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As we planned our summer East Coast road trip, we knew we wanted to spend some time in Salem. Initially, we set aside two nights for our visit, though arrival day and departure day would involve a lot of traveling. We narrowed our accommodations down to two places–the Hawthorne Hotel and the Salem Inn.
In the end, I picked the Salem Inn because it was the hotel was divided among three historic homes in Salem, The rooms had been converted to suites, and we would have a separate bedroom and a kitchenette. Why I am talking about choosing the Salem Inn in a post about the Hawthorne Hotel? Well, as luck would have it, we ended up staying at both!
As our time in Salem drew near, I started second-guessing how much time we’d truly have in Salem and if I’d allowed enough time for everything we wanted to do; it was a lot! Though we were traveling during the summer season instead of the busy Halloween holiday weeks, I still panicked. So while on the road, I canceled a night in Maine and added a night to Salem.
There was only one problem. The Salem Inn didn’t have availability the night before our stay. Luckily, the Hawthorne Hotel had a room. How cool! we’d get to stay at both properties!
This is probably a good time to mention that Jeff preferred the Hawthorne Hotel over the Salem Inn. The Hawthorne Hotel is more of a traditional hotel with traditional rooms. The parking is free, and it’s in a private lot next to the property. Parking for the Salem Inn is actually a few blocks away in a public lot.
You really can’t go wrong with either property, and I’ll write about the Salem Inn soon. I preferred the Salem Inn with its made-to-order complimentary breakfast and historic home feel, but the Hawthorne Hotel is more convenient.
History of the Hawthorne Hotel
Built in 1925, the Hawthorne Hotel has a fascinating history. The hotel is named for Nathanial Hawthorne, the author of The Scarlet Letter and The House of Seven Gables, among other novels and short stories. Hawthorne was born in Salem in 1804, and Hawthorne reportedly wrote The Scarlet Letter at Peter Edgerly House. Incidentally, the house that inspired The House of Seven Gables is open for tours in Salem. I’ll write about our experience there soon.
The hotel was designed to reflect the area’s historical charm with a touch of elegance. In the years before 1925, the Salem Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club worked with the newly established Salem Hotel Company to raise the funds needed to build a hotel suitable to accommodate the uptick of tourists to the area along with the city’s planned celebration of Salem’s 300th anniversary approaching in 1926.
With its architectural style of Colonial Revival, the Hawthorne Hotel became a popular destination for tourists coming to Salem. Over the years, the hotel has hosted numerous notable guests, including Angela Lansbury and Stephen King. Episodes of Bewitched, What Not to Wear, and Ghost Hunters have been filmed there. The 2015 film Joy starring Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, and Robert De Niro filmed scenes in the hotel’s ballroom, mezzanine, and a guest room.
Its location in downtown Salem is perfect. When you walk out the front door, you’ll find yourself a few steps and a crosswalk away from Essex Street, known for its on-theme spooky shops and delicious food. The Salem Witch Museum is also nearby, and the House of the Seven Gables is a quick drive away, although the truly determined can make it on foot.
Below, Jeff and Kristin walk along the sidewalk next to the hotel.
The Hawthorne Hotel is also said to be haunted, adding to its allure. Guests and staff have reported various paranormal activities, which are often attributed to the hotel’s long history and the rich folklore of Salem.
“Hawthorne Hotel in Salem, Mass. | History | Salem Historic Hotel.” Historic Hotels Worldwide, 2015, www.historichotels.org/us/hotels-resorts/hawthorne-hotel/history.php. Accessed 19 Oct. 2024.
The Lobby
When we arrived at the hotel, we parked our car in the designated lot and entered the lobby. It truly is beautiful.
I felt like I stepped into the 1920s.
Salem’s maritime history is represented in the lobby.
I love the mailbox by the elevators.
Areas of the Hotel
The hallways of the hotel continue the theme of 1920s elegance. It really is a pretty place.
I couldn’t resist peeking into the ballroom. This would be a lovely place for a reception.
Our Room
Upon first look, our double-queen room seemed pretty standard.
And the room is quite spacious.
Below is our view from the window. There isn’t a balcony, but I appreciated being able to look out and catch a glimpse of the water. This view can give you an idea of how far it would be to walk to the House of Seven Gables and the harbor area.
But what’s really unique about our double-queen room is that we had a full bathroom with a tub and shower…
…and a half bathroom without a tub and shower!
We’d never encountered such a set-up before. I’m guessing when the hotel was built that the rooms were smaller and probably didn’t include the tub and shower, at least not the way it’s incorporated today.
This was a wonderful surprise! I suppose it wouldn’t have been a surprise if I’d read the room description online carefully. Honestly, when I was searching for a place as we drove down the highway, I doubt I read much beyond “double-queen.”
Exploring Salem from the Hawthorne Hotel
After we settled into our room, we promptly stepped outside to explore. Salem Common is right across the street.
If you look across the same crosswalk diagonally, you’ll see the Salem Witch Museum. We toured this museum the following morning.
If you walk the other direction in front of the Hawthorne Hotel, you’ll see this adorable shop called 1925 at the Hawthorne.
I love the window!
At the crosswalk, you’ll be able to cross over to Essex Street. This is where you’ll find many of the popular themed shops and eateries. Many of these have become even more trendy due to social media and YouTube.
Crow Haven Corner is a great shop to check out. It’s billed as the oldest witch shop in Salem.
You’ll also see historic buildings and homes, like the Gardner-Pingree House. Incidentally, our ghost tour the next evening began in front of this mansion.
At the other end of the shopping area of Essex Street, you’ll find the Ropes Mansion. You may recognize it from the movie, Hocus Pocus, like many other landmarks in Salem.
We did some shopping and exploring, and before long, we were ready for dinner. We settled on Village Tavern, which was very good. It’s a great place for burgers and such.
Evening Stroll Around Salem Common
After dinner and more shopping, Kristin went back to the room while Jeff and I took a walk around Salem Common. The historic homes in this part of Salem are quite charming.
I think I could live in Salem in one of these gorgeous homes. It would be hard, but I’d make do.
This neighborhood in Salem is so adorable. We walked around until dark. As we headed back to the hotel, I wanted a little something before going upstairs to bed. For me, it was a hot chocolate in The Tavern in the hotel.
The Hawthorn Hotel offers two restaurants. Nathaniel’s is the more upscale of the two. Here is a peak through the entrance. We didn’t eat here during our visit. Maybe next time.
The Tavern is more like a cozy lodge.
A hot chocolate was just what I needed, even on a July evening.
After a warm treat, Jeff and I went upstairs. It had been a long day of traveling, and we had several adventures planned for the next day. If you’re wondering if the Hawthorne Hotel is right for you, I’d give it a try.
In the summer, it’s reasonably priced, and you can’t beat the location. The prices of the rooms soar in October, so if you’re planning a spooky season visit, it will probably be a splurge, not to mention that you’ll need to book it way in advance to even get a room. But for a summer visit, I wouldn’t hesitate to book a room here. We had a great stay, and I hope you will, too!
Check out our other adventures on this road trip:
The White House–Washington, D.C.
Acadia National Park–Bar Harbor, Maine
