Emerson Inn by the Sea in Rockport has a divine fall menu!

When I'm not boasting about the fantastic restaurants and accommodations in Salem, I'm often talking about the restaurants and accommodations in Rockport.  Just 24 miles up the coast from Salem, Rockport is a town that makes you feel like you are in another place entirely.   Situated just outside of downtown Rockport is the lovely and historic Emerson Inn by the Sea.   This is a place that combines the best of dining and accommodations with a view that can't be beat!

I just received the new Fall menu from the Emerson Inn by the Sea, and it looks absolutely delicious!  In addition to classics like clam chowder and New England lobster dinners, foodies will delight at Pan Roasted Scallops with sauteed spinach, oyster mushrooms, and ginger-lobster vinaigrette, Beet Salad with goat cheese, red onions, and tarragon dressing, and Manicotti Fonduta, which is a traditional sweet pea and basil manicotti with fontina fondue gratinee.  And that's just the tip of the menu iceberg. 

The Emerson Inn by the Sea is a great option for accommodations when you are visiting Salem and exploring the region.  Rockport is an easy trip via the MBTA Commuter Rail, so you can park in Rockport and hop on the train - in October this is an especially appealing option because when you travel by train, you don't get mired up in the Haunted Happenings traffic that causes a bit of angst in Salem on October weekends.

If you are coming for Halloween, the Emerson Inn offers a great Halloween weekend package with the Hawthorne Hotel's Bedlam Behind Bars ball.  Click here for the details.

Enjoy Salem and Rockport and satisfy your discerning palate at the Emerson Inn by the Sea!

The Coach House Inn

I was at the Coach House Inn yesterday, and found myself reminded of how charming this B&B is! Innkeeper Patricia Kessler does a wonderful job of maintaining the charm and comfort of this 1879 Victorian home on Lafayette Street.


The details are wonderful. From the chandeliers...

... to the in room sinks, especially this one built into a first-floor room, which I found completely charming!
The inn is filled with light, Oriental carpets, and plants, making it feel especially comfortable.


Many of the rooms have fireplaces - some real, and some faux (can you tell the difference?!).


There are 11 rooms, making it one of Salem's largest B&Bs. It is located in an historic district, between downtown Salem and Marblehead, near Forest River Park and Salem State University, and just two blocks from the harbor.


Continental breakfast is served in your room each morning, which is fantastic for people who love the charm and uniqueness of a bed & breakfast but dread the social aspects of breakfast in the dining room (you know who you are!). And who doesn't love sipping coffee and eating croissant in bed?

Best of all? The Coach House Inn still has some availability during October this year. Visit CoachHouseSalem.com for information and rates.

Northey Street House Bed & Breakfast

We had a fantastic breakfast at the Northey Street House Bed & Breakfast last week, and as you may have noticed, good food pretty much guarantees a blog post. Northey Street House is a nineteenth-century Federal style home that is on the National Register of Historic Places. It has been renovated and restored into a lovely place to stay when visiting Salem.

I'm going to talk about breakfast first and then the bed, because breakfast was crazy-delicious. Innkeeper Flora Tonthat served apple-rhubarb crisp (with rhubarb from the inn's garden that she preserved from last season), whole grain banana nut muffins with sunflower seeds (yum!), goat cheese and herb scones, and fresh fruit. There were mini quiche, too, which I did not have because I was too busy with the sweeter side of breakfast. As if that's not enough, Flora happily whipped up scrambled eggs for a guest who was not a fan of quiche.

The coffee was phenomenal, too.

Flora told us that she likes to eat healthy and buy local, or in the summer season pick fresh foods from her garden behind the house. I can't wait to stop by during the summer to see the garden in full-bloom.

That was breakfast, now for the bed... Northey Street House has three rooms and a family suite. Two of the rooms have interior entrances, and the family suite and garden room have exterior entrances. The rooms are well appointed and the entire house is very comfortable. The family suite includes a kitchen, bedroom, sitting room with a daybed and bathroom. All of the rooms have private baths.

The house is walking distance from downtown Salem, the train station, and all of the attractions, but it is off the beaten path so you have the best of both worlds - secluded garden retreat, short walk to dinner.

During breakfast, we talked with Joe and Joan from Long Island about their visit to Salem. They came up to Salem for four days of their vacation, and here's how they were spending their time:

• Day one driving up the coast to see Gloucester and Rockport via the beautiful Route 127, and had dinner at Sixty2 on Wharf;
• Day two exploring Salem, specifically the Peabody Essex Museum and the House of the Seven Gables, with lunch at Reds and dinner at Bella Verona;
• Day three they took the train into Boston and explored the Public Garden, Charles Street, Boston Common, and the North End, where they had dinner;
• Day four they were heading into Boston again and hoped to go to Finz on Pickering Wharf for dinner.

Clearly Northey Street House can be a perfect home base for exploration of Salem, the north of Boston, and greater Boston regions.

Thanks for breakfast, Flora! It was fantastic!

(And there we are, team Destination Salem, photographed in the living room of the Northey Street House. That's me, Kate, on the left, and Stacia is sitting on the right.)

The Morning Glory B&B

We had the opportunity to visit the Morning Glory Bed & Breakfast last week, and inn keeper Bob Shea gave us a top-to-bottom tour of the inn, which I was about ready to move into... and never leave... when we got to the third floor.

The Morning Glory is an early nineteenth-century Georgian Federal home on Hardy Street, directly across the street from the House of the Seven Gables.


The first floor is primarily private living space, with the exception of the dining room, where breakfast is served.

The second floor has three bedrooms and a common living area with a computer, coffee maker, and other amenities. Each bedroom has its own private bath, and each is decorated with New England charm. I loved the room above because of the fabulous gold walls.

The third floor has a fabulous suite, and the picture above shows part of the living room, through the bathroom, into the bedroom.


And just outside the third floor is the incredible roof deck with views of Salem harbor and Marblehead. As we basked in the sunshine on the deck, we debated the pros and cons of the foliage that will grow in, blocking part of the water view, but providing privacy. Either way, the deck is fantastic.

The Morning Glory B&B is comfortable and well appointed. It has a great location, walking distance from everything downtown, and innkeepers Bob and Marcel are highly regarded by their guests.

Like the sign, which hangs in the dining room, says, There's no place like home - and you will certainly feel like you're in a home away from home at the Morning Glory.

Plan the Perfect Date!

Romance will be alive and well in Salem this weekend, and you should get in on the action. Make your reservations soon, though, because our hip restaurants and fabulous accommodations are sure to book up!

Valentine's Day is on Sunday, so the holiday is begging to be stretched into a weekend of love. Here are a few awesome packages to choose from. Complete details on all of our February specials can be found on Salem.org:

Valentine's Package at the Hawthorne Hotel

Be a hero this Valentine's Weekend! Come to the Hawthorne Hotel and treat your sweet to our romantic Valentine's Package! Package includes: Accommodations for two, dinner for two, Champagne toast, homemade heart-shaped cookies for your room!

Valentines Special at the Northey Street House B&B

Three-night package for one couple includes fresh in room red roses & a special gift. Complimentary snacks and beverages, a hearty delicious breakfast, on-site parking, internet access, and elegant and cozy rooms await your arrival.

Visit for Valentines at The Salem Inn

For that romantic getaway you've been thinking of, spend two nights in a lovely guest room with your choice of a working fireplace or a double Jacuzzi. Champagne and chocolates await your arrival along with two souvenir Salem Inn champagne flutes to remind you of your Valentines in Salem. So you don't have to rush back to the real world, check out has been extended to 1:00pm.

And here is some inspiration for crafting the perfect date... add any of these things to a hotel package, or plan the perfect evening out.

Couples Massage at Body & Soul Massage and Wellness

A delicious treat for yourself and someone special! Relax on heated tables as our experienced massage therapists ease the stress away with chocolate lotion or aromatherapy of your choice.

My Funny Valentine at the Griffen Theatre

Five Stand up comics from the north shore are ready to have your heart break with laughter. For couples, singles, friends, or anyone with a funny bone that needs ticklin'.

Dearest Dove: The Courtship of Nathaniel & Sophia Hawthorne at the House of the Seven Gables

Celebrate romance, literature, great food, and the centennial anniversary of The House of the Seven Gables at this special Valentine’s Day program honoring the Hawthornes’ legendary love. Enjoy a performance of Dearest Dove: The Courtship of Nathaniel and Sophia Hawthorne, performed exclusively at The Gables, and have a delicious meal provided by then new on-site restaurant, Hepzibah's Waterfront Bistro. There are two shows to choose from: Saturday dinner, and Sunday brunch.

Jazz Music & Special Tours at the Peabody Essex Museum

Back by popular demand, the Peabody Essex Museum welcomes the return of Dane Vannatter and His Jazz Quartet, for an evening of Great Songs by the Great Songwriters. Enjoy the music of Duke Ellington, Ira Gershwin, and Cole Porter in the museum’s soaring glass atrium. Dance with your sweetheart under the stars and partake in our unique Valentine’s Day refreshments at the cash bar. Before the concert and during admission, PEM invites visitors on a 15 minute ‘Art of Love’ gallery tour to discover artworks of tender affection on display in our American Art Galleries.

King & Queen of Hearts Costume Ball at Rockafellas

Red and white and the whole night! February 13, 2010: 8:30 PM - 1:00 AM. Prizes will be awarded throughout the night for costumes.

For complete information and even more February specials, visit Salem.org!

Happy Anniversary to the historic Hawthorne Hotel!

Celebrating 85 years as a legend on the North Shore in 2010, Hawthorne Hotel certainly knows what it is like to have some history! In 1923, the Salem Chamber of Commerce and the Salem Rotary began arrangements to build a “modern hotel for Salem.” After more than half a million dollars worth of stock was sold, construction began on the hotel, designed by architect Philip Horton Smith. At the time, it was the largest Colonial Revival structure in Salem. Some of the notable architectural features include: corner quoins, 18' Palladian windows, and recessed arched windows – designs popular in Georgian and Federal-style buildings.

Today, the Hawthorne Hotel is recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as a Historic Hotel of America.

Named after celebrated Salem author Nathaniel Hawthorne, who wrote The House of the Seven Gables and The Scarlet Letter, the hotel has been home to book signings and many poetry and book readings. With modern stories like The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry (published in 2008 by HarperCollins) that include the Hawthorne Hotel within its pages, our connection to the literary world has been sealed.

Over the years, the Hawthorne Hotel has hosted many well-known personalities including
newsman Walter Cronkite, actress Betty Davis, General Colin Powell, former Presidents
George Bush and Bill Clinton, and New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick. In 1984,
Vanessa Redgrave made the hotel her home for a month while making Three Sovereigns
for Sarah, a PBS movie about the Salem Witch Trials.

It was the television series Bewitched that brought the Hawthorne Hotel the most notoriety. In 1970, Elizabeth Montgomery, her real-lie husband and the show’s producer Bill Asher and the rest of the cast and crew stayed at the hotel for several weeks while filming episodes in and around Salem.

Just recently, two television shows were filmed in the hotel—the popular Canadian show Chris & John to the Rescue stayed at and filmed segments for their reality series "Halloween Superstar" at the hotel, and TLC’s What Not to Wear held the Reveal Party for fashion victim Leanne in the 2010 season opener.

And the Hawthorne Hotel has already got a lot going on in 2010. Renovations, including new carpeting (which you'll notice in the pictures of the Tavern and the lobby), TVs and more, are being done, and the hotel has that special "spit and polish" look of a grand dame celebrating a big year!

You can follow the Hawthorne Hotel online via blog, Twitter, and Facebook. Watch for specials and promotions celebrating this significant year.

Happy Anniversary, Hawthorne Hotel!!

Last Minute Cancellations!

There have been some last minute cancellations at Salem's Inns, B&Bs, and hotels, so if you are looking for rooms this weekend - don't give up yet. The Salem Inn, Coach House Inn, Henry Derby House, Stepping Stone Inn, and Hawthorne Hotel each have one or more rooms available this weekend.

Come celebrate the first weekend of Salem Haunted Happenings! The Peabody Essex Museum will have their Fantastical Creatures program on Saturday and Sunday, the trolleys are running, the attractions are waiting to share our history (and haunts!), and the restaurants don't have 60-minute waits for a table... yet.

Fall foliage is beginning. It's a great weekend to discover the magic of Salem!

Stay in Salem: The Coach House Inn

When you visit Salem you have many unique choices for accommodations. You will not find a single chain hotel in historic Salem, Massachusetts. We think this is a good thing. We have unique accommodations that range from full service hotels to intimate B&Bs. And we have a number of inns and B&Bs that are converted sea captains homes.

The Coach House Inn is just such a house.

The Coach House Inn is an 1879 Victorian Mansion that is located on stately Lafayette Street between downtown Salem and Salem State College. The gardens at the Coach House are lovely, and they set the stage for the hospitality and attention to detail you will find inside.

Perfect for a girl's weekend, the Coach House Inn is located across the street from the highly-rated Andrew Michaels Spa, it is walking distance from the harbor and Forest River Park, Salem State College, and downtown Salem.

You don't have to take my word for it, read some of the "Excellent" reviews of the Coach House Inn, and innkeeper Pat Kessler, on TripAdvisor. Past guests have said: "Would definitely stay here again!” "Looking forward to a return visit!” and "Loved it and will go back!”

If you are interested in visiting the Coach House Inn, call Pat at (978) 744-4092 or visit CoachHouseSalem.com.

Make sure to follow Destination Salem on Twitter and be a fan on Facebook! I post availability at Salem's inns regularly - hoping to inspire you to plan a last-minute getaway to our bewitching seaport.

Check out the Amelia Payson's new online look!

The Amelia Payson House is celebrating 25 years with a brand new virtual look! Check out the site at: www.ameliapaysonhouse.com.

While you're there, donate to the "There's Something about Mary" team and the North Shore Cancer Walk and be entered to win an overnight for 2 at the Amelia Payson House. Click here for those details.

Spring Rollback Special at the Clipper Ship Inn!

There are lots of great deals and packages in Salem right now - hopefully it is just enough encouragement to help you choose to plan your weekend retreat or family getaway for the not-too-distant future!

This just in - Spring Rollback at the Clipper Ship with rates starting at $75 + tax per night.
Enjoy spring in Salem at winter rates at the Clipper Ship Inn! Offering spacious rooms with nightly rates between $75-$105. 10% discounts to local restaurants, including Capt.'s, Black Lobster, and Damatas. Complimentary Dunkin' Donuts gift cards. Ample free parking. Rates effective through June 15, 2009.

40 Bridge Street, Salem, MA 01970

Call (978) 745-8022 for reservations.

For more great deals and discounts, visit Salem.org/deals.

Support a great cause, and have a chance to win A Salem Accommodation’s Getaway for Two!

The annual NSMC Cancer Walk is coming - and if you support one of our local teams, you could win two (2) nights accommodations for two at the Amelia Payson House!

Once a month, starting in April and continuing through June, (three winners total) names will be drawn from the list of all the donors that have contributed to the Cancer Walk website for innkeeper Ada Roberts and Jennifer Wessell at http://www.firstgiving.com/theressomethingaboutmary

Donate early and have a chance to win every month. All names will remain in the pool through June and you can enter as often as you like. Each donation will have a chance month after month after month to win.
The Details:

Minimum donation: $25.00. One entry for every $25.00, so the more you donate, the more times you will be entered. ($50 two entries, $75 three entries, etc.) Accommodations are for two(2) adults only, non-smoking. Reservations are limited to the days the Amelia Payson House is open for business, based on availability, and exclude the month of October.

We hope you share our passion to support an organization that has been making a difference for almost two decades in the care and treatment of all the Mary’s on the North Shore and beyond. We truly appreciate all those that have been so generous to our team: There’s Something About Mary.

Off-Season Salem is Special - Northey Street House

A number of the bed & breakfasts in Salem are open through the winter - including the Morning Glory B&B, Inn at Washington Square, and Northey Street B&B (pictured).

The Northey Street B&B is offering a Winter Getaway Stimulus Package: Stay at Northey Street between now and March 31 and get your 2nd night for half price!

This B&B, located at 30 Northey Street, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built in c.1809 for cabinetmaker Nathan Appleton and his daughter.

For any other months except October, receive 10% discount if you reserve by January 31st. April 15-May rates start at $125, June-July start at $129.

Northey Street is within walking distance from the Salem train depot and all of downtown museums, attractions, restaurants, and shops.

Salem So Sweet is coming... book a romantic weekend and indulge in chocolate, wine, fine dining and romance in Salem!

The Off Season in Salem featuring the Salem Inn

The "off-season" is a great time to visit Salem - and we have the hotel packages to prove it! Today I am featuring the winter packages offered at The Salem Inn.

The Salem Inn is comprised of three elegantly restored historic homes in downtown Salem. Two of the homes are on Summer Street, and one is on Essex Street. The rooms are lovely and feature jacuzzis, steam showers, fireplaces, and beautifully restored historic details. If you can't get away without working out, The Salem Inn provides passes to the YMCA, which is right around the corner.

This is a great time for bundling up to sight-see, and then snuggling in to relax! Check out The Salem Inn...

THE SALEM INN ~ WINTER PACKAGES

SALEM SAMPLER

Sample some of the great attractions Salem has to offer. Visit the Salem Witch Museum and learn about the infamous witch trials of 1692. Explore the world renowned Peabody Essex Museum and the House of Seven Gables, made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne. In addition to a continental breakfast each morning, you'll also receive passes to all of the above attractions and two souvenir Salem Inn mugs to remind you of your visit. Your two night stay in a spacious guest room complete with working fireplace or whirlpool bath is only $319.

SUITE DREAMS

Relax and enjoy two nights nestled in a romantic Honeymoon Suite, complete with working fireplace and double Jacuzzi. Chocolates and champagne with two souvenir Salem Inn flutes await your arrival. This getaway also includes a romantic dinner one night at the intimate Bella Verona Italian restaurant and a continental breakfast each morning. Added to the romantic ambience is a bouquet of colored roses. You'll be Suite Dreaming' for only $399.

FAMILY FUN

Take your family on a winter getaway to historic Salem! Learn about the witchcraft trials of 1692, do some shopping and see the sights. Enjoy two nights in a Spacious Family Suite, complete with fully-equipped kitchenette and private bath. Meal time is made easy with a continental breakfast each morning and a gift certificate to Salem's famous Engine House Pizza. Also included are family passes to the Salem Witch Museum and the House of the Seven Gables. All this fun for only for $379!

RELAX AND RENEW

Take a quick break to recharge your batteries at the Salem Inn. Spend one night luxuriating in an oversized whirlpool bath and sipping champagne in front of the fire followed by a hearty continental breakfast the following morning. This indulgent package includes champagne and chocolates with two Salem Inn champagne flutes and a "relax and renew" gift basket filled with all kinds of pampering goodies. Relax and Renew for only $219.

GIRLS' NIGHT OUT

Leave the boys at home and escape to the Salem Inn for a girls' night out. This package includes overnight accommodation in a spacious guest room complete with a working fireplace as well as a delicious continental breakfast. Awaiting each lady is a box of handmade chocolates, a welcome gift of body lotion and a $50 gift certificate to Laura Lane's Day Spa. For more "me time" check-out has been extended to 1:00PM. All this for only $235, plus tax.

VALENTINE'S SPECIAL
(February 11, 2009 through February 16, 2009)
Visit for ValentinesFor that romantic getaway you've been thinking of, spend two nights in a spacious guest room with your choice of a working fireplace or a double Jacuzzi. Champagne and chocolates await your arrival along with two souvenir Salem Inn champagne flutes to remind you of your Valentines in Salem. So you don't have to rush back to the real world, check out has been extended to 1:00pm. Visit for Valentines for only $309.00, plus tax.

Go ahead; you deserve it

Why not stay another night for $99....any package, any time!!

THE FINE PRINT: Packages are based on double occupancy ("Family Fun" package includes 2 adults and 2 children). Packages are subject to availability and valid November 4, 2008 through April 15, 2009. Rates are subject to change and do not include 9.7% MA room tax. Gift certificate to Ristorante Gioia Italian restaurant valued at $50. Advance reservations only. No other discounts can be applied. Gift certificate to Upper Crust Pizza valued at $20. Additional night includes room and breakfast only.

Based on availability. Package valid February 11 through February 16, 2009 only. Package valid for new reservations only. Cannot be combined with any other offer.

There are rooms to be had in Rockport!

If you're coming for Salem Haunted Happenings and haven't booked your accommodations reservations yet, well, shame on you! There is hope, though!

The HauntedHappenings.org site has listings for current availability at regional accommodations (Salem inns are booked solid - make your reservations for 2009 in November!), and the Inns of Rockport have just sent me their availability.

Rockport is a 30 minute train ride north of Salem, which makes it very easy and accessible. Check the Rockport Line of the MBTA Commuter Rail for the schedule.

TUCK INN B&B
17 High St., Rockport
Bed and Breakfast
MIDWEEK: YES
WEEKENDS: YES
BLACKOUT: NONE
978-546-7260 / 800-789-7260

THE INNS OF ROCKPORT
25 Various locations throughout the town.
Inns, B&Bs, Motels, and Hotels
MIDWEEK: YES
WEEKENDS: YES
BLACKOUT: NONE
Various phones as noted on the website below

Morning Glory B&B Featured in today's Sunday Globe!

There is a very nice review of the Morning Glory Bed & Breakfast in the Travel section of today's Boston Globe.

Here is the article:

Salem inn close to it all, but why budge?

By Sacha Pfeiffer, Globe Correspondent July 13, 2008

SALEM - Oh, the joy of being car-free! Never mind the atrocious price of gas; for a recent trip to Salem, we simply wanted to avoid the meandering drive from Boston, a 25-mile trip that can take nearly a tedious hour. So we chose a water route instead.

Picture this: For $24 each round-trip, we boarded the Salem Ferry at the New England Aquarium and, 45 pleasant minutes later, disembarked from the high-speed catamaran in this North Shore city. We then walked only five minutes from the ferry dock to the Morning Glory Bed & Breakfast, which - by my assessment - has the best location of any of Salem's many B&Bs.

On a short, dead-end street across from the historic House of the Seven Gables, the Morning Glory is also steps from the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, the Salem Heritage Trail, and Pickering Wharf, with its numerous shops and restaurants. It's also within easy walking distance of quaint downtown Salem, but in a quieter neighborhood that's nicely removed from the tourist hubbub.

We didn't miss our car once during our weekend stay. We traveled everywhere by foot, and if we had tired of walking we could have hailed a taxi - or even a pedicab or rickshaw.

But we found the Morning Glory's lovely roof deck, with its reclining chairs, harbor view, ocean breeze, and hanging flowers, as much a draw as the historical sites. An afternoon on that deck with a book and sunscreen is a perfect antidote to an overly busy week at work.

We did leave it from time to time - for a seafood dinner at Finz restaurant, lunch at Capt.'s Waterfront Grill, a stroll to Harbor Sweets chocolate factory, and dessert at Captain Dusty's Ice Cream - but the deck is so heavenly that it's tough to tear yourself away.

The Morning Glory is a former two-family house that was bought and renovated 13 years ago by Salem native Bob Shea. He has operated it as a charming, meticulous, casually beautiful bed-and-breakfast since 1996. The clapboard house is painted a bold brick red made even more striking by gorgeous flower beds and landscaping. Its four spic-and-span guest rooms have a tasteful, country-comfortable New England feel that combines classic (hardwood floors, handsome wood bed frames, old-fashioned cross-stitchings) with contemporary (flat-screen TVs, DVD players, free Wi-Fi).

The fanciest is the Sarah Good Suite, which occupies the whole third floor, and the smallest and cheapest, where we stayed, is the Bridget Bishop Room, which isn't listed on the inn's website - perhaps because it's a bit snug and doesn't have room for much more than a bed, small desk, and armoire. It does have a modern private bathroom, though, and overall we were content there, probably because immediately outside the room is a pretty sitting area open to all guests. It's stocked with books, a computer with printer and Internet access, stereo, wine glasses, fridge, microwave, coffeemaker, chess board, binder of local menus, and tourist brochures. Had we not had access to that common area and the roof deck, our room might have felt a touch claustrophobic - but the inn's other guest rooms are more spacious.

Downstairs, the kitchen and eating area are open to guests mainly during breakfast; the rest of the time, they're part of Shea's private quarters. Breakfast is a mix of yogurt, dry cereals, fruit, baked goods typically made by Shea's mother (Irish soda bread, cheese bread, blueberry muffins, raisin bran muffins, and more), and occasional extras like raisin-stuffed baked apples. It's usually served at an indoor group table, but during nice weather guests can eat on the patio in the inn's backyard. We wished the meal were slightly more substantial, but Morning Glory is licensed to serve only a continental breakfast, which means potentially hazardous foods like eggs aren't allowed.

Shea and his partner, Marcel Dufour, are warm, welcoming, and attentive - they made a special trip to the store for skim milk - and Shea is chatty without being intrusive. At breakfast one morning, he sat down at the group table for some friendly small talk, but seemed to know exactly when to leave his guests to themselves. That's an important skill for an innkeeper. In fact, after more than a decade in the business, Shea seems to have mastered innkeeping in every way.

If You Go

Morning Glory Bed and Breakfast 22 Hardy St., Salem978-741-1703morningglorybb.com
What we liked most: The inn's roof deck and its location within walking distance of most of Salem's tourist sites.

What we liked least: The snugness of our room (the Bridget Bishop, the smallest in the house), although the inn's sitting area and roof deck gave us room to stretch out.

What surprised us: Foods such as eggs aren't allowed because the inn is licensed to serve only continental breakfast.

You know you're at the Morning Glory B&B when ... you spot its handsome red clapboard exterior just a short walk from the Salem Ferry.

Rates: $135-$200 in season May-October, $125-$160 off season November-April.

Location, Location, Location

Isn't it hard to choose a place to stay from far away? So many questions, so many options... I am hoping to help you make informed decisions by highlighting some of Salem's historic, comfortable, unique inns with short (very short) video spotlights.

Today we are at the Stepping Stone Inn. Innkeeper John Brick welcomes guests to his home, which features 8 uniquely decorated rooms. The house was built in 1846 for Naval officer Benjamin True. It features a living/sitting room, breakfast room, and private baths in the heart of downtown Salem. The Inn is adjacent to the Salem Witch Museum, across the street from Salem Common (perfect for a stroll to walk off the delicious dinner you have at one of Salem's fabulous restaurants!), and a short walk from everything you would want to do in Salem.

Amelia Payson Hospitality

I love inns. The more historic, the better. Inns have individual style and charm, and small inns and bed & breakfasts offer not only accommodations, but the opportunity to get to know people who live in the town you are visiting. Some of the best destinations are places where people love to live, and Salem is no exception. We are particularly lucky in Salem to have wonderful B&Bs that provide an opportunity to immerse yourself in accommodations that feel like home, not a temporary stop.

The Amelia Payson House is one of these places. Innkeepers Ada and Donald Roberts have elegantly restored the Greek Revival house, which was built in 1845 by Edward and Amelia Payson. The house offers the amenities you would expect (private baths, A/C, hair dryers, cable tv), a charming living room for socializing, and breakfast served in a beautifully set dining room each morning. AND, it's a 5 minute walk from pretty much everything you'd want to do, see, eat, and buy in Salem.

The Amelia Payson house is a perfect escape for couples or friends looking for the experience of living in an historic Salem home, if only for a short time, right in the heart of Salem.

Discover the magic of hospitality in Salem!

An Historic Hotel of Salem

Ahhhh.... The Hawthorne Hotel... it's not just a hotel, a Salem landmark. Its prominence in this bewitching city is equal to that of Salem Common, Derby Wharf, The Friendship, the Salem Witch Museum, the Peabody Essex Museum, Chestnut Street, the Roger Conant statue. It is a location that people can set their compass to (I can't tell you how many times I have instructed a visitor to: "Follow Route 1A around the west side of Salem Common and turn right onto Essex Street at the Hawthorne Hotel..." Or, in the other direction, "Walk up Hawthorne Boulevard, past the statue of Nathaniel himself, and turn left onto Essex Street at the Hawthorne Hotel." Clearly I give a lot of directions to the visitor center and parking garage!). It is a place to meet, a place to stay, a place to court, to celebrate, to wine and dine. It's the real deal.

And it has a great story: The Hawthorne Hotel was built by the residents of Salem in 1925. Over one thousand people in the area purchased stock in order to create a “modern” hotel. Now, designated an “Historic Hotel of America” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Hawthorne provides every amenity a “modern” traveler could desire and continues to welcome thousands of visitors every year.

The Hawthorne Hotel has redone and relaunched its interactive, informative, and inviting web site at www.hawthornehotel.com. Explore the site, explore the hotel, and discover the magic of this historic hotel of Salem.

Waves & Witches

I love this - excerpted from TransWorldNews article I found online. I only included the paragraph about Salem (Yes, I know, I'm self-serving. What can I say? It's a living!) if you want to read the rest, follow the link!

Massachusetts Bed and Breakfasts Attract Financially Savvy Travelers
Laguna Beach 3/27/2008 06:00 AM GMT (TransWorldNews)

Be Merry in Massachusetts – traverse this entire state -relax in some wonderful B&B’s, dine on some scrumptious gourmet breakfasts and still have money left over for souvenirs! While most travelers know the benefits of off-season travel – fewer tourists, shorter lines and friendlier prices – the bed and breakfasts listed below also participate in iLoveInns.com Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free Program so there are substantial savings possible.

Waves & Witches
Although not as well-known as Cape Cod, the North Shore of Massachusetts offers its own great artistic ocean communities. While Salem is best known for its witch trials and great Halloween celebrations, there is so much more. First, drop your bags at the historic Salem Inn with a range of inviting rooms, many with period antiques and working fireplaces. To begin, there is a stunning harbor to explore. Then continue on to great boutiques, restaurants for every budget, the classic House of Seven Gables- fascinating for young and old; and the amazing Peabody Essex Museum, which is truly a voyage through culture and art.Or head to the next town, Marblehead, where you can watch spectacular sunrises over Castle Rock at the lovely Seagull Inn Bed & Breakfast. You will start the day with homemade baked goods and fresh coffee and perhaps end the day at the local Landing Restaurant with its fresh seafood.

Salem Waterfront Hotel in The Boston Globe

There is a great review of The Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites in The Boston Globe today. The article gave a great sense of how contemporary and comfortable the hotel is. Having the Waterfront Hotel as an accommodation option is definitely a benefit for travelers and those of us who need to accommodate guests. It gives an option in town for people who are not seeking a historic hotel or bed & breakfast experience.

I really wanted the article to mention (but I realize it was a review of the hotel, not an endorsement of visiting Salem!) is the Waterfront Hotel's proximity to the shops and restaurants of Pickering Wharf, as well as its proximity to all of the attractions and sites in downtown Salem. Salem is a small city, and all of the sites are easily within walking distance of each other. That puts the Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites, and all of Salem's downtown accommodations, in the perfect location for exploring this bewitching seaport!

The Salem Waterfront Hotel can be found online at www.salemwaterfronthotel.com/. For information on all of Salem's accommodations options, visit Salem.org.