Beautiful boutique hotel right in the heart of Salem. Wonderful decor very bold colors for a traditional hotel. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Small breakfast included help yourself to coffee, scones etc. Nice sized rooms and modern walk in shower.

We've stayed at a few hotels in Salem over the years and were excited to give The Merchant a try as we both love historic buildings and early American history. We had a little trouble figuring out where to park for check in, but found it on the second pass. We were greeted by a super friendly manager and they weren't busy so we were able to reserve one of their on-site parking spaces for the duration of our stay, which I highly recommend. There was freshly made fruit-infused water and cookies in the kitchen, which was also stocked with beverages and snacks. The room was cozy, with a gas fireplace, and felt updated and modern while still showcasing the historic details. The king size bed was extremely comfortable as were the pillows. Our room was just off of the outdoor second floor deck, which we didn't get to fully enjoy because it was still chilly out. The room came with Lark branded playing cards, which was a unique touch, and so we were able to entertain ourselves in front of the fireplace on one of the rainy evenings. The breakfast spread each morning was varied and always delicious. We are both vegetarians and never had any issue finding plenty to eat. The main lounge area was comfortable to hang out in and the bar was stocked with mixers that was useful after we took a trip to the nearby Deacon Giles distillery and came back with a couple bottles. Overall this is one of the best hotels we've stayed at, of any size, and we can't wait to return on our next trip to Salem.

I loved the house, with its typical old American architecture. The room was cozy and spacious, maintaining “old-world” ambiance with modern conveniences. The bathroom is good size, has heated floor; the shower is old ambiance yet modern, and spacious; I like that the shower tap is on the other end so that when you turn the water on, you are away from the initially-cold spray, very few places have such a thoughtful design. The room has a gas fireplace. The common room/bar is beautiful and cozy. It is centrally located, walking distance to shops, restaurants and historical objects.