Looking to add some chills to your next hotel stay? With Halloween just around the corner, the lure of the paranormal is hard to resist. Haunted hotels in America bring the perfect mix of history, mystery, and spine-tingling fun to the holiday season.
If you love ghost stories, why not make a haunted hotel part of your Halloween plans? A stay in one of these spooky spots is sure to thrill, with each hotel carrying its own eerie past and ghostly legends.
This season, dare to check into one of the most haunted hotels in the U.S. Just remember, you can check out anytime you like, but the spirits never leave!
Our 13 Most Haunted Hotels in America
Check out our unlucky list of most haunted hotels in the US, from Louisiana and across the nation to California.
- Hotel Provincial (New Orleans, Louisiana)
- Stanley Hotel (Estes Park, Colorado)
- Crescent Hotel (Eureka Springs, Arkansas)
- Hotel Chelsea (New York City, New York)
- Carolina Inn (Chapel Hill, North Carolina)
- RMS Queen Mary Hotel (Long Beach, California)
- The Heathman Hotel (Portland, Oregon)
- Sagamore Hotel (Bolton Landing, New York)
- Hotel Retlaw (Fond du Lac, Wisconsin)
- Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel (Hollywood, California)
- Hotel Del Coronado (Coronado, California)
- Logan Inn (New Hope, Pennsylvania)
- Hotel La Fonda (Santa Fe, New Mexico)
If you’re a big fan of spooktacular things you may decide to jet off to a stay in one of America’s most haunted hotels. Wherever you’re traveling to, don’t forget to plan ahead and reserve your airport parking.
1. Hotel Provincial, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Nearest Airport: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
- Local Attractions: French Market, Jackson Square, Cafe du Monde
- Unique Features: Guests report unexplained noises, shadowy figures, and doors opening and closing on their own in Building No. 5.
It should come as no surprise that a New Orleans hotel tops our haunted list. The Big Easy is famous for its lingering spirits, and the Hotel Provincial in the historic French Quarter is no exception.
Once a Confederate hospital, the hotel is said to be haunted by the ghosts of soldiers and doctors. Guests report doors opening and closing on their own, whispers echoing through dimly lit hallways, and even the terrifying sight of bloody soldiers appearing in rooms.
Building No. 5 is believed to be the most haunted, drawing thrill-seekers eager for a ghostly encounter. Stories of paranormal activity have long been shared by staff and visitors alike, adding to the hotel’s mysterious and eerie charm.
A stay at the Hotel Provincial provides a glimpse into New Orleans’ haunted past, if you dare!
2. Stanley Hotel, Colorado
- Nearest Airport: Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Local Attractions: Estes Park Aerial Tramway, The Stanley Historic District, Estes Park Museum
- Unique Features: Room 418 is considered the most haunted, and former owner’s staff reportedly play tricks on visitors’ belongings.
The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, is so famously haunted that it inspired Stephen King’s The Shining. King wrote half the book in room 217, though room 418 is said to host the most eerie sightings.
One of the hotel’s most well-known ghosts is Flora Stanley, the former owner’s wife, often heard playing the piano late at night. Another noted presence is the former groundskeeper, Paul, whose spirit reportedly plays pranks on staff and guests alike. Visitors have reported footsteps, murmurs, and other unexplained noises throughout the halls.
For those eager to explore the hotel’s mysteries, the Stanley Hotel offers the Spirited Night Tour. Guests can wander the dimly lit corridors, visit historic rooms, and hear the chilling stories of its haunted history.
3. Crescent Hotel, Eureka Springs, Arkansas
- Nearest Airport: Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA)
- Local Attractions: Blue Spring Heritage Center, Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway, Basin Spring Park
- Unique Features: Ghost sightings in the dining room and recreation areas, with spirits reportedly sitting at tables or wandering the halls.
At the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, guests don’t even need to step into a room to encounter the paranormal. The ghost of Dr. Norman Baker is often seen near the recreation room, a reminder of his controversial past.
In the 1930s, Dr. Baker ran a hospital and health resort in the building. He falsely believed that the spring water beneath the hotel could cure all ailments, including cancer. Today, his presence lingers, along with other spirits who have been spotted gathering in the dining room, quietly sitting at tables as if still enjoying a meal.
For those eager to explore the hotel’s haunted history, the Crescent Hotel Ghost Tour grants a guided look at its most famous spectral residents.
4. Hotel Chelsea, New York
- Nearest Airport: LaGuardia Airport (LGA).
- Local Attractions: Chelsea Market, The High Line, Madison Square Garden.
- Unique Features: Haunted by former residents including a Titanic survivor named Mary, and notorious artistic and tragic deaths on-site.
Built in 1884, New York’s Hotel Chelsea has long been a haven for writers, artists, and musicians. Mark Twain, Andy Warhol, and countless others found inspiration within its walls. Behind its creative history lies a much darker side.
The hotel has been the site of many tragic stories. Poet Dylan Thomas drank himself to death here, and punk rocker Sid Vicious allegedly stabbed his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, to death in room 100. Some say Sid’s restless spirit still rides the elevator with unsuspecting guests. Actress Sarah Bernhardt even added to the hotel’s lore by reportedly sleeping in a coffin during her stay.
Among the most famous ghost stories is that of Mary, a Titanic survivor. After losing her husband in the disaster, she took her own life on the fifth floor of the hotel. Guests and staff have since reported seeing her wandering the western hallways, forever tied to her grief.
With everything from art and tragedy, and lingering spirits, Hotel Chelsea remains one of America’s most legendary haunted hotels.
5. Carolina Inn, Chapel Hill, NC
- Nearest Airport: Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
- Local Attractions: Morehead Planetarium, North Carolina Botanical Garden, Franklin Street shops
- Unique Features: Ghosts reportedly lock doors, move furniture, and play light-hearted pranks on guests.
The Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill is a historic landmark with a long list of paranormal tales. Guests and ghost hunters alike have documented strange activity within its halls and rooms.
One ghost is known to trail behind guests, only to vanish the moment they turn around. Another, described as a heavy-set man, wanders the corridors late at night, checking for unlocked doors. But the inn’s most famous spirit is Dr. William Jacocks, who lived there for more than 20 years in room 256. Even in death, Jacocks is known for his mischief, often locking guests out of their rooms just for fun.
Staff members insist that the spirits of the Carolina Inn are not dangerous. Jacocks himself was a kind and gentle man in life, and today he simply enjoys a few harmless pranks from the other side.
6. RMS Queen Mary Hotel: Long Beach, California
- Nearest Airport: Long Beach Airport (LGB)
- Local Attractions: Shoreline Village, Long Beach Convention Center, Aquarium of the Pacific
- Unique Features: Former ocean liner with reported ghostly apparitions, disembodied voices, and mysterious cold spots.
Once a massive ocean liner that crossed the Atlantic thousands of times, the RMS Queen Mary has been permanently docked in Long Beach since 1967, where paranormal activity has become part of its legend.
Guests often report strange tapping noises echoing through the ship, while ghostly apparitions have been seen roaming its long, narrow halls. Some even claim to spot phantom stairways appearing along the side of the docked vessel. Cold spots, eerie sounds, and disembodied voices only add to the ship’s haunted reputation.
With a history on the high seas and its eerie new life as a hotel, the RMS Queen Mary is a haunting stay unlike any other.
7. The Heathman Hotel, Portland, Oregon
- Nearest Airport: Portland International Airport (PDX)
- Local Attractions: Powell’s City of Books, Portland Art Museum, Washington Park
- Unique Features: Rooms ending in “03” are particularly active, with moving objects, strange tapping, and ghostly figures caught in photos.
Beware if you’re assigned to a room that ends in 03 at The Heathman Hotel, one of the most haunted hotels in Oregon. A lot of odd events occur in the threes, including moving objects, strange tapping sounds, and cold spots. Ghost photos of the rooms have also shown dark clouds over the entire space, and distorted faces. Room 703 is the most spirited and guests have reported furniture out of place, glasses of water placed on tables, and used towels… when nobody took a shower.
A psychic, who witnessed a ghost in room 803, said that someone had jumped from the balcony and is now haunting all the rooms he passed on his way down to his death. For haunted hotels in Oregon, the Heathman Hotel takes the crown.
8. Sagamore Hotel, New York
- Nearest Airport: Albany International Airport (ALB)
- Local Attractions: Lake George Steamboat Company, Prospect Mountain, Million Dollar Beach
- Unique Features: Ghostly children reportedly play pranks on guests, and a lady in white roams the halls at night.
Located in the Adirondack Mountains, the Sagamore Hotel is a popular location for golfers, both dead and alive.
Golfers have reported a little ghost boy stealing their balls and then throwing them at them from behind a tree. He’s also been heard laughing. And if that’s not enough, a mysterious lady in white is said to roam the hotel, entering rooms and awakening sleeping guests with her ghostly presence. The Sagamore haunted hotel awaits those who dare.
9. Hotel Retlaw, Wisconsin
- Nearest Airport: Appleton International Airport (ATW)
- Local Attractions: Lakeside Park, Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts, Moraine Park
- Unique Features: Haunted basement and room #717, with unexplained noises, faucets turning on, and doors shaking without explanation.
One of the most haunted hotels in America can be found in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Hotel Retlaw (formerly the Ramada Plaza Hotel) holds a chilling past, tied to gangsters, murder, and restless spirits.
The hotel’s basement is said to be the exit point of old underground tunnels once used by gangsters to escape the law. But the most famous ghostly presence is that of Walter Schroeder, the former owner who was murdered on the property. Guests and staff believe his spirit remains—turning faucets on and off, pounding on walls, and even letting out terrifying screams.
Room 717 adds to the hotel’s haunted reputation. Staff have reported loud yelling from inside, and the door often shakes violently as if someone is trapped within. Yet, when the room is opened, it’s always empty.
With its dark past and chilling stories, Hotel Retlaw is the perfect destination for those seeking a haunted stay steeped in mystery.
10. Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, LA
- Nearest Airport: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Local Attractions: Hollywood Bowl, Griffith Observatory, Runyon Canyon Park
- Unique Features: Marilyn Monroe is said to haunt the hotel’s Tropicana nightclub and lobby mirrors.
A true Tinseltown landmark, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel is famous not only for its star-studded history but also for its ghostly residents. The most legendary spirit said to linger here is none other than Marilyn Monroe.
Guests and staff have reported sightings of Marilyn at the hotel’s exclusive Tropicana nightclub, a spot once reserved for celebrities and VIPs. Her presence is also tied to a full-length mirror that was once in her favorite suite. Today, that mirror sits near the mezzanine-level gift shop, where some claim her reflection still appears.
Mixing Hollywood glamour with a touch of the supernatural, the Hollywood Roosevelt is the perfect destination for anyone seeking a haunted hotel with star power.
11. Hotel Del Coronado, California
- Nearest Airport: San Diego International Airport (SAN)
- Local Attractions: Coronado Ferry Landing, Silver Strand State Beach, Coronado Museum of History & Art
- Unique Features: Haunted by Kate Morgan, who died mysteriously in room 3502, with guests reporting cold spots and unexplained sounds.
Hotel Del Coronado is not only one of the best places for a destination wedding in the United States (as featured on the Travel Channel), but it is also home to some love-struck spirits. This iconic Victorian-style hotel is most famous for the ghost of Kate Morgan.
In 1892, Kate checked into the hotel to meet her estranged husband. Sadly, he never arrived. A few days later, she was found dead on the beach from a gunshot wound. Many believe her restless spirit never left.
Even President Gerald Ford experienced her presence. While staying in Kate Morgan’s room, number 3502, he reported hearing strange noises during the night.
With its romantic architecture, gothic atmosphere, and haunting history, Hotel Del Coronado is more than just a wedding venue. It promises a story that will linger long after the celebration ends.
12. Logan Inn, New Hope, Pennsylvania
- Nearest Airport: Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
- Local Attractions: Bucks County Playhouse, New Hope & Ivyland Railroad, Delaware Canal State Park
- Unique Features: Emily, a former owner’s mother, allegedly rearranges luggage and interacts with the room’s heater, along with sightings of a ghostly little girl.
The Logan Inn is a popular spot for haunted vacations. Guests say it is home to many spirits, including Emily, the mother of a former owner. She has been blamed for moving luggage around and even turning the heater on and off.
The general manager explains, “Emily is what they call the spirit that roams the halls. When she was living, she used to live in the Inn.”
Some of Emily’s belongings are still inside the hotel. Her portrait hangs on the wall, and her bed remains in one of the rooms. It is said that she passed away in that very bed.
The Logan Inn has a long history. It was first built in 1722 as a tavern and has welcomed visitors for centuries. Guests also report seeing a young girl wandering the halls, adding to the ghostly atmosphere.
With its deep history and spooky tales, the Logan Inn is the perfect place for anyone looking for a haunted hotel experience.
13. Hotel La Fonda: Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Nearest Airport: Santa Fe Regional Airport (SAF)
- Local Attractions: Canyon Road Arts District, Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, Loretto Chapel
- Unique Features: Haunted by spirits of Old West gunfighters and gamblers, with reports of ghostly figures appearing in the dining room and hitching post area.
Looking for a spine-chilling experience in New Mexico? Santa Fe’s Hotel La Fonda might be just what you’re after. This historic hotel, rooted in the Old West’s lawless days, is said to be haunted by gunfighters, gamblers, and other restless souls.
One of the most famous legends tells of a traveling salesman who lost everything at the gambling tables. Heartbroken, he leapt to his death through the floor of the dining room. Guests still report seeing his spirit reappear in that very spot.
The hotel’s hitching post also holds dark energy. It’s believed that the ghosts of old gunfighters still linger there, bound to the place where they once settled deadly scores.
With its deep history and eerie tales, Hotel La Fonda lets you stay amongst the supernatural.
What are your haunted hotel stories?
Spooked by the tales of apparitions and unexplained phenomena that haunt these hotels? As you plan your next get-a-way, think about which of these hotels could be the subject of your own haunted hotel stories this Halloween.
How about indulging in a Halloween parade while you stay at your spooky hotel? Wherever you’re traveling to, don’t forget to plan ahead and reserve your airport parking so you can save money and splash out on an extra night, if you can bear it!
FAQs: Haunted Hotels in America
1. Are haunted hotels safe to stay in?
Yes. Despite the spooky stories, haunted hotels are fully operational businesses that welcome guests safely. Paranormal activity reported is usually harmless, though unnerving for some visitors.
2. Do haunted hotels cost more than regular hotels?
Not necessarily. Some haunted hotels charge premium rates because of their fame, while others are priced similarly to nearby accommodations. It often depends on location, season, and demand.
3. Can children stay at haunted hotels?
Policies vary. Some haunted hotels welcome families, while others may discourage younger guests due to the atmosphere or late-night tours. Always check with the hotel before booking.
4. Do haunted hotels offer official ghost tours?
Many of them do. Hotels like the Stanley and the Crescent have dedicated ghost tours, while others may offer seasonal events or partner with local paranormal groups for special experiences.
5. Is it possible to request a specific haunted room?
Yes, though availability can be limited. Famous rooms (like Stanley Hotel’s room 217 or Hotel Del Coronado’s room 3502) often book months in advance, especially around Halloween.
6. What should I bring if I want to ghost hunt during my stay?
Basic ghost-hunting gear includes a camera, flashlight, voice recorder, or EMF detector. Even a smartphone can capture unexpected anomalies. Just be respectful of other guests.
7. Are there etiquette rules for staying in a haunted hotel?
Yes. Be respectful of the property, staff, and other guests. Avoid disturbing areas that are off-limits. Remember, these hotels are historical landmarks as well as paranormal hotspots.
8. Can paranormal activity be explained by science?
Sometimes. Flickering lights, cold spots, or creaking floors can often be traced to natural causes like wiring, drafts, or building age. But when no explanation fits, that’s where the ghost stories thrive.
Photos by:
Fern M. Lomibao – Unsplash | Nikolas Kuhn – Unsplash | Daniel Sinoca – Unsplash
