Clipper Ship Inn

The room was cleaner and nicer than I expected, and we stayed four nights with everything going well. It’s a two-star hotel, so don’t expect luxury or new furniture, but it suited us perfectly and I’d stay again. I’d been nervous because of the negative reviews, though it was the best price in Salem and felt like my only option. The woman at the front desk was friendly and informative. She let us check in hours early, gave us a Salem map with popular restaurants and attractions circled, explained how to walk to them, and shared the Salem taxi number.

The room was very large, much bigger than a typical hotel room, and it had a refrigerator and its own coffee maker. It was clean and nice. There were cats roaming around, including one I saw in the lobby and another at a room window, but I didn’t notice any urine smell in our room. Families who don’t mind cats might find the space useful. There wasn’t breakfast, though they gave us $3 per person for Duncan Donuts. The room cost $175 for one night, far above the $125 I saw on their site. They were also strict that cancelling meant paying even if you never stayed, so only book if you’re certain you’ll be there.

The staff earned the five stars. My friend and I get cold easily, and although they don’t turn on the heat in September, they brought us a space heater so we’d be comfortable. The rooms were clean and comfy, and the price was right. I’d stay here again. It’s an older, quiet motel, close to everything, including a beach about four minutes away by car. There’s a restaurant across the road that gives a 10% discount if you say you’re staying at the clipper. They’re strict about keeping noise down, so don’t plan on being loud.

We first got a room that smelled of cigarette smoke, even though neither my companion nor I smoke. We asked for a nonsmoking room and got one with no heat. It was October, and when I asked the front desk for extra blankets, they told me no. I was upset because I’d spent good money on a vacation and wanted to enjoy it, but I had no heat or extra blankets. I ended up buying a heating pad at CVS and froze in bed, even though I was busy doing other things besides sleeping. The front office smelled like cats and food when we checked in, and I could see a chicken carcass. I won’t return unless it has different owners or management.