Spine-chilling tales of haunted hotels
From the historic streets of New Orleans to the scenic vistas of Colorado, these haunted hotels offer us more than just a place to stay — they provide a gateway to the past, where guests might just encounter the spectral residents who’ve never checked out.
Whether you’re a ghost hunting enthusiast or simply love a good spook, these tales will leave you sleeping with one eye open.
1. New Orleans’ Hotel Monteleone
In the bustling French Quarter of New Orleans, Hotel Monteleone is a spot that’s hard to miss.
Most people know this hotel for its grand architecture and its rich history that dates back to 1886. However, it’s also famous for being home to several playful spirits.
One of the most talked-about ghostly residents is a young boy from the 19th century named Maurice.
The story goes that Maurice Begere died in the hotel while his parents were staying there. Since then, guests have reported seeing a young boy wandering the halls or playing in the rooms, believed to be Maurice looking for his family.
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These encounters are often described with a sense of warmth, which suggests that Maurice’s spirit is not malevolent — just a child lost in time.
Hotel Monteleone’s carousel bar (a rotating bar that’s as mesmerizing as it sounds), is another hotspot for paranormal activity. Patrons have reported feeling sudden chills or seeing drinks move on their own.
The hotel embraces its haunted reputation, offering guests the chance to experience these supernatural occurrences firsthand. Staff members share their own stories and encounters with Maurice and other spirits.
SEE MORE! The Crescent Hotel in Arkansas: One of the most haunted hotels in America
2. Savannah’s Marshall House
In Savannah, Georgia, the Marshall House Hotel is a historic landmark. But it’s not just its age that draws people in.
Built in 1851, this hotel has lived through some of the most pivotal moments in American history, including serving as a hospital during the Civil War and again during yellow fever outbreaks.
Guests and staff at the Marshall House have reported encounters with ghosts from its days as a hospital.
Many say they have heard the sound of children laughing when there are none around. People have also shared stories of seeing ghosts in Civil War uniforms, some even missing limbs and wandering as if looking for something they lost long ago.
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One of the most unsettling aspects of the haunted hotel’s history involves the discovery during a renovation in the late 20th century.
Workers found human remains under the floorboards, believed to be from when it was a hospital.
This discovery has only added to the belief that The Marshall House is a hotspot for paranormal activity, as it provides a tangible connection to the past and the people who lived — and died — within its walls.
3. San Antonio’s Menger Hotel
The Menger Hotel is located next to the historic Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. It’s a piece of history itself, having opened its doors in 1859.
The hotel is famous for those guests who seem to have never left — its ghosts. One of these legendary stories tied to the Menger involves Teddy Roosevelt.
Before he became the 26th president of the United States, Roosevelt was a rough rider. It’s said that he used the bar inside the Menger Hotel to recruit men for his cavalry unit to fight in the Spanish-American War.
Today, some say Roosevelt’s spirit still frequents the haunted hotel, especially the bar, as if he’s still on the lookout for volunteers. Guests and staff have reported seeing a figure that closely resembles Roosevelt in the bar, giving a whole new meaning to the term “spirits.”
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Another well-known ghostly resident is the mysterious woman in blue. The story goes that she was a guest at the hotel who passed away there, and for reasons unknown, she chose to remain.
Witnesses have reported seeing her wandering the halls of the hotel or appearing in their rooms, only to vanish when they take a closer look.
Her sightings are often accompanied by a feeling of sadness, leading many to speculate about the circumstances of her untimely demise and her lingering attachment to the hotel.
Beyond the two popular ghost sightings, there have been other reports of paranormal activity as well. These range from unexplained sounds and smells to objects moving on their own.
4. California’s Queen Mary
Docked in Long Beach, California, the Queen Mary is a retired ocean liner that has been transformed into a floating, haunted hotel.
Launched in 1936, this grand ship embarked on numerous transatlantic voyages. It served as a luxurious way to cross the ocean and even had a stint as a troopship during World War II. Today, it is considered one of the most haunted spots in California.
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It’s said that the spirits of sailors, soldiers, and passengers who once walked its decks still linger.
Visitors and staff have reported seeing apparitions, hearing unexplained noises, and experiencing sudden temperature drops, especially in certain areas of the ship.
One of the most well-known ghostly residents is a young sailor who died in the engine room during a routine drill. The door to the engine room, where he met his untimely end, is one of the ship’s most notorious hotspots for paranormal activity.
Guests have reported hearing clanging and banging from the machinery, despite it being long inactive. Some have even claimed to see the sailor himself, still dressed in his work clothes, inspecting the area or walking through the door.
Another frequent sighting is that of a woman in a white evening gown, often seen dancing alone in what used to be the ship’s first-class lounge.
Her identity remains a mystery, but her presence adds a touch of elegance. She’s a reminder of the Queen Mary’s days of glamour, when it was filled with music and the laughter of its wealthy passengers.
➡️ Take a deeper dive: Read more about the Queen Mary here
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5. Colorado’s Stanley Hotel
Located in the Colorado Rockies, the Stanley Hotel offers breathtaking views and a connection to the supernatural that has intrigued visitors for over a century.
Opened in 1909 by F.O. Stanley, it was originally designed as a grand resort. The hotel later gained fame for its ghostly residents and as the inspiration for Stephen King’s The Shining.
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The Stanley Hotel’s reputation for being haunted is legendary.
The most famous of these ghost stories involves Flora Stanley, the wife of the haunted hotel’s founder. She was known to play the piano in her lifetime, and many believe she continues to do so from beyond the grave.
Guests and staff have reported hearing music coming from the grand piano in the hotel’s lobby, even when no one is near the instrument.
Stephen King’s stay at the Stanley Hotel in 1974 is what transformed it from a historic hotel into an icon of paranormal lore. King was inspired by the hotel’s isolated location and a dream he had during his stay.
The Stanley embraces this connection, offering guided tours that highlight its haunted history and the spots that inspired King’s tale.
Beyond its ghost stories, the Stanley Hotel is a stunning example of early 20th-century architecture, with a beautiful facade and elegantly furnished interiors that transport visitors back in time.
➡️ Learn more about the Stanley Hotel and how you can tour it!
6. San Francisco’s Hotel Majestic
In the bustling city of San Francisco, the Hotel Majestic offers a unique glimpse into the past. This haunted hotel, standing since 1902, has become a site of timeless stories and ghostly encounters.
With its Edwardian architecture and antique furnishings, the hotel itself seems to be a gateway to the past, setting the perfect stage for encounters with the supernatural.
The tales of hauntings at the Hotel Majestic often center around figures dressed in Victorian clothing, seen wandering the halls or appearing in rooms. It is also known for the presence of a former owner.
These sightings suggest a connection to the hotel’s early days, a time when San Francisco was rebuilding and growing rapidly after the devastating earthquake of 1906.
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Guests have reported that encounters with these elegantly dressed figures leave those who glimpsed them feeling as though they’ve briefly stepped back in time.
One of the most well-known stories involves the spirit of a former owner. It’s said that this owner was so attached to the hotel that he couldn’t bear to leave, even in death.
Staff and visitors have reported feeling his presence, experiencing unexplained phenomena such as items moving on their own or sensing someone watching them when no one is there.
7. The Driskill in Austin, Texas
In the heart of Austin, Texas, the Driskill is considered one of Austin’s most beloved landmarks. Since its doors opened in 1886, this hotel has been the setting for many hauntings.
The hotel was built by Colonel Jesse Driskill, a cattleman who wanted to create the grandest hotel in Texas. And grand it was, with its lavish design and luxurious amenities.
But beyond its beauty and splendor, the Driskill is also known for its ghost stories.
Guests and staff alike have reported unexplained sounds, sightings of ghostly figures, and the eerie presence of a haunted painting that seems to watch over the haunted hotel.
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One of the most talked-about ghostly residents is the daughter of a Texas senator who is said to have tragically died while chasing a ball down the hotel’s grand staircase.
Though there is no evidence that such a girl ever existed or stayed at the hotel, many have reported hearing her laughter echoing through the halls. Some guests have even reported seeing a young girl playing with a ball in the corridors.
Another haunting involves the mysterious “suicide brides.” Two separate incidents, decades apart, involved young women who took their own lives in the same room, and under similar circumstances.
Since then, guests have reported feeling an overwhelming sadness in that room or seeing apparitions of a bride in a white gown.
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There is also the painting of a young girl, located on the fifth floor. Some say that it is connected the ghost of the senator’s daughter.
It is said to have an unnerving effect on those who look at it. Some say their heads start to ache, or they feel dizzy, while others feel as though the eyes of the child follow them as they move.
8. Salem’s Hawthorne Hotel
In Salem, Massachusetts, a city known for its 17th-century witch trials, stands the Hawthorne Hotel.
Since opening in 1925, this hotel has become a part of Salem’s history, sitting near the historic Salem Common. According to some, it’s home to more than just the living.
The Hawthorne Hotel’s reputation as possibly the most haunted hotel in Salem, MA, comes from numerous reports from guests and staff.
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Visitors have spoken of mysterious scents, like the sudden smell of apples that wafts through the hallways with no apparent source.
This particular scent is connected to Salem’s history and the orchards that once dotted the landscape.
Another common experience reported at the Hawthorne Hotel involves the sensation of unseen hands.
Some guests of this haunted hotel have reported feeling a gentle touch or tug when no one is nearby, as if someone or something from another time is trying to make contact.
Tell us about your stays in haunted hotels
If you’ve ever spent a night at one of these haunted hotels or have your own spooky story to share, please leave a comment below!
Whether it’s a weird noise in the night, a mysterious figure in the hallway, or just a feeling that someone was there with you, we’d love to hear about it.
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