Here’s a handy list of all the little things it’s good to know before you go.

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Time Zone

Eastern Standard Time, GMT -5 hours

Language

English

Currency

US dollar

Electrical Standard

110 to 120 volts A/C. Universal adaptors are available on request.

Shopping Hours

  • Monday to Friday: 9:00am to 9:00pm
  • Saturday and Sunday: 10:00am to 8:00pm

Banking Hours

  • Monday to Friday 9:00am to 4:30pm
  • Saturday: 9:00am to 12:30pm
  • Sunday: closed

Local Facilities

Mandarin Oriental, Boston is close to banks, shops, restaurants and entertainment. It is a 6-minute taxi ride (1.7 miles) to the Financial District and 8 minutes (1.8 miles) by taxi to Boston City Hall.

Shopping

Two major shopping malls are connected to the hotel: The Shops at Prudential Center and The Shops at Copley Place. Each can be reached within a two-minute walk. Fashionable Newbury Street, another popular shopping district, is a two-minute walk from the hotel.

Medical

There are three medical facilities near to the hotel: Massachusetts General Hospital is about a seven minute drive; Brigham and Women’s Hospital is a six-minute drive away; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is also six minutes by car. In case of emergency, a house doctor is also readily available.

Banking

Five major banks have branches on Boylston Street: Bank of America, Citibank, Citizens, First Republic Bank and Sovereign Bank. ATM machines are also widely available in the neighborhood.

Tips on Tipping

Tipping is the norm in Boston and is considered part of the worker’s salary. Expect to tip taxi drivers, bartenders, hairdressers and waiters around 15% of the bill. At high-end restaurants, for large parties, or for exceptional service, tip 20% of the bill. If you are pleased with the service provided, it is customary to tip housekeepers USD 2 or 3 per day, delivery people and anyone handling bags and luggage, allowing approximately USD 1 per luggage/bag, and door staff and concierge providing a service USD 2 to 5.

Public Holidays

Public HolidayDate
New Year’s DayJanuary 1, 2009
Martin Luther King Jr's BirthdayJanuary 19, 2009
President's DayFebruary 16, 2009
Ash Wednesday February 25, 2009
St. Patrick's DayMarch 17, 2009
Passover April 8, 2009
Good FridayApril 10, 2009
EasterApril 12, 2009
Mother's DayMay 10, 2009
Memorial DayMay 25, 2009
Father's DayJune 21, 2009
Independence DayJuly 4, 2009
Labor DaySeptember 7, 2009
Rosh HashanahSeptember 18, 2009
Yom KippurSeptember 27, 2009
Columbus DayOctober 12, 2009
Veteran's DayNovember 11, 2009
Thanksgiving DayNovember 26, 2009
Christmas DayDecember 25, 2009

Local Event

EventsDateEvents Details
Boston Summer Restaurant WeekAugust 9 – 14 and 16 - 21, 2009Useful Link Icon· Useful link
August Moon FestivalAugust 16, 2009Useful Link Icon· Useful link
Saint Anthony’s FeastAugust 28 – 30 2009Useful Link Icon· Useful link
Deutsche Bank Golf ChampionshipSeptember 1-7, 2009Useful Link Icon· Useful link
Opening Night at Boston SymphonySeptember 23, 2009Useful Link Icon· Useful link
Head of the Charles RegattaOctober 17 – 18 2009Useful Link Icon· Useful link
Boston Ballet’s The NutcrackerNovember 27 – December 27, 2009Useful Link Icon· Useful link
Boston’s Chinese New Year celebrationsFebruary 14, 2010Ongoing celebrations in America’s 3rd largest Chinatown and other areas.
New England Boat ShowFebruary 20 -28, 2010Useful Link Icon· Useful link
St. Patrick’s Day ParadeMarch 15, 20102010 will mark the 110th annual St. Patrick's Day parade in South Boston, the 2nd largest St. Patrick's Day parade in the country.
114th Boston MarathonApril 19, 2010Useful Link Icon· Useful link
Boston HarborfestJune 30 – July 10, 2010Useful Link Icon· Useful link