It's our last night at Stepping Stone; a delightful three extraordinary nights. Matt and Kelly couldn'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. read more

Great location and owners. Unique experience staying in such an historical structure. Close to everything. 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. read more

The Stepping Stone Inn is the perfect place to stay when visiting Salem! The location is right in the middle of everything and nothing is more than a 15 minute walk! The owner, Matt, was very accommodating helping us find and secure a reservation during the busy summer months. He and his wife, Kelley were so hospitable and friendly. We stayed in the Washington DC room which had its own en suite bathroom. The room was just the right size and had everything we needed. The bed and pillows were comfortable and everything was very clean. Breakfast was not being served but we were given a voucher to get breakfast at a local cafe. The food there was very good and it was only a short walk away. Parking was not available since we checked in early but we were given a pass for the nearby parking garage and that worked out great. I cannot say enough good things about this place and its owners! We were extremely happy and hope to return soon! read more

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This is a delightful, historic inn in a beautiful setting right next to the Witch Museum and across the street from the gorgeous Salem Common. Matt and Kelly are gracious and friendly hosts. The room we stayed in had corner windows and a view of the Common. It was comfortable and attractive. We had everything we needed. Matt's coffee is excellent! read more

We loved our stay in this beautiful, historic inn. Gorgeous, interesting, thoughtful decor and extremely comfy beds made for a delightful experience. The innkeeper Matt was wonderfully knowledgeable and helpful, and his cat Blakey was adorable and sweet! I wholeheartedly recommend the Stepping Stone Inn. read more

This was our first experience at an Inn and it was great. Matt and Kelly were so warm and friendly! We arrived disheveled and exhausted from a long work week in Boston, so the warm welcome was really nice. The property itself is in the best location possible in Salem. It's across the street from the beautiful Salem Common and just a few minutes walk to everything. Matt had great recommendations as far as which restaurants to visit. The house itself is so cool, I loved this living room and wish we had more time to relax there but we only had about a day to see all the sites. We also missed the breakfast because it was our first day in two weeks to sleep in! Speaking of which- our room was so cozy! Our bed and pillows were far more comfortable than any hotel! Also, huge plus- there was a fan! We sleep at home with a fan, so we were even more comfortable. Thank you so much Matt and Kelly for the hospitality. I would recommend the Stepping Stone to anyone thinking about staying in Salem! read more

The Stepping Stone Inn - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

I stayed at the Stepping Stone Inn many times to celebrate Halloween in Salem since 1995. I've always been very please with it's cleanliness and its location. Halloween is delivered to your doorstep and the Inn is walking distance to every restaurant, site and attraction for Salem's month long Halloween festival, Haunted Happenings. There is no place better to spend Halloween than in the New England town of Salem, MA with the changing Autumn colors and mild Fall weather. There's nothing like it. I returned again to Salem and the Stepping Stone for the second leg of my 2014 Halloween vacation. The first half was spent in the French Quarter of New Orleans. The Inn has just come under new management this year and the new owners have given the Stepping Stone a facelift and redecorated the rooms with warm inviting colors that brighten up the place and provide a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. The Inn is now, I'm happy to report, DOG FRIENDLY! See their website for details. http://thesteppingstoneinn.com/ The innkeepers themselves are a very charming couple who appreciate the historic building they are now fortunate to call home, in one of the most interesting historical cites in America. I was so pleased to have met them and their two very friendly cats, Youke & Petey, who also were very welcoming. Youke came upstairs to my room on more than one occasion for simulating conversation and to keep my company. Thank you, Youke. If you plan on visiting Salem, MA, I can not recommend a better place to stay. Be sure to book your room well in advance. It seems word has spread about the Stepping Stone Inn and it fills up fast. I have no doubt in my mind that you'll enjoy your stay and want to return in the future. I hope to return again for Halloween in 2016. read more

The Stepping Stone Inn - In the parlor of the Stepping Stone Inn on my way to the 2014 Official Salem Witches Ball dressed as all 3 Witches of Oz. - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

"Halloween in Salem-Party with the Witches!" If you are staying in Salem and can't get into one of the two hotels in town (Hawthorne Hotel OR the Salem Waterfront Hotel) then a B&B would be the way to go as there are MANY in town. IF you are planning a Halloween trip to Salem, here is a very important fact that I keep to myself: BOOK YOUR ROOM AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. I'm not kidding, people. That small town fills up for Halloween by February. No lie. I LOVE staying with proprietor, John Brick and his cat at the Stepping Stone Inn because its right in the heart of the Historic District where all the Haunted Happening & Festival of the Dead events take place. Seriously, Halloween is delivered to your doorstep! EVERYTHING is in walking distance. There is no need to rent a car and you can take the train anywhere. Its only a pleasant 30 minute scenic trip to Boston. You can relax and see the changing leaves! John is very friendly an accommodating. Example: Before my first visit to the Stepping Stone, I'm a performer and was on tour with Disney doing a show one February in Braintree, just south of Boston, and had a day free, so I went up to Salem to visit friends that I had met the Halloween before. I rang the bell of the Stepping Stone to inquire about a room for the upcoming Halloween season. John let me look through the many unoccupied rooms and let me choose the one I wanted. It was the "off season" so I got to see 5 different rooms. I put down a deposit that very day. How many other people will let you tour the property and pick your own room? That's great customer service! The breakfast that is served is sparse and minimal, which is really my ONLY complaint--in fact, after having coffee there in the morning, I go to RED'S Sandwich Shop for breakfast. (Its more than a sandwich shop, with an extensive menu, good sized portions and teeny tiny prices. You'll love it!) Its my favorite place to eat in Salem. I know you'll be very pleased with it too. (See my review of Red's Sandwich Shop posted on YELP.) The Stepping Stone is very easy to find. It is RIGHT NEXT DOOR to the Salem Witch Museum and across the street from the Hawthorne Hotel, where many of the parties and Halloween events take place. I wouldn't stay anywhere else. Most rooms only have one bed and are small. Breakfast only lasts till about 9:30am and then its GONE. They don't wait for you. There is no real room service besides a daily maid cleaning. Parking is extremely limited, but remember, you really don't need a car--even if you want to visit Boston. Believe me, you don't want to drive those narrow streets in Boston. Best to take the train (really cheap) or a cab. And remember, friends, Book your room in Salem for Halloween early!--even if you stay somewhere else, BOOK EARLY for HALLOWEEN! ENJOY! read more

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Great place for a weekend getaway! Our hosts were wonderful, and pointed us in the right direction for everything we were looking to do (and even better, they gave us great advice on what not to do). The rooms are older, but they have character. Everything was very clean, and I appreciated all of the vintage decorations throughout the inn. The breakfast room is well-appointed. There's plenty of fruit, breads, cereals and cheeses in the morning for you to choose from, and a Kuerig-type machine for tea, coffee and hot chocolate. If you're heading to Salem I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Stepping Stone Inn. read more

The Stepping Stone Inn - Room door. - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

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matt and kelly were absolutely wonderful. The whole atmosphere felt very home-y. they are very respectful when it comes to privacy. they provided us free tickets to the museum next door, a parking pass for our whole stay along with free dessert cards at turner's seafood (which was the BEST meal our whole trip - per suggestion of innkeeper matt) i just loved this place and the atmosphere it created, and so did my boyfriend. we even took their suggestion of a place to visit in maine the day we left - and loved it! great people, great cats and a great inn! read more

My wife and I decided to take a weekend holiday from Providence in August and head up to the north shore for the heck of it. Needing a place to stay, we decided on the SteppingStone and it is a REALLY nice B&B. Matt & Kelly (and their adorably friendly cats Youk & Pedey...they're Red Sox fans, yay!) just bought the place in April 2014. The rooms are very clean and comfortable, and there's a pleasant lack of the "lace doily" effect that's so common in B&B's these days. Easy to find; it's literally next door to the famous Salem Witch Museum. Street parking is usually no problem for pickup/dropoff, and they have passes to the parking garage a block away...which is also how far away the Peabody-Essex Museum is. Which means it's an easy walk to all sorts of fun things to see and do in Salem, plus gobs of great restaurants. As for the Inn itself, they've balanced it perfectly between being "charming" without being "overpowering". They are friendly folks and the common area and dining room are well-set up to encourage friendly interactions with your fellow guests as you nosh on a relatively simple but tasty breakfast; the SSI is not a restaurant so the breakfast menu is a little limited in that sense, but by no means will you leave hungry in the mornings. But at the other end, if you're just not feeling that chatty, nobody will bother you as you read your paper. :) The rooms themselves are nice mix of "old building charm" and modern amenities - like I said, it's NOT like SO MANY places that are crammed full of doilies and knickknacks to the point where you've got nowhere to put your stuff! Instead, there's classy dressers and tables in your room, wifi and LCD cable TV and alarm clocks with iPhone docks. The water heats up just fine in the shower. The A/C will keep you cool in the summer. Etc etc etc. And for two people who just got started, M&K have an incredible knowledge of the town and the region - where to go, what to eat, who to see - you name, they know it. Definitely a resource worth tapping if you need help planning your activities during your stay. Like most B&B's, if you're just looking for a cheap place to crash, this probably isn't for you. But if you like a nice room, with some class and some charm, and some both friendly and helpful people running it? The SteppingStone is worth EVERY penny. And quite frankly, it's a pretty darn reasonably amount of pennies, too. The only real downside is that there's only six rooms so it books up pretty fast! read more

If you are staying in Salem, this is the place to go. The Inn is a beautiful historic house that is walking distance to everywhere you'd want to go, but what really makes the place are owners Matt and Kelly. They are friendly, open and helpful; easy to talk to without being intrusive. And they have kitties. ;) The rooms are comfortably furnished while reminiscent of the house's past. It dates to...actually not sure. 1840s? The rooms are cosy without being cramped, and most have en suite facilities. They are not as spacious as a corporate-style hotel, given the era when the house was built, but that adds to the charm. Each room also has a clock-radio that doubles as an iPhone charger, which I found helpful. The breakfast is buffet-style, with a Kuerig-type machine for coffee and tea, plus all the usual cereals, muffins, etc. that you'd expect to find. There is a sitting room/parlour adjacent to the breakfast room filled with books and antiques that makes a lovely place to wait, and both innkeepers have great advice on local sights and attractions. I've been urging my folks to stay here when they visit Salem, and I can't recommend this place highly enough. read more

Booked a room here last minute and the Inn Keeper was beyond friendly and helpful. The Inn still has that 19th Century charm. I especially enjoyed the fact the rate that I was charged was $30 cheaper than other places around. Don't expect a great breakfast though, it's a simple continental breakfast. Overall, I would stay here again on my next trip to Salem. read more

This is a super delayed review- I stayed here in Sept 2012, but I was just telling a friend about this place and it reminded me that I never reviewed it. I booked this place based on the location, price, and reviews of cleanliness. I just saw from their website that this place is under new ownership, so the pleasant hospitality won't be relevant, but at least the location and house are the same. The location was really great for us. But the old wiring was a minor inconvenience. We were attending a wedding and when I tried to leave the AC on (which was needed since the top room got HOT) and blow dry my hair, I threw out a breaker. The bathroom is too tiny to get ready in, so there was really only the room available. Thankfully it was cool outside, so we were able to open the roof door, but it could have been problematic in warmer weather or with more people trying to get ready in the same room. read more

If you are staying in Salem, I cannot give this Inn high enough praise. It has a perfect location, being within walking distance of everything in Salem. The inn was clean, we'll appointed, and quite comfortable. The owners are on site at all times and were both friendly and extremely helpful. I wouldn't stay anywhere else in Salem if I return. read more

The Stepping Stone Inn is just one of those places that makes you smile, talking with Matt before our stay was just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to hospitality. Their overwhelming generosity - cute, clean, cozy rooms, amazing location, great conversation and great music. This is the real deal folks! I just can't point to any negatives about our stay. Matt and Kelly are class acts all the way and are a wonderful family with a cute little boy and a few furry cats that make themselves at home too, I would highly recommend staying there to anyone looking to get a fantastic Salem experience! read more

We stayed at the Stepping Stone Inn last week, through Halloween. The Inn was great! It was within walking distance to everything. John, the inn keeper gave us passes to the Witch Museum right next door..which we really enjoyed. We stayed in the attic room which was very spacious with two queen size beds and a sitting room with great skylight. John was a very helpful and pleasant host..he even helped us carry our bags up to the third floor. This B&B is very clean and centrally located. I highly recommend it. read more

Met the new owners! This is a cute little inn, right in the middle of everything you'd want to see in salem. The new owners were very helpful and sweet. It's my first time in Boston and they gave me great suggestions on restaurants and shops which really helped a lot! They let me pick my room from what was available; in general they were very accommodating. Also the rooms were super clean. They offer free breakfast which was standard and free 24/7 tea/coffee (and not the cheap kind) was great after a long day of walking. My room had a really good view overlooking a park and a wardrobe closet, which as a girl I can appreciate. Overall I had a great experience for my first time in Boston and staying at an Inn. read more

The Stepping Stone Inn - My room had a pretty view of the park! - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

Just got back from a four night stay at the Stepping Stone Inn over the Halloween weekend. It was fantastic. John, the innkeeper, goes above and beyond to make his guests comfortable. Anything you want within his power, he will accommodate. During our stay he gave us a multitude of tips on how to negotiate Salem and the hectic Halloween atmosphere. The Inn itself is a gem. Located in THE perfect central location in Salem. From our room, we looked directly onto Salem Common. We could walk to Essex Street (Salem's main thoroughfare) in literally two minutes. Our room was simple, but had everything we needed and was spotless. We had our own bathroom and a living room area with a T.V. John also provided free Wi-Fi, two passes to the Witch Museum next door AND free parking (which is worth a King's ransom at Halloween). The breakfast is....um....meager. Cereal, some fruit, coffee, store-bought O.J. I'm not a big breakfast eater so that was fine with me most days. However, if breakfast is your thing, you have to try Reds sandwich shop, about three blocks away. It's where the locals eat and for good reason. Overall, the Stepping Stone Inn is well worth the $150.00 per night, especially during Halloween week. I highly recommend it. read more

This was our first stay at the Inn, and it was a phenomenal experience. We arrived after a long road trip and received a warm welcome ripe with area recommendations and a brief history/tour of the home. The location could absolutely not be better; it's walkable from anywhere! It was fantastic to stay in a historic home with wonderful caretakers; Matt and family were so kind and it felt like we were staying with old friends. Definitely recommend this location to anyone traveling to Salem. read more

This place it tired. And for $150 per night you should get way more than cruddy coffee, frozen O.J., store bought banana bread, and box cereal for the breakfast part of a "bed and breakfast." Honestly, this might be one of the biggest rips offs I've gone through in a good long while. The price at half of what I paid would be fair. Rooms are small and cremmed into every space of the home, including what should have been left alone as the attic. 7 foot cielings? Bathrooms are a complete joke. Don't drop the soap in the shower, becasue if you have to bend down to pick it up you'll get stuck as your forehead and butt cheeks hit the shower walls on your way down. Seriously. It doens't need to be more than what it is for a clean, convenient place to stay. But for $150 a night... no way. Overall, not a horrible place, but way overpriced. read more

Talk about world Class...well in my limited experiences with what constitutes world class anyway. What I can tell you is I value my dollars, and where they go. The Girl and I stayed here on a weekend overnight while in the area looking for residence. What a breath of fresh air to know that once you get out of the city limits of Boston, people can stop being self-centered jerks. We found this inn last minute and for a moderate price (considerably less than fancier hotels, and only slightly more than shady hotels run by lunatics (look up Clipper Ship Inn - the reviews are absolutely hysterical - but only because I didn't experience them)). Matt and his wife which to my understanding took over ownership and management of the Inn in the last few months were stellar hosts. Super friendly, easily approachable, and really down to earth people. They made our night in Salem incredibly welcoming. They shared with us some of their personal favorite spots around town, and even gave us suggestions of places to consider looking to find decent residence. We stayed in the "Salem" Room which was more or less the attic - but wicked cozy, comfortable, and well kept. Slanted walls, so there was some ducking here and there but worth it. The house was built in the late 1800's and looks to be mostly original with some maintenance through the years. In fact, Matt and I were shooting the pucky and he mentioned he had a mason take a look at the Chimney that needs some patching and the mason discovered most if not all of the brick to be original from when the house was constructed. Location also makes this little inn a hidden Gem. Literally next door to the Witch Museum, across the street from the Common, and walking distance to anything you could possibly need or want. So - In summary: Reasonably Priced Well Managed & Maintained Wildly hospital owners Just a fantastic experience from start to finish. Not only will I recommend this Inn to anyone goign to Salem, but this is likely where I will put Family up when they come to visit and when I'm feeling extra adventurous, I may just stay the night on a whim for poops and giggles. read more

It was a dark and stormy afternoon when my boyfriend and I found ourselves in need of last minute lodging in Salem. All the hotels were fully booked...enter the Stepping Stone Inn. Due to our frustration and panic at not being able to find a room, I searched for "Inns in Salem" and picked a phone number at random, maybe we would get lucky? Boyfriend called and low and behold it was the Stepping Stone Inn, and they had vacancies! We told them we would get there as soon as we could. I usually have reservations about B&Bs and not knowing anything about where I'm staying but all my worries were immediately put to rest when we were greeted by the Innkeeper and his wife. They were incredibly welcoming and seemed like such genuine and happy people. I understand they are the new owners, I had never met the previous owner, but boy were they fantastic! Boyfriend and I are considering a move to Salem and were up to look at places. Matt the innkeeper was super helpful in orienting us a little with the area, gave us some great suggestions for places to eat and check out, and they even emailed us some listings in the area while we were out. These two were so refreshing and really made our trip great (house hunting can be stressful). I would stay here solely because of them. That being said, the inn itself is in a perfect location AND the inn has off street guest parking. We were able to have our choice of a couple different rooms and decided on "The Salem" room, which is all the way at the top of the house. The ceilings were a little low and the bathrooms a little small but you have to remember that this place is over a century old so these things should be expected, it's like sleeping in a little piece of history. My favorite part of the room is a little fire escape/balcony that has a lovely view. The next morning we decided to sleep in a bit and didn't make it down for breakfast, but it sounded like it was a nice, simple, continental spread which is perfect for starting a day off in Salem without feeling too weighed down. The rooms were clean and tidy, with fresh paint and new linens, and despite being right in the middle of things it was surprisingly peaceful and quiet, I slept like a log, or a baby, or something that sleeps really well. I can't say enough good things about this inn and it's new owners, I would definitely recommend it to friends and plan on staying there again. read more

I have stayed here twice and would 100% come back. It's centrally located. Essex street ,a main drag, is less then a 2 minute walk away. The most we walked was Maybe 10 minutes to get somewhere. The owners are superior to any place I have stayed. They truly want you to feel at home in there inn and it shows. They are very knowledgeable about the town and will eagerly give you advice or directions to where your trying to go. Not to mention they have two of the nicest and friendliest cats that are eager to great you and maybe get a couple cuddles. We brought a teen age boy with us that absolutely adored them and let's be honest it's hard to get teens into anything but there games.when we came back late he would search the common room and breakfast area for them. It's a great value , you get tickets to the witch museum next door ,a must see , and parking in a very nice garage steps away and a comforting environment to stay. The wifi is great , the pillows are nice and soft there is nothing I can honestly complain about. Tldr nice people, nice place, great value read more

My new husband and I stayed there for our honeymoon a couple of weeks before Halloween. The inn keepers had only taken over a few months prior i think. It was nicely decorated and such a great location to just about everything including the train station to hop a train to Boston for the day!! We had a great time! I am allergic to cats and the place must be super duper clean because i had NO issues what so ever and that was a huge concern when booking. The breakfast selection was great. I would DEFINITELY stay here again the next time we visit Salem! read more

The Stepping Stone is amazing!! I don't even know where to start. I've always wanted to stay at a B & B and The Stepping Stone made a dream come true. The Inn is in the middle of everything so you are only a few steps away from some of the best parts of Salem. The Inn is very cozy and looks amazing, very clean and roomie. The owners, Matt and Kelly are awesome! Anytime we needed a suggestion on a great place to eat or see, Matt and Kelly were on point. The continental breakfast had a great range of breakfast items that didn't disappoint and was very yummy. I could write a book about how The Stepping Stone Inn is a gem. The Stepping Stone is a must if you are going to go to Salem MA. I will be back in the future. read more

I must say you couldn't ask for 2 more friendly hosts. This was our first time in Salem and the accommodations were just right for our 2 night 3 day stay. Complimentary Continental breakfast, free parking and passes to the Witches Museum. CLEAN as a whistle and 2 friendly cats that can best be described as "fluffy pillows". Book WAY in advance if you are looking at an October stay. Well worth it....."Rock On"..;-) read more

My husband surprised me with a trip to Salem Mass. It was a very last minute trip. The Stepping Stone Inn was very accommodating. They not only had a room, We were able to book for another night. The house is right next to the Witch Museum, The serve a very good continental breakfast, Have a lot of knowledge about the area and the best places to visit and eat. I just have to say that if someone was wondering if I would visit again. Yes we would, we are going back this summer. read more

My husband and I stayed here on the first two nights of our honeymoon. After a horrifying B&B experience prior to staying here, we were so delighted to have such a wonderful experience. The owners allowed us to have a later check-in, since we flew into Boston and had to navigate getting there. The check-in was easy, and he took us up to our room and showed us around. The inn is small and nice, and has a very comfortable country feeling. The room was a good size and the bed comfortable. Breakfast both mornings was simple, but very delicious. Coffee, tea, pastries, and yogurt were offered, and they were more than enough. We also received complimentary tickets to the witch museum next door, which was nice touch. I also had a package coming in with my forgotten clothes for the week, and the owners were so nice and understanding, and they offered to watch over the parcel if it were delivered past our check-out or during the day. The two fat cats were a plus too! So cute. read more

This was our first stay in Salem. Matt and Kelly made our stay here outstanding! Their hospitality and attention to detail make this the place to stay! Thank you so much! read more

Excellent location and welcoming innkeepers. The B&B is quaint and cozy. Free continental breakfast and 24/7 tea, hot chocolate, and coffee.

This place exceeded expectations. It's in the perfect location for seeing all Salem has to offer. Very polite and pleasant owners that know the area. The history in this in was very evident and added to its charm. When I go back to Salem, I will stay here again read more

Matt & Kelly were fantastic. They were very accommodating and gave us recommendations for the area. We also had to leave before they started breakfast. They set out rolls for us so that we wouldn't have to start off our day hungry. They went above and beyond to help us out. We loved The Stepping Stone and would recommend it to everyone! read more

I met the new owners today. They gave me all their moving boxes for FREE and even helped me remove them. They wanted to give me the boxes for free as a form of paying it forward. They could have charged me like everyone else who has their moving boxes listed on craigslist. Their kindness and generosity was greatly appreciated. I look forward to visiting their adorable inn in the future. read more