The October winds are blowing, and pumpkins are lining the doorsteps – which means there’s no better time to schedule a mini-vacation and a short stay in one of the many haunted hotels scattered around the nation.
If you’re the sort of person who embraces the thrills, chills and occasional ghostly encounter during the Halloween season, these haunted accommodations will make your spine tingle. From lingering spirits in century-old hotels to eerie encounters with the unexplained in rooms with tragic histories, these paranormal hot spots are perfect for your next spooky adventure:
1. The Stanley Hotel – Estes Park, Colorado
One of the most famous haunted hotels in the U.S., The Stanley Hotel gained worldwide fame as the inspiration for The Shining. It opened in 1909 in an isolated spot in the Rockies, and guests (including Stephen King) report numerous paranormal experiences, including ghostly figures roaming the hallways echoes of piano music from an empty concert hall and apparitions of children playing on the fourth floor. Many have seen the ghost of Flora Stanley – the original owner’s wife – who is said to still wander her beloved hotel. Rooms 217, 401 and 428 are said to have the most paranormal activity.
2. The Queen Mary Hotel – Long Beach, California
The Queen Mary was once a luxury ocean liner that has been given a second life as a Long Beach hotel and historic attraction – which already makes it cool – but it’s also widely regarded as one of the most haunted hotels in the world.
Visitors have reported eerie apparitions in the ship’s empty swimming pool, including ghostly children splashing in the water. There have also been sightings of “The Lady in White,” as well as the spirit of a young girl named Jackie who is often heard giggling and playing near the pool area. Cabin B340 is said to be the most notorious room for hauntings.
3. The Myrtles Plantation – St. Francisville, Louisiana
The Myrtles Plantation, built in 1796, is known for its tragedies and hauntings all over the world. The building was reportedly built on Native burial grounds and ransacked by Union soldiers who were then killed in the house. Its owner’s wife and at least one of her children were then poisoned by food laced with oleander by a slave woman named Chloe – who was then either hanged or drowned for her crime. Guests report phantom footsteps, sentient shadows and unexplained laughter and voices throughout the halls – and there’s supposedly a blood stain that refuses to come clean no matter how often it is scrubbed.
4. The Crescent Hotel – Eureka Springs, Arkansas
The Crescent Hotel is not only haunted but its history is wrapped in tragedy. Originally opened in 1886, it was a luxury resort before becoming a hospital under the ownership of Dr. Norman Baker in the 1930s. Baker claimed to have found a miracle cure for cancer, drawing patients from all over the country – but it was all a fraud, and many patients died in agony. The Crescent has been featured on “Ghosthunters” and “Ghost Adventures” alike, and guests report hearing disembodied voices, lights that turn off and on by themselves and apparitions of nurses wandering the halls. Room 218 and the morgue that’s still in the basement are the spookiest spots.
5. Hotel del Coronado – Coronado, California
The luxurious Hotel del Coronado has been a favorite among the rich and famous since it opened in 1888, but one guest has never checked out. In 1892, a woman arrived under a false name. Allegedly deserted by her lover, she is believed to have killed herself – but the circumstances of her death have long raised questions. Eventually identified as Kate Morgan, guests and staff alike say that Kate’s spirit is still around. They report flickering lights, and mysterious cold spots. Kate’s ghost has even been known to appear in mirrors or by guests’ beds, especially in Room 3327.
6. The Menger Hotel – San Antonio, Texas
As one of the oldest continuously operating hotels west of the Mississippi, the Menger Hotel has more than its fair share of ghostly guests. Established in 1859, the hotel has seen many notable historical figures over the years – but it’s the ghost of a chambermaid that has become its most famous resident. Sallie White was tragically murdered at the hotel, and her spirit is said to remain to this day. She’s often seen carrying towels and linens through the hallways as though she’s still going about her duties. The hotel is also home to Civil War-era ghosts from a time when it served as a military hospital.
7. Congress Plaza Hotel – Chicago, Illinois
Built in 1893 with high-end visitors in mind, the Congress Plaza Hotel has earned its reputation for creepy, spooky places to stay. The hotel is notorious for unexplained phenomena, ghostly apparitions, and strange occurrences that have been reported by staff and guests alike. One of the most infamous rooms is Room 441, where countless guests have complained about strange noises, the feeling of being watched and even a shadowy figure appearing at the foot of the bed. The ballroom is another paranormal hotspot, where sounds of phantom footsteps and whispers echo long after the last guest has left.
8. The Story Inn – Nashville, Indiana
Bragging that it’s been in “one inconvenient location since 1851,” the Story Inn is home to the famous ghost known as “The Blue Lady.” Believed to be the spirit of Dr. George Story’s wife, this mysterious figure has been spotted by numerous guests over the years. The Blue Lady is said to make her presence known by the scent of cherry tobacco and the appearance of a soft blue light. The Story Inn has a reputation for other strange occurrences, including lights turning on and off, objects moving on their own and ghostly footsteps heard hallways.
Whether you’re a hardcore paranormal enthusiast or just looking for a spooky thrill this Halloween season, these venues offer a unique combination of luxury, history and ghostly encounters. So, which haunted hotel will you be visiting this spooky season?
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