M.A. Kleen

Step into the shadowy world of haunted hotels, where grand facades hide chilling tales of lost love, restless spirits, and mysteries that refuse to stay buried.

There’s something undeniably captivating about a haunted hotel. Maybe it’s the eerie silence that settles over empty hallways at night or the thought of past guests who may never have left. Hotels are, after all, places of constant movement—people arriving, staying, and leaving. But what happens when the past refuses to move on?

The allure of haunted hotels lies in their ability to blend luxury and mystery. These places often have grand facades and rich histories, concealing stories of heartbreak, tragedy, and the supernatural within their walls. So, let’s dive into the eerie origins of some of America’s most haunted hotels and explore why they’re magnets for restless spirits.

Hotels are natural breeding grounds for ghost stories. Think about it: people from all walks of life come and go, bringing with them joy, despair, and sometimes unresolved endings. Over decades—or even centuries—these spaces accumulate layers of human history, each one leaving an imprint.

Some hotels are built on sites with dark pasts, while others became the backdrop for tragedy. When combined with the transient nature of their guests, hotels practically beg to be haunted. And while some hauntings are tied to specific tragedies, others seem to arise from the sheer emotional energy of these storied places.

The Ghostly Guests of Hotel Monteleone (New Orleans, Louisiana)

Take New Orleans’ Hotel Monteleone, a Beaux-Arts masterpiece nestled in the city’s vibrant French Quarter. Since its opening in 1886, this family-owned hotel has been a hub for travelers—and, it seems, a few spectral residents.

The most famous ghost here is Maurice, a young boy said to haunt the 14th floor (really the 13th; they skipped the number for superstitious reasons). According to legend, Maurice’s parents left him with a nanny while attending an opera, only for his father to die in a carriage accident and his mother soon after of heartbreak. Guests report seeing Maurice wandering the halls, searching for his parents in the afterlife.

But Maurice isn’t the only one. Hotel staff and guests have witnessed doors opening and closing on their own, a restaurant door that unlocks itself nightly, and even ghostly children playing in empty hallways. The eerie happenings are part of the hotel’s charm, attracting paranormal investigators and curious travelers alike.

When Tragedy Checks In: The Stanley Hotel (Estes Park, Colorado)

Not all haunted hotels are tied to bustling urban centers. High in the Colorado Rockies, the Stanley Hotel sits like a solitary sentinel overlooking the rugged wilderness. This grand hotel, built in 1909 by inventor Freelan Oscar Stanley, is famous not just for its views but for its ghostly residents—and as the inspiration for Stephen King’s The Shining.

Stories of hauntings at the Stanley Hotel are as old as the building itself. Guests have reported hearing piano music coming from the empty concert hall and seeing apparitions in Victorian attire roaming the halls. The fourth floor, in particular, is said to be alive with paranormal activity, with reports of children’s laughter and ghostly footsteps echoing down the corridors.

One famous tale involves Room 217, where King himself stayed during a stormy night in 1974. He dreamt of his son being chased through the hotel, a vision that sparked the idea for his iconic novel. Today, brave visitors book Room 217 hoping for their own brush with the supernatural—or perhaps to simply say they survived a night in King’s inspiration.

The Unfinished Business of Omni Parker House (Boston, Massachusetts)

In Boston, history whispers through every cobblestone street and historic building—but the Omni Parker House holds a few more secrets than most. Opened in 1855, this historic hotel has hosted luminaries like Charles Dickens and John F. Kennedy. However, its long history has also made it a prime spot for ghostly encounters.

One of the hotel’s most famous spirits is the original owner, Harvey Parker. Guests often report seeing a well-dressed man matching Parker’s description wandering the halls, as if checking to ensure everything is running smoothly. He’s said to be particularly fond of the 10th floor, where guests have experienced strange knocks, disembodied voices, and the feeling of being watched.

Then there’s the tale of the “elevator ghost.” On occasion, the elevator stops at the third floor without any button being pressed—a floor that, according to legend, was the site of several untimely deaths. Whether it’s Harvey keeping an eye on his beloved hotel or another restless spirit, the Omni Parker House is undeniably a place where history lingers.

Romance and Restless Souls at the Mizpah Hotel (Tonopah, Nevada)

Nestled in Nevada’s remote desert, the Mizpah Hotel has a charm that belies its haunted reputation. Built in 1907, this grand hotel was once the crown jewel of the booming mining town of Tonopah. But its most famous resident isn’t a miner—it’s the “Lady in Red.”

Legend has it the Lady in Red was a woman of the night who was murdered in the hotel by a jealous lover. Guests staying on the fifth floor often report smelling her perfume or feeling a light touch on their shoulders. Some even claim to see her reflection in mirrors or hear her whispering in their ears.

The Mizpah embraces its ghostly heritage, even naming one of its rooms the “Lady in Red Suite.” Far from scaring people away, the stories draw visitors eager for a chance to meet this glamorous ghost.

Modern Ghost Hunting: The Crescent Hotel (Eureka Springs, Arkansas)

For those who prefer their hauntings with a side of horror, the Crescent Hotel is often dubbed “America’s Most Haunted Hotel.” Built in 1886, this Victorian-era masterpiece later became a hospital under the infamous Norman Baker, who falsely claimed he could cure cancer. Baker’s dubious practices and the suffering of his patients have left a lasting mark on the property.

The most famous ghost at the Crescent is “Michael,” a stonemason who fell to his death during the hotel’s construction. Guests staying in Room 218—known as the most haunted room—report doors slamming, objects moving, and even seeing Michael’s apparition.

The hotel now offers nightly ghost tours, taking visitors through its historic—and deeply unsettling—past. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, the Crescent’s dark history and eerie atmosphere are impossible to ignore.

What Draws Us to Haunted Hotels?

There’s something thrilling about staying in a haunted hotel. It’s a chance to brush up against history, to imagine the lives of those who walked these halls before us—and perhaps still do. While some people visit haunted hotels out of curiosity, others are drawn by the hope of a ghostly encounter. These stories remind us that even in the most luxurious surroundings, there’s always room for a little mystery.

From the opulent ballrooms of Hotel Monteleone to the windswept isolation of the Stanley Hotel, haunted hotels offer more than just a place to rest your head. They provide a window into the past, inviting us to step into stories of love, loss, and lingering spirits. Whether you’re planning your next ghost-hunting adventure or simply love a good tale, these haunted hotels are worth the journey—if you dare.