The Merchant sits along Washington Street in the McIntire Historic District of Salem, Massachusetts.
Planes
If you’re arriving from overseas, Boston Logan Airport is around 40 minutes from the hotel by car and the nearest international option. For flights from within the States, Beverly Regional Airport is a closer 15-minute drive. Private transfers can be arranged from both airports, for an extra charge.
Trains
There are direct routes to Boston, Newburyport and Rockport from Salem’s Train and Bus Station. It’s a 15-minute walk (or five-minute drive) to The Merchant from there, and the hotel can arrange transfers for an additional charge. The Downeaster, which runs between Boston and Portland in Maine, also stops in Salem.
Automobiles
If you’re sticking to Salem, a car isn’t essential. But for those bringing their wheels, there are five parking spots at the hotel for $25 a night ($35 in October). If the hotel’s carpark is full, there are additional options nearby.
Worth getting out of bed for
Gen up on Salem’s macabre past at the Salem Witch Museum, where live reenactments and exhibitions teach you about the city’s infamous 1692 Trials. The 17th-century House of the Seven Gables and the Peabody Essex Museum are similarly colorful cultural pitstops. Self-guided walking trails around the McIntire Historic District take you past the storied architect’s 300 buildings, starting at the Witch House on the corner of North and Essex Streets.
If you’re looking for a break from all that sorcery, drive over to Winter Island Park and visit its historic lighthouse, or mooch around local boutiques and waterfront eateries along Pickering Wharf.
Local restaurants
Wood-fired pizzas with your pick of toppings and wine pairings are the name of the game at Bambolina — a laidback, raved about spot on Derby Street. Tucked into Lynde Street, Settler is run by a welcoming husband-and-wife duo, dishing cooked-to-order, French-inspired fare. Make the most of your coastal setting and book a table at Finz Seafood + Grill, where fresh fish and sushi are served with a side of harbor views.
Local cafés
Feel like a local at Red’s Sandwich Shop, an award-winning joint down Central Street that plates cooked breakfasts, overflowing toasties and sandwiches — including the well-loved honey chicken melt, with Swiss cheese and fries. If you’re looking for a quintessential spot, the Ugly Mug Diner delivers all-American breakfasts (eggs, bacon, biscuits) right next door to The Merchant.
Local bars
There aren’t many rooftop spots around Salem, but the aptly named Roof is one of the few where you can enjoy creative (and classic) concoctions against sweeping cityscapes. Get a taste of the East Coast’s booming beer industry with a visit to the East Regiment Beer Co — a local microbrewery with light bites and plenty of pints.