One of the joys of living on the North Shore is that a getaway doesn’t necessarily require a plane ticket—or even a long drive. Some of our most beautiful destinations are right in our own backyard. Yet when was the last time you checked into a hotel in Gloucester simply to spend the night by the ocean, or lingered in Salem after dinner rather than heading home? A trio of distinctive properties offers a good reason to do just that. From an apartment-style stay in the heart of Salem to an intimate hotel in downtown Gloucester and a reimagined inn steps from Good Harbor Beach, each offers a different perspective on places many of us have known for years. And while all three have plenty of appeal during peak season, there is something particularly enticing about checking in once the crowds have thinned.
The Courier Hotel, Salem
Salem may command the spotlight in October, but those of us who live here know that the city has much more to offer once Halloween has passed. Opened in 2026 inside the historic Hawthorne Building downtown, The Courier Hotel features 21 apartment style rooms designed for guests who want to settle in for a while. Full kitchens, living areas, and coffee stations give the accommodations a residential quality, while the downtown location places some of Salem’s best restaurants, shops, museums, and historic sites just outside the door. For North Shore residents, that may be the real indulgence. Check in, leave the car behind, and experience the city at a more leisurely pace. Spend an afternoon at the Peabody Essex Museum, wander downtown, linger over dinner at Settler or Ledger, and stay for a nightcap without giving the drive home a second thought. The following morning, Salem is still waiting outside your door—and without October’s crowds, there is time to appreciate the city on its own terms.
The Highliner Hotel, Gloucester
In Gloucester, The Highliner Hotel offers a decidedly downtown take on the local escape. The intimate, 11-room boutique property sits on Main Street, placing guests within easy reach of the harbor, restaurants, galleries, shops, and the Cape Ann Museum. The interiors take their cues from Gloucester’s maritime heritage, but this is not nautical design in the expected sense. Individually designed rooms and suites combine contemporary comforts, rich textures, and subtle references to the sea. Thoughtful touches, including Frette linens, towels, and robes, elevate the experience. For those of us accustomed to driving into Gloucester for dinner, an exhibition, or an afternoon by the water, staying overnight changes the experience. Stroll Main Street, head down to the working waterfront, settle in for dinner and drinks, and walk back to the hotel when the evening is over. It’s a simple luxury—and a chance to see Gloucester after the daytrippers have gone home.
The Inn at Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester
Just a few miles away, the mood shifts completely. The Inn at Good Harbor Beach opened in July 2026 following an extensive transformation of the longtime Good Harbor Beach Inn, a property that had welcomed generations of visitors to this remarkable stretch of Gloucester coastline. The new inn embraces its setting, with accommodations featuring furnished private decks or balconies, many overlooking the ocean. And, of course, there is Good Harbor Beach itself, just steps away. For North Shore residents who associate Good Harbor with summer days—and the perennial challenge of finding a parking spot—there is something wonderfully decadent about waking up beside it. The experience may be even more special in the off season. On a crisp fall morning or quiet winter weekend, the beach takes on an entirely different character. Walk the sand, watch the waves roll in, spend the afternoon exploring Cape Ann, and head into Gloucester for dinner before returning to the ocean for the night.
Rediscovering The North Shore
Each of these three properties provides a different way to experience the North Shore we know and love. The Courier gives us an excuse to linger in Salem after the daytrippers leave. The Highliner puts us in the heart of Gloucester’s downtown. And the Inn at Good Harbor Beach offers the rare pleasure of waking beside a beach many of us have been visiting for a lifetime.