I toured a 'haunted' Airbnb in Salem that costs $1,300 a night. I was charmed by its bright pink living room, but the feeling of a ghostly presence was uncanny.

Ann Matica Oct 23, 2022, 20:02 IST

The author outside the Henry Derby House in Salem, Massachusetts.Jakob Menendez

Ann Matica visited the Henry Derby House in Salem, Massachusetts, to see what the Airbnb was like.
The owner says it might be haunted by spirits, and the home is decorated with Halloween decor.

The Henry Derby House is well known among locals in Salem, Massachusetts, as being haunted. In 2015, the owner, Phil Marchand, turned the home into an Airbnb after he and his wife had their first child.

Jakob Menendez

The Henry Derby House is well known among locals in Salem, Massachusetts, as being haunted. In 2015, the owner, Phil Marchand, turned the home into an Airbnb after he and his wife had their first child.

The house was built in 1838. It was named after the original owner, Henry Derby, who worked as a tailor in Salem. The house received a plaque from the Historic Salem organization for being a historical building in town.

Jakob Menendez

The house was built in 1838. It was named after the original owner, Henry Derby, who worked as a tailor in Salem. The house received a plaque from the Historic Salem organization for being a historical building in town.

I decided to check out what the $1,295-per-night Airbnb looked like inside — and see if I'd have any ghost encounters of my own while touring it.

Jakob Menendez

Marchand said he and his wife, Jocelyn, spend an average of 15 to 20 hours per week running the Airbnb. The couple said business is most booming during the month of October, when people book their stays a year in advance.

Phil and Jocelyn Marchand.Phil Marchand

Marchand said he and his wife, Jocelyn, spend an average of 15 to 20 hours per week running the Airbnb. The couple said business is most booming during the month of October, when people book their stays a year in advance.

A small wooden bookshelf was set up to the left of the front door. It was well stocked with brochures and maps for guests trying to navigate their stay in Salem.

Jakob Menendez

On top of the bookshelf was a book featuring art by local artist Charles Lang.

Jakob Menendez

Lang's art was also featured in frames on the walls.

Jakob Menendez

My personal favorite was this distinguished cat gentleman rocking a mustache.

Jakob Menendez

To the right of the entrance was the doorway leading to the living room. I was taken off guard by the bright pink walls.

Jakob Menendez

Marchand said the pink paint had been his mother's selection. She'd previously owned the house and ran it as a bed and breakfast before passing away in 2012.

Jakob Menendez

The living room has vintage furniture that was mostly sourced from local antique stores and Facebook marketplace, Marchand said.

Jakob Menendez

The two dolls sitting on a side table helped give the house a spooky feeling.

Jakob Menendez

There was also a welcome desk in the living room for guests staying in the house.

Jakob Menendez

On top of the desk was a framed piece of paper with important information for guests, including where guests should park, the password to the WiFi, and information on the amenities offered.

Jakob Menendez

On top of the desk was a framed piece of paper with important information for guests, including where guests should park, the password to the WiFi, and information on the amenities offered.

After walking through the French doors in the living room, I entered the bright blue dining room.

Jakob Menendez

A chandelier hung from the ceiling directly over the table.

Jakob Menendez

The room also had a large marble fireplace that had been there since the house was built almost 200 years ago.

Jakob Menendez

The dining room table offers seating for six guests.

Jakob Menendez

A coffee station was also set up in the dining room for guests to enjoy.

Jakob Menendez

The kitchen had up-to-date appliances, including a gas stove, microwave, and dish washer, for guests to use.

Jakob Menendez

A doorway off of the kitchen led to a family room that Marchand said had been added as a new addition to the house when he was a child.

Jakob Menendez

While running the house as a bed and breakfast, Marchand said he and his wife exclusively lived in the family room with a small bathroom attached.

Jakob Menendez.

After exploring the downstairs, I headed up the red staircase to the second floor.

Jakob Menendez

The long, curved staircase gave the house a regal feeling.

Jakob Menendez

Once I reached the second floor, I made my way into the first bedroom. The house has a total of seven bedrooms scattered throughout the three floors.

Jakob Menendez

The room has bright yellow walls that reminded me of the outside of the house. It had a queen-sized bed and a small fireplace.

Jakob Menendez

There was also a twin bed tucked in the corner.

Jakob Menendez

Framed black-and-white photos hung on the wall around the fireplace.

Ann Matica

The vintage photographs made the house feel like it was frozen in colonial times when it was built.

Jakob Menendez

The house has four bathrooms in total. On the second floor, connected to the yellow bedroom and the hallway, is the largest bathroom on the premises.

Jakob Menendez

I walked into the next bedroom on the second floor and immediately fell in love with the deep red color of the walls. Out of all the bedrooms, Marchand said the red one is most guests' favorite.

Ann Matica

I walked into the next bedroom on the second floor and immediately fell in love with the deep red color of the walls. Out of all the bedrooms, Marchand said the red one is most guests' favorite.

It had Halloween-themed decorations and felt more eerie than the rest of the bedrooms.

Jakob Menendez

The red bedroom had a small bathroom off the side of it that had been converted from a closet by Marchand's mother.

Jakob Menendez

When I started walking up the small staircase up to the third floor, I began to get chills. While living in the house as a child, Marchand said he was always wary of the third floor because he thought it could be haunted.

A hallway on the "haunted" third floor.Jakob Menendez

When I started walking up the small staircase up to the third floor, I began to get chills. While living in the house as a child, Marchand said he was always wary of the third floor because he thought it could be haunted.

A room with a TV and bean bag chairs felt like the perfect place to hang out for children visiting with their families.

Jakob Menendez

The bedrooms on the third floor had slanted and low ceilings that made it slightly difficult to comfortably walk around in them.

Jakob Menendez

A bedroom with two twin beds was located at the end of the long hallway.

Jakob Menendez

While the third floor bedrooms looked comfortable enough, I couldn't help but think that if I was renting the house I would prefer to stay on a lower level due to the uncanny feeling that a ghost could potentially be occupying the space, too.

Jakob Menendez

While the third floor bedrooms looked comfortable enough, I couldn't help but think that if I was renting the house I would prefer to stay on a lower level due to the uncanny feeling that a ghost could potentially be occupying the space, too.

Once I'd explored the whole house, I returned to the living room to check out the welcome desk intended for guests.

Jakob Menendez

I flipped through the notebooks with handwritten reviews left behind by people who had stayed at the house.

Jakob Menendez

There were drawings left by former visitors, too.

Jakob Menendez

After exiting the house from the side entrance, I was welcomed by a quaint backyard.

Jakob Menendez

An outdoor table and chairs were set up on the patio for guests.

Jakob Menendez

A stone path led to the small backyard that had been beautifully curated by the gardener Marchand hired.

Jakob Menendez

There were multiple stone statues hidden among foliage that made the backyard feel like it could be haunted.

Jakob Menendez

I was thoroughly charmed by the house, which blended old styling with new. While some rooms felt unsettling to walk through, I'd love to return one day as an Airbnb renter. Next time, though, I'll bring a large group of friends — just in case there are any spirits lurking around.

Jakob Menendez

I was thoroughly charmed by the house, which blended old styling with new. While some rooms felt unsettling to walk through, I'd love to return one day as an Airbnb renter. Next time, though, I'll bring a large group of friends — just in case there are any spirits lurking around.

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I toured a 'haunted' Airbnb in Salem that costs $1,300 a night. I was charmed by its bright pink living room, but the feeling of a ghostly presence was uncanny.

The Henry Derby House is well known among locals in Salem, Massachusetts, as being haunted. In 2015, the owner, Phil Marchand, turned the home into an Airbnb after he and his wife had their first child.

The house was built in 1838. It was named after the original owner, Henry Derby, who worked as a tailor in Salem. The house received a plaque from the Historic Salem organization for being a historical building in town.

I decided to check out what the $1,295-per-night Airbnb looked like inside — and see if I'd have any ghost encounters of my own while touring it.

Marchand said he and his wife, Jocelyn, spend an average of 15 to 20 hours per week running the Airbnb. The couple said business is most booming during the month of October, when people book their stays a year in advance.

A small wooden bookshelf was set up to the left of the front door. It was well stocked with brochures and maps for guests trying to navigate their stay in Salem.

On top of the bookshelf was a book featuring art by local artist Charles Lang.

Lang's art was also featured in frames on the walls.

My personal favorite was this distinguished cat gentleman rocking a mustache.

To the right of the entrance was the doorway leading to the living room. I was taken off guard by the bright pink walls.

Marchand said the pink paint had been his mother's selection. She'd previously owned the house and ran it as a bed and breakfast before passing away in 2012.

The living room has vintage furniture that was mostly sourced from local antique stores and Facebook marketplace, Marchand said.

The two dolls sitting on a side table helped give the house a spooky feeling.

There was also a welcome desk in the living room for guests staying in the house.

On top of the desk was a framed piece of paper with important information for guests, including where guests should park, the password to the WiFi, and information on the amenities offered.

After walking through the French doors in the living room, I entered the bright blue dining room.

A chandelier hung from the ceiling directly over the table.

The room also had a large marble fireplace that had been there since the house was built almost 200 years ago.

The dining room table offers seating for six guests.

A coffee station was also set up in the dining room for guests to enjoy.

The kitchen had up-to-date appliances, including a gas stove, microwave, and dish washer, for guests to use.

A doorway off of the kitchen led to a family room that Marchand said had been added as a new addition to the house when he was a child.

While running the house as a bed and breakfast, Marchand said he and his wife exclusively lived in the family room with a small bathroom attached.

After exploring the downstairs, I headed up the red staircase to the second floor.

The long, curved staircase gave the house a regal feeling.

Once I reached the second floor, I made my way into the first bedroom. The house has a total of seven bedrooms scattered throughout the three floors.

The room has bright yellow walls that reminded me of the outside of the house. It had a queen-sized bed and a small fireplace.

There was also a twin bed tucked in the corner.

Framed black-and-white photos hung on the wall around the fireplace.

The vintage photographs made the house feel like it was frozen in colonial times when it was built.

The house has four bathrooms in total. On the second floor, connected to the yellow bedroom and the hallway, is the largest bathroom on the premises.

I walked into the next bedroom on the second floor and immediately fell in love with the deep red color of the walls. Out of all the bedrooms, Marchand said the red one is most guests' favorite.

It had Halloween-themed decorations and felt more eerie than the rest of the bedrooms.

The red bedroom had a small bathroom off the side of it that had been converted from a closet by Marchand's mother.

When I started walking up the small staircase up to the third floor, I began to get chills. While living in the house as a child, Marchand said he was always wary of the third floor because he thought it could be haunted.

A room with a TV and bean bag chairs felt like the perfect place to hang out for children visiting with their families.

The bedrooms on the third floor had slanted and low ceilings that made it slightly difficult to comfortably walk around in them.

A bedroom with two twin beds was located at the end of the long hallway.

While the third floor bedrooms looked comfortable enough, I couldn't help but think that if I was renting the house I would prefer to stay on a lower level due to the uncanny feeling that a ghost could potentially be occupying the space, too.

Once I'd explored the whole house, I returned to the living room to check out the welcome desk intended for guests.

I flipped through the notebooks with handwritten reviews left behind by people who had stayed at the house.

There were drawings left by former visitors, too.

After exiting the house from the side entrance, I was welcomed by a quaint backyard.

An outdoor table and chairs were set up on the patio for guests.

A stone path led to the small backyard that had been beautifully curated by the gardener Marchand hired.

There were multiple stone statues hidden among foliage that made the backyard feel like it could be haunted.

I was thoroughly charmed by the house, which blended old styling with new. While some rooms felt unsettling to walk through, I'd love to return one day as an Airbnb renter. Next time, though, I'll bring a large group of friends — just in case there are any spirits lurking around.