After living in Salem, Massachusetts for over two years, and four more in the area, I feel that it is one of the most underrated places in New England. While it is still touristy, most of that is during October, and the rest of the year it feels like a hidden gem.
Salem is incredibly walkable, filled with tons of history and interesting tours, plus, let’s face it, Halloween there is pretty cool. While figuring out where to stay can be tough, there are some great choices. If you’re looking during October though, keep in mind, accommodation during that busy month is very limited because it books up insanely fast.
Whether you want a central location, to sleep in a hotel with a seriously well-documented ghost story, or wake up oceanfront along the marina, there are tons of Salem hotels for you.
When to visit Salem
To be completely honest, while you should visit Salem outside of October, spending Halloween in Salem is a bucket list experience. No matter what time of year you’re visiting, this article has great advice about where to stay… and what to do if it’s booked.
One thing to keep in mind if you’re thinking about visiting Salem in October, it’s not a “book a month out” kind of trip anymore. Rooms at these hotels sell out 6-12 months in advance. If you’re reading this and it’s already September or later, there’s a real chance your dates are gone.
My honest advice, if you want peak Halloween weekend specifically, start looking at next October now. If you just want to experience the magic of Salem, then visit the last week of September or the first of November instead.
I’ve stayed in (or spent too much time in the lobby of) all five of these, so here are my favorite hotels to stay at in Salem, no matter when you’re visiting.
As a local guide, I also share my favorite places to eat and things to do in my Salem guide.
Getting to and around Salem
Depending on where you are and traffic, Salem can be between 30 minutes and 2 hours from Boston. If you’re flying into Boston Logan International airport, keep in mind that rush hour is serious business in this area.
Skyscanner is my go-to for finding cheap flights also, so keep that in mind during booking! I have found some insane deals flying to and from Boston and New York on there.
I would highly recommend renting a car for your trip. While the traffic isn’t great, it is very hard to get around without a car, and it’ll give you a chance to explore other parts of the North Shore.
If you want to find a rental that’s good value, you can use DiscoverCars for your search. They are like a search engine for all major car rental companies to find you the best rate.
If you really don’t want to rent a car, the commuter rail can take you from North Station into downtown Salem in about 30 minutes. The downside of this option is that getting from Logan Airport to North Station can take 30 minutes to an hour by car and even longer by bus.
A really cool way to get to Salem from Boston is by taking the ferry. This is by far the most scenic route, just double check the schedule since it runs seasonally. Salem harbor is gorgeous, so make sure you check it out, no matter how you get to town.
Keep in mind! October is Salem’s busiest month. Street parking downtown is rarely available, and a lot of it gets closed off for events. Since you’re visiting during the Haunted Happenings, book a hotel with its own parking lot or plan to walk/use the commuter rail.
Now I’ll get into my favorite hotels in the area!
Best trendy & central: The Hotel Salem (The Roof)
The Hotel Salem will put you right in the middle of everything, and it’s my top choice. It’s by far the most stylish hotel in the area, and it’s right on Essex Street. That means you can walk to pretty much every attraction, restaurant, and bar.
My favorite hotel is also home to my favorite brunch place, and it has the best view of Salem. It’s called The Roof (they aren’t very creative with names), and it’s on top of the hotel. They just so happen to be the only open-air rooftop in Salem.
This cute little bar is great for brunch, cocktails, and simple food. It’s also been voted Best Hotel Bar in the North Shore, and considering how many times I’ve visited, I can see why.
If you stay in the hotel, don’t worry about noise, it closes pretty early and it’s not a very rowdy spot. The rooms are modern and comfortable, but the location is unbeatable. If this sounds like your vibe, it’s above and beyond my favorite.
Best historic & haunted: Hawthorne Hotel
A visit to Salem can often mean you’re visiting for the spooky factor. In that case, you’ll want to stay at the Hawthorne Hotel (if you can book it before it’s sold out).
Here’s the history you’re going to want to hear: the Hawthorne Hotel was built in 1925 and named after Nathanial Hawthorne. It’s a six-story hotel designed in the style of Colonial Revival.
This hotel was built on land that was once owned by Bridget Bishop, who was the first person executed during the Salem Witch Trials.
There have been numerous reports from guests and staff of a ghostly woman wandering the halls, unexplained noises, and the smell of apple blossoms in hallways. That was relevant because the land was supposedly once her orchard.
Specifically room 325 and the entire sixth floor have the biggest reputation, and yes, it was even on an episode of Ghost Hunters back in 2007.
If that freaks you out, don’t worry too much, it’s really just a few rooms that have the reputation. Any time of year, this hotel is a beautifully maintained, comfortable, and classic New England stay.
Plus, it’s located right in downtown Salem between the waterfront and all of the best attractions and restaurants in town. This is definitely the best area to stay.
Best waterfront: Salem Waterfront Hotel & Marina
Looking for a much more beautiful location (and no ghost stories), then you’ll want to book the Salem Waterfront Hotel. This spot is located right on the historic Pickering Wharf, and it has rooms that overlook the marina rather than the street.
Salem only has one real waterfront hotel, and it’s this one (which makes sense for the name. The Waterfront Hotel has been renovated recently with a nautical look. This spot has an indoor pool, a fire pit terrace, and its own on-site restaurant (Mainstay Social).
It’s still very walkable to downtown, and super close to the Witch Museum and the Peabody Essex Museum. The Waterfront Hotel is a great choice if you want a quieter location and a water-view to come back to.
Another big benefit of this hotel is that it has its own parking, which is super uncommon in Salem and a serious advantage if you’re visiting in October.
Best boutique historic: The Merchant
Is this more of a romantic getaway, or do you prefer a boutique option? Then you want to check out the Merchant.
The Merchant is an upscale hotel in a building that’s over 200 years old in the historic district. There is even a room where George Washington reportedly slept when it was Joshua Ward’s house! Original woodwork and elevated details throughout the building go a long way. This hotel also has gas fireplaces, heated bathroom floors, and quite a few modern touches for comfort.
