Ever wanted to check into a hotel where the “Do Not Disturb” sign applies to ghosts too? Well, pack your bravest self and maybe a sage stick, because we’re going on a paranormal vacation. These haunted hotels aren’t just stories for Halloween — they’re real places you can actually book a room in. (FYI, some guests have checked in for a night and left before sunrise. Just saying.)
I’ve always been fascinated by places with a creepy past — the flickering lights, the unexplained cold spots, and those late-night whispers that definitely aren’t the air conditioner. Whether you’re a full-on ghost hunter or just someone who loves a good scare before bed, these 13 haunted hotels promise a stay you’ll never forget… or sleep through.
1. The Stanley Hotel – Estes Park, Colorado
Let’s start with the celebrity of haunted hotels. The Stanley Hotel is basically the Beyoncé of ghosts. Stephen King stayed here in Room 217 and, no joke, got the inspiration for The Shining.
Guests have reported hearing children laughing in empty halls, pianos playing themselves, and items mysteriously moving. Oh, and if you book a night tour, you might just catch a glimpse of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley themselves — still hosting guests in spirit.
Creepiest detail: The staff say Room 217 is still one of the most requested rooms, despite (or maybe because of) its ghostly rep.
2. Crescent Hotel – Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Dubbed “America’s Most Haunted Hotel,” the Crescent Hotel has enough ghost stories to fill an entire Netflix series. Built in 1886, it later became a hospital run by a “doctor” who promised miracle cures for cancer — spoiler alert: he was a fraud.
Today, guests report ghostly figures in Victorian gowns and mysterious orbs floating in their photos. There’s even a ghost cat (yep, you read that right) that roams the hallways.
Pro tip: Take their nightly ghost tour. It’s half history lesson, half “try not to scream” challenge.
3. The Queen Mary – Long Beach, California
This massive ocean liner turned hotel is basically a floating haunted mansion. The Queen Mary has seen it all — from war service to tragic accidents — and now it’s known as one of the most haunted places in the U.S.
Guests have heard footsteps echoing through empty corridors, doors slamming on their own, and ghostly sailors lingering near the engine room.
FYI: Cabin B340 is so haunted they actually closed it for years. It’s open again now, if you’re feeling brave (or reckless).
4. The Myrtles Plantation – St. Francisville, Louisiana
This place doesn’t mess around. Known as “One of America’s Most Haunted Homes,” The Myrtles Plantation has over a dozen ghost stories tied to it.
The most famous spirit? Chloe, an enslaved woman said to have poisoned the family after being caught eavesdropping. She’s been spotted wearing a green turban, wandering through hallways and photobombing visitors’ pictures.
Creepiest part: Guests swear they’ve heard footsteps pacing outside their doors all night — when no one’s there.
5. Omni Parker House – Boston, Massachusetts
This historic hotel is known for its baked Boston cream pie, but the ghosts here aren’t coming for dessert. The Omni Parker House has hosted literary legends like Charles Dickens and Nathaniel Hawthorne — and, apparently, they liked it so much they never left.
Guests report elevators stopping on the 10th floor for no reason, and staff sometimes smell whiskey and cigars wafting from Room 303 — even though smoking’s been banned for decades.
Fun fact: The ghost of the hotel’s original owner, Harvey Parker, supposedly still checks on guests to make sure they’re happy. Five-star service, even from beyond.
6. The Marshall House – Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is one of America’s most haunted cities, so of course it has one of the spookiest hotels. During the Civil War, The Marshall House was used as a hospital — which explains why some guests claim to see soldiers limping through the halls or hear children laughing when no kids are around.
Not-so-fun fact: Guests have found mysterious wet spots on the floor that appear and vanish (and no, it’s not housekeeping).
If you love Southern charm and spirits — both kinds — this is your place.
7. The Stanley Hotel (again?) Nope — The Stanley of the South: The Mizpah Hotel – Tonopah, Nevada
Nicknamed the “Lady in Red Hotel,” The Mizpah has a ghost so famous she practically runs the place. Legend says a woman was murdered in Room 502 and still lingers there, leaving pearls on pillows and whispering in men’s ears.
Guests have heard doors open and close on their own, and some say they’ve even felt a hand brush their shoulder.
IMO: This is the perfect stop for thrill-seekers on a desert road trip — spooky, glamorous, and totally Instagrammable (if you can hold the camera steady).
8. The Fairmont Banff Springs – Alberta, Canada
If Disney made a haunted castle, it would look like the Fairmont Banff Springs. Except this one’s real — and reportedly haunted by a helpful bellman.
Guests have spotted a man in a vintage uniform helping them with luggage, only to realize later that no one on staff matches his description. There’s also the tragic “Bride on the Staircase,” a ghostly figure seen gliding through the ballroom after falling to her death on her wedding day.
Creepiest touch: The hotel is so stunning, it’s easy to forget it’s haunted… until you hear that faint whisper saying, “Welcome back.”
9. The Hollywood Roosevelt – Los Angeles, California
This glamorous haunt sits right on Hollywood Boulevard and has hosted stars like Marilyn Monroe, who — surprise! — still hasn’t checked out.
Guests report seeing her reflection in a mirror that once hung in her old suite. There’s also a trumpet-playing ghost believed to be actor Montgomery Clift, who apparently still practices his lines in the hallway.
Pro tip: If you hear someone humming “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” in your room, just… don’t investigate.
10. The Pfister Hotel – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Baseball players hate staying here. No joke — multiple MLB players have reported seeing ghostly figures, hearing knocking sounds, and having their electronics glitch out.
Built in 1893, the Pfister Hotel is pure luxury — with a side of paranormal activity. Guests have described lights flickering, radios turning on by themselves, and elevators behaving like they have a mind of their own.
FYI: Some players even sleep with the lights on. Tough guys, huh? 😉
11. The Driskill – Austin, Texas
Everything’s bigger in Texas — including the hauntings. The Driskill Hotel blends Southern charm with stories that’ll make your skin crawl.
One ghost, a little girl who fell down the grand staircase, reportedly bounces a ball through the corridors at night. Another is the hotel’s founder, Jesse Driskill, who still roams the lobby puffing on his signature cigar.
Bonus point: The Driskill Bar is one of the coziest spots in Austin… if you don’t mind an extra guest joining your drink.
12. The Hawthorne Hotel – Salem, Massachusetts
Obviously, Salem had to make the list. The Hawthorne Hotel sits right near the infamous witch trial sites, and let’s just say the energy here is… different.
Guests have reported furniture moving, lights flickering, and mysterious knocks on their doors. Some even claim to see shadowy figures pacing near Room 325 — the hotel’s paranormal hotspot.
Spooky stat: The hotel’s elevator once started moving on its own during a live TV ghost hunt. Yeah, hard pass.
13. Ballygally Castle – County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Let’s cross the Atlantic for our final stop. Ballygally Castle dates back to the 17th century and has one of the friendliest ghosts around — Lady Isabella Shaw, who apparently just wants to say hi.
She was reportedly locked in a tower and fell to her death while escaping. Today, guests say they hear her knocking on doors or feel her presence near the turret room.
Cool twist: The hotel embraces its ghostly guest with a “Ghost Room” open for visitors. Only in Ireland, right? 🙂
So… Would You Stay in One?
Honestly, haunted hotels are a weird mix of terrifying and thrilling. There’s something undeniably magnetic about places with history that refuses to die — literally. Whether it’s the glamour of The Hollywood Roosevelt, the mystery of The Myrtles Plantation, or the shivers of The Stanley Hotel, each one promises an experience you can’t replicate anywhere else.
If you decide to book a stay at one of these haunted spots, remember:
- Be respectful — ghosts were people too.
- Bring a flashlight (trust me).
- And maybe, just maybe, leave a light on.
After all, who needs sleep when you can share your room with a few “uninvited guests”?
Final Thoughts:
Haunted hotels are more than just spooky sleepovers — they’re living (and haunting) pieces of history. Each one tells a story of love, loss, and lingering spirits who just can’t seem to move on. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, one thing’s for sure: you’ll never forget a night spent in one of these 13 haunted hotels.
So, what do you think — are you brave enough to book a stay? Or are you keeping your travel plans ghost-free this year? 👻
