For most of us, hotel stays come with check-in and check-out dates. But many lodgings claim to have guests that refuse to leave, lingering in the rooms or on the grounds long after their scheduled stay. Check in to one of these hotels if you want to spend Halloween with real ghosts. And why limit it to Halloween? Since the spirits in these establishments are not staged seasonal events, ghost hunters can spend the night with specters year-round. In case you missed it: check out our list of Haunted Hotels of the East.
Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado
The Stanley Hotel (above) was made famous in 1977 by Stephen King's The Shining, but legend has it that the hotel was home to spirits long before King modeled his "Overlook Hotel" after the property.
The building sits on land originally owned by the British fourth earl of Dunraven, who used it as private hunting reserve. Angry locals drove the earl out and automaker F.O. Stanley bought the property in 1909 and opened the Georgian-style hotel. Some claim that the bitter Lord Dunraven haunts the 4th floor, where lights switch on and off mysteriously and furniture moves around by itself. In Room 412, one guest claims that he was possessed by an evil entity that drove him to speak in tongues.
In the 1970s, King stayed in Room 217 of the almost deserted hotel just before it closed for the season. While it is uncertain whether or not King experienced paranormal activity, The Shining generated a flurry of ghost sightings and other eerie events.
Guests who have stayed in Room 408 have reported hearing children playing and laughing loudly outside their door but finding nothing when getting up to investigate. They also claim to have left the room for a few seconds only to return and find the entire room in disarray and handprints of small children on the mirrors. Too scared to stay overnight? The hotel also offers daily ghost tours.
Crescent Hotel and Spa, Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Legend has it that several ghosts reside at the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa; eerie sightings have been reported in guest rooms, the lobby, the dining room and on the grounds. The most haunted room, 218, is home to the spirit of Michael, an Irish stonemason who fell to his death from the roof during the hotel's construction and landed on the future site of the room. It is reported that he bangs on walls and turns the television and lights on and off.
Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, ColoradoThe Stanley Hotel (above) was made famous in 1977 by Stephen King's The Shining, but legend has it that the hotel was home to spirits long before King modeled his "Overlook Hotel" after the property.
The building sits on land originally owned by the British fourth earl of Dunraven, who used it as private hunting reserve. Angry locals drove the earl out and automaker F.O. Stanley bought the property in 1909 and opened the Georgian-style hotel. Some claim that the bitter Lord Dunraven haunts the 4th floor, where lights switch on and off mysteriously and furniture moves around by itself. In Room 412, one guest claims that he was possessed by an evil entity that drove him to speak in tongues.
In the 1970s, King stayed in Room 217 of the almost deserted hotel just before it closed for the season. While it is uncertain whether or not King experienced paranormal activity, The Shining generated a flurry of ghost sightings and other eerie events.
Guests who have stayed in Room 408 have reported hearing children playing and laughing loudly outside their door but finding nothing when getting up to investigate. They also claim to have left the room for a few seconds only to return and find the entire room in disarray and handprints of small children on the mirrors. Too scared to stay overnight? The hotel also offers daily ghost tours.
Crescent Hotel and Spa, Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Legend has it that several ghosts reside at the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa; eerie sightings have been reported in guest rooms, the lobby, the dining room and on the grounds. The most haunted room, 218, is home to the spirit of Michael, an Irish stonemason who fell to his death from the roof during the hotel's construction and landed on the future site of the room. It is reported that he bangs on walls and turns the television and lights on and off.
In the late 1930s, Norman Baker leased the property for use as a controversial hospital and health resort. His ghost often appears outside the Recreation Room. Some claim that Baker's lack of formal medical training is what led many of his patients to die here and never leave.
Stay a night at this hotel and you might experience these other ghostly sightings: a young woman carrying a crying baby; a bearded man who asks "are you waiting for me?"; or a young man who collapses and disappears on the floor.
Stay a night at this hotel and you might experience these other ghostly sightings: a young woman carrying a crying baby; a bearded man who asks "are you waiting for me?"; or a young man who collapses and disappears on the floor.
Hotel Provincial, New Orleans, Louisiana Located in the French Quarter, this hotel was a hospital during the Civil War and there have been reported sightings of Confederate soldiers and doctors. The soldiers groan in pain and reach out to guests for help. Additionally, linens have been found to have blood stains that vanish as inexplicably as they appear.
Building Five seems to be the most haunted: One room is haunted by a soldier with a penchant for country music: whenever the radio is turned on, the ghost changes it to a local country station. Several guests even claim to have heard the ghost speak about unrequited love and needing to leave. Guests have also reported being pulled from their beds at night and dragged across the room, doors opening and closing, and unexplained footsteps.
Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Hollywood, California
Marilyn Monroe's ghost is said to reside in this 12-story Hollywood landmark opened in 1927. Marilyn reputedly haunts the hotel's poolside nightclub, Tropicana. But the club is so exclusive that, unless you're a hotel guest or minor celebrity, you won't get past the velvet rope to see the blonde bombshell's specter. For those not on the A-list, Monroe's reflection is said to appear in a full-length mirror relocated from her favorite room to the lobby's mezzanine.
Guests have also reported encounters with the tortured soul of actor Montgomery Clift; many claim to have heard his trombone playing in the ninth floor hallways. His favorite room was 928.
Hotel La Fonda, Sante Fe, New Mexico
Hotel La Fonda was opened in the mid-19th century as the Exchange Hotel and was a rowdy part of Santa Fe's Old West. Gunfights frequently erupted inside, while out back, convicted killers swung from the gallows. Today, those spirits are said to inhabit La Fonda's lobby and bar.
The hotel's reatuarant, La Pazuela, is also said to be haunted by a businessman who, in the 1850s, lost his fortune in the hotel's gambling hall. Penniless and suicidal, he jumped to his death down a deep well, a hole currently covered by the restaurant. Today, his ghost it sometimes seen in the center of the dining room, leaping and disappearing into thin air.
Menger Hotel, San Antonio, Texas
Built in the 1850s, the Menger Hotel is neighbor to the Alamo Mission, site of the famous battle for Texas independence. But the Menger has gained fame for its eerie events. Theodore Roosevelt frequented the Menger at the turn of the 19th century, most famously in 1898 to recruit his Rough Riders. Today the former president is rumored to make occasional late-night visits to the bar. Staff claim that Sallie White, a hotel employee murdered in 1876, continues to make up rooms. On some late nights there have been sightings of Captain Richard King, founder of the famous King Ranch, once the largest ranch in the world. Captain King can supposedly be seen bending over a desk, writing. According to legend, King began writing his memoirs at the Menger upon learning of his impending death in the late 1880s.
Hotel Bothwell, Sedalia, Missouri
Built as a 119-room hotel in 1927, the Hotel Bothwell was the center of Sedalia society for many decades. It served as an assisted-living facility for a brief period in the 1980s before being closed and reopened in 1999. It seems that the hotel was immediately occupied; many unexplained noises and sightings of objects have been reported, including the occasional apparition. The elevator sometimes operates on its own and numerous guests claim items have inexplicably gone missing from their rooms. Most of the experiences happen at night and seem to be more frequent on the third floor.
Built as a 119-room hotel in 1927, the Hotel Bothwell was the center of Sedalia society for many decades. It served as an assisted-living facility for a brief period in the 1980s before being closed and reopened in 1999. It seems that the hotel was immediately occupied; many unexplained noises and sightings of objects have been reported, including the occasional apparition. The elevator sometimes operates on its own and numerous guests claim items have inexplicably gone missing from their rooms. Most of the experiences happen at night and seem to be more frequent on the third floor.
This information was compiled from lists by AAA, the Travel Channel, Haunted America Tours, and the hotels' individual websites.
Photos: Stanley Hotel and Provincial Hotel
Photos: Stanley Hotel and Provincial Hotel
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Many believe that Chico Hot Springs Resort in Pray MT (near Yellowstone Park) is haunted. The belief is that Percie Knowles still occupies room #349. cRaZy!
Interesting article.
Santa Fe has lots of ghosts. There are at least two more haunted hotels, La Posada is home to Julia Staab, whose former home is incorporated into the hotel's lobby. Their are lots of reported sightings. Her story was told on TV's "Unsolved Mysteries". The Inn and Spa at Loretto,built on the site of the former Loretto Academy and the home of the Sisters of Loretto is home to Sister George, a cigar-smoking ghost who reportedly roams the property. Read about them at http://www.santafetravelexaminer.com
Hey, I stayed in Room 217 of the Stanely Hotel - Stephen King's old room. No ghostly activity in this room, happily. Most of the hauntings are believed to take place on the fourth floor, such as Room 408, which you mentioned. I spent the night one time on this floor in Room 422. But yet again, no middle-of-the-night apparations, lights going on and off, etc.
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So that's the vivid example that Americans are so fond of luxury but I do like it.Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado - is really well designed.Like it a lot!