Spooky Girl Retreats
✨Spellbound in Salem✨
Salem, ma | September 29–october 3, 2026
a relaxed tourism retreat for everyone!
Check - in
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
@ 5:00 PM
check - out
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2026
@ 10:00 am
👻 4 OF 8 HOTEL ROOMS LEFT! 👻
Scroll for more information, FAQ and pricing guide
Trip Summary
Celebrate Salem’s 400th founding anniversary on a 3-day, 4-night retreat designed to immerse you in history, mystery and enchantment. During the retreat, you may run amuck and experience unforgettable moments and see Salem's Halloween Parade! Each day includes at least one guided group activity. From a walking tour led by a local historian to a haunted harbor cruise and more! We ensure you'll experience the best of Salem without feeling rushed. Thoughtfully designed downtime allows guests to explore at their own pace, step onto the city’s cobblestone streets filled with spooky cosplayers and lively buskers, pause to avoid over-stimulation and honor personal beliefs. Guests will use a handcrafted guide and a personally designed photography scavenger hunt to navigate Salem’s highlights and capture memorable moments.
Upon arrival, each guest will be personally greeted at the hotel and receive a welcome packet in their room with snacks, the curated guide and the scavenger hunt. Optional private photography sessions at locations such as pumpkin filled landscapes, coastal views or gothic cemeteries and more locations are available for purchase prior to the trip to secure a spot on the schedule, with transportation provided only for these shoots. All other meals, travel and excursions are the responsibility of the guest. This retreat balances structured experiences while offering a relaxed pace to fully enjoy Salem’s historic charm, quirky energy and unforgettable 400th Anniversary celebrations! We got some fun in store for you!
F.A.Q tab below for more important information below!
Otherwise, keep scrolling to meet your hostess, itinerary and pricing at the end of this page.
Meet Your Hostess!
Stephani
Photographer / Owner
Stephani is a professional photographer with 22 years of experience, specializing in automotive and boudoir photography. She travels nationwide for car shows, horror and tattoo conventions, celebrity shoots, weddings, and immersive horror and mystical sessions. An indie horror filmmaker, her debut feature sold over 400 copies and featured actors from The Walking Dead. Her work has been published in the United States, Italy, Australia, South Africa, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
For over a decade, Stephani has returned to Salem and throughout New England, especially in the fall. Since 2024, she has hosted curated retreats inspired by the region’s history, energy and autumn atmosphere. Salem is her home away from home.
“Halloween has always felt like home to me. The cool air, the darker stories, the way New England glows in October... it all feels alive. Salem holds that magic in its bones and every time I come back, it feels like stepping back into the season that shaped me.”
Headshot by: Light Witch
Brief Itinerary
“It’s a full moon outside! The weirdos are out!”
– Dani Dennison
🌒🌕🌘
Day 1
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Arrival & Check-In:
Guests will check in with me at the hotel lobby between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM, where you will receive your room key and a welcome packet containing your itinerary, hotel information, important contacts and more. Your room will also have a fun gift bag waiting for you. The evening is entirely free to relax and unwind! Enjoy the fire pit on the patio, the pool, the gym, or order takeout and settle in at your own pace.
Rest up! We'll see you in the morning!
Day 2
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Walking Tour & Exploration:
Join us for a two-hour walking tour with a local historian to bring Salem's past to life! This is a rain or shine event! Have no fear! Ponchos are included in your welcome packet but a travel-size umbrella is recommended. Your free time can be spent exploring Salem at your own pace using our curated shopping and historical guide, checking off must-see spots from the photography scavenger hunt or visiting recommended restaurants and attractions!
Day 3
Thursday, October 1, 2026
Harbor Cruise & Parade:
Celebrate the start of October with a 75-minute Haunted Harbor Cruise aboard a double-decker boat featuring two bars, restrooms, a grill, and storytelling. Enjoy free tarot readings and take in the views of Salem Sound. After returning to shore, you may stroll downtown with us to experience the Haunted Happenings Halloween Parade. The parade is optional for those who prefer to skip crowds, loud music, or potentially intense imagery—your retreat, your pace!
Day 4
Friday October 2, 2026
A Spellbinding Day:
Today is reserved for another group experience designed to surprise and delight. Expect playful energy, special moments and plenty of opportunities to capture iconic views rain or shine. You may experience a magical morning and find yourself spellbound! So keep your cameras ready to capture the magic ! 🐈⬛🎃
Where Are We Staying?
Our retreat home base is the newly renovated Best Western Plus North Shore Hotel in Danvers, Massachusetts, located just 15 minutes from historic Salem and thoughtfully chosen for comfort, calm, and ease. This location allows us to stay close to Salem’s magic while avoiding the noise, congestion, and inflated costs of downtown accommodations. Guests will enjoy a complimentary full hot breakfast each morning featuring a waffle and pancake station, eggs, sausage and a variety of breakfast favorites. Also you get nighttime access to a pool, gym, fire pit patio, spacious dining hall, and lounge areas. Restaurants are within walking distance and only seven rooms are available each accommodating up to four guests creating a relaxed environment where you can truly unwind at the end of the day.
Room 1: 2 Queen Beds: SOLD OUT
Room 2: 2 Queen Beds: SOLD OUT
Room 3: 2 Queen Beds: SOLD OUT
Room 4: 2 Queen Beds: SOLD OUT
Room 5: 2 Queen Beds: SOLD OUT
Room 6: 2 Queen Beds: AVAILABLE
Room 7: 2 Queen Beds: AVAILABLE
Room 8: 2 Queen Beds: AVAILABLE
PRICE + REFUND POLICY
F.A.Q + POLICIES BUTTON ABOVE FOR MORE DETAILED INFO
PLEASE READ THOROUGHLY
PRICING
Solo Adult
(1 adult per room)
$2,200
Shared Room Adult
(2–4 adults per room)
$1,600 per person
Teen
(ages 13–18 sharing with adults ONLY)
$1,000 per teen
ALL Deposits are Non-refundable
No Exceptions
Standard Deposit:
$300 per guest
Solo Traveler Room Deposit:
$500 per guest
Full Payoff Date is NO LATER than August 31, 2026
In the event you have to cancel your reservation,
here are some guidelines below.
CANCELLATIONS:
Any cancellations between
January 1, 2026 - July 31, 2026:
Refund granted of 40% excluding deposit.
Cancellations AFTER July 31, 2026:
No Refunds
No Transfers
No Exceptions
Notice
By reserving a space on this retreat, participants acknowledge that no additional compensation or reimbursement will be provided for injury, loss, expenses, damages, inconvenience, or lost time resulting from cancellation, travel delays, illness, non-participation in scheduled events, early departure, or unforeseen circumstances. All participants are required to adhere to the agreed-upon payment plan as outlined in the signed contract. Failure to maintain communication or meet payment obligations for more than 30 days, including discontinuing payments without notice, will result in immediate forfeiture of the participant’s spot with no refunds, transfers, or compensation.
Important:
The hotel requires a credit card (yours or your roommate’s) to hold a $350 incidental fee per room, in case of physical damage caused during your stay. Damage free? Yay! This fee will be released back to you BY Best Western in 7–10 business days after check-out.
Important:
We strongly recommend travel insurance. Many plans cover trip interruption, medical emergencies, or weather cancellations. For guidance, please consult your local travel agent.
Disclaimer:
Sadly, this retreat cannot accommodate pets of any kind, including service animals. Participants must be 13 years of age or older. Non-paying participants are not permitted under any circumstances.
Teens (ages 13–18) must share a room with a parent or guardian; separate teen-only rooms are not allowed.
All participants are responsible for their own travel to and from the retreat and scheduled events. Transportation is only provided for pre-booked photoshoots to and from the hotel. SGR is not responsible for flights, ride-share services, or other transportation logistics, but guidance and recommendations will be provided to help ensure a smooth travel experience.
Salem is a 400-year-old city with uneven paths and cobblestone streets. It is not wheelchair or walker-friendly, and extended walking is required to fully enjoy the city. Guests are strongly encouraged to wear comfortable shoes as driving into Salem during October is challenging and time-consuming. Even with early arrival, the city will be busy, and wait times should be expected, especially for the parade on October 1st.
Should events need to change due to inclement weather, venue conflicts, or other unforeseen circumstances, contingency plans will be in place to ensure participants have a memorable experience. Such changes will not result in any refund, discount, or compensation of any kind.
Detailed travel information including the full itinerary will be provided via mail on September 1, 2026.
Welcome packet and gift will provided at check-in in Danvers MA on September 29, 2026.