1. The Stanley Hotel, Colorado
If you’ve ever read Stephen King’s The Shining, you’ve already met the Stanley Hotel in spirit. Guests here often report flickering lights, piano music with no one at the keys, and children’s laughter in empty hallways. The ghostly activity is so well known that the hotel leans into it with ghost tours and paranormal investigations. Some visitors even say they’ve felt someone sitting on the edge of their bed when the room was empty.
While plenty of people stay the night, not everyone makes it until morning. Guests sometimes check out early, convinced the building is too active to sleep in. The eerie vibe, mixed with the grandeur of the old hotel, makes it feel like stepping into a horror novel. For the faint of heart, a tour might be thrilling enough without staying overnight.
2. The Queen Mary, California
The Queen Mary, permanently docked in Long Beach, has a reputation for being one of the most haunted ships in the world. It’s been converted into a hotel, but many people book a room and quickly regret it. Stories range from ghostly figures in sailor uniforms to mysterious knocks and footsteps echoing down corridors.
Guests often mention the infamous swimming pool area, where two women reportedly drowned decades ago. Visitors say they’ve seen wet footprints appear on dry floors, even when the pool has long been empty. Some guests pack up in the middle of the night, unnerved by strange whispers and cold drafts. Others swear they’ve woken up to see figures standing by their beds, only to vanish when the lights come on.
3. Crescent Hotel, Arkansas
Dubbed “America’s Most Haunted Hotel,” the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs has decades of spooky tales attached to it. Built in the 1880s, it once served as a hospital run by a fake doctor who promised miracle cancer cures. Many of his patients never left, and some say their spirits linger in the halls.
Guests have reported seeing ghostly nurses pushing gurneys and a man in a top hat wandering the lobby. Rooms 218 and 419 are especially notorious for activity, from moving objects to sudden cold spots. Some visitors don’t even make it through a single night, checking out as soon as the noises begin. Even skeptics admit there’s something unsettling about this grand old building.
4. Hotel del Coronado, California
This picturesque seaside hotel looks like a dream vacation spot, but it has its own ghostly history. The most famous spirit is Kate Morgan, a young woman who died mysteriously on the property in the 1890s. Many guests who stay in her old room report flickering lights, objects moving on their own, and the feeling of being watched.
Housekeepers and staff have also shared strange encounters, including footsteps in empty hallways. The hotel embraces its history, but for some guests, the atmosphere becomes overwhelming. A night meant for relaxation can quickly turn into hours of anxious listening for bumps in the night. For many, checking out early feels like the only way to get a good night’s rest.
5. Omni Parker House, Massachusetts
In Boston, the Omni Parker House blends history with spine-chilling lore. The hotel has hosted famous figures like Charles Dickens and John F. Kennedy, but it’s also known for spectral visitors. Elevators are said to stop at the third floor for no reason, and guests report hearing disembodied laughter.
The most unsettling tales come from those who encounter the ghost of Harvey Parker, the hotel’s founder. He’s often described as a shadowy figure checking on guests in their rooms. For travelers hoping for a peaceful night, the sense of being constantly observed is enough to cut a stay short. Some guests even refuse to take certain rooms once they hear the stories attached to them.
6. Marshall House, Georgia
Located in Savannah, one of America’s most haunted cities, the Marshall House has a chilling past. During the Civil War, it was used as a hospital for wounded soldiers, and later it sheltered yellow fever patients. Bones have even been discovered beneath the floorboards during renovations.
Guests often claim to hear children running in the halls or soldiers moaning in pain late at night. Faucets turn on by themselves, and doorknobs rattle without explanation. While the hotel is beautiful and full of Southern charm, the energy can feel oppressive. Some visitors choose to leave early, convinced the spirits are far too restless for a comfortable night’s sleep.
7. The Myrtles Plantation, Louisiana
This antebellum home turned bed-and-breakfast is often labeled one of the most haunted spots in America. Legend tells of a slave named Chloe who poisoned the family she served, and her spirit is said to remain on the property. Guests report seeing her figure in photographs and catching glimpses of her shadow in mirrors.
Strange sounds echo through the house, from footsteps to crying voices. The grand staircase is especially known for eerie activity, with some guests swearing they feel tugged as they climb. Even the bravest visitors admit the air feels heavy and charged with something unseen. Not everyone makes it to breakfast after a night at the Myrtles.
8. Driskill Hotel, Texas
The Driskill Hotel in Austin is a luxurious building with a reputation for paranormal activity. One of the most famous stories involves a young girl who died in the hotel after chasing a ball. Guests claim to hear the sound of bouncing in empty hallways, followed by faint laughter.
Another well-known apparition is Colonel Driskill himself, often spotted smoking cigars in dark corners. Some visitors describe waking up to the strong scent of tobacco with no explanation. The unsettling mix of elegance and hauntings has driven more than a few guests to cut their visits short. Even in the lively city of Austin, the Driskill can feel like a step into another, much eerier, world.
9. Hotel Monte Vista, Arizona
This historic Flagstaff hotel has been entertaining guests since the 1920s, but not all its residents are alive. Room 305 is especially notorious, with reports of a rocking chair moving on its own. Visitors describe feeling watched while trying to sleep, often leaving before sunrise.
Other rooms have their own tales, including whispers and knocks on the walls. The hotel was once a hub for movie stars, but today it’s best known for its ghostly clientele. The staff openly shares the haunted reputation, but many travelers aren’t prepared for the intensity. Some check in with curiosity but check out in a hurry after a restless night.
10. Pfister Hotel, Wisconsin
Baseball players have made the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee famous for its haunted reputation. Visiting athletes often report strange noises, flickering lights, and objects moving on their own. Some are so unnerved they refuse to stay there again, booking alternate hotels instead.
Guests in general have similar stories, from electronics turning on by themselves to ghostly apparitions at the foot of the bed. The grandeur of the hotel only adds to the unsettling vibe. While it’s a landmark of the city, its supernatural side overshadows the luxury for some. For travelers seeking comfort, the Pfister can prove to be too much.
11. Hotel Monteleone, Louisiana
Right in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Hotel Monteleone is both charming and chilling. The most famous ghost is a boy named Maurice, who reportedly roams the halls searching for his parents. Guests often say they hear the sound of a child giggling or running when no children are present.
Other spirits include former staff and long-departed guests. Elevators have been known to stop on floors unselected, leading directly to the haunted spots. Many visitors enjoy the mystique, but for some, the encounters are too real to handle. It’s not uncommon for nervous guests to ask for a room change or leave altogether.
12. Banff Springs Hotel, Canada
Known as the “Castle in the Rockies,” this grand Canadian hotel has a darker side. Stories include a bride who died on her wedding day and still haunts the staircase where she fell. Guests often claim to see her ghostly figure in a flowing gown.
Another well-known spirit is a former bellman who continues to help guests with their luggage, even decades after his death. While many find the stories intriguing, others find them terrifying in the quiet of the night. The isolation of the mountains only amplifies the eeriness. More than one traveler has decided to cut their stay short after a few too many chills.
13. Ballygally Castle Hotel, Northern Ireland
This 17th-century castle-turned-hotel is as picturesque as it is haunted. The main ghost is Lady Isabella Shaw, who reportedly fell to her death after being locked in a tower room. Guests staying near the tower often hear knocking at their doors or feel cold drafts sweep through closed spaces.
The castle embraces its haunted reputation, even offering a “ghost room” for brave visitors. But not everyone makes it through the night once they hear footsteps echoing down empty corridors. The atmosphere can feel both romantic and unsettling at the same time. For some guests, it’s simply too much, and they check out long before morning.