Anyone been to Salem?

[Howdoyoulikeyoureggsinthemornin]

I was looking at going for my 40th in a couple of years and been researching the cost. Hotel rooms are coming up at over $400 per night. Has anyone from the UK stayed and managed to get a good deal? I was going to do 2 nights in Salem and 2 nights in Boston. Not too fussed about Boston though.

Crikey, and actual American poster gave you tips and off you snitt!

IME anywhere in the States charging $400 a night would give me an eyebrow raise.

Booking.com is giving me good rating hotels for a random 2 nights in April 2026 for less than £500.

Yes, and there is no way it’s worth a long-haul. Half a day at most.

You want to stay at The Hotel Salem. It has great reviews and you’ll probably want to say 3 or 4 nights to get the full experience. Eat at The Ugly Mug Diner (yes, that’s what it’s called) as well as the Gulu Gulu cafe and try Ziggi’s donuts near the Waterfront .

I think what most of us were trying to say is don’t bother wasting your money on a hotel there, that’s all

Your thread title asks “Anyone been to Salem?”
so many posters who have been to Salem have posted ( and helpfully suggested) perhaps save your money.
Getting snippy is a bit rude to people who have given some pretty decent advice for your planned trip.

For all other posters, I watched a documentary on a plane recently about the Witch Trials and was considering a trip to Salem at some point. I’ve found your recommendations really helpful, thank you.

I stayed there just before Halloween. Agree stay in Boston and day trip to Salem. That said it did look as if there were some lovely properties on the outskirts I would love to have seen more of. The main part of it though 1 day is enough.

American here. There simply isn't a ton of accommodation in Salem as it's really just a suburb of Boston and not one that gets travellers for other reasons. I don't think you'll get any accommodation recommendations you wouldn't find by going on any websites. People tend to day-trip it from Boston as there's a commuter rail station in the centre of town.

For those of you with selective reading skills; my question was regarding accommodation. A title is for the purpose of the thread, the thread holds the questions that are clear in my post. I did not ask if I should stay in Boston longer, I made it clear I have little interest in Boston. I did not ask if it's worth a day trip or not. If you don't like people repeating what they are asking, answer the question or don't comment. Quite simple really.

Fine, then find your own solution to the fact you can’t afford it!

@Lifejigsaw and I gather you book the first holiday that you see, without shopping around.

Nope, in fact when I went to Boston and cape cod this summer I got some great recommendations on Mumsnet, of where to eat / stay and what to see! Things I’d never considered. And I was ever so polite to people

That got shitty quickly.

Yeah, I've got a recommendation. Go to Salem and don't come back.

@MyTattooIsBetterThanYours brilliant, relevant and helpful answer. I shall look into this. Thank you very much.

If anyone else has any helpful suggestions on accommodation in Salem, that would be most appreciated.

@Lifejigsaw but I didn't come on here asking for suggestions on Salem or other areas. I didn't ask how long I should stay. I made it clear I have little interest in Boston, only for people to tell me how I should do more in Boston. My question was regarding accommodation in Salem. I've already planned where I'd like to go and how long for. I don't understand why people come on here and answer everything except the questions that are posted.

@knitnerd90 Yes I was getting that impression from my research. I'm aware they book up fast, hence my wanting to book now. My ancestors come from Salem and so I'd like to spend some time in the area. Thank you for your comment.

Its okay for a couple of hours, but thats about it

@VIOLETPUGH did you happen to catch any of the names of hotels or B&Bs whilst visiting? Even airB&Bs I'd be interested in.

channeling Phoebe Buffet

Good God man, don’t anger it!

Is it possible that the problem is that you are searching for dates too far in the future? The hotels may be setting prices high to protect themselves against possible inflation.

Weekends are more expensive than mid-week in places like Salem and holiday weekends will be more expensive yet. For example midweek next July there seems to be to be quite a few options well below your $400 a night but at the weekend there are almost none. The Hotel Salem recommended by a PP looks nice. I find New England B&Bs very variable in quality, “olde worlde charm” can equate to old, damp and grotty with lots of dusty knickknacks. I try to stick to hotels.

@Chemenger that may be a factor. I have seen many people say how quickly accommodation gets booked, so wanted to do it in advance. I work in education and am also obviously limited with the times I am able to go. I appreciate that may cause inflation too. There's no way around that for me however, as I'm not able to take term time leave due to working in a university. I shall maybe try again after Christmas. Thank you.

Rude cow

I just scrolled back up and looked at your timeline. Much too far in advance, yes. I’d be looking six months out or so. Beware of late August in Boston because of university move-in times; book earlier if that’s when you’re thinking of going. Also leases in Boston roll over on Sept. 1 so the days preceding it are a nightmare. Salem will be affected by this as well, it’s the whole metro. There's an unreal number of colleges and universities in the area.

This about sums it up!