🌙 Spellbound in Salem — FAQ

Everything you need to know before you join this spooky trip!

💰 How much does the retreat cost?

• Shared Room (4 guests total): $1,600 per person
• Teens (ages 13-18): $1,000 per person
• Solo Room (private): $2,200

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 7–10 business days after check-out.

Important: We strongly recommend travel insurance. Many plans cover trip interruption, medical emergencies, or weather cancellations.

📅 When are payments due?

• Deposits open January 1, 2026.
• Final payment is due no later than September31, 2026.
• Your deposit holds your spot and is non-refundable.

🔒 How much is the deposit?

• Shared Room: $300 per person
• Solo Room: $500

🗓️ Can I pay monthly?

Yes. A payment plan will be available that works best for you. The earlier you book, the smaller your monthly payments. The longer you wait, the larger the payments to meet the August 31, 2026 deadline. A contract will be in place upon deposit.

💸What Payment Methods Do You Accept?

At this time, we do not offer card reader transactions, as they come with high fees that would need to be passed on to the client. For now, we offer the following flexible options:

• Venmo (can link credit card/bank)
• CashApp
• Cash (if local to us)
• Cashier's Checks (certified mail or local drop-off)

After every payment, you’ll receive a detailed invoice showing your remaining balance, payment dates, and a reminder of the payment policy. At the time of your deposit, we will discuss and agree on your monthly payment plan — this plan must be followed. You are welcome to break up payments into smaller chunks or pay more than once a month, but you cannot go more than 4 weeks without making a payment.

If your financial situation changes, you are expected to communicate with us immediately. We’re flexible and understanding — but we cannot support ghosting, delayed communication, or chasing down payments. Doing so means you forfeit your spot, lose eligibility for any refunds beyond deposit, and will be blacklisted from any future retreats. If you have to cancel, do it the right way please.

We allow a 24–48 hour grace period after a missed due date. If there’s no response to texts, emails, or DMs, we’ll call as a last resort. If 72 hours go by with no reply, we’ll assume you are no longer attending, and your room will be offered to the next person on the wait list.

🖤 Communication is key. We're here for you — just keep us in the loop.

👯‍♀️ Can I add a roommate if I originally booked a solo room?

Yes — but with important rules:

• ✅ Before July 31, 2026:
• You may switch to a shared room ONLY if your solo balance has NOT been paid in full.
• Your new roommate signs up and pays the shared rate directly to me.
• Your rate will be adjusted accordingly.
• ⚠️ Between July 31 – August 31, 2026:
• You may still add a roommate, but your rate will NOT change.
• No refund or adjustments will be given.
• Your new roommate signs up and pays the shared rate directly to me.
• 🚫 After August 31, 2026:
• No new roommates will be added.
• New participant can pay for their own solo room or shared w/ new roommate if available.
• All room assignments are final.

🛑 Only 3-4 people per room. No exceptions.

🛏️ Can I bring a guest, child, or partner?

This tourism retreat allows EVERYONE to join.

• Teenagers ages 13-18 only at the "child rate"
• No guests under the age of 13 years.
• No caregivers unless they pay the shared rate if staying with you.
• No service animals.
• No non-paying guests or overnight visitors.

🧾 What does my payment cover?

• A 4-night stay at the newly renovated Best Western in Danvers, MA, just 15 minutes from historic Salem. Enjoy full amenities including a pool, gym, fire pit, dining hall, lounge, a small marketplace at the front desk for snacks or midnight cravings, and a laundromat. Each room comes with a microwave and mini fridge for your comfort.
• Entry to all scheduled group experiences and guided tours included in your custom itinerary.
• Transportation is provided only for private photography sessions booked in advance.
• A handcrafted, curated guide to Salem, including recommendations for restaurants, shopping and attractions to explore during your free time. These self-pay activities at your own pace; meals, transportation, and extra attractions are not included.
• A photography scavenger hunt personally created by Stephani to highlight Salem’s most photogenic and iconic spots! Perfect for first-time visitors or anyone wanting to capture the city creatively!
• Special welcome gifts in each room containing a full itinerary, important addresses and phone numbers, historical information, guides, trivia, and more to help you navigate your magical retreat with ease.
• An unforgettable journey to the historic Witch City of the USA, celebrating its 400th founding anniversary!!!



✈️ Are Flights Included?

Short Answer, No.

You’re responsible for your travel to and from the retreat and events. This retreat allows plenty of solo time with your friends and family for our photography scavenger hunt and guides. This allows guests to move at their own pace aside from our scheduled group outings! We’ll send you airport and arrival guidance once you're booked with us to make this as less stressful as possible.

♿ Does the hotel have ADA rooms?

Let us know ahead of time if you need ADA accommodations — we’re happy to coordinate with the hotel to make sure you’re comfortable. Possible upgrade charge applies. Please note that Salem's ancient streets and some shoot locations are not ADA friendly especially for wheelchairs and walkers. If you have mobility issues, let's talk further to see if this experience is right for you.

📸 Photography Services & Sessions

Shoots are designed to reflect the many moods of Salem, with locations curated for atmosphere and storytelling. For warm autumnal energy, Connors Farm offers pumpkin patches and classic fall backdrops great for family portraits. Gothic sessions are available at Greenlawn Cemetery featuring scenic ponds, walking bridges, and the historic Dickson Memorial Chapel (built in 1894), a filming location for Rob Zombie’s The Lords of Salem.

For coastal drama sessions may take place at Winter Island with harbor views, sand, and striking black stone formations. Want spookier? The birthplace of the National Guard! The abandoned Barracks built in 1935 has a darker, historic backdrop.

Intimate sessions whether solo, couple, or BFF groups can be held in your hotel room or at a private bedroom suite inside the Satanic Temple Art Gallery styled in deep reds and black for a moody, cinematic aesthetic. This location is in high demand during fall and is only available when not hosting after-hours events so advance booking is strongly encouraged ideally before August 31.

Sessions may be portrait-focused, ethereal, spooky, boudoir or creatively styled. Photography services are not included in the retreat and must be reserved ahead of time to be added to the schedule.



Pricing

• Standard sessions: $200 for our guests (regularly $300) — up to 4 people, 20 edited images on digital download. Expect turnaround time of 3 weeks max.

• Satanic Temple session: $500 for 2 people

• Additional Temple participants (up to 4 total): $100 per person

(includes 10 solo images per person plus group photos)

📸 Is this event for photographers?

This particular retreat is for anyone over the age of 13 years. This is mostly to experience Salem and discover it's history in a fun spooky way. If you're a photographer- we welcome you too! We've curated a handcrafted scavenger hunt for all our guests to get the absolute must-see historical spots for selfies or creative shots!



🧳 What should I bring?

✨ Photogenic outfits and accessories if you plan to book a private photoshoot during free time.

🧥 Layers for New England’s unpredictable weather—you never know when it might turn chilly or rainy.

👟 Comfortable walking shoes for uneven paths and cobblestone streets.

📸 Camera or smartphone for capturing our curated activities and your photography scavenger hunt!

☂️ Protective gear such as a travel-size umbrella or poncho for tours that run rain or shine.

📋 Proper identification for purchases, airport travel, and hotel check-in. 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. This hold will be released 7–10 business days after check-out.

⚕️ If you have medical conditions or life-threatening allergies, bring relevant documentation, medications, and an EpiPen if necessary so we can assist promptly in an emergency.

🚫 What NOT to bring

❌ Extra guests

This retreat is for registered participants only. No outside visitors allowed.

❌ Bad vibes

Drama, negativity, and ego stay at home. This space is built on respect and fun.

❌ Valuables you can’t afford to lose

While we aim to keep everything safe, travel light and smart.

❌ Smoking or illegal substances

This is a clean, respectful space — smoking/vaping is not allowed indoors or your hotel room. If a guest causes any damage to their hotel room- they will be fined a $350 charge by Best Western Northshore.

💫Traveling Solo? You’re Not Alone!

💫 Traveling Solo? You’re in Good Company

Traveling alone can feel intimidating at first, especially in a busy destination, but you will never feel out of place here. Solo travelers are fully welcomed and thoughtfully considered throughout the retreat. Group activities provide built-in connection to make new friends and during free time you are always welcome to explore alongside others or enjoy time on your own at a pace that feels comfortable to you.

💬 Meet Your Host + Assistant

You’ll be introduced to Stephani, your retreat host, and her assistant, Beth Ann—who also happens to be a history enthusiast. Whether you’re navigating the city, feeling unsure during free time, or have questions beyond what’s covered in your welcome materials, we’re always nearby and happy to help. Our goal is to ensure every guest, especially those traveling solo, feels supported, confident, and at ease throughout the entire retreat.

🚕 What if I don’t feel well or want to skip an activity?

Your well-being comes first! That said, this is a group retreat with a planned schedule and lots of free time. If you choose to opt out of any day, activity, or outing, or if you’re feeling unwell and need to stay behind, please do whatever feels right to you. This is your vacation!

We kindly ask that you communicate your plans to us so we’re aware, but please note:

🚫 We cannot offer transportation outside the scheduled photo shoots.

🚫 Missed activities are not eligible for refunds, discounts or reschedules.



We totally understand that things happen — this policy is just to help the rest of the group stay on track while ensuring you’re safe and comfortable.

🦥Downtime Is a Core Part of the Experience

This retreat is intentionally designed with generous downtime built into each day, recognizing that travel, crowds, and stimulation affect everyone differently. Salem is lively and historic, with street performers, religious imagery, horror cosplayers, and occasional religious protestors. While these elements cannot be fully avoided, the slower pace allows space to step away if anything becomes overwhelming especially for guests managing anxiety, sensory over stimulation, neurodivergence, autoimmune flare-ups or past trauma connected to religion or frightening imagery. Your comfort, safety, and emotional well-being matter here.

No one is ever expected to push through discomfort. If you need quiet, support or time alone, you’re encouraged to notify your travel partner or reach out to Stephani or her assistant, who can help you find a calmer space or sit with you when possible. For guests concerned about the Harbor Cruise due to motion sickness or fear of water, alternative arrangements will be a historical visit to The House of Seven Gables overlooking the harbor and is just a short walk from the cruise dock. We must be notified of this at booking to ensure we can accommodate the change in your tour. This balance of structure and flexibility ensures every guest feels safe, supported, and at ease.

Should any guest book their departing flights home for a much later time on Saturday October 3, 2026, our guide will include recommendations to Salem's downtown festival including food trucks and spooky artisan markets if you want to squeeze in a little more fun before going home!