Strange Things Have Happened At This Historic Massachusetts Hotel, And Guests Still Remember Them

Why would anyone smell apples in a hotel hallway with no apples in sight? That one question has followed a certain Massachusetts hotel for years.

And honestly, apples are the gentle part of the story.

There’s a room where a woman is said to linger by the mirror. There’s a ship’s wheel that supposedly spins with nobody touching it.

I can’t imagine being the person who notices that first.

I like how none of this feels like a theme-park gimmick. The building is a real, working hotel with comfy beds, busy restaurants, and wedding crowds in the lobby.

The strange stuff just quietly shares the space.

So what happens when you book a room in a place with this kind of reputation? Maybe nothing at all.

Or maybe you’ll come home with a story of your own.

Follow Your Nose, Because The Apple Smell Comes With A Legend

Apples, of all things, kick off the strangest story at the Hawthorne Hotel. The scent of fresh apples has been linked to the lobby and hallways, even when no fruit is around.

So where would that smell come from? Legend points to Bridget Bishop, the first woman executed during the Salem Witch Trials of 1692.

The tale says she once kept an apple orchard on the land where the hotel now stands. Some historians question that claim, so treat it as folklore rather than settled fact.

Still, it’s a pretty memorable detail for a hotel that opened in 1925. Most buildings have creaky floors, while this one supposedly has a fruity ghost story.

The site has another layer of history, too. Before the hotel, the Franklin Building stood here and served as a meeting place for the Salem Marine Society.

That mix of maritime history, a debated orchard, and witch trial legend gives the property a memorable backstory. You don’t need to believe the ghost stories to enjoy hearing them.

My tip is simple. Take a slow sniff in the hallway, then decide for yourself.

Worst case, you’ll suddenly crave apple pie. Best case, you’ll leave with a story nobody back home can top.

Room 612 Has Earned Its Spooky Reputation The Hard Way

Ask paranormal fans about the sixth floor, and one number pops up fast. Room 612 is often called the most active spot in the building.

The best-known report involves a ghostly woman. She’s said to appear inside the room, sometimes gazing at herself in the mirror.

Vanity, it seems, might last forever. A woman’s figure has also been reported lingering in the hallway just outside the door.

Other claims get more personal. Some stories describe unseen hands tugging on sheets or brushing against hair and hands.

Plenty of people simply describe an uneasy feeling. That sense of not being alone is a common thread in the tales tied to this floor.

Now for some honest balance. Back in 2011, the hotel’s general manager said people report feeling things, but there’s no official documentation of hauntings.

I respect that answer. It leaves room for wonder without pretending to know too much.

If you want this room, booking early makes sense, especially around fall. Bring a nightlight if you’re the jumpy type.

And maybe keep the mirror check quick before bed. Just in case someone else is already using it.

Room 325 Keeps Things Busy With Faucets And Lights

Lights flicking on by themselves would rattle anyone. In Room 325, that’s just one part of the legend.

Stories say faucets turn on and off without help. For a hotel room, that’s a strange kind of room service.

The tales go further, and some are hard to shake. Reports describe the sound of a baby crying from inside the room when no baby is present.

Others mention being touched or feeling the bedsheets tugged. These are the same kind of claims linked to Room 612, which makes the two rooms an eerie pair.

Here’s what I find fascinating. Room 325 is still a regular, bookable guest room, part of a historic hotel with 93 guest rooms.

That means you can request it and see what happens. Or you can stay three floors away and just enjoy the gossip.

Rooms here are individually decorated with period-style furniture. You’ll also find flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, so modern comforts sit right beside the old stories.

A practical idea is to ask about room availability when you book. Famous rooms can go quickly during busy Salem seasons.

Keep An Eye On That Ship’s Wheel In The Tavern

Salem’s seafaring past isn’t only in museums. At the Hawthorne Hotel, it shows up as a ship’s wheel inside The Tavern.

According to legend, that wheel has been seen turning on its own. Some folks credit the spirits of old sea captains who apparently never retired.

Honestly, it fits the town. Salem was once a major port, and sea captains are part of its identity.

The Tavern itself is an oak-paneled space with a casual feel. It serves a combined lunch and dinner menu built around comfort food.

So you can sit down for a relaxed meal and glance at the wall now and then. Dinner and a possible ghost sighting is a solid deal.

Timing matters here. The Tavern can get busy, especially during Salem’s popular fall season.

Arriving a bit early is a smart move if you want a seat. Hungry crowds tend to be far more real than spectral captains.

Bring a friend who loves a good legend. You’ll have plenty to talk about while you wait for your food, and maybe while you watch that wheel.

The Top Floor Belongs To A Society Of Sailors

Few hotels have a private maritime club living on the top floor. The Hawthorne Hotel does, and it’s the Salem Marine Society.

Fittingly, this space has its own odd stories. Employees have claimed to see a ship’s helm turning by itself up there.

That’s right, two spinning wheels in one building. The captains really seem to love steering.

Another tale sounds like a tidy person’s nightmare. Items that were stored away securely have reportedly been found scattered the next morning.

Nobody has explained it, and that’s part of the charm. The reports come from staff, which gives them an extra layer of intrigue.

What I like most is the reminder of Salem’s deep connection to the sea. The hotel sits about a six-minute walk from the Salem Maritime National Historic Site.

So after hearing about the restless helm, you can stroll over and learn the real history. Ships, captains, and global trade shaped this Massachusetts town for centuries.

It’s a neat way to connect a spooky story to actual facts. You’ll understand why sailors might want to stick around.

Famous Ghost Hunters And A Houdini Seance Showed Up Here

In 1990, a group gathered at the hotel to try reaching Harry Houdini. The famous escape artist apparently stayed put, because the seance was reportedly unsuccessful.

Still, how many hotels can say they hosted that kind of attempt? It’s a wonderfully odd chapter in the building’s story.

The attention didn’t stop there. In 2007, the SyFy show Ghost Hunters brought its team in to investigate.

That same year, Travelocity ranked the Hawthorne Hotel fourth on its list of most haunted hotels in America. USA Today later placed it ninth on a similar list.

Those rankings helped give the hotel international recognition for reported ghostly activity. It’s a big reputation for a building on a quiet town square.

The hotel also has some fun Hollywood ties. Scenes for the TV show Bewitched were filmed here in 1970.

Then in 2015, Robert De Niro and Jennifer Lawrence filmed scenes for the movie Joy at the hotel. Not bad for a place mostly known for ghosts.

Fans of TV, film, and the paranormal all get something here. That’s a rare combo.

Breakfast And Live Music Make Nathaniel’s Worth A Stop

Ghost stories work up an appetite. Luckily, Nathaniel’s is right inside the hotel.

The restaurant serves breakfast and dinner in an elegant setting. Its breakfast plates lean creative, which beats grabbing a sad granola bar on the go.

Evenings bring live music to the room. That gives dinner a relaxed, classy mood after a day of walking around town.

The name comes from the same place as the hotel’s. Both honor Nathaniel Hawthorne, the Salem-born author behind The House of the Seven Gables.

I love that literary connection. You’re eating in a spot named after a writer who loved a good haunting himself.

Breakfast at the hotel is paid separately, so plan for that in your budget. It’s an easy choice when you want to start the day without hunting for a table elsewhere.

Room service is also available if you’d rather stay cozy upstairs. That might be tempting after a long night in Room 612.

Between Nathaniel’s and The Tavern, you have two dining styles in one building. Fancy or casual, the choice is yours.

You Can Walk Almost Everywhere From This Front Door

Location is a superpower in Salem. The Hawthorne Hotel sits at 18 Washington Square West, Salem, MA 01970, overlooking Salem Common.

Across the way, you’ll spot the Salem Witch Museum. Talk about a fitting neighbor for a hotel with this reputation.

The Peabody Essex Museum is just steps away. So is the House of the Seven Gables, the famous home tied to Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel.

Pickering Wharf and Front Street are close too. Those areas are great for shopping, waterfront views, and wandering at your own pace.

Parking is free on-site, which is a big deal in a busy Massachusetts tourist town. Still, the lot can fill up during large events like weddings.

Here’s a fun bonus. Bicycle rentals are available directly across from the hotel, so you can explore a little farther without the car.

My advice is to park once and forget about driving. Salem’s best sights cluster nicely around this neighborhood.

Fall gets especially crowded, so book well ahead if you’re visiting in October. Everyone seems to want a spooky season trip, and this square is the heart of it.

Old-School Charm Comes With A Few Quirks To Know

A hundred years is a long time for any building. The Hawthorne Hotel opened on July 23, 1925, and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025.

That age shows up in charming ways. The redbrick building keeps its historic character, and it’s a member of Historic Hotels of America.

Rooms are spread between the main building and an adjacent guesthouse. Each one is individually decorated with period-style furniture.

Older buildings can mean smaller rooms and snug bathrooms. Climate control can also be limited depending on the season, so pack layers.

On the plus side, you’ll find plenty of modern basics. There’s free Wi-Fi, a business center, an elevator, and a 24-hour front desk.

Guests can also request complimentary passes to the nearby Salem YMCA for fitness facilities.

Traveling with a furry friend? The hotel is pet-friendly, though extra charges apply.

A ballroom and meeting space also make it popular for weddings and events. Expect a lively lobby when those are happening.

So is it right for you? If historic charm and a spooky story or two sound fun, this Massachusetts classic could be the stay you remember most.