October is the time of year where people from all around the world search for activities and experiences to celebrate the Halloween season and enjoy the brisk fall air. Activities such as pumpkin carving, corn mazes, and trick or treating are some of the more lighthearted fall activities that are perfect for everybody. However, there are some that seek for the thrill of haunted houses and ghost stories. This season, test your courage by staying in a haunted hotel. There are hotels all around the world where guests frequently report paranormal activity within the buildings. Are you brave enough to spend a night or two in one? Keep reading for a list of the world’s most haunted hotels that you can actually stay at.
Hotel Alex Johnson - Rapid City, South Dakota
Hotel Alex Johnson has had many popular visitors over the years, including six US presidents and Alfred Hitchcock. This hotel’s most popular haunting is a woman nicknamed “Lady in White.” The Lady in White supposedly jumped to her death in the hotel on the day of her wedding and now haunts the eighth floor. Alex Johnson’s daughter who died from polio is also rumored to haunt there, as well as Alex Johnson himself. This hotel was featured on the popular show “Ghost Hunters” and you can even book a stay in a room with a ghost detector!
The Stanley Hotel - Estes Park, Colorado
The Stanley Hotel is the place where Stephen King was staying when he was inspired to write the best-selling novel The Shining. The film adaptation of the book plays on a continuous 24-hour loop in all of the guest rooms. Ghost-like figures have been seen in hallways, pianos play with no player, and children are heard running around the upper levels frequently in this hotel. Visit Estes Park in October for elaborate Halloween parties.
The Marshall House - Savannah, Georgia
The Marshall House was a Civil War hospital during the years of 1864-1865. Reports of hearing and seeing ghosts, doorknobs rattling, plumbing problems, and much more have been heard throughout the years at The Marshall House. This hotel is also a stop on some of Savannah’s various ghost tours throughout the oldest city in Georgia.
The Queen Mary - Long Beach, California
The Queen Mary made its first voyage in 1936 and then turned into a troopship known as the “Grey Ghost” in World War II. It has since been transformed into a hotel docked in the Long Beach area that guests can stay in. 150 known spirits roam the halls of this ship. Keep an eye out for a group of women roaming the pool deck or a young man in a sailor outfit who was allegedly crushed to death by the boiler room’s door. The Queen Mary also offers historical tours and paranormal attractions.
Hollywood Roosevelt - Los Angeles, California
The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel is Los Angeles’ most famous haunted hotel. Marilyn Monroe spent a lot of time at this hotel and is rumored to haunt the halls. There are reported sightings of Monroe in the mirrors of her favorite room. Other reports include lingering scents of perfume, dancing figures in the hotel’s ballroom, and cold spots throughout the hallways. Book a stay here and try to get the signature of Marilyn Monroe’s ghost!
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Alberta, Canada
The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is a chateau-style hotel built in 1888 that towers across the cliffs of the Canadian Rockies. Some of this hotel’s haunts involve a bride met her death by falling down the stone staircase on the day of her wedding and Sam the bellman, who is said to occasionally help guests with their bags for a short time before disappearing. Visit this hotel on your next trip to the Canadian Rockies!
Ruthin Castle Hotel & Spa - Wales, UK
Ruthin Castle was once home to King Henry VII and his daughter Mary. You may also recognize her as “Bloody Mary.” Their ghosts are rumored to roam the Ruthin Castle halls, along with Lady Jane Grey, who is known as England’s “Nine Days Queen.” Even if you don’t see any royal ghosts during your stay, explore the castle’s spine-chilling dungeons, whipping pit, and drowning pool.
The Drovers Inn - Argyll & Bute, Scotland
This small inn found in rural Scotland is haunted by a small girl’s ghost. Guests have said they feel her cold, icy body dripping water onto their beds in the middle of the night. The rumors are that the young girl drowned in the river nearby. This inn was originally a rest area for cattle herders. Ghosts of drivers who died in cattle-stealing brawls are said to haunt the inn as well.
Borgvattnet Vicarage - Ragunda N, Sweden
Built in 1876, this inn was originally a parsonage but is now a bed and breakfast. Guests have reported hearing footsteps down the hallways, crying women, music playing, chairs rocking by themselves, and much more. Brave visitors even can earn a certificate for staying through the night!
The Langham - London, UK
The Langham hotel is a former home to Emperor Louis Napoleon III and a German prince who leapt to his death from an upper level window, but is now a current home to both of their ghosts. Room 333 in the luxurious Langham hotel has a reputation for being the most haunted hotel room in all of London. Guests who have stayed in this room have reported their bed being shaken at night and even being thrown out of it. Keep an eye out for other ghosts as well, such as a doctor who killed his wife, a butler wandering the hallways, and a footman who likes to drop the temperature in rooms.
For all the thrill-seekers out there: could you work up the courage to stay in a haunted hotel? October is the perfect time to seek out horrors like these and discover for yourself if these infamous hotels really are haunted. Although the Halloween season is coming to a close much too quickly, these haunted hotels are open all year round, so don’t worry if you can’t book a stay this October. Good luck and happy haunting!
Post written by Abby Kimball