Our narrow end is on the street, for more privacy along the garden side.
Location: Salem, North of Boston & Greater Merrimack Valley, Massachusetts, USA (15 miles north of Boston. 25 minutes by commuter rail.) View Map
Accommodations: House, 4 Bedrooms + Den, 1.5 Baths (Sleeps 8)
Keywords: 19th Century House
The garden and home are sheltered by neighboring houses, making it the quietest place on the street. The yard is bordered by a white picket-fence and flower garden and is safe for dogs and children. It sits narrow end to the street, which provides more privacy and a better view of the garden. Step back in time as you climb the time worn stone stair to the front door.
You'll know right away you're in a home that has seen many generations. The ceilings are low. The horse-hair plaster walls give it character and are stenciled to reflect garden themes. The pumpkin pine floor-boards are at least 12 inches wide.
This house gives you a chance to feel how it is to live in "the old days", and still enjoy some modern comforts.
You are in the last historic residential area left in the center of town. Walk out our picket gate onto Crombie St. and you are 3 minutes from a great number of restaurants and shops. A neighborhood food market is two blocks away. Yet it is so quiet in the back yard, it's a pleasant place to unwind. There's a table and chairs for dining, or reading next to the little pond.
Although you may spend several days exploring Salem’s many museums and attractions, the train line offers all the beauty of the North Shore in Manchester, Gloucester and Rockport in one direction, and the cultural hub of Boston and Cambridge in the other.
We are at the cross roads of 1A and rt. 114, the two roads connecting us to the rest of the North Shore of Boston. It is an easy 5 minute drive to route 128, the major belt route around Boston, and your connection with interstate 95 to points north and south. Salem is the perfect home base for a day trip to New Hampshire or Maine.
You will have the luxury so many urbanites do not- a safe parking space in front of the house, where you can leave your car while you walk in minutes to all locations.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning : There is an air conditioner in each bedroom, and two for the living spaces on the first floor.
- Linens Provided : The beds are made for you, and you strip them for us when you leave.
- Washer : Washer is on the second floor next to the bathroom.
- Dryer : Dryer is on the second floor next to the bathroom. A clothesline is provided for the back yard.
- Wood Fireplace
- Wood Stove : pellet stove
- Beds
- Queen Bed : This bedroom is on the second floor, and also has space for a portable crib.
- Double Bed (2) : One is a new pillow top mattress in a bedroom that looks onto the garden. The other is a Tempur-Pedic mattress on the floor in a sleeping loft, above the Queen bedroom.
- Twin/Single Bed : These two beds are in a loft looking out over the back yard.
- Convertible Bed : The futon is in the room with the wide screen TV.
- Crib : portable crib can be placed in any room
- Entertainment
- Jetted Tub in Bath : This is a giant tub, plenty of room for two.
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- VCR
- Video Library
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen : The kitchen has ample counter space, lots of pans and utensils and spices. No kitchen table.
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator : new 2008, stainless steel
- Dishwasher : new 2008 stainless steel
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill : The Weber gas grill sits just outside the kitchen in the back yard.
- Deck/Patio
- Gazebo : Our gazebo is covered in grapevines.
- Communications
- WiFi (Wireless Internet) : We also provide a printer.
- Other Amenities
- Zen garden, Koi pond, kids swing and climbing with slide, tea house with vine bower. 5 minute walk to restaurants, cafes, museum and cultural events.
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly : The fenced in yard makes a safe place for your dog to go out.
- Kid Friendly : The sleeping lofts make fun places for kids to play. There are children's books in each.
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Biking
- Fishing
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Basketball Court
- Antiquing
- Live Theatre
- Restaurants
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Other Activities
- Whale watching, evening cruise, Ghost tours, Tall Ship, National Maritime Site, Ferry to Boston, public ramp for boats.
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
October 5- November 6, 2011....$2,100/week....$450/night 4 night minimum
November 7, 2011-January 1, 2012...$1,500/week...$350/night 3 night minimum
January 2, 2012- March 4, 2012...$900/week...$300/night 3 night minimum
March 5, 2012- April 22, 2012...$1,200/wk...$325/night 3 night minimum
April 23, 2012- June 24, 2012....$1,500......$375/night 3 night minimum
June 25, 2012- September 2,2012....$1,800/week....$400/night 3 night minimum
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 1985
Why the Owner Chose Salem
When we moved to Salem this was just an old house that needed a lot of work. Twenty five years later, we've realized that this cool little house just happens to be as convenient a place for you, the traveler, as it was for us. We believe in walking to everything in reach, which includes the bank, dentist, accountant, library and lawyer. It is now in the center of all the tourist attractions, now that Salem has become such a popular spot for vacationers.
The Unique Benefits at this House
Rooms at the garden end of the house have the relaxing sound of a waterfall in the koi pond. You are in the middle of a "small city with a big history", yet you can enjoy the stars from the quiet back yard, only 3 blocks from the center of town.
Our house, surrounded by a lush garden, will provide a relaxing refuge a five minute walk to all downtown services. Wedding guests can walk from here to the Peabody Essex Museum, the Hawthorne Hotel,
Less than a block from the house is the historic venue for weddings, Hamilton Hall, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Our horse drawn carriage service can transport you to your wedd
Art, Culture and History thrive and rejuvenate the city with The PEM's rotating exhibits. Witch trial transcripts, maritime artifacts, the China trade luxuries, and many antique houses to tour. This
The large lot in front of the Post Office and Steve's Market has a section, at it's farthest end, which is marked Long term parking, which is free. Put your second vehicle here in the evening, when spots are open, and you can leave it there without worry about tickets.
The tall ship at Derby Wharf is a popular venue for weddings and receptions.
Owner's Map of Salem
Robert and I have had wonderful times raising our family in this house. We have always been cognizant of the many families who've come before us. As empty nesters who are ready for some new adventures, we find it very rewarding to welcome families here from all over the country, while we move on to a smaller home nearby.
Property Photos
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- Our narrow end is on the street, for more privacy along the garden side. - Salem Area Historic House Near Townhouse Square
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- East Bedroom gets early morning light - Salem Area Historic House Near Townhouse Square
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- kitchen has all new appliances - Salem Area Historic House Near Townhouse Square
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- Western Bedroom queen bed and crib
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- Loft with twin beds
Traveler Reviews (28)
Perfect retreat for bridal week
Guest: Jenny G.
(Concord, NH)
Date of Stay: 07/01/09
Review Submitted: 07/28/09
Our daughter was married on the 4th of July at Misselwood at Endicott College in Beverly, MA and the bride and attendants are all from out of town, so we were looking for a "home base." I could not have dreamed of a better setting for this special week than this house on Crombie Street! Not only was the house beautiful, comfortable, and charming BUT it also provided the most amazing backdrop for the "getting ready" photographs on wedding day! The owners have put a lot of creativity and love into their home and it was astonishingly beautiful in every photograph, both inside and out. Visiting children (flower girl and little brother) enjoyed the adorable backyard slide and swing, family members had a special "morning after" brunch under the umbrella (with comfy patio chairs and table) next to the mesmerizing koi pond. The garden, complete with l'espalier, was just beautiful. Conveniently located within walking distance of anything you might wish to see or do. We enjoyed strolls to Pickering Wharf and had fabulous deck dining at Finz and also at Capt'ns Waterfront Grille (both had some of the best oysters I have ever tasted). Breakfast at Red's is a must. We hope to go back again someday. It was just an amazing time, an amazing home to be in.
Owner response:We realized what a perfect spot we had for a rental in conjunction with weddings when our own daughter was married- there was room for entertaining relatives, and we're practically in sight of Hamilton Hall. Additionally, our 13 years experience providing carriage transport for weddings means we have lots of helpful suggestions in the planning stages. We're glad Jenny and her family found what they needed under our roof!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, pet owners, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children.
Memories of Salem
Guest: Tracy F.
Date of Stay: 08/22/11
Review Submitted: 12/03/11
From the moment we stepped into Ruth's lovely home we felt as if it were our own! It is truly a well loved and magical place. It's location is so perfect for seeing the sights and activities that Salem has to offer. There is a beautiful, private garden where one can enjoy a morning cup of coffee or a relaxing glass of wine in the evening. Our little dog, Ginger, felt completely at home and truly enjoyed her walks through downtown Salem! Ruth is a wonderful and welcoming hostess and we look forward to visiting again this coming summer! Tracy and Ray Frasche
Owner response:We loved this family because they used the house so well. Our piano has needed playing, and Ray went through the whole collection of music in the piano bench for his R&R, while Tracy and Ginger strolled the town. Please return next year!
Recommended for:
Fantastic Stay In Salem
Guest: Cara R.
(Milan, Indiana)
Date of Stay: 10/03/11
Review Submitted: 12/01/11
We stayed for 8 days in this wonderful house, and loved every minute of it. It was clean, full of everything we could possibly want, and fun to explore. My husband and I, plus our three daughters, all loved to go into the backyard garden and look at the flowers, enjoy the fish pond, and eat grapes from the arbor. Inside the house was welcoming. There were loads of ideas (brochures and flyers) for things to do in the area and also in Boston, and of course we were there for the Biz Baz (a Halloween outdoor bizarre) which was absolutely a blast! If anything came up, it was easy to get in touch with Ruth and she was very helpful and kind. The only possible issues a person might have would be to watch those steep stairs and some uneven flooring, but for us it just made staying in a period home that much more interesting! This is the real deal! It was wonderful to be able to walk to all the local shopping and attractions, and the commuter train was just a fifteen minute walk for us to head to Boston for the day. I can't possibly say enough great things about how nice it was to come "home" and soak in a bubbly tub while the kids watched TV, and then we all had our own beds in separate rooms...big, comfy, soft beds! When we visit Salem again, we will definitely stay in this wonderful, happy home! Thanks, Ruth!
Recommended for:
Great House with an even better host!
Guest: Rob K.
(Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo)
Date of Stay: 09/18/11
Review Submitted: 09/27/11
I was recently in Salem dealing with a death in my family and needed a comfortable place for my family and I to rest while in town dealing with this loss. I called Ruth (who was out of town herself at the time) and explained that I needed a place the next day. To say that she bent over backwards to accommodate us is a tremendous understatement!! I could go on and on about the lovely and eclectic nature of the house but you can read that from any of the other reviews. I would rather speak to the type of person that Ruth is and how she treated us. She made sure that we always had anything we needed, stayed out of our way when appropriate and stepped up when needed. There was obviously a lot of love and friendship shared in this house as evidenced by the giant jacuzzi (that I hear was selected by their son after sliding around in a number of other models and find this one "just right") as well as the wonderful postcards covering the walls in the upstairs bath. I emailed Ruth when I thought our time in the house was wrapping up to admit that I had originally called her very shortly after learning about my mother's death and could not for the life of me remember how long I had rented the house for (I was a little out of it the first time I called her, just operating on autopilot). Ruth's response was for me to stay and heal in the house for as long as I needed and never told me how long I had actually booked the home for. I will never forget the kindness that Ruth showed me and my family while going through this difficult time and hope that someday I can repay her in some meaningful way. If your choice is between this and any other house house in Salem, I say book with the Ruth. She deserves to have a full house of great guests that will enjoy all that Salem and this house have to offer!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, age 55+, families with young children.
Great house for a family rental.
Guest: Behme F.
Date of Stay: 08/07/11
Review Submitted: 09/11/11
We stayed here in August 2011 with our 3 children and loved it. The house is exactly as described - old, well loved and fun! The house was clean, had everything we needed and the beds were very comfortable. The garden was wonderful, a great place to have coffee in the morning. The house is within walking distance to everything in Salem and a short drive to Boston. Ruth (owner) was wonderful and very helpful. You HAVE to go to Red's for breakfast. Outstanding food! We all enjoyed the House of Seven Gables tour and the Peabody Museum which included tours of 3 historic homes - very interesting.
Owner response:It is fun to work with a family like this where they stay in touch as they plan their trip, and reserve many months in advance. It is always a treat to meet the people behind the phone calls! Glad you came, and especially glad you found what you had hoped for!
Recommended for:Tourists without a car, girls getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.
Country-like refuge mid-city
Guest: Patti
(Salem, Massachusetts)
Date of Stay: 07/02/11
Review Submitted: 09/06/11
Our three-couple family stay at Crombie House the week of July 4 was wonderful, comfortable, relaxing, and pleasant. The proprietors were friendly, welcoming, and helpful. The house itself, serving as a “home away,” offered lots of character—historic and contemporary, a country-like refuge in mid-city. So many destinations—sightseeing, shopping, entertainment, and dining—were walkable, allowing separate schedules and excursions but a convenient, shared headquarters. We all enjoyed breakfasts on the backyard patio, the coy pond, some dinners all together in the dining room, preparing meals together in the kitchen, and some evenings of DVDs on the large TV in the upstairs family room. We all had a refreshing vacation to remember and cherish. Thanks!
Recommended for:
Summer in Salem
Guest: Daniel D.
Date of Stay: 07/17/11
Review Submitted: 08/15/11
We are a family of six so were concerned about having enough space. The house is laid out well and we had plenty of room. The house is kept in great condition, shows some signs of age but that adds to the experience. It is in a great location an easy walk to restaurants and the walking mall on Essex street as well as the Peabody Essex Museum. It is about 0.6 mile to the train station. You are essentially in the middle of downtown. We particularly loved the fact that you can walk to just about anything you would need. We were there in July during a heat wave, fortunately the air conditioners did a good job keeping it comfortable. Ruth (the owner) was very helpful and a pleasure to deal with. We would recommend this as a place to stay for anyone wanting to explore Salem or the North Shore.
Owner response:Four teenagers and one shower.....in a heat wave. This family lived lightly in the house and made great use of local services like the YMCA and train. So glad you were comfortable!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, pet owners, families with teenagers.
Very pleasant vacation rental
Guest: Catherine
(Georgia)
Date of Stay: 06/06/11
Review Submitted: 06/15/11
We rented this house to accommodate family and friends when our daughter was married in nearby Danvers. The house was just as pictured and described, and especially nice for family members who are history buffs. It was clean and well maintained, and we especially enjoyed the back yard, since we were a large group and the house is - as described - not especially large. The kitchen was well-equipped, and the outdoor grill useful. Ruth Wall was especially helpful and offered a number of times, both before and during our stay, to provide anything we needed.
Owner response:We are so gratified to see the place where our family has happily gathered, full once again of a family group who want to spend time together. It was great to come greet these guests and see our kitchen full of blueberry pies!!
Recommended for:Tourists without a car, sightseeing, pet owners, age 55+, families with young children.
Wonderful clean home in the center of Salem
Guest: Springer Lover
(Hightstown, NJ)
Date of Stay: 05/30/11
Review Submitted: 06/15/11
What a sweet early 19th C house. Clean as a whistle and nicely decorated. Ruth is a great hostess. The garden and fish pond are a plus also. Right in the center of town, we walked to all the local attractions, restaurants, and the train. Highly recommended.
Owner response:We spent 25 years living in this old home and building the garden and yard, and we love to have guests who enjoy the blooms and fruits of our labors.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children.
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #198380
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