TL;DR

Prime location: Central Salem boutique hotel near attractions & shopping.
Historic building: 1784 mansion turned boutique hotel.
Eclectic style: Bold Lark Hotels decor with a modern twist.
Swanky vibe: Stylish and playful atmosphere throughout.
Check prices here

Downtown, historical and super-cool, The Merchant follows the same formula as the other Lark Hotels hotel in Salem, The Hawthorne.

It’s not a historical hotel though, but rather a historical building turned hotel.

To date, the 1784 building has served as a rum-merchant’s mansion, George Washington’s post-election party pad, a tavern, and a bookshop.

It’s had long list of exciting endeavors, and has been renovated, in true Lark fashion, with the typical bold colors and modern decor.

The result is a fairly swank, eclectic, stylish boutique hotel just daring us to ignore it. We are more than happy not to.

What are the rooms like?

Number of rooms: 11 unique rooms in an 18th-century house.
Spacious layouts: All rooms are about 300 sq ft.
Room types: Queen Deluxe, King Deluxe, Suites, and sofa bed options.
Design: Bold colors, quirky wallpapers, and original details.
Amenities: Waffle robes, Smart TVs, fireplaces, and luxe linens.
See each room in detail here

We’ve got an 18th century house here, and the rooms are unsurprisingly atypical. Luckily, they’re all roughly 300 square feet; there’s no need to fret about small historical rooms here.

Queen Deluxe will be the simplest, followed by King Deluxe options, versions with sofa beds, and Suites. Despite the small number of rooms, it’s pretty easy to find something appealing.

Each has a different style, from the rich burgundies and purples of the King Deluxe to the quirky wallpaper of the Lark Suite.

There are many original architectural elements that add novelty.

You’ll also find a varied selection of one-of-a-kind furnishings, lots of colonial blue, and a general mix of bold colors and prints that fit the brand.

It’s a bit less put together than some other properties, but we find the broad effect to be charming.

Regardless of style, each room offers excellent, cozy linens, cute waffle robes, individual climate control, Bluetooth radios, Smart TVs, and gas fireplaces that really set the scene.

What are prices like?

Check prices here

Note: We have placed The Merchant in our Adults Only category though children over 12 are welcome are welcome to stay.

And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?

Breakfast: Fresh pastries and savory bites each morning.
Snacks: Coffee, sparkling water, and treats available all day.
No onsite restaurant: But discounts at local partner restaurants.
Common areas: Chic lobby and lounge spaces to relax.
Concierge: Personalized itineraries for exploring Salem.

Like any Lark hotel, the morning starts with a cute plate of fresh goodies. Some are typical fruity baked goods, with some exquisite savory options mixed in there.

Coffee, sparkling water, and snacks are available all day, in the super-chic lobby where you can hang out as long as you like.

There’s no onsite dining, but you will have access to discounts at local restaurants, including the casual lunch and cocktail spot at Lark’s other property, The Hotel Salem.

Other common areas are available, meaning the hotel is just as good for a hang as a good night’s sleep.

For when you’d like to get out and explore, the concierge can drum you up a personalized itinerary, making sure you get the most out of the city.

How is the neighborhood? Anything interesting nearby?

Central Salem: Located near Lappin Park in the heart of downtown.
Witchy vibe: Surrounded by fortune-tellers, crystal shops, and occult attractions.
Nearby sites: Salem Witch Museum, Old Town Hall, Witch History Museum within 15 mins.
Cultural stops: Peabody Essex and Punto Urban Art Museum.
Nature option: Winter Island is a half-hour stroll away.

Downtown Salem is home to many a cute boutique, including The Merchant, which sits near Lappin Park, and any number of iconic attractions.

The city is filled with activities for the witchy woman, in a way that strikes some as a bit Disney-fied, but we find that those who simply lean in can have an absolute cauldron of fun.

That there’s a strong background to the reputation helps, and monuments and historical sites are woven into the fabric of the city.

Within a 15-minute walk you’ll find the Salem Witch Museum, the Witch History Museum, and the Old Town Hall.

It’s a perfect backdrop for the many fortune-tellers, crystal sellers and spooky boutique shops that really set the vibe.

When you’ve had enough of the occult, cultural gems like the Peabody Essex Museum and the Punto Urban Art Museum add some serious clout to the city.

Those that can handle a solid stroll and want some outdoor time can enjoy the half-hour to the more nature-focused Winter Island. There’s parking there, but we’re fans of a good wander.

What about the reviews? What did other guests think?

Some things guests liked:

“This was a beautiful place with great attention to detail. We loved it. When we come back to Salem, moving forward, I’ll always book here….”

“The fresh pastries and snacks each morning were amazing!…”

Some things guests didn’t like:

”I would recommend adding juice to the fridge staples for guests and having fresh baked goods delivered to the 2nd floor concession area every morning and afternoon as well. Also, the tv placement in our room was awkward for watching….”

”We enjoyed almost everything and will definitely be coming back, but at $600 a night the breakfast options could be a little better :)….”

> Read all the reviews right here