4 Spooky Haunted Hotels In Salem, MA

Salem is known for its interesting history, especially the infamous Salem Witch Trials of the late 1600’s. This history, along with the city’s maritime heritage and colonial past, has unsurprisingly led to a fascination with the paranormal.

Salem is home to several haunted destinations, including a few hotels and inns which regularly report ghostly encounters.

Planning a visit to Salem and hoping to room with a ghost or two? Read on for the best haunted hotels in Salem.

Old wood shingled home painted black with bright blue door. Historic buildings in Salem, Massachusetts. — Haunted hotels in Salem

Old stone tombstones on grassy hill with green trees and historic brick house in background on gloomy day. Old Burial Hill, Marbleville, Massachusetts, near Salem, New England. — Haunted hotels in Salem

Table of Contents

Top Haunted Hotels In Salem

The Merchant

In the late 1700’s Joshua Ward, a wealthy sea merchant, built a home so lovely George Washington himself stayed here.

The statuesque brick home was, however, unfortunately built on a plot of land which 100 years prior was owned by George Corwin. Corwin, was the nephew of Judge Jonathan Corwin, a condemning figure in the Witch Trials.

At the age of 25 George Corwin was appointed high sheriff of Essex County. This is a role which involved signing arrest and death warrants, confiscating personal property, and carrying out executions.

Ultimately, Sheriff George Corwin was involved in every one of the Salem Witch Trial’s barbaric deaths.

It should come as no surprise that the land on which Corwin lived and died is now believed to be one of the most haunted places in Salem.

The home is thought to be haunted by two male spirits — possibly George Corwin himself and one of the trial’s victims, Giles Corey — in addition to one female spirit.

Visitors have claimed to experience cold spots, untouched books and pictures falling from shelves, and candles melting even though they were never lit.

Most famously, a mysterious female figure showed up in a photo during a holiday party held here in 1981. The photo shows the figure of a pale woman with a head full of dark, curly hair. A description which matched no party attendee.

The Joshua Ward House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is now a hotel, The Merchant.

Stay At The Merchant Hotel

The Merchant is located in the heart of Salem, within walking distance of Salem’s most famous attractions.

The modern hotel is very well renovated, and features upgraded rooms with chic decor. Each room features luxuries like a gas fire place and heated bathroom floors. Luxury bedding and reports of paranormal activity, who could resist that combination?

Guests also receive complimentary breakfast and access to the second story outdoor deck.

There’s no doubt, this is one of the nicest haunted hotels in Salem, MA. If I were a ghost, I wouldn’t want to leave either.

Check hotel pricing and availability at: The Merchant

Small wooden home in graveyard with old, grey tombstones on grey cloudy day. Samuel Pickman House, Old Burying Point Cemetery, Salem, Massachusetts. — Nearby attractions: Burying Point, Old Town Hall, & Pickering Wharf

Brick sidewalk lined with trees, park benches, and brick buildings leading to lone old brick building. Old Town Hall, Salem, Massachusetts. — Nearby attractions: Burying Point, Old Town Hall, & Pickering Wharf

The Salem Inn

The Salem Inn is another perfect place to stay if you’re looking for a room with a ghost.

The Inn started with the West House, owned by Nathaniel West, a Salem sea captain and merchant in the 1800’s. It eventually grew to include two other homes, the Curwen House and the Peabody House. The three of which now comprise the Salem Inn.

Over the years, many guests have reported ghostly apparitions disturbing them in the night and items mysteriously moving.

The sheer number of paranormal accusations here makes this quite possibly the most haunted hotel in Salem. In fact, encounters here are so frequent, the ghosts have even been given names.

If you’re looking for the most haunted room, 17 takes the cake. Men be warned, the female spirit in this room most frequently disturbs males.

Stay At The Salem Inn

This boutique hotel is spread across three historic buildings, one of which is adult only.

Each building has been lovingly restored but has kept its original charm, a stay here will feel like a step back in time.

There are various room-types available, from traditional rooms to spacious family suites. Additionally, breakfast, parking, and WiFi are all free.

Salem Inn is centrally located, with popular attractions just a short walk away.

Pet owners, the Salem Inn is pet-friendly. Be warned, though, the hotel is home to a ghost cat.

Check Pricing & Availability at: The Salem Inn.

Spooky halloween decorations outside of halloween shop on outdoor pedestrian mall on gloomy day. Essex Street Pedestrian Mall, Salem, Massachusetts. — The nearby Witch House & Essex Street Pedestrian Mall

Black, shingled gothic home on small lot with green gras and simple shrubs, cherry blossom tree in foreground on gloomy day. Witch House, Salem, Massachusetts. — The nearby Witch House & Essex Street Pedestrian Mall

Hawthorne Hotel

The Hawthorne Hotel is large Colonial Revival-style building constructed in 1925.

The hotel, named for famed author Nathaniel Hawthorne, was built on an apple orchard owned by Bridget Bishop. Bridget was the first to be executed for allegedly practicing witchcraft in 1692’s Salem Witch Trials.

As you might imagine, the hotel is now believed to be haunted by the spirit of Bridget Bishop.

Guests have claimed to see ghostly apparitions in the hotel hallways, mysterious mists, moving furniture, and have heard unexplained noises.

It’s said that rooms 325 and 612 are the most haunted within this old building.

The hotel regularly lands on lists of ‘Most Haunted Hotels in the United States’ and was even featured on a 2007 episode of Ghost Hunters.

Unfortunately, the paranormal investigators didn’t find any unusual activity here — though there are plenty of guests who have experienced otherwise.

Stay At The Hawthorne Hotel

This 93-room hotel is the largest of Salem’s haunted lodging options.

It’s modern and well restored, but still maintains a classic New England style. Guest rooms vary in size but all feature standard conveniences such as down pillows, writing desks, and flat screen TVs, plus basic toiletries and free WiFi. And yes, furry friends are allowed.

The large hotel includes amenities such as two on-site restaurants, room service, and complimentary passes to the Salem YMCA for pool and gym use. They also have a large ballroom and event space, which is often booked for weddings or conferences.

They even host a highly popular annual Halloween Ball. As if you need another reason to book this haunted hotel in October.

The Hawthorne Hotel is conveniently located in downtown Salem, just a block off Salem Common and a few blocks from the Pickering Wharf.

Park your car in the complimentary lot upon arrival and you won’t have to use it again.

Check Pricing & Availability at: Hawthorne Hotel.

Black singled house behind black picket fence with pink flowering trees in foreground on gloomy day. The House Of The Seven Gables, Salem, Massachusetts. — The House of the Seven Gables & Old Burial Hill Cemetery

Old graveyard with small, simple tombstones in grassy hill on gray, cloudy day. Old Burial Hill Cemetery, Marblehead, Massachusetts, near Salem. — The House of the Seven Gables & Old Burial Hill Cemetery

The Daniels House Inn

Daniels House is the oldest inn in Salem, with the building predating the Witch Trials.

Construction began in 1667, and today the home is still primarily the original First Period structure.

It’s believed a male, female, and feline spirit occupy the bed and breakfast. Who are these spirits though? Previous owners? Souls forgotten to history? And why a gray tabby cat?

It’s all up for debate. And in a house this old, it really could be anybody.

Stay At The Daniels House Inn

This small bed and breakfast has just seven rooms, and the entire building was extensively renovated just a few years back following a change in ownership.

The home is full of unique antiques and period-specific furniture, its very far from your average hotel stay.

Rooms feature antique furnishings, wood floors, exposed beams, and some even have fireplaces. There are some quirks, however, which is to be expected considering this is one of the oldest buildings in Salem.

Breakfast is offered and guests are invited to enjoy the beautiful garden courtyard.

Daniels House Inn is centrally located in the city of Salem near Salem Common.

Check Pricing & Availability at: The Daniels House Inn

Two story white house with navy window shutters, in background are mature trees in red and green on gloomy day, foreground is pink and white flowers. Rope's Mansion, Salem, Massachusetts. — Ropes Mansion, Salem Witch Trials Memorial, and historic home near Derby Street

Single yellow tulip laying on stone memorial site, stone is engraved "Wilmot Redd hanged Sept 22, 1692". Salem Witch Trials Memorial, Old Burying Point Cemetery, Salem, Massachusetts. — Ropes Mansion, Salem Witch Trials Memorial, and historic home near Derby Street

Haunted Places In Salem

In a town dedicated to witchcraft, you’re sure to find plenty of haunted happenings around. Below are additional haunted sites worth seeing in historic Salem: