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: 9am to 9pm
  • Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 8pm

Banking Hours

  • Monday to Friday 9am to 4:30pm
  • Saturday: 9am 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, 2012
Martin Luther King Jr's BirthdayJanuary 16, 2012
President's DayFebruary 20, 2012
Ash Wednesday February 22, 2012
St. Patrick's DayMarch 17, 2012
PassoverApril 16, 2012
Good FridayApril 6, 2012
EasterApril 8, 2012
Mother's DayMay 13, 2012
Memorial DayMay 28, 2012
Father's DayJune 17, 2012
Independence DayJuly 4, 2012
Labor DaySeptember 3, 2012
Rosh HashanahSeptember 16, 2012
Yom KippurSeptember 25, 2012
Columbus DayOctober 8, 2012
Veteran's DayNovember 11, 2012
Thanksgiving DayNovember 22, 2012
Christmas DayDecember 25, 2012

Local Events

EventsDateEvents Details
Opening of New Wing at Isabella Stewart Gardner MuseumJanuary 19, 2012Useful Link Icon· Useful link
Boston Wine ExpoJanuary 21 – 22, 2012Useful Link Icon· Useful link
Native Voices: New England Tribal Families at the Boston Children’s MuseumJanuary 28 – September 10, 2012Useful Link Icon· Useful link
Paper Zoo at the Museum of Fine ArtsFebruary 7 – October 8, 2012Useful Link Icon· Useful link
New England Boat ShowFebruary 11 – 19, 2012Useful Link Icon· Useful link
Chinese New YearJanuary 23, 2012Useful Link Icon· Useful link
St. Patrick’s Day ParadeMarch 18, 2012Useful Link Icon· Useful link
Restaurant Week BostonMarch 18 – 23, 2012 & March 25 – 30, 2012Useful Link Icon· Useful link
CraftBoston – SpringMarch 23 – 25, 2012Useful Link Icon· Useful link
Boston International Film FestivalApril 13 -22, 2012Useful Link Icon· Useful link
116th Boston MarathonApril 16, 2012Useful Link Icon· Useful link
Patriots Day CelebrationsApril 16, 2012Ongoing celebrations throughout the city
100th Anniversary of Fenway ParkApril 20, 2012Useful Link Icon· Useful link
Boston Pops FestivalMay 9 – June 23, 2012Useful Link Icon· Useful link
Lilac Sunday CelebrationMay 13, 2012Useful Link Icon· Useful link
Lost Egypt: Ancient Secrets, Modern Science at the Museum of ScienceMay 27, 2012Useful Link Icon· Useful link
Cambridge River FestivalJune 2, 2012Useful Link Icon· Useful link
Re-opening of Boston Tea Party MuseumJune 14, 2012Useful Link Icon· Useful link
Ansel Adams: At the Water’s Edge at the Peabody Essex MuseumJune 16 – October 8, 2012Useful Link Icon· Useful link
200th Anniversary of the War of 1812June 18, 2012Ongoing celebrations throughout the city
Boston HarborfestJune 28 – July 6, 2012Useful Link Icon· Useful link
July 4th Boston Pops Fireworks SpectacularJuly 4, 2012Useful Link Icon· Useful link