Checking into the Coach House Salem

I don’t know about you, but it has been a winter and a half for us. Arielle’s been sick with everything under the sun. I just got over Covid. Alex and I both have been absolutely booked up with work (a great problem to have) and my mom has been helping us out all the time taking care of Arielle. I’ve been managing everyone’s schedule on top of still dealing with morning sickness (even at 21+ weeks) and the overall changes that come with being pregnant. I’m not exaggerating when I say the four of us were all feeling a bit burned out.

We needed a change.

We needed a break from our everyday lives.

We needed a little pampering.

So we checked into the Luxe Queen Suite at The Coach House Salem for a little staycation.

This beautiful Victorian mansion was originally built by Ephraim Augustus Emerton, a local sea captain, in 1879. It was converted into an inn in the 1950s, before changing hands in 2022 and going through extensive renovations. We were treated to a little preview of this Instagram-worthy spot in November and it was then that I knew I had to stay at this 11-room boutique hotel. It didn’t disappoint! Keep reading for my review of the Coach House Salem.

Location

The Coach House is located about a mile from Downtown Salem and just a bit further from the commuter rail, making it easy to access even if you don’t have a car. I will say that in the summer it makes for a nice walk, but as someone who hates the cold it may be a little less pleasant in winter. The fact that it isn’t right in the center of town does make it a more secluded location than many other hotels in Salem, ideal for those who prefer quiet nights.

Check-In/Check-Out Experience

The Coach House uses a contactless check-in and check-out process and there are no staff on the premises. This means you can pretty much check in anytime you’d like (regular check-in time is 3 p.m. while check-out is 11 a.m.). As a mom, I am always running behind these days so while we did get into our room by about 5 p.m., it was nice knowing I wasn’t holding anyone up. To gain entry to the property, there is a front and back door with a keypad.

The day of your stay you’ll be emailed and texted your personalized 4-digit code to gain entry. This is also the code you’ll use to enter your room which will have the same keypad. You have access via text to the hotel concierge from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. if you have any questions or issues. When you checkout, all you have to do is text “checkout” to your concierge – and you’re all set! There is limited parking in the back of the property, however, street parking is also available.

Aesthetics/Details

The first thing you are bound to notice at The Coach House is how visually perfect everything is. From the unique black ceilings, to the white and black penny tile entryway, to the overall black and white with gold accents color palette, The Coach House is an interior designer’s (or an interior design enthusiast’s) dream.

One of my favorite details is the gallery wall staircase which runs all the way from the first to the top floor. Each picture or quote (featuring icons like Marilyn Monroe, Kate Moss and Bob Dylan) feels so sexy and “Rock’n”Roll,” I just couldn’t help but stare at each frame.

Unique rugs like faux zebra and cheetah print hides, and an old, mysterious safe in the main lobby add to this hotel’s undeniable charm.

There are also plenty of stylish, Instagrammable corners like a faux topiary wall with a neon, “Witch you were here!” sign (also the hotel’s catchphrase) on the second floor and a small sitting area right off the first-floor lobby.

The Rooms

The rooms are spacious, most featuring high ceilings, seating areas and full closets. The Luxe Queen Suite had a large fireplace and you could light flameless candles in a black holder. I particularly loved the large gold mirror in the corner.

Off the main room where Alex and I stayed, my mom and Arielle had their own room, complete with two twin beds, two bedside tables and a SmartTV of their own.

One thing to note: we enjoyed our stay on the coldest day of the year so far. As this is an old home, the heating system did have a difficult time keeping up with the sub-freezing temperatures. However as soon as the weather warmed up to more seasonable numbers, the room also warmed up.

I was surprised at how roomy the bathroom was in the Luxe Queen Suite with plenty of places to hang towels and the comfy bathrobes, and a large shower. The C.O. Bigelow toiletries in the shower and on the white and gold vanities were a luxe little touch.

Amenities

Luxe Frette linens covered the comfortable beds, and the robes are so plush you’d be tempted to take one home with you. Also, as someone who has dealt with insomnia for most of my life, I really appreciated the blackout curtains. I had no idea it was already 8 a.m. when we finally woke up!

Since we were treating this as a staycation, I really appreciated the SmartTVs in both our room and my mom and Arielle’s. Alex and I were able to access Amazon Prime to watch Shotgun Wedding (much better than I expected it to be and once again, Jennifer Coolidge is amazing), while Arielle and my mom watched Encanto before Arielle drifted off to sleep. My mom was then able to tune into the Hallmark movie of the week which she really enjoyed.

While no food is served on-site at this property, in the room you will find bottled water, assorted nuts, and a nice little selection of Keurig pods to be used in the in-room machines.

Just to drive home the fact that The Coach House has really thought of everything, they commissioned a custom North Shore scent that’s used in diffusers throughout the property. Also, we didn’t need to bring our phone chargers as they had wireless charging stands by both sides of our bed and both beds in the “kids room”.

And they’ve stocked the rooms with plenty of towels, including black towels specifically for makeup removal. I have to get one for myself now!

It’s Kid/Family Friendly

While most of the rooms are designed for those traveling alone or as a couple, there are a few rooms that would be perfect for a family traveling together. As I mentioned in the Luxe Queen Suite Alex and I stayed in the main room, while Arielle and my mom each had their own twin bed in a separate attached room that had its own TV. We did have to share the bathroom, which was in the main room, but that wasn’t a problem.

The Coach House does not provide bed rails or cribs for young children, so if you are traveling with a baby or little one, make sure you bring those with you. We brought our rails for Arielle and they were easy to slip under her mattress. She had so much fun watching Encanto on her own SmartTV in her own room that didn’t want to leave.

What to do while in Salem

Salem is full of history and old world charm. If you’re looking for things to do, make sure you check out my Best of Salem roundup. On this list you’ll find The Coach House, and Red’s Sandwich Shop for breakfast/brunch. We stopped in at Red’s the morning we left and I enjoyed the Sanderson Sisters’ French Toast (but as we all know, I am a sucker for anything Hocus Pocus).

You can also check out Salem’s official tourism office website, Destination Salem for some great planning tools.

As I hate to travel without Arielle in tow, I look for family-friendly places to stay and our family definitely felt welcomed at The Coach House for our little staycation. However, if you’re more in the mood for a romantic getaway, especially as Valentine’s Day approaches, The Coach House is perfect with its bold, seductive color palette and luxe little touches throughout. Also since it is a contactless hotel, you will truly feel like it is just you and your partner enjoying everything The Coach House has to offer.

Have you been to Salem?