Vacation Rentals by Owner

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!

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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:Age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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!

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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:Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car.

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:Families with teenagers, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Country-like refuge mid-city

Guest: Patti
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!

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Pleased

Guest: Maryland
Date of Stay: 07/02/11 Review Submitted: 07/27/11

Staying in your lovely home was everything and more than we could have hoped for!

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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:Age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car, pet owners, sightseeing.

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:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Well-loved old house; perfectly located

Guest: lnbs (Titusville, Fl.)
Date of Stay: 05/18/11 Review Submitted: 05/26/11

My family and I stayed at this house for a few days while attending graduation events at Endicott College in Beverly. It is a lovely home that is well equipped, and very conveniently located. Wonderful restaurants are within a block or two, and the waterfront is about 10-15 minutes away. It was fun being in a period home in such a historic town. The gardens and the koi pond are very pretty. We entertained 16 one evening with plenty of room, and everyone wandering around the house wishing they were staying there! There is a lot of love shown in the care of this home. I would return there again if my travels brought me back to the area.

Owner response:We are so gratified to find that other families are as comfortable and happy in our old home as we have been. It just happens to be in a great spot, with enough features to make you feel at home. Thank you for coming!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

GREAT TIME IN SALEM

Guest: happy traveler (Slatington, PA)
Date of Stay: 10/13/10 Review Submitted: 12/06/10

.My niece had gotten engaged in Salem five years ago and our family decided to venture back to revisit the historical landmarks and to also feel the "spookiness" Salem emanates around Halloween. We had seven people in all. Grandma is in her early seventies, two fifty year olds, two late twenty year-olds and two teenagers; and, at the last minute, our fourteen year old Labrador retriever. What a combination! I am happy to report that this house was a fit for everyone. We really enjoyed the kitchen and large dining area. We made big breakfasts every morning and if we forgot something, Ruth, the owner, already had it there for us. The home’s location is wonderful and we walked everywhere, this included grandma at seventy. I also want to report that Salem is the most dog friendly town I have ever seen, my dog “Lonnie” went for numerous walks and many people stopped just to say hello to her. All this added together to make a wonderful and memorable vacation. We will certainly be returning to Salem and hopefully this house. Thank you Ruth - you truly have a beautiful home.

Owner response:How nice to know that our town does such a nice job of welcoming visitors once they leave our home base of comfort and venture out! And we're especially happy that guests find so much to do without having to use their car. Hope these guests will return.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

April 2010

Guest: Tina (Grand Rapids, Mi)
Date of Stay: 04/19/10 Review Submitted: 07/07/10

Our family decided to take a much needed road trip out East and found this property on Great Rentals and fell in love immediately! It was everything we thought it would be and more! Puts you right in the middle of a great town in which everything is within walking distance. The house is truly a piece of past history with all the modern day options! Thanks to Ruth for making the trip a wonderful experience we will back again in the future!

Owner response:We were glad that our house could be the goal for some road weary children and their parents. It is so nice to just park the car and leave it there once you get to Salem. April is a great time to catch some history of the American Revolution while on school vacation- Lexington and Concord are less than an hour's drive from here.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Guest: Rusty5 (NYC)
Date of Stay: 11/11/09 Review Submitted: 11/11/09

Just returned from a great stay at this house and I'll definitely return. This is my 5th trip to Salem and after staying at inns and hotels, I decided to try this house instead and I'm very glad that I did. It's in a great location, was very clean, and had a lot of character. There's a large flat-screen tv/dvd player upstairs and several interesting books to read. Even though it was November, the weather was still nice enough that we were able to enjoy the garden in back of the house. Post-Halloween Salem is great - the crowds are gone, the attractions are still open, and the town has an overall relaxing and friendly vibe. Everything was within walking distance - historical sites, attractions and great restaurants. Highly recommended.

Owner response:We love to share the ambiance of Salem in the off season. Every month has special events- and weekend guests are welcome.

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Our stay was short, but very sweet

Guest: Mewie (Albany.NY)
Date of Stay: 10/09/09 Review Submitted: 10/17/09

This is a wonderful old house, the owners are helpful, and very friendly and are very gracious to share their wonderful home with other families. My family visits Salem every year around the same time for the Haunted Happenings, this year was especially relaxing with a house so close to the center of town. This house has so much room and is so warm and cozy. It really added so much to our stay this year. If you want a quiet, spacious, and cozy house to stay in this is it! Thank You, Ruth!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/07/09 Review Submitted: 09/07/09

This lovely, somewhat odd house turned out to be the perfect base for our family for my daughter's wedding at the Peabody Essex Museum the last Saturday in August. Lovely because it is well-cared for, historic, nicely located and casually comfortable. Odd because it has character, with steep staircases to the upstairs and lofts, and the narrow end of the house facing the street and sheilding the small but lush garden in back (the berry vines were filled with blackberries and raspberries when we were there). Although only 6 of us stayed in the house, we entertained many more of our family (some from Europe)who were in town for the wedding and staying elsewhere. The house and garden were perfect for casual entertaining (I think we had 16 one night for lobsters). Everyone loved using the house as a base of operations -- the one comment I keep hearing from all the extended family is about house the house made the wedding! No real drawbacks except the TV didn't work (not sure if that's due to our inability to operate it or some other technical problem but we really didn;t have time to watch anyway) The owners clearly love their house and are very accommodating and welcoming. It's not fancy. We had worries that 1.5 baths might present a logjam, but never did (the main bath is quite large with a big whirlpool tub). The loft bedrooms are probably best for kids (or very agile adults).

Owner response:When we decided to make our old family home available for weekly rentals, we knew the house would be a place where many memories would be made for its guests. Imagine 16 lobsters served up on one huge dining room table!

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Just like home !

Guest: French Family from Wisconsin (Kenosha, Wisconsin)
Date of Stay: 08/16/09 Review Submitted: 09/06/09

We have rented many properties in various locations in the past few year, but the house in Crombie Street is a very special place like no other. It was a perfect location since we came to visit Boston and the North Coast, getting to Boston by commuter rail is fast and easy. The house was great for our 2 families (4 adults and 3 teenagers), and we particularly enjoyed cooking dinners in the well equipped kitchen, and relaxing in the garden. We bought and cooked fresh lobsters and other dishes. The area around Salem is beautiful. Our guests Ruth and Robert were very helpful throughout the stay.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, sightseeing.

Family vacation!

Guest: 5familyfun (Chicago)
Date of Stay: 08/08/09 Review Submitted: 09/05/09

My husband and I were celebrating our 10 year anniversary! We brought our 3 daughters ages 7, 6 and 4. The girls couldn't get enough of the play areas upstairs and the beautiful garden. We loved how close the house is to everything. It's such a beautiful house, so charming and full of warmth! A 'well loved house' indeed! The owners were always available if there were questions or concerns - and there were no concerns :) Everything was just wonderful. We very nearly sad to go home!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Girls Trip

Guest: DMP60 (Pineville, Ar)
Date of Stay: 06/19/09 Review Submitted: 07/19/09

Our group spent 9 wonderful days in this house. The house is close to everything you might want to do in Salem and close to the train station if you wish to visit the surrounding area. No need for a car you can walk to most everything. You get a wonderful sense of stepping back in time as soon as you walk through the door except for the kitchen which is very modern and has everything you could possibly need because lets face it we all love antiques except in the kitchen. It rained almost everyday but we still had wonderful time and plan to return in the near future.

Owner response:These plucky gals win the prize for logging the most miles, with the biggest smiles, despite our unforgiving rainy month of June. They took the ferry, the train and the trolley. They even took the shuttle from the airport! Way to go!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 05/23/09 Review Submitted: 05/23/09

Quaint, ecclectic, charming & cozy 200+-year-old house (you can stay in for some history!)in downtown Salem! Very well cared for & clean. Plenty of room for everyone. For this price, sleeps 8--you cannot beat it for downtown---everything is well within EASY walking distance. We enjoyed the back garden and fish. Owners gave us plenty of information about the area and the house. We all RAVED about the TUB!!! (I want one in MY house)Thanks Ruth & Bob!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/09 Review Submitted: 04/01/09

Comment Text: We spent a great week at this house! We have three teenagers so having separate rooms for each of them was important. We were able to cook breakfasts in the cosy kitchen and even entertained another family during our stay. Lots of space and the homeowner was incredibly helpful. We had several phone conversations before we even traveled which was very reassuring since we had not used VRBO before. We were concerned about driving on icy roads so we decided not to rent a car. We had no problem walking to everything we wanted to see in Salem. The home is in a great location. It is also within an easy walk to the train station so we spent a day in Boston and a day in Glouster as well. We would definitely recommend the homeowner's carriage ride as a way to see some of Salem's historic homes. This was a very positive experience.

Owner response:How does it feel to leave your old family home to strangers? So far, SO positive! This family formed a warm connection with me before they arrived, and it only got better once they got here. What a great family!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 12/01/08 Review Submitted: 11/30/08

We used this home for a Thanksgiving feast and family gathering. We had a great time and it was much cheaper than staying in 3 hotel rooms. We also had the use of a full kitchen which is necessary for a Thanksgiving meal. The home has quite a bit of history surrounding it. It's older than any building in our state. As we toured the home of Nathaniel Hawthorne (nearby) and the House of Seven Gables, it occurred to me that our residence was about as old and had some of the same features (including a couple of hidden stairways) and very wide floor boards. The owners were very nice and they had decorated the place with hundreds of unique items and books that let their personalities show through. This is a great place for someone who wants to feel the history.

Owner response:It is remarkable how many thanksgiving dinners have been held in this house by so many people over 200+ years. We were honored to host four generations of this family coming from throughout the US to be together, and to be held in the spell the house and its history creates.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 09/07/08 Review Submitted: 09/06/08

Fantastic New England Experience Merry Mom Toledo, Ohio, USA. Date Submitted: August 13, 2008 Date of Stay: July 2008 We came to Salem for our daughter's wedding. Even before we arrived, we were welcomed by the owners of this home. When we arrived, we immediately felt at home in this great house. I recommend this property 100%. The owners were friendly, respectful, courteous, and made sure that every request was met. The horse and buggy ride was so much fun. I will definitely reserve this house again when we return to the Boston area to visit our now married daughter. Recommended for: Sightseeing, Families with Teenagers, Tourists without a Car, Families with Young Children, Age 55+, Pet-friendly, Girls Getaway, Adventure Seekers, Romantic Getaway

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Perfect getaway

Guest: Schenectady (Schenectady, NY)
Date of Stay: 08/24/08 Review Submitted: 10/07/08

We found 13 Crombie online last spring and booked it for our August getaway. We've escaped to Salem before, so we knew that the town was where we wanted to be. We were delighted to find that our hosts were very friendly and helpful, and that the house was beautifully decorated from the years in which their family had lived in it. We felt at home right away. Everything we needed was supplied, and stores were within walking distance. We had four teens (16-19) with us, and the house was set up perfectly to give everyone enough space and distance. My favorite feature was the back garden, with a coy pond and fresh blackberries.

Owner response:It is great to have our convenience of location for a family like this- they parked the car and never moved it for days on end. The parents enjoyed relaxing in the garden, while the young adults came and went as they pleased.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A wondrous house with great owners

Guest: Susan in Chicago (Chicago, IL, USA)
Date of Stay: 08/03/08 Review Submitted: 08/16/08

Our family of six just finished a weeklong stay in this amazing old house in the heart of Salem's historic downtown. The owners have poured tons of energy into making this home come truly alive. The photos give a good idea, but words really don't do it justice. Textured wall finishes in wonderful colors...a massive and eclectic book collection to poke through, including lots of kids' books...foot-wide original floor boards...great mix of art & found objects all over the place...lovely side and back gardens with pond, swing, slide, and so forth. It's perfect for larger families (we slept 6 but the house easily accommodates 8 or more). Cozy, funky, creative, and not kitschy at all. I did NOT want to leave and hope we can get back there again. Ideal for traipsing around Salem, getting to historical sites, restaurants, movies, you name it, all within a couple of blocks. Several thumbs up.

Owner response:Our old family home simply glows with pride when a family moves in to enjoy it. The rewards of renting are much more than financial, giving a chance to facilitate another family's relaxing time together since our kids have grown and gone. As the house finishes each week unscathed, we are so glad we took the risk and began to rent it through Homeaway to well educated guests who appreciate the work we've put into it..

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Fantastic New England Experience

Guest: Merry Mom (Toledo, Ohio, USA)
Date of Stay: 07/27/08 Review Submitted: 08/13/08

We came to Salem for our daughter's wedding. Even before we arrived, we were welcomed by the owners of this home. When we arrived, we immediately felt at home in this great house. I recommend this property 100%. The owners were friendly, respectful, courteous, and made sure that every request was met. The horse and buggy ride was so much fun. I will definitely reserve this house again when we return to the Boston area to visit our now married daughter.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A fun week in Salem - a family and their greyhound

Guest: nancy c. (PA)
Date of Stay: 06/08/08 Review Submitted: 07/13/08

The house was wonderful. It was perfectly located within walking distance to markets, great restaurants, attractions and shopping. The house is excellently equipped and furnished for a restful vacation. The owners were great and helpful. We highly recommend this house. We enjoyed spending evenings in the garden.

Owner response:The fact that the house is dog/cat friendly has been a boon for many a traveling family. "Mulberry" was a perfect gentleman, staying in his crate when his family was out on their whale watch.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great Place to Stay

Guest: mmi (Canada)
Date of Stay: 06/06/08 Review Submitted: 06/18/08

A bunch of friends and I came to Boston to catch a couple Red Sox games and we stayed at this house. We took the subway into the Boston without any difficulty. It's located at a very nice spot in Salem. There are lots of places to eat close by and it's a nice area of town to walk around. The owners were very, very helpful when we needed help finding our way around, espcially directions to the subway. The house was clean and well-maintained with lots of rooms to sleep. It's a very nice house. I highly recommend it.

Owner response:It was fun to pave the way for Red Sox fans' weekend trip, giving them exact directions for traveling the public transport. Eight people was a perfect number for the house, as well as making the trip affordable for them. Canadians welcome!

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