For some thrill-seekers, there’s something frighteningly fun about the thought of spending the night in one of the world’s most haunted hotels. Whether it’s the influence of films like The Shining—which was inspired by the real-life Stanley Hotel in Colorado—or the hope of a spooky encounter in a dark hallway, plenty of travelers say that “paranormal activity” is a must-have hotel amenity.
No judgment here. Traveling is all about new experiences, after all. Luckily, for those who crave a spine-tingling chill, plenty of America’s historic hotels have reported ghost sightings and unexplained phenomena. Marilyn Monroe’s apparition has been seen at the Roosevelt in Hollywood; Civil War soldiers have been spotted at the Marshall House in Savannah, Georgia. Overseas, where many hotels are several centuries old, travelers might find themselves sharing a room with the poltergeists of royals or WWII prisoners.
Intrigued? These 25 hotels are some of the creepiest real-life haunted houses you can pass through this Halloween or any time of year—but only if you dare.
Photo: Kat Alves, Courtesy of Holbrooke Hotel
Originally built as a Gold Rush-era saloon in 1852, the Holbrooke Hotel is one of the oldest hotel’s in California still in operation. Accordingly, the California Historical Landmark has the kind of boom town history that lends itself well to legends and lore: it’s been destroyed by multiple fires, been visited at several U.S. presidents, provided shelter to iconic artists like Mark Twain, served as an “office” for ladies of the night, and even played host to infamous stagecoach robbers like Black Bart. Accordingly, the Holbrooke also lends itself well to ghost stories—guests and staff regularly report unusual sightings, including 19th-century cowboys smoking cigars and women in Victorian attire wandering the halls. Though it was recently given a gorgeous, light-and-bright renovation by San Francisco’s Acme Hospitality, many of its spaces—especially the basement speakeasy’s cellar and the annex building out back—definitely give off a “vibe.” Rumor has it that guests who stay in rooms 9 (Black Bart’s favorite) and 14 regularly report hearing bumps and thumps in the night; some have even seen objects moving “by themselves.”
