For travellers seeking more than just complimentary breakfast and fluffy pillows, America's most haunted hotels offer permanent residents of the spectral variety. These historic properties combine luxurious accommodation with bone-chilling encounters that will make you think twice about that midnight trip to the minibar.
The Stanley Hotel - Colorado's Iconic Horror Destination
Perched in the Rocky Mountains, The Stanley Hotel's grandeur inspired Stephen King's 'The Shining.' Guests report phantom piano music echoing through empty halls and luggage mysteriously unpacked by unseen hands. The fourth floor is particularly active, with children's laughter heard in deserted corridors.
Queen Anne Hotel - San Francisco's Victorian Phantom
This elegant Victorian mansion hosts Miss Mary Lake, a former headmistress who continues her duties from beyond. Guests in Room 410 report waking to find their beds neatly tucked and belongings rearranged by the conscientious ghost.
Bourbon Orleans Hotel - New Orleans' Spectral Ballroom
In the heart of the French Quarter, this former ballroom and orphanage echoes with phantom dancers and the laughter of ghostly children. The sixth floor's cold spots and unexplained shadows have sent even sceptical visitors running for the elevator.
Other Notable Haunted Properties
- Gettysburg Hotel: Civil War soldiers still march through corridors of this Pennsylvania landmark
- Hotel Monte Vista: Arizona's wild west past comes alive with multiple resident ghosts
- Jekyll Island Club Resort: Georgia's historic retreat where Gilded Age guests never left
- Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum: For the truly brave, overnight stays in this West Virginia institution
Why Do Spirits Linger in Hotels?
Paranormal experts suggest traumatic events, strong emotional connections, or simply the comfort of familiar surroundings keep these spirits checking in permanently. Historic hotels, with their layers of past residents, often become supernatural hotspots.
Whether you're a ghost hunting enthusiast or simply enjoy a good bedtime story, these haunted hotels promise an unforgettable stay where the amenities include more than just WiFi and room service.
