It’s October and for some, it’s time to schedule that porky vacation that they’ve always wanted. And to help with your planning, we’re providing a list of haunted U.S. hotels where you can spend a night an actual haunted house.
The accommodations found in this list are well known amongst ghost hunters and they’re all suitable for travelers hoping for a frightful night.
The Stanley Hotel – Estes Park, Colorado
We’re going to go straight in and start with what’s perhaps the most famous of haunted U.S.hotels, and that is The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado. The hotel is a staple on haunted hotel lists, but it’s more widely known for its starring role as the setting for “The Shining”.
The Stanley Hotel’s grand architecture and renowned visitors paired with the knowledge that it’s said every guest room is haunted, makes this a very appealing option for a spooky getaway. Guests have reported the sounds of children laughing, a piano playing, or even returning to find art their bags have been unpacked.
The Stanley Hotel is a hotel that embraces Halloween. The hotel will host murder mystery dinners, an annual Shining Ball, and masquerade costume party.
Klook.comQueen Anne Hotel – San Francisco, California
The building that is now the Queen Anne Hotel was originally built to be a girls’ finishing school. According to lore, the headmistress, Miss Lake, still roams the halls of the house. Numerous guests speak of accounts of Miss Lake appearing in mirrors or the feeling of her presence as abnormally hot or cold spots. One guest even reported being fully tucked into a blanket while napping.
The innkeeper has never personally seen the ghost, there are reports of guests experiencing something supernatural at least a couple of times a week.
Klook.com1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa – Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Touting itself as “America’s Most Haunted Hotel”, the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa is perched high above Eureka Springs, Arkansas In the 1930s the building was a sham hospital where a charlatan named Norman Baker conned patients with a “miracle” cure for cancer.Today, Baker’s patients haunt the hotel.
The hotel hosts nightly ghost tours, including Baker’s morgue, and also holds paranormal themed performances at the on-site theater.
The 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa keeps a list of tis named ghosts. There’s Michael, an Irish stonemason who died in 1885 during the buildings construction; Theodora, a cancer patient who calls for help to find her keys; and even Morris the cat, a mysterious patient who appears the foot of guests’ beds wearing a white nightgown.
The Cornstalk Hotel – New Orleans, Louisiana
Located in New Orleans’ famous French Quarter on Royal Street is The Cornstalk Hotel. Besides being haunted, it’s also a must see attraction for its cornstalk themed wrought iron fence and its castle-like turret. Although it was once the home of Louisiana’s first attorney general, François Xavier Martin, the hotel is haunted by children at play. Another unsettling phenomena reported by guests is finding mysterious photos on their camera of themselves asleep.
New Orleans is an excellent destination for a haunting holiday. The city features some of the most beautifully kept gothic cemeteries in the U.S. It also has a wide variety of venues hosting ghostly visitors.
Klook.comThe Salem Inn – Salem, Massachusetts
Located in the town that’s well known for its 17th century witch trials, The Salem Inn’s room 17 is said to be haunted by Elizabeth, who was murdered by her husband in that same room. According to accounts from both psychics and guests, Elizabeth shakes things up when men stay in the room.
According to legend, Elizabeth will leave you alone if you leave a glass of liquor out for her. Oh, and if you intend on staying in room 17, pack an extra sweater. According to the innkeeper it’s always cold in room 17, despite efforts to turn up the heat.
The Don CeSar – St. Petersburg, Florida
The Don CeSar is an iconic pink palace that lies on a stretch of sugary St. Petersburg sands. Built in 1928 by Thomas Rowe, the hotel quickly became a playground for the rich and famous and remains so to this day.
However, the backstory to the hotel isn’t as sweet as its appearance. Heartbroken Rowe built the hotel as a tribute to Lucinda, his true love who died in Europe. The hotel thrived through much of the 20th century and even survived the Great Depression. However, it fell into disrepair after 1940 when Rowe was found dead in his hotel room.
Guests report spotting of Rowe ever since his death. He’s never been one to miss a party, he roams the grounds and greets guests wearing a Panama hat. he still wanders the halls and checks in on the guests of his estate.
Klook.comFOLEY HOuse Inn – Savannah, Georgia
A list of haunted U.S. hotels isn’t complete without including Savannah, Georgia, which is billed as the most haunted city in America. The haunting story of the Foley House Inn can be traced back to its original owner, Honoria Foley. According to legend, a hotel guest attacked her and she struck him in the head with a candlestick. The blow killed the attacker and Miss Foley hid the body, fearful that she’d be imprisoned for murder.
On her deathbed she admitted to the killing, but didn’t reveal the location of the body. During a 1987 renovation, human remains were found in a wall.
Both the attacker and Miss Foley haunt this quaint bed and breakfast. If you sat in one of the 19 rooms, don’t be surprised to see the shadowy image of a man walking the halls or Miss Foley crying in your room.
Klook.comThe Shamrock House – Rocky Bottom, South Carolina
This eight bedroom vacation cabin was built in 1925 in the Blue Ridge Mountains of South Carolina. The cabin can sleep up to 24 people and is the residence of a ghost with the name Nancy. One guest claims Nancy walked into an upstairs bedroom and another says she whispered in his ear.
The environment Evan adds to the creepy atmosphere. The Shamrock House sits within 10 acres deep in the forest at the base of Sassafras Mountain.
It’s believed to have been the first building in the area to have electricity. Also, The Shamrock House hosted President Lyndon Johnson in the 1960s.
Captain Grant’s, 1754 – Preston, Connecticut
Captain Grant’s, 1754 is situated between two cemeteries and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s also frequented by no fewer than 10 ghosts. It’s believed the spirits are of young children who visit form their nearby resting places.
In case you’re wondering about the name, 1754 is the year of the building’s construction. It first served as a home to Captain Grant and three generations of his offspring. It then became a bed and breakfast for Civil War soldiers and escaped slaves. There have been reports of guests seeing apparitions of spirits from all eras of American history.
We Hope You can Sleep
Sure, the lit itself isn’t scary but reading about this many haunted U.S. hotels might lead you to image what might happen if you stay a night. Admittedly, we’re curious too. Have you stayed at a haunted hotel? let us know in the comments.
