Hawthorne Hotel

Packages

Guest capacity

Up to 185 seated guests

About this venue

Located in the heart of Salem, MA, the Hawthorne Hotel is a full-service wedding venue offering the elegant Grand Ballroom, charming guest rooms, a seasoned catering staff, and a variety of spaces for your special event. In addition to wedding ceremonies and receptions, we also host rehearsal dinners, welcome parties, wedding showers, farewell brunches, and more—making us a one-stop destination for your entire wedding weekend. Whether you're planning a micro-wedding or a large, traditional dinner reception, we’ll work closely with you to customize a package that fits your vision and budget. A proud member of Historic Hotels of America, the Hawthorne features gilded chandeliers, a jazz-inspired dining room, an oak-paneled tavern, and timeless architectural details. We're also forward-thinking when it comes to food (gluten-free, vegan, kid-friendly), beverages (local craft beer, award-winning cocktails), decor (up-lighting), entertainment (tarot readings!), and guest services.

Seated guest capacity

  • 10-185

Venue type

  • Ballrooms, Banquet Halls
  • Hotels, Inns, Resorts

Venue setting

  • Indoor
18 Washington Sq, Salem, MA 01970

Our event spaces

The Ballroom

Classic elegance and historic details in a grand room overlooking Salem Common.

With 19-ft ceilings, magnificent Palladian windows overlooking Salem Common, and neutral decor, our versatile Grand Ballroom can transform from a wedding ceremony to a seated reception with dance floor, or can be used for a shower or farewell brunch. Gold accents and a grey carpet complement most colors schemes, and with 2,000 square feet of space there are endless design options, including making the space intimate for smaller events. Don't forget to look up at our famous grandmother windows.

Guest capacity

Up to 185 Seated

Up to 300 Standing

Square footage

2,470

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Wedding shower

Guests often feel this space is

“Luxurious and chic”

Sophia's

Elevated gatherings in a storied setting.

Named in honor of Sophia Peabody Hawthorne, the talented wife of author Nathaniel Hawthorne, this elegant space exudes timeless charm. Surrounded by large windows, the room is bathed in natural sunlight. The soft gold tones, traditional wall sconces, and classic crown molding enhance the room’s graceful aesthetic, making it an ideal setting for wedding showers, farewell brunches, and so much more.

Guest capacity

Up to 80 Seated

Up to 100 Standing

Square footage

1,260

Ideal for

Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Engagement party

Guests often feel this space is

“Luxurious and chic”

Essex

Make the most of your wedding journey and let us take care of the rest!

Whether you're just starting the festivities and showering the wedding couple or sending guests off after a weekend of celebrating, the Essex room is the perfect space for an intimate and memorable gathering. Located on the mezzanine level of the hotel, guests will find a comfortable setting to enjoy a good meal and good company. Help your vision come to life for your wedding shower, farewell brunch, and more in the Essex room.

Guest capacity

Up to 60 Seated

Up to 100 Standing

Square footage

860

Ideal for

Wedding shower, Farewell brunch

Guests often feel this space is

“Warm and cozy”

The Ballroom

Classic elegance and historic details in a grand room overlooking Salem Common.

With 19-ft ceilings, magnificent Palladian windows overlooking Salem Common, and neutral decor, our versatile Grand Ballroom can transform from a wedding ceremony to a seated reception with dance floor, or can be used for a shower or farewell brunch. Gold accents and a grey carpet complement most colors schemes, and with 2,000 square feet of space there are endless design options, including making the space intimate for smaller events. Don't forget to look up at our famous grandmother windows.

Guest capacity

Up to 185 Seated

Up to 300 Standing

Square footage

2,470

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Wedding shower

Guests often feel this space is

“Luxurious and chic”

Sophia's

Elevated gatherings in a storied setting.

Named in honor of Sophia Peabody Hawthorne, the talented wife of author Nathaniel Hawthorne, this elegant space exudes timeless charm. Surrounded by large windows, the room is bathed in natural sunlight. The soft gold tones, traditional wall sconces, and classic crown molding enhance the room’s graceful aesthetic, making it an ideal setting for wedding showers, farewell brunches, and so much more.

Guest capacity

Up to 80 Seated

Up to 100 Standing

Square footage

1,260

Ideal for

Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Engagement party

Guests often feel this space is

“Luxurious and chic”

Essex

Make the most of your wedding journey and let us take care of the rest!

Whether you're just starting the festivities and showering the wedding couple or sending guests off after a weekend of celebrating, the Essex room is the perfect space for an intimate and memorable gathering. Located on the mezzanine level of the hotel, guests will find a comfortable setting to enjoy a good meal and good company. Help your vision come to life for your wedding shower, farewell brunch, and more in the Essex room.

Guest capacity

Up to 60 Seated

Up to 100 Standing

Square footage

860

Ideal for

Wedding shower, Farewell brunch

Guests often feel this space is

“Warm and cozy”

Hawthorne Hotel packages

Timeless Package

125-200 guests

Peak pricing $88-122

Off-peak pricing $88-122

Description

-Personal Assistance from a Professional Wedding Coordinator -Complimentary Menu Tasting for Wedding Couple -Room Rental for a One-Hour Cocktail Reception & Four-Hour Dinner Dance Reception -One Hour Open Bar for your Cocktail Reception -Elegant Four-Course Meal -Floral Centerpieces for Head and Guest Tables -Custom-Designed Wedding Cake -Limousine – 6 Passenger -Deluxe Wedding Night Accommodations for the Newlywed Couple - Floor Length Linens (White or Ivory) -Discounted Wedding Room Block

Intimate Package

40-100 guests

Description

-Catering Manager -Day-Of Wedding Coordinator - Room Rental + Photograph Room -Three-Course Meal - Wedding Cake - Hawthorne's Romantic Candlelight Centerpieces - Place Cards - Wedding Guest Book - Our Timeless Table Numbers - Card Box - Cake Knife -Table Linens -Overnight Accommodations for the Wedding Couple in Standard Room - Discounts on Overnight Accommodations for Overnight Guests (Based on Availability) - Discounts on Rehearsal Dinner - Wedding Shower -Farewell Brunch at the Hotel

Available services that can be provided by Hawthorne Hotel

Services & amenities

  • Bar services
  • Catering services
  • Clean up
  • Dance floor
  • Dressing room / Bridal Suite
  • Event coordinator
  • Event staff
  • Liability insurance
  • On-site accommodations
  • Pet friendly
  • Service staff
  • Set up
  • Wedding cake services
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Wifi

Transportation & access

  • Limo
  • Self parking - free
  • Valet - paid
  • Wheelchair accessible

Rentals

  • Chiavari Chairs
  • Linens
  • Standard Chairs

Accommodations

  • Bedroom suites
  • Double bed rooms
  • Honeymoon suite
  • Room blocks offered
  • Single king rooms
  • Single queen rooms

Reviews

Write a review
Rating: 5.0

5.0 out of 5

3 reviews

  • SS

    Samantha S.

    Rating: 5
    •May 9, 2026

    Best Weekend Ever!

    We had our rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception at the Hawthorne Hotel, and we truly can’t say enough good things about the experience. From the very beginning, the sales team was incredibly helpful and easy to work with. A special shoutout to Jocelyn—she was absolutely amazing throughout the entire planning process and execution. She made everything feel organized, stress-free, and genuinely enjoyable. We went with the Timeless Wedding Package, and it honestly exceeded all of our expectations. Everything from the food, service, flow of the day, and attention to detail was flawless. Our guests had nothing but great things to say. The Hawthorne really felt like a home away from home throughout the entire weekend, which made the experience even more special for us and our families. If you’re considering getting married here, we highly recommend it. The Hawthorne made our wedding weekend feel effortless and truly unforgettable.

  • KG

    Kelsey G.

    Rating: 5
    •Dec 22, 2025

    Amazing Historic Vendor

    My husband and I got married at the Hawthorne in November 2025 and it was absolutely amazing. We worked with Christine who was on top of everything and answered all of our questions in a timely manner. The hotel itself is beautiful and if you’re going for a timeless vibe this is the spot. Oh and also, the food was incredible! Really can’t say enough great things about the Hawthorne - it was an amazing experience!

  • NA

    Nicholas A.

    Rating: 5
    •Mar 23, 2025

    An Unforgettable Experience at The Hawthorne Hotel

    An Unforgettable Experience at The Hawthorne Hotel We had the most wonderful experience hosting our rehearsal dinner, welcome reception, and farewell brunch at The Hawthorne Hotel, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with our choice! From start to finish, every aspect of the service, food, and ambiance was absolutely perfect. The hotel’s vintage charm was exactly what we envisioned for our wedding weekend, and it provided the perfect setting for all of our events. The food was a highlight of our weekend. At the rehearsal dinner, we had the Chicken Milanese entrée, which was a huge hit with our guests. So many people mentioned how much they loved it, and the entire meal was delicious and beautifully presented. The service throughout all of our events was impeccable, and the wait staff was friendly and attentive, making everyone feel welcome and cared for. One of the things we loved most about the Hawthorne Hotel was how perfectly it fit our aesthetic for the wedding weekend. The vintage character of the hotel gave everything a timeless, elegant feel, and it was the ideal backdrop for our celebrations, even though our wedding and reception were off-site. We absolutely adored the hotel’s library space, which hosted our farewell brunch. The cozy, intimate atmosphere made it the perfect spot for a relaxed and meaningful gathering with our closest family and friends. The space was beautifully decorated, and it truly set the tone for a lovely, laid-back morning after the big day. Our hotel suite was equally impressive. It was spacious, comfortable, and the perfect place to unwind after a busy weekend. The bed was incredibly comfortable, and we both enjoyed a restful night’s sleep. It was a great retreat for us during such a busy time and offered everything we needed for a relaxing and enjoyable stay. A huge thank you to our amazing events coordinator, Beth Pasquarello. Beth was an absolute gem throughout the entire process. She was incredibly responsive, helpful, honest, and caring. We never felt out of the loop, and she was always there to offer advice and solutions. One great example of her attention to detail was when she helped us secure a microphone for the rehearsal dinner, ensuring everything went smoothly. Her professionalism and personal touch made the entire experience so much easier and stress-free. If you’re looking for a beautiful, historic venue with fantastic service, delicious food, and a truly memorable atmosphere, we highly recommend The Hawthorne Hotel. Thank you again for making our weekend so special!

Preferred vendors of Hawthorne Hotel

Photographer
Benoit & McCarthy Photography
Rating: 5.0 (8 reviews)
Newbury, MA
Starts at $1,800
Florist
K Hyde Floral
Cakes & desserts
Jcakes
Photographer
617 Weddings & Events
We can work with the city of Salem, as well as with the House of Seven Gables to include an outdoor ceremony venue, based on availability, at the adjacent Salem Common or at the oceanfront lawn of the House of Seven Gables.
Salem is a great walking city, and as such you can turn your wedding into a weekend getaway. From lively bars to local attractions and shops, Salem has the perfect blend of activities to offer. Harbor cruises, trolley tours, food or spirit tours, museums, tarot readings - there is enough to fill a weekend.
Your choices include what type of bar you will have (open vs. cash and if open, then consumption vs. flat hourly rate), whether you will have a champagne toast or offer wine with dinner. These and other details should be reviewed with your catering manager as soon as you are ready, but at least two months prior to your wedding.
Yes. All function space and restaurant outlets are accessible, with restrooms at lobby level. We offer two ADA-compliant guest rooms.
Yes. We have two parking lots located directly behind the hotel. Parking is free and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Guests, if needed, may drop off at the front entrance, where we also have a limited number of accessible spots (if pre-arranged.)
Most spring, summer and fall months are considered peak in New England. We do offer special packages for certain weekends throughout the year, including the winter months. Being in Salem, October is unique - some couples are eager to get married during the frenzy, while others would prefer to visit Salem when it is a bit quieter.
The winter months typically offer the most availability and special packages.
Massachusetts state law requires all alcohol consumed on the premise to be provided by the Hotel. However, we are able to source your favorite alcohol, wine or craft beer and can work with you to create special signature cocktails.
Yes, the hotel offers two free parking lots directly behind the building. When self-parking is not preferred, we can offer valet parking for an additional charge.
We have food and beverage minimums for our weddings, based on the day of the week your wedding is held. Those minimums are as follows: Friday night - $15,000 food & beverage minimum + $1,000 ceremony fee *if applicable*. Saturday Night - $18,000 food & beverage minimum + $2,000 ceremony fee *if applicable*. Sunday Night - $12,000 food & beverage minimum + $800 ceremony fee if applicable*.
There are three options for bar service during the four hour wedding dinner and reception: CASH BAR – Your guests pay for all their own drinks. CONSUMTPION BAR – You pay for each drink opened at the individual drink price, cost owed is determined at the end of event based on the consumption. OPEN BAR -A prepaid bar option where the price is based on the liquor tier selected and the number of guests attending. Charges are calculated on a per-person, per-hour basis, with costs varying depending on the type of alcohol chosen.

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