Meco Hotel - Hostel

The pods are the only spaces I choose to stay in. They have beds that automatically sit up for reading, plus lights and curtains for privacy. MECO has proper capsule-style spaces, a step up from traditional hostels. The amenities are modern, clean, and efficient. TD Garden stadium and the Green T line are right across the street, and shops like 7-Eleven, CVS, and Star Market are within a block. There's plenty of under-bed storage, including a rolling tray as big as the twin bed. You can lock up your personal items with a lock, which the front desk will provide free if you ask. This is probably as close as we'll get to capsule or pod hotels in the USA, and I highly recommend it over traditional hostel hotels with just bunk beds.

We stayed in a private room at the Meco Hotel with three friends in October 2025, and loved it. The staff were friendly and made us feel at home from the moment we arrived. Everything was spotless, with lovely art on the walls and a welcoming atmosphere. You could tell they care about the details. The room was quiet, private, and comfortable, with our own bathroom. The bed was super comfy, and I loved having my own space. There was also an open area on the top roof where we could relax, hang out, or get some work done. The location was perfect, one block from the train station, so it was easy to get to Salem and other nearby places. The arena where games take place is right in front, and downtown is a short walk away. Plenty of restaurants, cafes, and 24-hour shops are just around the corner. We were so happy with the stay and would definitely come back.

The biggest catch is the thin walls, since whether you get a quiet night depends on your neighbors. Still, the pod was neat and clean, and with nearby hotels costing so much, paying less than half their price is a real advantage.

The location was great, but I had a serious problem: while I was away, someone apparently used my bunk and stole some of my things. The desk staff member that night was very helpful and moved me to another room. Management, though, just shrugged afterward and said it wasn't their fault. They made no effort to put things right. Other frustrations added up too. Calling this a “pod hotel” feels misleading, since it seemed like a standard hostel with noisy roll-down curtains in front of the beds. The lockers were tucked so far under the bed that I had to crawl under its frame to get anything. The shared room door also didn't close by itself and was often left partly open, which raised another safety concern. If I needed a budget place in Boston again, I'd probably choose the HI for its extra amenities.