will be completed before the Democratic National Convention begins in Boston in July and that hotel General Manager Michelle Haselhuhn is already working with representatives from the expanded Peabody Essex Museum which re-opened to rave reviews last June, the Salem National Maritime Historical Site adjacent to Pickering Wharf and the Witch Museum on joint tourism efforts.