Pros: - very comfy bed - cruelty free toiletries available in the shower and bathroom, various herbal / fresh citrus scents that were not too strong - very friendly front desk staff that accommodated our needs around check out - we were able to keep luggage with them for many hours after check out and extend our parking time for no fee. The woman who checked us in was very friendly and gave us a tour of the common areas - entrances are locked to the public and secured with a password for extra safety - our room was big - I was pleasantly surprised to see that they offer Nespresso coffees with lots of fix ins available (even dairy free milk in the fridges!), grab and go snacks like Himalayan Gold popcorn and flavored almond mixes, and fresh made more substantial snacks like a chia seed pudding with coconut flakes and pineapple that was so good, I had it twice! Also available at any time in the fridges were Apple streussel yogurt parfaits and hard boiled eggs. Chocolate chip cookies are baked throughout the day. - nicely decorated lounge area on first floor and deck patio space - you are able to leave items in a designated shared refrigerator space in the kitchenette on the first floor, a clever solution to no fridges in the rooms (at least not in mine). The thought of a communal, unmentioned fridge with strangers did give me pause though, but it's nice they offer it. Room for improvement: - I understand I came in a heat wave and summer is not prime season in Salem, but the room was so warm. The air conditioning would not go below 67° setting, but the real room temp was always much higher according to the thermostat (this morning it was 76!) I was sweating and had a hard time sleeping. They gave us a box fan when we asked if the AC could go any lower...I wasn't even sure it was on....and that helped a little but still wasn't enough. Please let people turn down the temp so they can sleep without waking up sweaty! The AC units also made a decently loud bubbling noise - this seems to be in a part of town near where an unhoused group of people hangs out. To walk to the off site parking lot, which was not far away at all thankfully, you have to walk through a big park full of many unhoused people, some begging or shouting. It made me feel a bit unsafe and I wasn't thrilled to leave my car in an area of town like that. Head's up. On our last day here, there was also a seemingly unhoused woman hanging out on the front steps of the hotel's (beautiful!) lawn for many hours. At one point when we walked by, she was starting to get aggressive and shout at people walking by. - the bar in the lounge area, prominently featured on their website, is non functional as they do not have a liquor license, which would have been a nice place to enjoy a cocktail - the tvs have lots of streaming apps advertised on the TV main screen, but none are logged in to the hotel's account. I guess that's standard in some cases, but it felt frustrating to not be able to watch a lot of what was shown to us. - not the hotel's fault, just a product of the location (which was otherwise very convenient and centrally located!), but there were loud cars with booming stereos driving by at all hours of the night on a weekday that occasionally woke me up. - the lot they let you park in temporarily while you unload luggage, while a nice gesture and made moving bags much easier, is very tight and took quite a few maneuvers to be able to get out of. - there's really only one heavy duty lock on the door, but overall the closing mechanism felt very lightweight and I didn't have a ton of confidence in it. We were only given one key for two people staying in one room. Overall, the location and service were nice, but the temp issue was pretty hard to get past since it made me feel so stifled. The snacks came in handy more than once, but for the price, I'd look around at other locations before automatically coming back here, I imagine you could find something cheaper that isn't on the fringes of a sketchy neighborhood. It is right next to Hauswitch, which was one of my favorite shops in all of the many, many options in town, so that's a plus, but they really need a better AC system for summer guests. Thank you for a cozy stay other than that and for such welcoming treatment! read more

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I'm not someone who rushes to Yelp, but this stay earned the effort. 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. read more

I was a little nervous about staying in a small boutique hotel, but this place completely won me over. It's beautiful, quiet, and genuinely accommodating, and the location couldn't have been more perfect. I woke up, grabbed a cup of coffee from the hall's snack area, and it ended up being the most peaceful, effortless escape. read more

My stay was short but just divine, best sleep I had and the most delicious cookies! Thank you to the 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 :) read more

We loved our stay. We stayed in room 4 on the 2nd floor. We loved the view out the front window and we were across the hall from room 3, which is the George Washington room with a view out the front. Hotel is close to everything. Staff is very accommodating. Our flight arrived really early and we were able to drop off our luggage and go out to enjoy the town until our room was available. Attention to detail- my sister and I went to celebrate my birthday and they left a hand written note. So sweet. They even text you when your room is available and to check in with you during your stay if you need anything. Comfort & cleanliness- Very clean and comfortable rooms. Coffee bar- Lovely and well stocked. read more

The Merchant - View from room 4 out the front of the hotel toward Washington street. - Hotels Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

Well it started off amazing. Both our First time to Salem. The city is absolutely magical. I came across this hotel and had to try it. We were greeted by Megan and she was very sweet and the rooms and the hotel was very nice. We had a very long day and couldn't wait to get a good night sleep. 10:30-11 came around and the fire alarm went off the whole hotel evacuated and I had to let the firefighters in while in my pjs and no shoes. Come to find after 45 min with the alarm still going the shower steam from another room set the alarm off: Cleared to go back to the room, it took a bit to fall back asleep. Okay fine stuff happens. The issue was the next morning. We get a text saying sorry for the alarm incident. So we text back would you mind if we get a little bit of a late check out, due to the inconvenience and it was a Wed and we just paid close to 1000.00 for the night. We were told no. 11:30 is the absolute latest. It was 11:20 at this point. Being a pilot and a flight attendant we stay in hotels very frequently and if there was ever an inconvenience the hotels always make sure to take care of us. Really disappointed on our one night we got to stay here before leaving and this was how it ended. We refer hotels all the time to friends coworkers and families and this is one unfortunately we wouldn't recommend due to the lack of caring for the people staying here. Btw checkin wasn't till 4 so even getting us a 12 checkout would have helped us. Okay that's all. read more

Well, this is the best hotel I've ever stayed in. We had a late check-in and the process was seamless and the entire property was beautiful, clean, and safe. There is some road noise (Washington is a thoroughfare) but the windows are double-paned and even the road-facing rooms are quiet. I'm a light sleeper and the noise didn't bother me - more like a gentle hum. In our one-night stay, I received several text messages (my preferred way of communicating) from the staff, checking in and giving me pertinent info about check-in, check out, etc. The room doors are very secure, and even though the property is old, it was incredibly clean and felt very sturdy and safe. This place is a wonderful bolthole from which to explore Salem, and The Merchant is a destination in itself - we'll definitely be back! Thank you to the wonderful staff! read more

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My understanding is that this is a bed & breakfast. But they don't serve breakfast anymore, which we only found out on our arrival. There were some snacks and parfaits ("continental breakfast"). I've had better breakfast at hotels 1/3 the cost, and fantastic breakfasts at BnBs at nearly half the cost. The staff are nice, at least in person. Over text they were more persistent than my mother-in-law on getting an exact arrival time. Sorry our plane was delayed. The room is nice...ish. The area around the fireplace is warped so that was one less place for our luggage. I was not happy about not having a nightstand on my side of the bed. Charging my phone was painful, except I didn't even get to charge my phone because the cord broke while dealing with the lack of a nightstand. The location is good for walking Salem, but not for the price we paid for it. There are other options around that offer the same (maybe with a breakfast that includes some protein). read more

Such an amazing stay here for a little getaway! We stayed on the Lark suite on the top floor. Very private, the whole inn was amazingly cozy and decorated in fun ship theme. Bed was very comfy, fireplace, amazing huge tub and private roof deck for our room. Staff was all friendly and attentive. They even have snacks and coffee/tea available to self serve all day and night. Such a great spot read more

currently staying at the merchant ~ above and beyond impressed with the communication of the staff - the condition of the hotel - and the unique and special details. everything you could want in a hotel. from the coffee maker to the bathrooms - to the beds - it's immaculate - everything is literally perfect. we will absolutely be back. read more

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I love Lark hotels and booking online was a breeze including purchasing a gift card for a local restaurant at a discount. A few days before the stay I received an email about parking and called ahead to reserve a spot in a nearby lot for 5 dollars per day. You can also park in the lot at the hotel for 25 dollars per night. We had a lovely stay at the Merchant. The common lounge downstairs is beautiful as are the rooms. Ours well appointed with a heated bathroom floor and a gas fireplace. The bed was very soft and comfortable. There was a coffee station and a mini fridge right outside our room with seltzers, water, and breakfast items. The food was a nice touch and a way to still feed guests while reducing contact. Unfortunately there were a few hiccups in our stay. We were invited to check in contact-free via a link as a result of COVID, which we did, but the gift card we ordered was not in our check in envelope and our bathroom door was locked so we had to have someone come into our room to let us in. As the coffee station was outside our room we could hear people (and a talkative small child) outside our room often. An insert to the Keurig was missing so we could hear many people trying to brew coffee as well. Social distancing in the downstairs pantry area was tricky as even though there was a sign to limit the space to one party at a time, people kept coming into the room, including staff. Overall we had a really nice stay, there were just a few small details that complicated our visit during COVID. read more

Location - Check - Walking distance to anything in town. Style - Check - not your old small hotel, all the peps you need. Food - Check - the breakfast is perfect, tempting and diverse, including some vegan options. Comfort - Check - from the gas fireplace to the small but well appointed bath room. Service - Check - always someone available and smiling. Come directly to the hotel to get the parking pass for your car, and leave the car around the corner. Why stay in a boring hotel when you can stay at The Merchant? read more

Incredible hotel, stayed in the Lark Suit #11 quite a few stairs but what can you expect in an older renovated hotel turned hotel!? Bathroom was incredible, large bathtub and walk-in shower. Living areas on the ground floor and 3rd floor with amenities such as teas/coffees and snacks! Highly recommend! read more

The property looks beautiful from the pictures, and we were very excited to stay here. Unfortunately, being hit by a category 4 hurricane changed our plans. We canceled within the required time period to receive our deposit back, however at this time( 3 WEEKS later) have still yet to get it. Multiple phone calls have yielded little results, other than being told " it has been sent to accounting again for processing". The last employee I spoke to about this actually apologized to me and agreed it was unacceptable the way we have been treated. Needless to say, I'm LIVID and extremely disappointed in the way this has been handled. Still, no refund of deposit. Oh, and we have yet to hear from a manager, nor has The Merchant reached out to us in any way to attempt to rectify this. It seems to me Lark Hotels doesn't care about their guests affected by natural disasters, and that if you cancel within a timely fashion, you will need to continue to chase after money that should rightfully be refunded to you. I'm absolutely disgusted. read more

Absolutely a very warm ,cozy and charming place to stay. It's beautifully decorated. Very clean. The hostess/ staff are friendly and attentive. It's walking distance to everything. It's perfect I give a ten read more

Amazing place to stay! The renovations are stylish and up to date which is exactly what you want to come back to during a chilly weekend. The staff was amazing offering free snacks, breakfast, and ice buckets left at your door. During COVID especially I felt they did a great job keeping the common areas clean with mask requirements to keep all the guests safe. We will be back soon! read more

This is from Michelles experience room #4 Incredible hotel/inn very private and lovely. Staff is professional kind and courteous . Outstanding decor. Will definitely be back and highly recommend on every level. Bravo lark read more

The Merchant itself is a beautiful property and not where I had my issues. The grounds are pristine, the rooms clean, and the bed very comfortable. Where I had my issues was with the staff. They need to be adequately trained on how to communicate clearly on their policies to avoid unnecessary stress to their guests. The whole reason I chose the merchant to stay and get ready in prior to my wedding, was because of the beautiful rooms and atmosphere. I was so excited to have a gorgeous background for all of my getting ready photos and comfortable surroundings for getting ready for our big day. Fast forward to check in, I was asked to read the disclaimers prior to signing and second on the list was essentially a statement saying if you are staying here for an event, such as a wedding, you are still limited to 3 guests. Of course, knowing I would have more than that, and this being the first time I had been told anything like this (and considering we had a card in our room congratulating us on our nuptials, they were aware why we were there. I had also reached out a few times prior to our stay), I explained what we were staying here for and if the amount of visitors I had would be a problem. I was repeatedly told they didn't feel comfortable answering that question until they spoke to their manager. However, the manager was not in, and would not be in until 9AM the next day. To which I explained, hair, makeup, etc would be arriving at 8AM, so if it was going to be an issue, I needed to know then, so I could find new getting ready arrangements. The staff member did not budge, and did not offer to reach out to their manager for help/clarification. This mind you, was hours before our rehearsal, roughly 4PM, and the day before our wedding. My wedding planner immediately called and emailed the manager, but didn't get an answer until 8:45AM the next day. So my entire rehearsal dinner was spent scrambling to find a new getting ready location, alerting all of the vendors, bridesmaids, and family to the change and new location, timing, etc. I was extremely distressed. It took away from what should have been a very exciting time, and put a damper on the evening. The next morning on my way out to get ready at our new location, the manager very casually mentioned it was no problem for us to get ready at the hotel, they just like to have a discussion with the group first about being respectful to the property and other guests. I cannot even begin to explain my frustration at this point!!!! Why did the staff not explain that up front during check in?? Why did we not get this simple easy answer via email when my planner asked the day prior??? SO much unneeded stress could have been avoided with that simple statement!!! Of course we would have been respectful! But at that point I had already gone through all of the hassle to alert the vendors, change the timeline, adjust lunch delivery that it was too late to revert back to the original plans without losing even more getting ready time. The cherry on top/ultimate salt in the wound? I was woken up the morning after our wedding by other guests... you guessed it! GETTING READY FOR A WEDDING IN THE MAIN LOUNGE/THEIR ROOM!!! So so soooo upsetting. While of course my wedding day was great, I will never, ever, forget the stress leading up to it caused by the merchant staff. read more

We stayed here for our annual Mother/Daughter vacation. This year's theme was American history and that maid The Merchant an easy choice. We stayed in the George Washington room and it was so comfortable and gives us a great story to share about sleeping in the same room one of our founding fathers did. The staff is friendly and helpful and the location is convenient to everything in the historic district. Can't wait to visit again. read more

We absolutely LOVED our stay at the quaint and very historic Merchant Inn - and YES! GEORGE WASHINGTON STAYED HERE!! How very cool We loved the high end decorating and took lots of photos to take home. Our room was cozy and comfortable. The staff we met, Brian and Bret, during our three day stay were great. We were late for breakfast every morning but really appreciated the many snacks throughout the Inn all day long. The beat part was fresh, delicious coffee right outside our room every morning!! We were in the 3td floor and the Inn has a coffee and beverage station set up in the 3rd floor for their guests convenience! Very impressive! We will be back! read more

Absolutely loves staying here! We come to Salem every year and looked forward to staying in this historic home. The property is beautiful! We were greeted by warm and friendly staff that were extremely helpful. The Washington room was stunning! The decor was incredible and the gas fireplace and heated floors made it extra special. It's totally exceeded our expectations! We also loved the complementary coffee in the morning and cookies at night!!! Their attention to every detail made our stay one of the most memorable yet. We are already planning next year!!! Highly recommend!!!! read more

The Merchant - Absolutely loved it! It's exceeded all our expectations. Room was beautiful and the staff was friendly and helpful! Highly recommend! - Hotels Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

What a beautiful hotel. If I could give it 10 stars I would. Perfectly appointed room with modern bath, and a ambiatic working gas fire place...switch on and instant coziness. Large rooms especially for an antique property. Outside belcony was beautiful and would be a great place to gather with friends but not in February. The light breakfast was more than enough. Healthy fruits and yogurts. Muffins and grains. And individual egg frittata. The staff was gracious andbspent time showing the features of the hotel. This is a great hotel to just get away. I would return just for the hotel and curl up downstairsnin the lobby with a good book. I would use this as a retreat read more

It was almost 1 year ago that my fiancé and I got married over the weekend in Salem, MA. Looking at the various hotels in the area, we chose The Merchant based on previous reviews and its location. It was definitely one of the best decisions we have ever made. During our wedding preparations a year ago, the hotel staff figuratively bent over backwards to make sure they took care of all our needs and our families' needs as best as they could. We were impressed and touched by their 5-star service. One year later, we returned to Salem to celebrate our anniversary and appropriately booked a night at The Merchant. Our impression of the hotel and its staff has not changed; in fact, it has only improved. They were gracious, accommodating, friendly and courteous a year ago, this time around, they remembered who we were and were just as gracious and accommodating and friendly and courteous. In fact, they even made sure we stayed in the same room we spent our wedding/honeymoon, even though we didn't ask! Truly, Jennifer (the manager) and her staff have provided top notch hospitality that you can only hope for any time you go on vacation. As for the hotel itself, the pictures you see online definitely demonstrate what the Merchant has to offer. The rooms themselves were comfortable, stylish with a simple but elegant decor; it was home away from home. Sitting in the middle of Salem, it was within walking distance of pretty much all the hotspots the town has to offer. We cannot express enough of our gratitude to the staff for their hard work and courtesy to make us feel as comfortable as possible. We look forward to making an annual trip to Salem and staying at the Mechant where we know we will be well cared for. read more

Very charming hotel in a converted old mansion. Very kind staff! With only 8-9 rooms in the whole place, this is a great place to stay if you are visiting Salem to beat the cabin fever of covid. Large comfortable room, Every convenience within blocks and beautiful walks through downtown, around beautiful Chestnut Street or down to Pickering Wharf. read more

The Merchant - Fireplace in the King Suite --guitar not included with the room! - Hotels Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

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A great place to stay right in the heart of Salem. The hotel is close to everything you could possibly want to see while in town. Our room was number one on the first level. It was incredibly spacious, had a nice seating area, and a gas fireplace. Parking is either on-site for a fee, or short walk away for free. There is a lovely main seating area where you can enjoy a boardgame, have a beverage or snack from the snack area, or just relax and chat with your friends. Breakfast was included and was delightful. It consisted of several small plate choices from avocado toast, to overnight yogurt, to mini quiches. My only two critiques were that every staff member was warm and friendly except one older female manager who seemed very unfriendly and smug each time she interacted with guests. The other would be that the snack area could use a bit of variety. Each time we checked it out the snacks were oranges, 100 calorie pretzel packs, seltzer water, and plain popcorn. Sometimes guests may want to cheat a bit on their diets while on vacation.... read more

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This was the best hotel I think I have ever stayed in, and there have been MANY. I felt welcomed in immediately upon ringing the doorbell. Tamara showed me around the hotel, carried my bag to my room and showed me how to work everything in my room. The room even had a hand written note with yummy sweets. The decor of the hotel is absolutely stunning, it's incredibly clean and very quiet. It instills a sense of community since it's a boutique hotel and other quests were so friendly. I would HIGHLY recommend this hotel, to others. I cannot wait to visit again, and hope to enjoy other Lark hotels too! (A full review of the hotel and my guide to Salem are on my blog - SarahInStyle.com. Check it out for more!) read more

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Beautiful hotel with a great history. There was plenty of coffee, water and snacks that was kept replenished through my stay. My room had a big fireplace and was decorated very well. Breakfast in the morning was very good and the staff were all very friendly and helpful. I would definitely stay here again! read more

We stayed for the weekend and just loved this hotel! It was very comfortable and felt like staying at a friend's home. The staff was warm & welcoming. The "small" plates breakfast delicious. Parking is a couple of blocks away but the weather was fine so no problem. Location is great for walking around Salem easily. The rooms on the front can be somewhat noisy with traffic & late night action, otherwise it is a wonderful, cozy spot. I would definitely visit again! read more

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Amazing weekend! This hotel is beautifully renovated and definitely deserves 5 stars. Jennifer the manager makes sure you are comfortable and will do whatever she can to make your stay perfect. There's a small kitchen stocked with free fruit, snacks and coffee. It's right downtown and close to everything. As others have mentioned the parking is a little funky (you have to walk a block) but it's free and you can drop your bags before you park. Lark Hotels are always top-notch and The Merchant is certainly no exception! read more

The Merchant - Hotels Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

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We only stayed one night as we traveled the New England states and wished we could have stayed longer. The history and mystery of the location were alluring and accommodations were clean, comfortable and well thought out. You can walk to everything in this historic neighborhood. The breakfast and coffee were outstanding. Tammara was extremely helpful with ideas for our time in Salem and Portland. She is a true professional with guests' best interests in mind. read more

I am SO happy I stayed here during my trip to Salem. The Merchant is a gorgeous boutique style hotel that's really historic and cozy. The decor is so chic and modern, the common room is beautiful. They have a pantry that guest can go into that offered coffee and tea as well as waters, sodas and some snacks that are available all day and night. I stayed in a room on the first floor and there was no issues with noise, or hearing other guests come in and out. Jennifer is the GM at The Merchant and she was such a great help in regards to us enjoying our stay. She was so nice and informative, giving us suggestions on places to go, where to eat, and answering any questions we had. She gave us complimentary coupons to Front St. Coffee House which was right across the street from the hotel. The coupons included specific options, but if you didn't want any of that, they held a $5 value towards anything served in the coffee house. The Merchant is in walking distance to anything you want to do in Salem, the hotel offers parking, and you can leave your car there for the duration of your stay if you don't plan on leaving Salem. I had an excellent stay and can't wait to return. read more

The Merchant - Outside of The Merchant - Hotels Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

Super clean, great staff, snacks, the whole nine yards. A pretty penny but totally worth it. I could stay in those showers for hours. The towels are also really soft. All around perfect, great twist to a historical home! read more

Love this place cannot wait until they were open again and this virus has passed. We stayed here this past January after a disappointing stay at another hotel in the area. From the young man at the front desk to the rooms and the decor it was simply fabulous! It's location is terrific. I can see were Parking could be a little bit of a problem as you have to technically park across the street but once you're there everything is in walking distance so you don't really need access to your car every day. The breakfast was just OK but everything else was fantastic very clean very well designed. read more

INCREDIBLE. Really enjoyed our stay in Salem in October. The details put into this hotel are appreciated. Rooms are a good size and well equipped. Beds are slightly smaller than expected but comfortable. The common room they have is beautiful and you could spend a few hours hanging out there. They also have a DIY cocktail bar if you so choose. In a great location in downtown Salem. It also isn't haunted lol. Would highly recommend read more

I loved this hotel! We drove from Michigan to stay here for a couple of days and to enjoy the Halloween craze in Salem! My absolute favorite part of our trip was The Merchant! The charm, style, and comfort were unlike any other hotel. The lounge area was awesome! We stayed on the first floor and having that right across the hall to hang out and relax in was great! I'm already considering re-booking for a future trip! The staff was so friendly and accommodating! I would HIGHLY recommend this hotel to anyone considering staying in Salem! read more

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Getting into this town at the height of Summer Solstice was challenging with all the tiny one -way streets. My husband had reached a boiling point temp rivaled only by the heat-wave outside our barely air-conditioned rent-a-car. We arrived earlier than check-in and Hostess and front desk dynamite Jennifer saved the day and hubby's low blood sugar moment by bringing iced cold water bottles and fruit to the vehicle, then kindly allowed us to store luggage and park while grabbing lunch and having a look around the town. Upon our return we were greeted by vivacious Molly, who charmed us with hysterical and historical tales of the hotel and excelled at customer service. The interior design was divine. You will not be disappointed with this well appointed Inn. read more

This hotel was wonderful. The beds and bedding was so comfortable. I forgot to ask the brands.The rooms are spacious and beautiful. The common room with a bar was very nice. The pantry was great with coffee , tea , cold drinks , snacks and baked goods. There was a refrigerator for personal items. It was quiet and peaceful. Great location for walking to shops and restaurants. We had an issue with the a/c and was called and immediately upgraded to another room. I was also given a small gift for my inconvenience. Top Shelf all the way! read more

We went here for Salem's Halloween Happenings. The Merchant was within walking distance of every place we wanted to visit. It was warm, cozy and the attention to details was very impressive. The breakfast served in the morning was a welcome delight to get us on our day's adventures, and it was also a chance to socialize with some of the other guests (we met some really nice people!). Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Tommy and Tamara were the most friendly and helpful hosts we could have asked for. We will definitely be back! :o) read more

We just got home from our trip to Peabody, MA...we stayed at The Merchant for 3 nights. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and were made to feel welcome from the minute we pulled up to the rear entrance. I had the pleasure of talking with Tommy each day...he is absolutely delightful and helpful. The hotel itself is quaint, quirky and most importantly, comfortable. Breakfast served each morning is delicious. Amenities (and just thoughtful touches) are numerous... We will be travelling back to MA in about 6 mos. and will definitely stay here again. Thank you all... read more

This Inn is truly a gem! We came for a cycling vacation along the New England coast and spent 5 nights in The Merchant. First of all, do not let any of the comments about the parking dissuade you- you may not even need a car on this trip, ours sat in the lot the entire time. In short, the one block walk to the free parking is roughly the same as the walk across a large parking lot. Drop your stuff off first, then park- no biggie. Now on to the good stuff- it's really hard to decide what makes The Merchant so special- the staff or the amenities. Jennifer has a knack for making you feel like you've been close friends all your life- that's just her personality. As for running this inn, she will go to all lent hugs to make sure your stay is fabulous. College courses at schools teaching hospitality should have a 401 level class called "How to manage your inn like Jennifer". Equally impressive are ALL other staff- the ALL are very accommodating, helpful and give you the feeling they truly enjoy working here. We stayed in the Washington room which had plenty of room for lounging and a super comfy bed (I think we averaged about 9.5 hours sleep each night; try that at home?!). The common area is also very inviting and relaxing where you will strike up conversation with fellow travelers, many of whom are repeat visitors to The Merchant. Also noted is that The Merchant is spotless! The breakfast and snack are is all you need to start your day- did I mention the PC Tips tea bags ;-) ? Salem is a fun little town with good dining and everything is within walking distance of The Merchant. Whether the witch thing be your thing, or the Peabody Essex Museum, or just strolling the streets and wondering through the various shops, Salem is just a relaxing little town to spend some downtime. Did you notice how long most of these reviews are? That's a testament to The Merchant! read more