Fright Night: 20 Amazing Hotels That Happen To Be Haunted
haunted hotels
Do you believe in ghosts? Are you a skeptic with an open mind to strange phenomena? Try spending Halloween this year at one of these delightful hotels around the world that are rumoured to be haunted.
0/21
Travel
Fright Night: 20 Amazing Hotels That Happen To Be Haunted.
Hotel del Coronado
Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, USA – If you’re a fan of classic Hollywood movies, you might recognise Hotel del Coronado as the filming location for Marilyn Monroe’s Some Like It Hot. The beachfront hotel has had a rich history since opening in 1888, with guests ranging from Mae West to President Barack Obama. However, it’s become most famous for one visitor who never checked out; Kate Morgan, often called the “beautiful stranger”, took her own life in the hotel in 1892 while waiting in despair for her lover. People have witnessed strange goings-on in the hotel ever since, especially in her 3rd-floor guest room. You might also witness random objects flying off shelves in the gift shop, which often land upright and unbroken.
1/21
Travel
Fright Night: 20 Amazing Hotels That Happen To Be Haunted.
Banff Springs Hotel
Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta, Canada – This handsome colossal of a hotel is nestled among the trees in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, first built to accommodate high-class guests along the new railway in 1888. To this day, it remains one of Canada’s most majestic hotels, though there are several rumoured ghosts residing in its walls. Many people claim to have caught glimpses of the “burning bride”, who is said to have died during a tragic accident while dressed in her wedding gown. Others swear they’ve talked to Sam the Bellman, who worked in the hotel in the ‘70s and apparently continues to work there …in spirit. [Photo: Canadian Pacific/Flickr]
2/21
Travel
Fright Night: 20 Amazing Hotels That Happen To Be Haunted.
The Place d'Armes
The Place d’Armes in New Orleans, USA – New Orleans is considered one of the most haunted cities in America, so it’s no wonder that a historic landmark like the Place d’Armes Hotel is known for its ghosts. The lovely 292-year-old hotel, located in the middle of the French Quarter, is full of intriguing history and legend. The hotel’s location was once the site of the city’s original school, which burnt down in a huge fire that took many of the students and teachers with it. Guests often report seeing a small girl who asks where her grandmother is, and an old man who politely nods before disappearing.
3/21
Travel
Fright Night: 20 Amazing Hotels That Happen To Be Haunted.
Dragsholm Slot in Zealand
Dragsholm Slot in Zealand, Denmark – Though the castle that stands today has been modernised and restored in order to function as a hotel, the Dragsholm Slot has existed in some form for over 800 years. Thanks to its important role in Danish history, especially as a medieval prison for high-born prisoners, many believe the place to be haunted by three entities: Two are known simply as the Grey Lady and the White Lady, while the 3rd is thought to be Lord Bothwell, the 3rd husband of Mary, Queen of Scots. Bothwell, who was kept prisoner (allegedly chained to a pillar) at Dragsholm during the final decade of his life, is said to ride through the courtyard with horses pulling a carriage. [Photo: Björn/Flickr]
4/21
Travel
Fright Night: 20 Amazing Hotels That Happen To Be Haunted.
The Equinox
The Equinox in Manchester, Vermont, USA – Those interested in American history should definitely plan a stay at The Equinox, a grand hotel that played a part in the American Revolution and hosted several early U.S. presidents. The historical landmark was a favourite vacation spot of First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln, who stayed at The Equinox during the summer of 1864 with her son to escape the heat of the capital, and planned to come back with her husband, President Abraham Lincoln, the following summer. This sadly never happened, as the president was infamously assassinated that same year. Guests and hotel employees claim that Mary Todd haunts the 3rd and 4th floors of the hotel to this day. [Photo: DevonshireMedia/Flickr]
5/21
Travel
Fright Night: 20 Amazing Hotels That Happen To Be Haunted.
The Ruthin Castle Hotel
The Ruthin Castle Hotel in Denbighshire, Wales – Medieval castles often have bloody histories, and Ruthin Castle is no exception. Though it is now a luxurious hotel known for its medieval-themed banquets, the castle was first built in an attempt of the English Crown to conquer the Welsh – and often found itself in the middle of war and conflict. It seems only natural, then, that ghosts are said to linger here. The most famous of these is Lady Grey, who was sentenced to death at the castle after killing her husband’s mistress. Children also report seeing a small girl on the castle grounds, and others have sighted a medieval knight wandering around wearing only one glove. [Photo: Jim Linwood/Flickr]
6/21
Travel
Fright Night: 20 Amazing Hotels That Happen To Be Haunted.
Grand Hyatt Hotel
Grand Hyatt Hotel in Taipei, Taiwan – At first glance, you might be surprised to hear the rumours that the Grand Hyatt in Taipei is haunted. The luxury hotel, with its ultra-modern aesthetic, is not what most of us expect when we think of ghost stories – that is, until you learn about its past. Legend has it that the grounds upon which the hotel was built served as the site of a Japanese POW camp during World War II (though the hotel’s management insists it was only a military warehouse). Complaints of strange noises and eerie feelings from guests eventually led to the hotel hiring feng shui experts to attempt to bring peace with amulets, religious scrolls and wind chimes placed throughout the hotel. [Photo: Matt@PEK/Flickr]
7/21
Travel
Fright Night: 20 Amazing Hotels That Happen To Be Haunted.
Hotel Burchianti
Hotel Burchianti in Florence, Italy – This beautiful 17th-century building is located in the heart of Florence. But before you plan your perfect stay here, you should know that it’s also considered one of the most haunted hotels in Europe. Several entities are rumoured to occupy the place, including an old woman who knits in a rocking chair, a maid who roams from room to room, and a giggling girl who runs along the hallways. If you’re feeling brave, the Fresco Room is worth a visit – people claim to see pink, translucent entities while admiring the painted ceilings. And that’s all without even mentioning the stories of ghosts visiting guests in their rooms…
8/21
Travel
Fright Night: 20 Amazing Hotels That Happen To Be Haunted.
The Queen Mary
The Queen Mary in Long Beach, California, USA – Once a luxury liner, then a World War II troopship, then a transatlantic passenger ship, and finally a hotel – The Queen Mary might be the most unusual hotel on this list. The Scottish-built ocean liner has seen everything from grand parties to violent battles in her history, eventually making her last trip from Southampton to her final resting place at Long Beach in the ‘60s. Ever since becoming a floating hotel, visitors have reported strange happenings while staying aboard. Some of the most common are ghost sightings of drowning victims in the now-empty swimming pool, the soul of a sailor who died in the ship’s engine room, and experiences of eerie noises and chills. [Photo: Trey Ratcliff/Flickr]
9/21
Travel
Fright Night: 20 Amazing Hotels That Happen To Be Haunted.
The Ragged Cot Inn
The Ragged Cot Inn in Gloucestershire, England – If you’re after a quiet, countryside getaway, the charming Ragged Cot is the cute little place to be. Locals know it as a well-respected pub with an impressive beer selection, situated just outside the historic market town of Minchinhampton. Though the inn is now a scene of peaceful hospitality, it has a terrific ghost story buried in its 300-year history. One winter night in 1760, the inn’s landlord, Bill Clavers, decided to rob a stagecoach. His wife begged him not to go, but, having imbibed a bit of liquid courage, he drunkenly pushed her aside, and she fell down the stairs with their baby in her arms. When he came back from the robbery, he found his wife and child dead at the foot of the stairs. Panicking, he stashed their bodies in a trunk before the police arrived. As the officers came to arrest him, Clavers screamed at the sight of his family’s ghosts, which terrified everyone who witnessed it. Clavers was sentenced to hang soon after.
10/21
Travel
Fright Night: 20 Amazing Hotels That Happen To Be Haunted.
Hotel Chelsea
Hotel Chelsea in New York City, USA – Few places in America can compete with the legendary pop culture status of the Chelsea. Once serving as both permanent residence for tenants and hotel for guests, the red-bricked building stands in the middle of the former theatre district, where it attracted all sorts of tortured artists, penniless punks, famous writers and rich cultural icons. The list includes everyone from Mark Twain and Arthur Miller to Patti Smith and Madonna. Everything imaginable has happened at the Chelsea: it’s where 2001: A Space Odyssey was written, where poet Dylan Thomas drank himself to death, where Leonard Cohen and Janis Joplin had an affair, and, perhaps most infamously, where Sid Vicious (probably) killed his girlfriend Nancy Spungen. Needless to say, the place is considered one of the most haunted in the country. Though the hotel has been closed for years now, a few permanent residents still live there, and the current owners are hoping to reopen the hotel to guests in 2018. [Photo: Elvert Barnes/Flickr]
11/21
Travel
Fright Night: 20 Amazing Hotels That Happen To Be Haunted.
The Shelbourne Hotel
The Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin, Ireland – Ghost stories are abundant in the Irish capital, but few are as convincing as the one told over at The Shelbourne Hotel. Located in the centre of Dublin, the Shelbourne is a luxury hotel with a high reputation. It might come as a surprise then, that there have been reports of paranormal activity over the years. After a psychic and a team of ghost hunters visited the hotel in the ‘60s, it was discovered that the disturbance was caused by the spirit of a young girl named Mary Masters. Many believe she died of cholera at the hotel a few hundred years ago. Guests have felt her giggling presence in many ways, including their showers and sinks running water seemly without being touched, hearing Mary’s voice in the halls and witnessing objects being moved. Despite Mary’s presence, the Shelbourne is still a popular and well-respected place to stay in Dublin. [Photo: Michael Foley/Flickr]
12/21
Travel
Fright Night: 20 Amazing Hotels That Happen To Be Haunted.
The Savoy Hotel
The Savoy Hotel in Mussoorie, India – Fans of Agatha Christie will want to check out this fascinating hotel, as it was the setting for the real murder mystery her first book was based on. When the English Gothic-style property opened in 1902, The Savoy was one of the most luxurious hotels in India and boasted tons of VIP visitors. A spiritualist named Frances Garnett-Orme came to stay there in 1911 with her companion, Eva Mountstephen, and never made it out. Frances was found murdered in her room, and the doctor who did her autopsy – and found out she had been poisoned – was killed suspiciously soon after. Eva was arrested but later released, and the murders were never solved. Guests claim that Frances still haunts the hotel and can sometimes be heard singing or crying in the halls.
13/21
Travel
Fright Night: 20 Amazing Hotels That Happen To Be Haunted.
Hotel Ändra
Hotel Ändra in Seattle, USA – The roaring ‘20s with its wild parties, prohibition and sizzling jazz are long gone, but the ghosts at Hotel Ändra don’t seem to know that. The Ändra was built in 1926, in the middle of the Jazz Age, and has since been modernised with rich woods and contemporary details that have kept it popular among visitors. However, many guests complain about loud parties that seem to take place on the 9th floor, where sounds of old-school jazz, laughing voices and breaking glass can be heard late into the night. The eerie part is, every time a hotel employee attempts to find the source of the noises, they immediately stop.
14/21
Travel
Fright Night: 20 Amazing Hotels That Happen To Be Haunted.
Nottingham Road Hotel
Nottingham Road Hotel in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa – Ask anymore who works at the “Notties” if they’ve experienced anything strange, and they’ll tell you all about Charlotte. Depending on who you ask, Charlotte was either a chamber maid or a prostitute, and she either took her own life by jumping from the balcony or she was pushed. Either way, she apparently really likes the hotel, and makes her presence known by unpacking people’s things, moving flower arrangements and tidying up beds. The hotel itself has been around in some form since the 1800s, and houses the area’s oldest and most popular pub.
15/21
Travel
Fright Night: 20 Amazing Hotels That Happen To Be Haunted.
Hôtel Château Laurier
Hôtel Château Laurier in Ottawa, Canada – This grand hotel has stood proudly overlooking the Ottawa River since opening in 1912, quickly becoming one of the city’s most important hotels over the years. The guest rooms have recently undergone a modernising makeover with all the latest technology, which the resident ghost might not be too keen about. The supposed spirit that haunts the Château Laurier is, after all, the man who built the grand hotel in the first place. Charles Melville Hays was on his way back to Canada to oversee the grand opening of his new hotel, but he happened to be aboard the doomed RMS Titanic, and sank with the ship. Legend has it that his spirit lives on in the hotel he never got to see while alive. [Photo: Vince Alongi/Flickr]
16/21
Travel
Fright Night: 20 Amazing Hotels That Happen To Be Haunted.
Parador de Cardona
Parador de Cardona in Catalonia, Spain – Few ancient castles have been as immaculately kept as this 9th-century fortress in Catalonia. Now a luxury hotel, it boasts a carefully preserved 11th-century chapel, beautiful tapestries, Catalan antiques and a highly regarded restaurant serving up classic regional dishes. The only thing you might want to be wary of is Room 712, which people believe to be haunted by a ghost. A security dog once continuously barked at the room for an entire month during a construction project, so there’s certainly something strange going on. [Photo: Edgardo W. Olivera/Flickr]
17/21
Travel
Fright Night: 20 Amazing Hotels That Happen To Be Haunted.
Toftaholm Herrgård
Toftaholm Herrgård in Lagan, Sweden – Nestled along the shores of Lake Vidöstern, you’ll find a beautiful yellow manor house known as Toftaholm Herrgård, which functions as a 5-star hotel. Like many other hotels on our list, this innocent-seeming property has a tragic history that appears to haunt it to this day. The manor once belonged to a wealthy baron, whose daughter fell in love with a poor local boy. When the father found out, he tried to end the romance by arranging for his daughter to marry another man. On the day of the wedding, the lovesick low-born boy went up to Room 324 and hung himself in despair. The lovely manor is worth a stay, but you can probably guess which room to keep away from if you’d rather not have any extra company…
18/21
Travel
Fright Night: 20 Amazing Hotels That Happen To Be Haunted.
Langham Hotel
Langham Hotel in London, England – You can’t talk about haunted places without mentioning one of London’s most well-known grand hotels: The Langham. Over the years, this impressive property has hosted the likes of Napoleon III, Oscar Wilde and Princess Diana, and was the setting for several of Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories. Though it continues to enjoy a respected reputation today, the Langham is also considered by some to be the most haunted hotel in London – even members of England’s national cricket team reported strange experiences while staying there in 2014. Some of the hotel’s rumoured ghosts are a German prince who committed suicide there before the first World War, a butler on the 3rd floor who still attends to guests, and a Victorian Age man who lingers in Room 333. [Photo: shipwrecklog.com/Flickr]
19/21
Travel
Fright Night: 20 Amazing Hotels That Happen To Be Haunted.
The Stanley Hotel
The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, USA – We saved the best for last. Any fan of horror movies will immediately recognise The Stanley Hotel as the inspiration for Stephen King’s The Shining, written after King spent an eerie night in Room 217 at the otherwise empty hotel in the ‘70s. The famous writer recalled having a nightmare that woke him in the middle of the night, after which he put together most of the story for his novel. Situated up near the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, the Stanley Hotel offers more than just ghost stories – though many guests hope to catch some paranormal activity while staying there. Halloween is a great time of year to visit, as the hotel throws a festival of spooks every year which includes its famous Shining Ball.
20/21
Travel
Fright Night: 20 Amazing Hotels That Happen To Be Haunted.
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