1. The Stanley Hotel, Colorado
The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park is famous for inspiring Stephen King’s The Shining, and many guests say it feels like stepping into the pages of his novel. Strange noises, flickering lights, and doors that seem to move on their own have all been reported. Guests also mention ghostly piano music drifting from the ballroom, where no one is playing. Even the grand staircase has been said to hold an odd energy, with visitors feeling dizzy or unsteady as they climb it.
Some guests come for the thrill, but not everyone can handle a haunted night. More than a few visitors have bolted after feeling an icy hand brush against them or hearing children laughing in the empty hallways. Room 217, in particular, is so notorious that some refuse to stay there at all. The Stanley’s beauty draws people in, but its restless spirits send plenty rushing back out.
2. Queen Mary, California
The Queen Mary, permanently docked in Long Beach, is more than a retired ocean liner—it’s a floating hotel with a dark reputation. During its service years, it carried troops and passengers through wartime, and many believe the tragedies of the past never left. Guests often describe hearing footsteps echoing in deserted corridors or whispers drifting from locked rooms. One of the most chilling tales involves the ship’s swimming pool, where visitors say they’ve seen children’s apparitions playing.
Though the Queen Mary is now a popular tourist attraction, it can be too much for the faint of heart. Some travelers who expected a fun overnight quickly packed their bags when strange banging noises and sudden cold drafts kept them awake. Even seasoned ghost hunters admit the ship has a heavy, unsettling atmosphere. For many, one night aboard is more than enough.
3. Crescent Hotel, Arkansas
The Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs proudly bills itself as “America’s Most Haunted Hotel.” Built in 1886, it later became a so-called cancer hospital run by Norman Baker, a quack doctor who promised cures but delivered tragedy. Guests today often report hearing anguished cries in the halls or spotting shadowy figures moving through the rooms. The basement, once used for questionable medical treatments, is considered especially eerie.
Even those who check in with curiosity sometimes regret the decision. A number of visitors have admitted to cutting their stays short after being spooked by phantom voices or the sensation of being watched. Others claim they couldn’t sleep a wink, no matter how tired they were. The Crescent may be a historic treasure, but its haunted past still makes people flee.
4. Hotel Monte Vista, Arizona
Flagstaff’s Hotel Monte Vista has a long history of famous guests, from John Wayne to Clark Gable, but it’s the spirits that truly linger. Visitors have reported disembodied voices and mysterious knocks on their doors. One particularly unnerving story involves a room where guests hear furniture being moved when no one is inside.
The unsettling events make it difficult for some travelers to relax. Guests have bolted after seeing a shadowy figure standing at the foot of their bed or after hearing whispering close to their ear. Even though the hotel leans into its haunted reputation, plenty of visitors don’t stick around long enough to enjoy the novelty. For some, checking out early feels like the only option.
5. Marshall House, Georgia
In Savannah, a city already known for its ghost stories, the Marshall House stands out. During the Civil War, it was used as a hospital, and the echoes of that past still linger. Guests have reported hearing the cries of soldiers, footsteps pacing in empty hallways, and even the sight of ghostly figures wandering the grounds.
Some history buffs book a room out of fascination, but many leave with a case of nerves. Guests have packed up early after being unable to shake the feeling of being watched or after seeing doors swing shut on their own. Even those who last the night often admit they didn’t sleep a wink. The Marshall House is beautiful, but it isn’t exactly restful.
6. Hotel del Coronado, California
This iconic San Diego resort is known for its red-roofed towers and beachfront charm, but it also carries a tragic legend. In 1892, a young woman named Kate Morgan checked in but was later found dead under mysterious circumstances. Guests since then have claimed to see her ghost lingering in hallways or standing at windows.
Many visitors report flickering lights, strange noises, or the sensation of someone sitting on their bed when no one is there. Some say Kate even follows them throughout their stay. While the hotel’s beauty draws countless tourists, some find its haunted history overwhelming. Checking out early is more common than you’d think.
7. Driskill Hotel, Texas
The Driskill in Austin is a historic landmark with luxury to spare, but beneath the polished surface, it’s teeming with ghost stories. Guests have reported seeing the spirit of a little girl chasing her ball in the corridors, as well as Colonel Driskill himself. Others mention smelling phantom cigar smoke or hearing laughter in empty rooms.
Even though it’s one of the city’s most glamorous stays, the atmosphere can feel oppressive. Some travelers last only a few hours before demanding a different room—or leaving altogether. The mix of Southern charm and supernatural chills isn’t for everyone. For some, the Driskill is more terrifying than tantalizing.
8. Pfister Hotel, Wisconsin
The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee is so haunted that even professional athletes complain about it. Visiting baseball players have shared their ghostly experiences, from flickering lights to electronics turning on by themselves. Some have even claimed to hear voices when no one else was around.
Guests outside of the sports world report the same strange happenings. Many admit they felt watched the entire time they were in their rooms. Others say they couldn’t sleep a minute before giving up and checking out. The Pfister’s elegant exterior hides one of the most unnerving stays in the Midwest.
9. Bourbon Orleans Hotel, Louisiana
Sitting in the French Quarter, the Bourbon Orleans has been many things: a convent, a school, and even an orphanage. Guests today believe the spirits of children and nuns still linger. People report hearing the sound of children’s laughter in empty hallways and seeing shadowy figures slip around corners.
While the charm of New Orleans draws countless tourists, not everyone is prepared for a haunted night. Some travelers have abandoned their rooms when the sounds of footsteps and whispers became too much. For others, the mix of history and hauntings was simply unbearable. It’s not unusual for guests to leave before their stay is up.
10. Stanley House Inn, Georgia
This charming Marietta bed-and-breakfast looks like the perfect Southern escape, but guests often tell a different story. Visitors have described seeing figures at the foot of their beds and hearing doors slam when no one is around. The cozy décor quickly loses its appeal when the hauntings begin.
Guests who arrive expecting a peaceful night sometimes end up demanding refunds after a few hours. Some say the energy feels too oppressive to stay even a single night. While it might look picturesque from the outside, many who step inside find it more chilling than charming.
11. Jerome Grand Hotel, Arizona
The Jerome Grand Hotel was once a hospital, and it hasn’t shed that eerie past. Guests claim to hear the sounds of gurneys rolling down hallways, even though the hospital closed decades ago. Some have even reported seeing ghostly patients or nurses wandering the property.
While ghost hunters love it, not everyone has the stomach for a stay. Guests frequently cut their visits short after a single terrifying encounter. The hospital’s tragic history still seems alive within its walls. For many, leaving is the only way to find peace.
12. Heathman Hotel, Oregon
The Heathman Hotel in Portland may look sleek and stylish, but many guests swear it’s haunted. Reports include icy cold spots in rooms, mirrors reflecting strange figures, and the feeling of someone standing just behind you.
The most frightening accounts involve shadowy figures looming over beds as people sleep. Even skeptics admit to checking out after sleepless nights filled with fear. For some, the Heathman’s paranormal reputation overshadows its modern comforts. It’s a stay that ends quickly for those who aren’t ready for ghosts.
13. Hotel Parq Central, New Mexico
In Albuquerque, Hotel Parq Central stands on the site of a former psychiatric hospital. Though the building has been beautifully renovated, many say the spirits never left. Guests describe hearing footsteps in empty corridors and faint whispers that can’t be explained.
Some travelers feel watched from the moment they check in. Even with the chic décor, the uneasy atmosphere pushes many to leave before finishing their stay. The hotel may be modern in design, but its haunted past is impossible to ignore.