I'm not someone who rushes to Yelp, but this stay earned the effort…read more I recently stayed at The Merchant for the second time, and whatever magic existed during my first visit is gone. The biggest issue: the hotel hosted a large, ticketed public event that completely took over the main lobby--with zero advance notice to guests. I woke up to a lobby packed with strangers and nowhere to sit or gather with my family. I've never stayed at a hotel that allows a public event to fully overrun its only common area without warning paying guests. And no, "just go somewhere else" isn't an option--there is nowhere else. There are no additional common spaces and no elevator. Since we were meeting elderly family members, climbing three to four flights of stairs to our room wasn't possible. The lobby being unusable wasn't a minor inconvenience; it was a dealbreaker. Operationally, things only went downhill. Check-in is at 4pm, but arrive after 5pm and there's no one on-site to check you in. Checkout, however, is rigidly 11am. Our room was never cleaned during the stay, despite leaving the "please clean" tag on the door. Because of the limited staffing hours, we couldn't even get fresh towels. Then there's the mouse. I saw one in the common area and notified staff. Nothing was done. Food is left out uncovered for guests, which I promptly avoided--because "boutique hotel meets rodent buffet" isn't really my vibe. What's also new: some sort of train or underground rumbling that shakes the building roughly every hour, offering a front-row seat to what feels like an earthquake simulator. If this were a budget motel or a Holiday Inn, I might shrug and move on. But this is a $500-per-night hotel, and at that price point, these issues are unacceptable. Until these problems are addressed, I wouldn't recommend staying here--and I certainly won't be returning.

My stay was short but just divine, best sleep I had and the most delicious cookies! Thank you to…read morethe wonderful staff who shared instructions for my after hours check-in and made the entire process of navigating to the parking lot a breeze and ensuring I have all I need during my stay at this charming hotel that felt like home). I'll be returning :)

I had my wedding here in May, so this will be a long but all encompassing review of all different…read moreaspects of the Hawthorne. When I was looking for venues, I wanted all inclusive and one location. I spoke with Christine Madigan via email and then over the phone. She assured me that the Hawthorne did weddings well. We booked, signed contracts, set up a room block and everything. The room block: 3/5 stars I originally worked with Beth who set everything up for me and then was transferred to Rob as positions changed. I initially had 15 rooms in my block which we filled pretty quickly, but I saved one for my husbands grandmother so she could stay onsite. She called to book a room and was told there were no rooms. There were rooms so I called and spoke with Rob because she was pretty upset. He assured me we had rooms and for grandma to call him directly. Evidently the folks at the front desk didn't understand how the room block was intended to work. This happened over and over and over again. I really wish they would have set it up so my guests could book online because I heard from nearly half of my guests that either they couldn't get the days we were promised or the room type they wanted. I even had 3 couples stay at another hotel because of this so Hawthorne lost out on money because they couldn't get their booking system organized. One of my couples ended up in a room with a TWIN BED for 2 people. How is that even possible? Meanwhile I had a single person in a room with 2 queen beds and 2 bathrooms? Like I get accommodating people's requests, but a little critical thinking and communication would have gone a long way for comfort here. I doubt those people will come back to this hotel for this reason, which is sad because its such a lovely place. The menu tasting: 5/5 stars We were invited to a tasting of hors d'oeuvres, dinner selections, wine, cocktails and wedding cake. It was amazing to be able to sample items we wanted to serve without doing so blindly. Their food is phenomenal so we were excited to be able to share this with our guests. Wedding planning: 5/5 stars I received packets of information before booking Hawthorne as my venue, so I was aware of the pricing up front. I was even able to create a quote using their pricing sheet so nothing was a surprise. Christine was available to answer all of my questions throughout the process. As we got closer, she gave us homework to complete so we were ready for our big day. We created a signature mocktail, filled out place cards, went over our timeline, dropped off welcome bags, etc. Everything leading up to our wedding day (outside of booking guest rooms) was super smooth and easy. Pretty much everything was provided by the venue. I only had to book a photographer, content creator, photo booth, DJ and HMU on my own. The rest was handled for me which really made things so much smoother. We ended up well under budget, too! Wedding day: 3.5/5 stars If I could go back, I would hire a dedicated day of coordinator who worked specifically for me and not the venue. Christine was great, and did her job well, but she wasn't dedicated to me the entirety of the evening. And she and my mom were butting heads over things we were promised and not delivered. My mom did my wedding florals. We asked in advance if we could have refrigerator space and a private room to set up in. We were told we could have both, and on the day of, there was magically no fridge space, access to water, or a secure room to work in. It was extremely frustrating to be promised things and then not have those promises fulfilled. We were able to pivot and adapt, but that added so much stress to me on a day where I should not have added stress. The room she was working in was also being used as storage for a wedding the following weekend. The hotel has tons of space so I'm not sure why it had to be there but it seemed at that point it was a battle of wills more than anything. My photo booth company arrived right at the time we were about to start our ceremony, which was planned in advance, but the way the rooms were set up he ended up being in the lobby. This turned out to be really fun for wedding guests and random hotel guests to watch, but it was a bit awkward at first. Some of the items we brought for our reception were not brought down and we had to track people down to retrieve those. There was a room upstairs that was dedicated for us to hide away in and eat our appetizers, but I wanted to be with my guests and the appetizers never made it to me and my husband so I was told they were good but I didn't get to try them all. Dinner was absolutely amazing. However, I heard SO MANY complaints afterward about our bartender. I guess he was rude, and terrible at making drinks and when people tried to go to the other bar they got turned away. Overall I had the best day ever and would do it over again with a few tweaks :)

My boyfriend and I recently stayed at the Hawthorne Hotel for a short staycation. We live nearby…read moreand chose the hotel specifically for its history, haunted reputation, and because the price point included what we were told would be complimentary breakfast. The room itself was nice and comfortable, and we were surprised (in a good way) to find that it was a double room. In terms of the "haunted" experience, we did hear some tapping noises coming from the closet shortly after settling in. It was definitely spooky, and my boyfriend barely slept, hoping it would happen again--but it didn't. Still, it added to the atmosphere we were looking for. Unfortunately, the experience took a turn the next morning. When we went down for breakfast, we were informed that we needed a voucher or token that we were never given. I went back to the room to call the front desk for clarification and was told that breakfast was only included if you were given a "certificate," which was never explained at booking. My boyfriend then went to speak to the front desk himself, since he made the reservation (even though I was present when it was booked). He was told that no one ever told him breakfast was included, and the interaction felt accusatory--as though he was being accused of lying. This was uncomfortable and disappointing, especially since we booked the stay based on that information. Adding to that discomfort, as we exited the elevator to head to breakfast, we could hear two front desk staff members chatting enthusiastically. When they noticed us, the conversation abruptly stopped, and they stared as we walked by. It created an awkward and unwelcoming feeling. One was a gentleman with longer hair, and the other was a woman with her hair pulled back in a ponytail. The manager was also involved in the conversation with my boyfriend. I do want to highlight the positives: The server at Nathaniel's was extremely kind and pleasant, and another woman working in the restaurant was also warm and helpful. The room itself was nice, and the restaurant service was genuinely the best part of our stay. That said, due to the front desk and management experience, this is not a hotel we would choose to stay at again--neither for the haunted experience nor for the treatment we received. Salem has many hotel options, and while we wanted this stay to be something special, it fell short. We were hoping to leave a glowing review, but aside from the room and restaurant staff, the overall experience left us disappointed.

Didn't get to take the tour, it seemed a little expensive to me... but I felt like it did offer…read moremuch more bang for your buck then some other near by attractions. And honestly I would have paid it but we were almost out of our fun money for the trip. I will probably do it next time, or honestly staying here would be really cool!

Great day for a visit! Worth the drive Spent the day in…read moreSalem. Very comforting! conveniently located.

This was a good hotel for a one night stay in Salem. They offer a buffet breakfast with lots of…read moreoptions. There is a full fitness center too with pelaton bikes. Additionally, it's only a 10 minute walk from the train station. The amenities all seem pretty new as well. The only thing that was annoying is our key cards stopped working 3-4 times. The front desk was always willing to help, but I wasn't expecting our cards to stop working so much. Other than that, it was an incredible stay!

Great location -- very walkable to many of the attractions in Salem, easy to drive elsewhere, and…read morevery close to the train/T if you're coming in that way or want to take it into Boston for a day. We did have a car, and while the attached garage made things convenient, the daily parking fee felt high for what it is (almost $30 a day). Just a heads-up. Also, there is self-park, and at risk of sounding cheap, here's a tip to save you on some tips... valet is optional, and I don't think I've ever been in a hotel where it's less necessary. Self-park is the same price, but you spare yourself the constant tipping, which feels like one more tiny cash grab unless maybe the garage fills up at certain times and they have to move cars elsewhere. The room was nice enough for a short stay, though some acceptable / common deficiencies are starting to show -- scuffed walls, certain outlets loosening up so the prongs don't stay in well, one bulb burned out, etc. But the beds were comfortable enough, the bedding seemed clean, the bathroom was also clean and the shower worked well, and the room overall still had a reasonably new look and style to it. The pool was also clean, warm, and the overall pool area looked well maintained with plenty of clean towels available and a good amount of seating. The pool deck definitely gets a little slick when wet, so watch your step. Breakfast was almost exactly what you'd expect from similar U.S. chain hotels -- pre-made omelets or scrambled eggs depending on the day, home fries, paper-thin bacon or sausage patties, a few cereals and yogurts, a make-your-own waffle station, a couple fruit options, a push-button juice machine, instant oatmeal, etc. There's a good amount of seating, and a handful of tables have their own TVs (though you may have to hunt for a remote, and you might get some cross-room interference if someone else points theirs the wrong way). One interesting detail: breakfast isn't on the ground floor, and you can't reach it via the elevator without a keycard. I assume that's intentional to reduce non-guest walk-ins. Overall, I'd stay here again for the location and reasonable price -- just with the caveat to budget for the nearly $30/day parking or have a workaround ready. The convenience makes it tolerable, but it's definitely something to be aware of.

Amazing stay. Can not say enough about Bob. Incredible and generous host. Wharf view from the…read morebalcony was beautiful. Short easy walk to all of the attractions, shopping, food and drink. Hope to be back and stay longer in the future.

Perfect Location; Bob is a great host; Have a drink or coffee on the deck off the rooms overlooking…read morethe water or on the patio. Plenty of restaurants within walking distance. In the summer- go to The Landing. Bob will give great local advice if needed. Can't recommend Morning Glory enough!

I had a five star stay at the Salem Waterfront! This is one of my favorite hotels I've ever stayed…read moreat in my entire life and that's why I continue to come here! I had not been here in about three years, and apparently the hotel went through a major renovation. It was really nice back then, but I think it looks even better now! The artwork, the decor, the wonderful nautical charm about this place is really awesome! Our room was an imperial king suite and I absolutely recommend this if you are a couple looking to have a nice relaxing stay or if you just want a spacious room with a separate bedroom, living room room and a wonderful bathroom! The bathroom itself had twin sinks, a smart toilet and a shower big enough to fit four people plus a gigantic tub. I felt so pampered and had a wonderful relaxing time here! The restaurant downstairs has wonderful food where they serve breakfast and dinner. They also offer a Tesla shuttle service, which will take you pretty much within the historical sections of Salem. Behind the Salem Waterfront are a collection of really awesome stores and seafood restaurants right within walking distance. I had such a wonderful time and experience here and I will be making a second trip later on for the fall! Thank you so much waterfront for doing an amazing job and making my stay worth it!

Stayed here while on vacation after looking at many other hotels. This place was perfect! Plus the…read moreindoor pool was perfect in the winter which my son enjoyed. Loved the decor. Great location!

My first stay at The Hotel Salem was a mixed bag. Three and half stars, if that were possible…read more Somethings that detracted from my experience were beyond the control of the hotel (e.g., loud, belligerent drunks on the street waking us up), but some could be amended in the future. The central location makes it easy to walk to restaurants, shops, and musems. That central location in mind, parking is going to cost you as it isn't available on the hotel property. You're going to have to carry your luggage from wherever you find parking, which wasn't a problem for a short stay. We ponied up for a king suite and a private bathroom. That bathroom, however, has a floating barn door so you better be really comfortable with your travel companion because you're going to hear everything. Speaking of hearing everything, the walls are kinda thin (despite the being in a corner room). The bed was comfortable but some of the furniture in our room was looking pretty worn, particularly the wood on the side tables. It was nice to have a fridge, but the lack of a coffee maker in the room is a bit perplexing. My husband and I found the TV system annoying. There wasn't traditional cable and multiple possible past guests left their streaming services connected to the TV. The TV would pick up on anyone trying to connect via their iPhone in other rooms, interrupting whatever we were watching. We now have an inside joke about Vanessa's iPhone. Sorry about your connection issues, Vanessa. Over all, it was a comfortable, safe place to lay our heads. Staff were very friendly and helpful. I'm not sure if we'll be back.

The bright, airy space with big windows looking out on to the pedestrian plaza makes the…read morebar-and-restaurant area an easy option to select on a recent stroll through the area. The seating definitely has a hotel-lobby vibe to it (unsurprisingly, since it is, in fact, a hotel lobby) but it is both comfortable and chic. That's not an easy combination! Our server forgot my kid's drink but quickly rectified the situation when asked. We ordered pizza, and it was fresh, hot and delicious! The beer on tap was also very good. We'd be back!

The property was under construction when we arrived. It's located off the main tourist area…read more Tucked behind a liquor store. So maybe not the best location. The courtyard area was very cute. Lounge was updated as well. I upgraded my room and we were put into one of the themed rooms. Very fun and beautifully decorated. It looks like the construction is going to be a brand new updated addition.

We has no problems with the king room we request. There was no construction no loud noises. Walls…read moreare thin so we could here others doing other activities ( if you get my drift) but we has enough room in our room and control of the heating and cooling as well. The shower was huge and hot water was long lasting ! Area in all was quite and avoids all the loud tourist coming to Salem for Halloween . The out door patio lounge area is great as well they even have a small spooky area for Halloween which was cute .the people at the office was nice and check in was easy as I did everything online when I received the text to do so......it is not cheap to stay at Salem at least during Halloween but I enjoyed my stay here and would come back and try one of the them rooms maybe next time.

The APH B&B was incredible! Great location with private parking and easy walks to all the best…read morespots in Salem. The house has an historic charm and feel, well designed and curated artwork throughout. It's clean, spacious with comfortable bedrooms and private bathrooms. It has several indoor and outdoor spaces to gather and enjoy food, music and spirits while indulging in witty banter filled conversation with friends and family. Our French hostess "V" was lovely, great food, great service and highly entertaining. The whole experience exceeded our expectations. Would absolutely recommend. Thanks again, from the 1993 HS Crew!

Our first time at a bed and breakfast and it was amazing! 10/10 recommend staying here when…read morevisiting Salem! Virginie was the most gracious, lovely and amiable host and had amazing recommendations for food and shopping and attractions! Breakfast was alway delicious, the rooms were immaculate and the decorations were so cute! I can't recommend this B&B enough! This house is located within walking distance of just about everything which is very convenient!

It's our last night at Stepping Stone; a delightful three extraordinary nights. Matt and Kelly…read morecouldn't be better hosts. They are always available to provide tips and information while carefully listening to your desires. The Inn is beautifully decorated with unique antiques. So appropriate for this house built in 1826. There are no musty odors or creeks to attest to its age. It's obvious Matt and Kelly love this home. They and their kitties take excellent care of it and will take great care of you.

Great location and owners. Unique experience staying in such an historical structure. Close to…read moreeverything. Matt and Kelly provide excellent details and their recommendations helped us plan our trip with plenty of time to book desired tours. We stayed in the Washington room on the second floor with a lot of space and large mirror to get ready. The Inn felt very comfortable and we enjoyed relaxing in the living room. Highly recommend! Close to everything.