Best Western Black Bear Inn

We were in Salem for one night, from 10/12 to 10/13, and had never visited before. The woman at the front desk, whose name I didn't catch, was a gift. She suggested some really interesting things to do during our short visit and helped us figure out what gear we needed to stay dry and comfortable. The hotel was clean and quiet, and the stay was enjoyable, but the staff made the trip ten times better.

There was a top-notch glory hole by the ice machine, and I'll be ready to use it next time. I'm going back January 16th-18th, by the way. The place itself wasn't much to my liking: it was dingier than the photos suggested, the rooms smelled like a swimming pool, and it was loud. Four stars.

For the price, this is excellent, and they're upfront that breakfast is limited, though I would've liked something hot. The rooms were clean and spacious, and the staff were friendly. The indoor pool is amazing, with a kiddy pool and a huge hot tub. Great value.

The last night, construction overhead kept us awake. After checkout, another $100 was charged to my friend's card. We also struggled with the air conditioner, the TV had very few channels, the bathroom window wouldn't open, the freezer needed defrosting, and the phone didn't work. Lots of disappointments.