We had the pleasure of staying at the Henry Derby on March 31 and April 1 of this year. Located in the historic district and close to the downtown area, it was very easy to get around to see the sights of this historic city and Peg the owner was filled with info on what to see and where to shop depending on our peferences.
My initial concerns were the weathered exterior but the interior was in fabulous condition and our stay was quite comfortable and the home offered all the charm of the period. The owner lived next door and offered no hesitation to any thing that would make our stay a memorable one. P.S. The breakfasts offered were excellent compared to other B N Bs I have stayed and Peg was a gracious hostess. Based on our stay, I would highly recommend the Henry Derby to anyone who wishes to visit Salem and all its charm.
Sincerely
Molly A. B.
Nokomis Fl.

We found it ot be very cozy and the hostess Peg to be very welcoming and accomodating. The rooms are very clean and very pretty and true to the time period of the home.The price was good for the location so close to downtown. And the breakfast could hardly be described as continental, with the fresh fruits and bakery items and several gourmet cereals to choose from. We were surprised and pleased to have our hostess accompany us at breakfast and make sure we had everything we needed for a comfortable stay. I would definately stay there again. A+

I never write web-reviews -- time-allocation decision -- but while preparing a return visit to the Henry Derby House I came across the quasi-libellous reviews posted below and simply cannot leave them unanswered. Henry Derby is everything you want in a New England bed and breakfast, quirks and all.

I was traveling alone, visiting friends in the Salem area. I booked the room with ease, and basically wanted to propose marriage to the place as soon as I arrived. Just walking the gardens is worth the price of a room; prize-winning gardens, I later learned. Staircases and hallways are narrow, built for wee 18th century folk, but if you're too big-boned to enjoy the cozy charm it's your loss. The chatty proprietress Peg clearly enjoys having guests -- one almost gets the impression she'd let people stay there for free. Plus she served an absolutely kick-ass cheese danish.

It's hard to imagine what else anyone could ask from a B&B of this type. Don't hesitate to book a room here. If you're anything like me, you'll come back again and again.

My sister and I had the misfortune of staying at this B&B for three nights in October. I can only say that William of NYC and his family had a lucky escape.

Our tour operator could not book us into a hotel in the area as it was halloween and so I booked it online after reading reviews. I only wish I had read the reviews further back as those I saw were totally misleading and not indicative of the real quality of the place or service. It was less than poor and I would NEVER go back or recommend it to anyone else.

Our room was up a narrow back stairway which I am sure must have contravened health and safety and our 'private' bathroom was situated back down the narrow staircase and in the dining room - hardly prviate when people are eating their breakfast!!

Like William of NYC the whole cost of the stay was taken from my credit card before we arrived and so when I expressed our concerns 'Peg's' first comment was that she couldn't refund any of our money, We were prepared to forfeit the cost but couldn't find anywhere else to stay and so were stuck with the place for the three days. Furthermore, we felt insulted by Peg's comments about Europeans when I expressed our dissatisfaction!!

We agree with William of NYC in that her store and internet business seemed far more important than customer care in her B&B - half of her stock seemd to be under our beds!!!

The photographs on the website are totally misleading and do not represent a true image of the place - I notice that much of the narrative has since been removed from the site - this is after I made my observations about misrepresentation!!

It was unfortuante that this stay was early on in our month long tour of New England and did rather spoil our enjoyment of Salem.

One thing we have leaned is never to take the actual website at face value and to delve back as far as possible on the reviews - there are plenty there that did indicate the true feelings of past guests we just didn't see them in time.