Salem Inn

Our room was tiny compared to the other rooms, while still being charged the same ridiculous, expensive price. We were supposed to have a «queen fireplace» — there was no fireplace in sight. The room was not cleaned as well as it should be, it was dingy and dirty. When discussing issues with the staff, we received nothing but poor attitudes and disrespect in return instead of understanding our situation. Not to mention the initial poor attitudes we received when just booking the room in the first place. The staff is pompous, and for no reason. Would not recommend staying here.

We stayed here for a weekend away in November. Our room was spacious and very clean. We had a fireplace in our room which used duraflame logs but it was still bright & toasty. We were told that due to the historic nature and age of the building gas fireplaces weren’t an option. We had breakfast which was very good and included in our room rate. We went to the Peabody Essex Museum and walked around the wharf area. The staff were helpful with things to do that time of year and there were complimentary night caps in the evening.

This place was just okay… stayed here Halloween weekend. The room was really plain and simple, I was expecting more from a Honeymoon Suite. At least the bathroom was a nice size. The staff isn’t very friendly looked at me like I was crazy when I said Good morning. The breakfast is just bread, cereal and coffee. The location was good but I wouldn’t stay here again for the price.

Do not stay here. Just don’t. We checked in today, with a two night reservation, to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We based our choice mostly on the fact that this place allows dogs, but also on decent reviews (should have started reading at a different point; saw older ones first, which were in the main positive, but taking a closer, longer look just now, I see the most recent ones are all very negative).
You can add this one to that list. The first room we were put in was just ridiculous – tawdry, dingy, ugly, uncomfortable bed and furnishings, and the highly touted fireplace had one of those stupid fake logs in it… the maid had just finished cleaning the room and she left about a quarter inch of toilet paper on the roll. Seriously? For almost $ 200 a night, I expect a little more than this!
So downstairs we go, to ask about another room and failing that, a refund. The two people behind the desk were both unhelpful, argumentative, and one of them actually raised her voice to me. Unacceptable. She asked me what was wrong with the room and I replied, my own voice raised at this point, «It’s tacky!» She shut up at that (guess she really couldn’t argue that one) and showed us to another room, but not before telling us their policy is no refunds. Period. No negotiation. Nada. Asked to speak to the manager, who won’t be back until tomorrow morning, when we will have a (no doubt unpleasant) conversation. I can escalate this to filing a disputed charge with my credit card company if we are not allowed to cancel tomorrow night with our money refunded, but that’s so not how I want to remember my wedding anniversary…
Meanwhile, we are now in a marginally better room (a little cleaner and better appointed, but not much) but this one is at street level and right next to the front desk, so the trade-​off is a lot of noise. There are not going to be any victories here; my guess is we’re stuck in this dump for two nights. Very disappointed and angry that our anniversary celebration and get-​away to Salem is ruined because of The Salem Inn’s substandard accommodations and nasty service. Bummer. Shoulda gone back to the lovely 21 Broad Street Hotel on Nantucket. We stayed there last year for our anniversary, for about a hundred dollars less than this disaster is costing us, and the service was just impeccable, as was our room. They even left us congratulatory handmade chocolates and champagne upon our arrival. Now, that’s the kind of treatment I want on my anniversary! Wah.
Save yourself some heartache and stay anyplace else. At these rates, the rooms should look like they do on the website (what a joke! the contrast is unbelievable!) and the front desk should act like it at least knows how to talk to customers. Just disgusted.

This was my first time in both Salem and The Salem Inn. We stayed in the «Enchanted Forest» room (which a while back used to be the gift shop). The room had a dated feel to it, but it fit in with the mood you would expect visiting a town known for pirates and witch trials. The shower and whirlpool tub were both clean, as was the rest of the room. The bed was a little stiff, but smelled of clean sheets. The continental breakfast was what you would expect. Being from North Jersey, I’m picky about my bagels, but there’s were better than your run of the mill frozen ones. They had yummy coffee too! The location is definitely prime, you’re right next to the heart of Essex Street, and within a 8 — 10 minute walking distance from most of tours, attractions, and spots featured in the classic movie, Hocus Pocus.
The do have a strict cancellation policy for October and you can’t use the fireplaces. However, you have a key to your room and the front door (the front desk staff leaves at 10 or 11 pm), and access to a living room with a decanter of sherry, maps, informational brochures, and a list of places to eat. There is also a computer with printer in the space, and free wifi.
All in all it was a great stay!!!

By far the best (imp the only) place to stay when visiting Salem. Came for the first time almost ten years ago and wouldn’t consider staying any place else. New England charm in all the rooms. You couldn’t get any closer to town. Just come out the front entrance and you’re looking right at the Witch House. Worth your time if you’re looking to stay in Salem. Ask for Yuscenia or Jennifer as they go the extra mile to make your stay great!

Unfortunately, I have to concur with what many of the people said below in the poor reviews. We had high expectations as our previous stay several years ago was a positive one. Not this time. First, the room that we were given was not the one pictured on the website when we booked, so I’d say that is deceptive. When we brought this up to the manager, she was indifferent, and that is very frustrating considering how much we spent for the room. Secondly, there was little privacy for my wife and myself due to our bedroom not truly being a separate room. Also, the bed! The only thing I can say about it is that it was slightly softer than a rock! It was so bad that my wife had to squeeze herself onto the loveseat to get a halfway decent nights sleep. The room could’ve been cleaner also. My final complaint is that, once again, for how much you pay, there could’ve been a better breakfast spread than a continental breakfast. It takes a lot for me to complain about something, but given how much was spent for the room, the treatment by the management, and the sub-​standard accommodations, one should think twice before spending their hard earned money on a room here!

Terrible customer service! I found this hotel on
. The reviews were ok so I decided to book room 17 for the first week in October to surprise my wife for her birthday. I was told that if I cancelled the reservation it would cost me a $ 15 fee. We had some issues that made us change our trip and I called to cancel our reservation 2 months before were to be there, and I was informed that it would cost me one nights stay for $ 280. I told her that when I booked my room the woman that took my reservation said there was a $ 15 cancellation fee. I asked to speak to the manager and a woman named Jennifer got on the phone. She was completely rude and when I asked to speak to the owner she refused to give me their names. She said «Look it up yourself. It’s on the web sight.» Apparently during the month of October you cannot cancel your reservation without paying $ 280. They neglected to inform me of this when I booked my room. Every other month you can cancel your reservation up to a week prior to your booking for $ 15. I think this place is a total scam and I would recommend anyone to choose a hotel that’s a bit more professional.

We arrived late & stayed for one night at the 7 summer St location. Hostess was fine & I appreciated her being here at 10pm, and she left straight away (so no one at the front desk after 10pm). Parking is very limited & on-​street parking a likelihood. Upon Arron’s in the room, the bed sheets were dirty, pilled, and had hair throughout on both top and bottom sheets. It’s unsanitary! I don’t understand why they would find that acceptable for their guests. Very, very bad housekeeping. Lights were unplugged behind bed (so light switch at door didn’t work). The bed & boxspring are very old. The whole bed moves with every turn, and you can feel the springs. I mean that literally. This is so so bad! We’re really shocked and unhappy. We can’t call the front desk because they’re gone for the night! I will never recommend this place!

For what it charges, I expected a lot more of the Salem Inn. but first the good stuff: location. That’s pretty much it. room was small, had a dingy feel to it, mattress was about 20 years old, as well as the sheets covering it. If I saw one more single, odd pic on the walls or an odd container of plastic flowers looking like they had been there for years I would have ripped them all off. TV only worked well with local channels, pillows were either hard and flat or puffy, towels in the bathroom were teeny. Would not recommend this place.

My sister and I have stayed at the Salem Inn 3 times in the past 5 years. Our last visit was October 2014 for the Halloween season. It was another great stay. The staff are welcoming and accommodating. The room was nice and the location is ideal for walking around town in Salem.

Sadly, this Inn is nothing like their website portrays. Historic, yes. Not at all what is expected when paying over $ 700 for 3 nights. The room had no period items with the exception of one picture of the actual room when used a library. The framed pictures were of pieces of wallpaper in 1980’s mauve frames. The bed was also 1980’s standard frame and actually had body imprints as the mattress was in desperate need of replacing. The bathroom had water efficient faucets on the sink and shower but they were also from the 1980’s and actually hurt when you used them because of the high pressured water being expelled. The caulk in the shower was in desperate need of being replaced. The bent metal mini blinds caused you to be unable to close the period window coverings.
The staff at the front desk are in need of courtesy training and acted like we were actually an imposition.
Housekeeping varied throughout the stay. One day replacing cups, then next not. One day cleaning the coffee maker and the next day ignoring it altogether. They made sure to prop the tip envelope up for me to see though.
October in New England would warrant the option of using the fireplace but the staff stated they would not allow it until November.
I would not recommend this Inn for its historic or amenity values. Sadly, it made our stay in Salem less enjoyable.

A friend and I came to Salem for the weekend and we couldn’t find available rooms anywhere! We kind of forgot that this was graduation time and that may have something to do with it! He was able to book us two rooms at the Salem Inn. We stayed at the John P. Peabody house, which is a unique historic house!
The only thing I would change is, during check in, we were asked for the name under the reservation, but they didn’t ask for any ID to verify who we were. This was the same on the way out, no receipts or anything. Just sign out and go on your way.
It’s a cozy place and I would definitely return!

The Salem Inn is beautiful, elegant, historical, and most likely haunted.
From check in to check out, both times I’ve stayed have been excellent. It’s not really the type of place to bring kids, or for a business trip, but for a romantic getaway or a place to stay with friends who can appreciate the magic of staying in a place with this sort of charm.
I’ve stayed twice now and was extremely happy with my choice. I love cute little bed and breakfasts and this was the epitome of what I like about them. The staff are extremely accommodating, the rooms were clean and lovely, and it is very close to the heart of salem so easily accessible by foot to all of the restaurants and shops in town.
They have smaller rooms, but their suites are also gorgeous. The beds are comfy and their are fireplaces in several of the rooms to add extra ambiance, although they don’t work in the warmer months. The breakfast in the morning isn’t amazing but it is sufficient. I’ve found the person who runs to breakfast set up a bit off putting, but maybe she was just having a bad morning. Their is a cute little courtyard where you can eat if you choose to. Breakfast is set up in the basement level of the building next to the main entrance. Not so easy to find but the staff will tell you exactly how to get there.
Love this place and will surely stay again in the future because I do love Salem’s charm and historical significance, even it if is on the darker side.

We stayed in room P3, and this room was a nightmare.
We arrived Friday night and during the entire stay, we had NO heat. When we walked into the building, we could feel it was cold. Before heading into town Saturday morning, we stopped in the main building and asked that they rectify this issue, amongst others you will read later. We were told that they would check into the issue and that we needed to make sure that the remote was set to the «sun» icon. I assure you we attempted every combination possible and could not get any heat from the unit – it would simply shut off. By Sunday morning, we could see our breath.
The furniture in this room, which had no common theme, looked like it was taken off the curb, or at best bought at a yard sale. The dresser drawers almost fell out of the unit because they were not on their tracks, and would jam up when you tried to close them. They were filthy, warped looking, and I was too skeptical to put our clothes inside of them. The blankets on the bed barely fit it, and with every move you heard the whole bed creaking. All the lamps, in my opinion, were fire hazards, because the cords looked as if they were 40 years old.
There was NO light in the suitcase «closet» section of the room. It was impossible to see what was in my suitcase, even during the day. Because I refused to put my clothing into the dresser drawers, I had to keep them in our suitcase. To avoid moving my heavy suitcase back and forth, I had to use my phone light or my flashlight to find my belongings. There was an electric junction box on the ceiling of this closet (not up to code where we live, maybe in MA it is?) so we’re not sure why there couldn’t be a light above us.
A couple of windows were cracked, and all of them were filthy dirty. There weren’t any window guards, and being that they opened at near floor level they are a child safety hazard. When I went to pull open the dirty curtains to let some light in the room, the curtain rod fell off and hit me in the head.
The bathroom was clean except for the dead bugs on the ceiling over the toilet and the toilet itself was slanted towards the right. Not only was the mirror NOT over the sink, but on the adjacent wall and not correctly aligned for one to stand in front of. The bathroom door’s hinges squeaked like a tomb was being opened and woke up my husband whenever someone used it during the night. The kitchen was clean, but with old appliances. The refrigerator’s rattling kept me up all night long and it was also leaking water onto the floor. The dishes, pots, glassware, and flatware, also looked as if they were from a yard sale, along with the hair we found in the coffee pot!
We received ONE key to open both the hotel’s front door, and our room door. This leads me to wonder if everyone’s key was able to access both the front door, their room, AND everyone else’s rooms as well.
The trundle bed in the living room was laughable. The mattress was mush and it is squeaked like a trampoline with the slightest movement. There was not a single notepad or pen, not even in the old writing desk located in the bedroom.
By 10pm both buildings were without staff as far as we could tell. It’s pretty unheard-​of to stay in a hotel where you are unable to be assisted during certain hours or at least have emergency contact info available to the guests in the event of a problem.
The sitting room downstairs had dirty drinking glasses on the table for the longest time, because housekeeping never bothered to remove them. The bench outside our room had a dirty disposable coffee cup on it, and it was there for a day after arriving. How does housekeeping walk past that and not pick it up? The extra blankets for the beds were roll into balls instead of folded, and the old, dirty carpet wasn’t vacuumed.
Although we knew there would be no elevator, there was no bell-​hop to assist us with our bags. We had to carry all our belongings up the flight of stairs ourselves. When we first arrived, I could not get into the building. You can not tell us that your staff does not know enough tell people the room key also works the front door. I had to consistently knock and wait for someone to open the door for me. This person was not a staff member, but a guest, who responded who responded with «Didn’t your key work?». We never saw any staff members in the building.
The sidewalk directly in front of the house was littered with cigarette butts, as was the street curb and the driveway leading to the back of the house. There was also a dirty drinking glass sitting on the steps of the house which I kindly picked up and placed it on the table in the sitting room next to the rest of its friends.
I did speak with other guests and they said their rooms were also completely outdated and that they were without heat for their entire stay there. One person was told that the unit in the basement needed to be adjusted yet we were told the heat comes out of the unit on the wall.

I have stayed here numerous times over the past decade and had a great time each visit. The rooms are great, and the breakfast is excellent. Free wifi.
It’s a historic location, in several different buildings. Some of the units have full kitchens and/​or fireplaces. Because it’s historic, the building is old, and the layout of some rooms is odd because of course when it was built there were not indoor bathrooms in every room.
Probably the weakest thing is the bed, their mattresses are too soft for me, but when you consider the options in the area, this is head and shoulders above the rest. Service was great!

Lovely inn. Fantastic and friendly staff, great ladies at the front desk. Our room was on the fourth floor, all steps. That is not for the faint of heart. Very clean rooms, which is so important.
It’s a bit pricey, but has nice touches, such as the finches in the parlor, and the afternoon sherry. It’s a historic building, and it shows. Lots of character.
I don’t mind walking, so I consider it walking distance from the train station, but that would be a matter of opinion.

Good experience overall. Service was good and friendly. Room was neat and tidy and clean. Every door needs a shot of WD-​40 cuz they all squeak. Breakfast was good. Overall can’t complain at all.

This place would have been great… .if it were about $ 70 to $ 90 dollars cheaper. It’s just WAY too over priced, even in the off season, for such a mediocre hotel or «Inn». They actually bill themselves as a «Bed and Breakfast», but I take issue with that description as they DO NOT provide breakfast! They did a half-​hearted job at throwing together a sort of «continental» breakfast– you know the kind you’d get at any motel/​hotel chain off the highway: cold muffins, bagels, little plastic tubs of cream cheese, some room temperature coffee, etc. Just not what you’d expect from someone using the term Bed AND Breakfast, you know? Where’s my hot omelet or bacon? For $ 180 bucks a night (off season) I need me some bacon. I wont be too viscous. Although the grounds were a bit run down, it was still a funky old building, and it was really close to… well, everything in Salem. So that’s cool. Oh, and I was delighted that they had enough hot water to fill up the «hot tub» style bath without running tepid (ever notice how common that is? It’s like all these places advertising Hot Tubs should really be saying «room temperature tubs»).
Anyway. Don’t stay here if you can help it.
P. S. It is NOT haunted!
(Dear Salem, not everyplace is haunted. Grow up.)

Beautiful quaint little inn, nestled just off the ‘main drag’ in Salem, MA. It was very conveniently located, reasonable priced and quite accomodating.
We had 3 of us in our room since we were there for a wedding and got a room with beds in 2 different rooms, a small but adaquate bathroom, one of the rooms had a nice sitting area and a nice size kitchen. The room had nice features and tall ceilings.
If I happen to the be in the area again I’d certainly head here.