New Lark Hotel to Open in Salem, MA

The Merchant, a Lark Hotels property located in the heart of Salem, Massachusetts, will open its doors on November 25, 2015 with 11 guest rooms and suites. The Merchant will be the first boutique hotel in this historic harborside town and brings the total number of Lark Hotels to 13, with an additional five coming in 2016.

Best known for the 1692 Salem Witch Trials, Salem today is one of New England's most popular destinations for those seeking a ghostly experience. However, only true history buffs will know that newly elected President George Washington visited the town on October 29, 1789 on his inaugural tour - 226 years ago today. During his stay, Washington spent the evening at what is now The Merchant, and hotel guests can rest their heads in the very same room, aptly named The George Washington Room.

Designed by Boston-based Rachel Reider Interiors, guest accommodations and social spaces fuse an elegantly modern vibe with the ornate details of the 18th century structure. Rich shades of red, emerald green, and deep purple are paired with original woodwork, floating staircases, and highly textural fabrics and furnishings for an exquisite and worldly experience. Asian-inspired custom artwork evokes Salem's role as a vital trade port in Washington's time, serving as a hub for molasses used for rum, Sumatran pepper, tea, and spices.

The Merchant was originally a private home owned by Joshua Ward, a wealthy sea merchant and privateer who commissioned acclaimed 18th century architect Samuel McIntire to build the stunning federal style building on Washington Street. Between Ward's ownership and its reincarnation as a boutique hotel, the property has been a tavern, an office building, and even a rare bookshop. From The Merchant's central location, guests will enjoy exploring Salem's rich history, delicious eateries, evocative architecture, boutiques, specialty shops, and galleries.

To celebrate its grand opening, The Merchant is offering an "Explore the Neighborhood" special from November 25-December 17, 2015. Guests who book two or more nights directly with the hotel will receive 10% off room rates, two complimentary tickets to the acclaimed Peabody Essex museum and a $20 dining credit to Naumkeag Ordinary -- a restaurant just around the corner from the hotel. Potential guests can read complete details at http://www.themerchantsalem.com.

About Lark Hotels:
Lark Hotels is a collection of boutique hotels located in sought-after spots. Additional Lark Hotels include Whitehall, Camden, ME; Captain Fairfield Inn, Kennebunkport, ME; Pomegranate Inn, Portland, ME; 76 Main, Nantucket, MA; 21 Broad, Nantucket, MA; The Attwater, Newport, RI; Gilded, Newport, RI; Ale House Inn, Portsmouth, NH; The Hotel Portsmouth, Portsmouth, NH; Blue Door Group - Inns of Mendocino, Mendocino, CA; and Field Guide, Stowe, VT.

Lark Hotels embrace the locations they are in, but in playful, unexpected ways. Think "sense of place" with imagination and a touch of mischief. Each Lark Hotel invites guests to experience modern luxury in the heart of an iconic destination, to feel the pull of
a nostalgic getaway while surrounded by today's amenities and to find attentive service when they want it and privacy when they don't.

Need more Travel Theatre News in your life? Sign up for all the news on the Winter season, discounts & more...