Haunted hotels have become associated in the minds of many through movies and shows as eerie places evoking absolute terror during the night.
The human species is “programmed” biologically and psychologically to react with fear to the same stimuli throughout historical periods. Let’s not forget that fear is directly linked to the human survival instinct. Typical cases where a person’s fear intensifies as a sign of a threat to his survival are heights, animals that move quickly or appear suddenly, with a strange appearance, the dark, open and unprotected spaces, the sight of blood.
The unknown, however, and often the curiosity to experience something out of the ordinary, which will stimulate or awaken on a spiritual and emotional level, bringing us into contact with unexplored aspects of our external and internal world, arms with courage the quiver of every daring soul.
Haunted hotels gather all those conditions for any would-be ‘tamer’ of the supernatural! The atmosphere of a luxurious environment is musically invested with lounge instrumental jazz, creating a climate of euphoria for all guests eager to enjoy a few or many moments of joy and fun in the hotel of their dreams.
Built on riverbanks, in rural districts, on boulevards or near craggy cliffs, the location of haunted hotels almost always lends a veil of mystery and allure. When we add to this elements of a romantic story without a happy ending or hints of the macabre, we are confidently led down the dark paths of their most lethal secrets.
Whether they are figments of a galloping imagination or real events, haunted hotels have undeniably managed to connect their reputation with the occult and find themselves high in the preference of their travelers. After all, how many times will we be able to find ourselves on the verge of the gates of paradox?
Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn, Big Sur
According to American Horror Story, the hotel’s set designer, Ellen Brill, this charming old cabin in the woods is haunted by the ghost of its founder, affectionately referred to as “Grandpa Digene.” Brill reported that she “heard footsteps and then a knock on the door, terrifying her.” If that’s not enough to scare you, the Point Sur Lighthouse is said to house the spirits of deceased sailors. Throughout October, tours are organized by the light of the moon and accompanied by ghosts.
The Pfister Hotel, Milwaukee
If it’s scary enough for die-hard MLB(Major League Baseball) athletes to admit it in public, then this place is going to push you to your limits. The main culprit is said to be the ghost of the hotel’s original owner, Charles Pfister. The city’s visiting baseball players for their game against the Milwaukee Brewers reported during their stay that lights flickered, furniture moved and the radio blared. As Brandon Phillips of the Cincinnati Reds noted, “I walked into the room and just sat on the bed. Then, for some reason, the radio was turned on. I turned it off and got in the shower. When I was done, the damn thing lit up again.”
The Langham, London
In Room 333 at the Langham, there is a permanent resident, a ghost who takes pleasure in showing up in his Victorian evening clothes (albeit only in October). Other ghost sightings at this famous hotel include a man dressed in military uniform, a German prince and former frequent visitor Napoleon III, who is said to haunt the basement.
The Hotel Chelsea, New York City
Patti Smith, Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock and Madonna are among the many bold personalities who have called the Chelsea Hotel their home. But there are two that are believed to still haunt the halls of the lodge. While the hotel closed its doors in 2011 for renovations – and reopened earlier this year – former tenants and employees have for some time noticed intense paranormal activity involving the ghost of Sid Vicious, who was accused of murdering his girlfriend while they lived there, and Dylan Thomas, whose dedicated plaque on the outside of the building reads: “Dylan Thomas lived and wrote at the Chelsea Hotel. From here he sailed to die.”
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel – Banff, Canada
Built in 1888 with the aim of boosting western tourism and selling train tickets, this tower-style hotel is beautifully situated next to the Rockies in Banff National Park. The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel takes on a more gothic feel once you step inside – and we’re not referring to the architecture.
Several ghosts have been reported as regular visitors including a bride who supposedly fell down the stone staircase during her wedding. But there is also a less tragic ghost: Sam the concierge, who worked at the hotel until 1975, claimed he would return again to haunt the public. His spirit is supposed to help guests with their bags per shift before disappearing.
The Hollywood Roosevelt – Los Angeles, California
You’ve probably never been lucky enough to encounter ghosts as famous as those haunting the Hollywood Roosevelt. The first Academy Awards were held at this bustling hotel in 1929, and movie stars used to stay there for long periods. Today, there are reports of Marilyn Monroe’s spirit hanging in the mirror of one room, while Montgomery Clift’s voice echoes in his old suite.
Tulloch Castle Hotel – Dingwall Ross-Shire, Scotland
Tulloch Castle Hotel resides in the Highlands of Scotland. Dating back to the 12th century, it has original fireplaces and centuries-old stained glass windows. There may even be the spirit of one of the castle’s former ladies, Elizabeth, reports the Yorkshire Times. Elizabeth is said to have met an early death and her ghost (dubbed ‘The Green Lady’) often appeared to guests. There is also a portrait of Elizabeth in the castle’s ancient Great Hall, and people claim that her eyes move with criminal hatred.
The Bowery Hotel – New York City
Walking into the lobby of The Bowery is like being transported into a 19th-century Gothic, with purple velvet and oil paintings. According to reports, poltergeists frequent the elevators, which mysteriously go up and down at 01.00 every night. If the lobby fireplaces and Turkish rugs don’t transport you to another era, changing floors after hours most certainly will.
Parador de Jaén – Jaén, Spain
In an 18th-century Arab fortress overlooking the Andalusian landscape, Parador de Jaén has some of the most terrifying stories to narrate within its famous walls. According to the hotel’s website, a resident of room 22 was awakened one night by the sounds of a woman constantly crying and someone banging on the door.
A group of paranormal investigators were called to check out the room in the 1980s and concluded that the room was haunted by the spirit of a young woman who had died in the fortress of a broken heart several centuries earlier. The hotel is said to be haunted by the spirit of the “Terrible Lizard”, the nickname of a prisoner who starved to death while locked up in the fort.
The Omni Mount Washington – Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
Mount Washington’s Omni is a majestic venue with an even greater history. Built in 1902, the hotel has hosted some notable guests, including Thomas Edison and three US presidents. The Omni also has some clientele that is more infamous than notable, such as Carolyn Stickney, the widowed wife of the hotel’s original owner. Her bed is still in one of the third-floor rooms, and travelers reported waking up to find Stickney combing her hair at the bottom of the bed.
The Taj Mahal Palace – Mumbai, India
The Taj Mahal Palace is a five-star hotel located in the heart of Mumbai, one of the Conde Nast Traveler readers’ best hotels. Along with stunning views and interiors fit for a king, one of the hotel’s most macabre claims is the aura of mystery that attaches to its reputation. Therefore, according to the legend, the architect of the building jumped from the fifth floor after discovering that the hotel was facing the wrong direction. His spirit is said to roam the halls, running down the corridors and walking around the ceiling.
Lord Milner Hotel – Matjiesfontein, South Africa
South Africa may be famous for its game reserves, but it has some of the most charming and haunted hotels. One such place is the Lord Milner Hotel, located on the edge of the remote Great Karoo in the village of Matjiesfontein. The city served as command headquarters during the South African War and the site of controversial war crimes hearings.
It’s no surprise, then, that the Lord Milner Hotel has paranormal activity. According to the hotel personnel, some ghost guests never left the hotel like ‘Lucy’, a ghost who wore a negligee and made noises behind closed doors at regular intervals.
Mizpah Hotel – Tonopah, Nevada
Mizpah Hotel opened in 1907 as one of Nevada’s first luxury hotels, with solid granite walls and Victorian-era decor. It was completely renovated in 2011. The otherwise fine hotel has a history as deep red as the red furniture embracing it.
Legend has it that a woman who died on the fifth floor never really left the building. The “Lady in Red” makes her presence known by whispering into men’s ears and leaving pearls from her broken necklace on customers’ pillows. The hotel lives up to its reputation by allowing guests to stay in the Lady in Red suite or order their signature Red Lady Bloody Mary cocktail at the hotel restaurant.
The Stanley Hotel – Estes Park, Colorado
Stanley Hotel’s impressive Georgian architecture and world-famous whiskey bar have drawn travelers to Estes Park since it opened in 1909. The hotel rose to fame after inspiring Stephen King to create the fictional Overlook Hotel in The Shining. In addition to this eerie connection, many other ghostly images and mysterious piano music have been linked to the hotel. The Stanley smartly bets on its reputation by offering nightly ghost tours and psychic consultations with their associate Madame Vera.
Lizzie Borden House – Fall River, Massachusetts
The house tells the macabre story of Lizzie Borden, a 32-year-old woman accused of brutally killing her father and stepmother with an ax in 1892. (She was later cleared of the crimes, but never managed to escape those rumours). The Lizzie Borden House ranks among New England’s most haunted landmarks. Brave travelers can book a room for the night – and even stay in the room where the murdered bodies were discovered.
The Omni Grove Park Inn – Asheville, North Carolina
This architectural marvel, the Omni Grove Park Inn, was built on Sunset Mountain in 1913 by Edwin Wiley Grove, a pharmaceutical entrepreneur famous for his anti-malarial tonics. One of the hotel’s most well-known guests was F. Scott Fitzgerald. The Pink Lady, a 1920s figure is said to have met a gruesome end when she landed on the floor of the atrium after falling two floors where her room was located. The pastel fog you will see – and the creepiness you will sense – will give you unique moments of getting to know the paradox.
Mermaid Inn – Rye, England
Often considered one of England’s most haunted hotels, Rye’s Mermaid Inn has a long history dating back to the 1100s, although the most recent structure emerged from a renovation that took place in the 1600s. Among the spooky stories and images of ghosts, unknown figures walk the bedroom walls, rocking chairs move by themselves, rooms are eerily cold while the spirit of a former maid appears everywhere. All part of the experience, as we say.
Roch Castle Hotel – Pembrokeshire, Wales
Built in 1195 in Pembrokeshire, Roch Castle is a five-star luxury hotel (and restaurant) with six suites. In the early 1600s, the castle was home to the Walter family and their daughter Lucy, who became the mistress of King Charles II in 1648 before dying in Paris a decade later. Visitors to Roth Castle have claimed to have seen a woman in a white dress walking through closed doors – possibly Lucy Walter returning to her childhood home.
The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection – Dublin, Ireland
Known as the Grand Dame of Dublin, the Autograph Collection’s Shelbourne has occasionally played host to famous personalities such as Princess Grace of Monaco. Characteristically luxurious! Just think of the sparkling chandeliers, the antique furniture. With all this opulence, you probably won’t even pay attention to the ghosts.
According to some newspapers, a specific room in the hotel was observed a series of frequent paranormal activities, such as faucets turning on by themselves or a seven-year-old girl appearing out of nowhere. Actress Lily Collins had an eerie experience when she stayed at the Shelbourne in 2013, which she recounted on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.
Chateau de Marcay – Marcay, France
Nestled in France’s picturesque Loire Valley, Chateau de Marcay is a 15th-century castle that was converted into a hotel in 1973. The castle turret looks like it’s straight out of a fairy tale – but as we all know, fairy tales usually have one or two bad guys. As urban legend has it, one of the ladies of Chateau de Marcay was a werewolf and a farmer accidentally shot her after she transformed. Apparently, the lady decided to stay at the hotel with guests and hotel staff reporting frequent dense encounters with a woman-ghost dressed in white.
Hotel Burchianti – Florence, Italy
This beautiful hotel was one of the favorite lodgings of poets, opera singers and politicians in the early 20th century, although in the year 2024 it is more popular with travelers looking for luxury… and ghosts. According to Reuters, past visitors have reported images of a child walking the corridors, a woman knitting in a chair and a “cold breath sensation” in the frescoed rooms.
Castle Leslie Estate – County Monaghan, Ireland
With its secluded location in the County Monaghan countryside and interiors with deep copper bathtubs and a well-stocked library, Castle Leslie Estate makes you feel like you’re the only person in Ireland – unless you meet the ghost of a family member Leslie. Fortunately, all the reported ghost sightings were pleasant, with Norman Leslie shuffling cards in the hotel’s Red Room.
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