It’s 12:47 a.m. You’ve just checked in, the hallway is empty, and the only sound is the old floorboards creaking under your feet.
Then, somewhere behind you, a door clicks shut.
Nobody else is on this floor. At least, that’s what the front desk said.
For some travelers, that’s exactly why they book the room. Guests have reported hearing footsteps in empty hallways, piano music with no pianist, and strange figures by the window that vanish a second later.
America has hundreds of historic hotels, but only a few have earned a place among the most haunted hotels in America. Some are grand Victorian landmarks. Others are quiet old inns, a former hospital, or even a retired ocean liner. All of them are still open for bookings, and every one comes with stories that refuse to fade.
Below are 10 of them, each with its own history, legends, and rooms that guests still ask for by number. Believer or skeptic, you might want to find the light switch before you read on.
1. The Stanley Hotel – Estes Park, Colorado
333 Wonder view Avenue, Estes Park, CO. And yeah, you can actually book a room and sleep there overnight, it’s a real functioning hotel, not just a museum piece.
It sits right by Rocky Mountain National Park so the views are honestly incredible. Big mountains everywhere you look. The building itself is old, grand, a little imposing if you’re being honest. And under all that there’s a history that isn’t exactly pleasant.
Now, it’s not literally the Overlook Hotel from the book. King never called it that. But the connection stuck in people’s heads so hard that fans basically treat it the same way.
Guests report weird stuff pretty regularly. Piano music playing with nobody at the piano. People seeing figures that just weren’t there a second later. Doors and windows opening on their own, no draft, no explanation. And Room 217 — that one comes up again and again, mostly because of the King thing.
Daytime, it’s just a beautiful old hotel with great views. At night though, that’s when people start swapping stories.
Good for: King fans obviously. History people. Anyone who collects “stayed at a haunted hotel” as a life experience.
2. The Crescent Hotel – Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Overnight accommodation: The hotel provides accommodation to its guests.
The Crescent Hotel is an imposing building overtopping the Victorian town of Eureka Springs. The hotel opened in the 1800’s and has graced the stay of numerous generations of guests and has become one of the most haunted hotels in the US.
It is one of the reasons that it has something to claim to fame as it happens due to being a hotel and later a hospital. Ghosts and eerie sounds have become part and parcel in the hotel, for the former patients.
Theodora appeared in Room 218, which for one of the biggest stories you’d hear was a woman. Some other reports are of footsteps, voices and unexplained movements.
Now, visitors can get the coordinates of the hotel’s history without turning the night time darkness of the world upside down and over with ghost tours and paranormal presentations at the hotel.
For an actual house of terror experience, then Crescent is a good option.
Keep going: If you’re looking for old architecture, a well staged ghost walk and the ground floor haunted hotel experience.
3. The Queen Mary – Long Beach, California
Nothing can be stranger than a sleeping vessel, retro ocean liner.
A great old ship moored for good in sweet Long Beach, California. It was once a popular passenger ship but today provides visitors an opportunity to walk around on the decks, see the historic rooms and learn about the maritime history.
The ship’s haunted reputation is due to the paranormal experiences which have been reported over the course of its history, and which includes the ship itself in the most haunted hotels in America. Areas have been described by visitors as having extensive areas of listening, seeing and feeling that are unknown, which the visitors are unable to explain.
Among the most popular is the pool section of the ship with rumor of a mysterious woman over the years. Steps and odd noises can be heard elsewhere on the ship.
While the Queen Mary is not a hotel per se, its overnight lodgings are a serious consideration for anyone wishing to experience a truly different hauntingly like experience.
The reason to stay on board: Ideal for lovers of maritime history, unusual experiences or anyone wanting to sleep on a historic vessel.
4. The Marshall House – Savannah, Georgia
Savannah’s got that whole vibe old streets, Spanish moss draped over everything, stories from way back. The Marshall House fits right into all of it.
Built in the 1800s, it’s been tied to the city’s growth for a long time now. During the Civil War it worked as a hospital, and that chapter is where most of the odd stories seem to trace back to.
Guests talk about hearing what sounds like children running down the hallways. Strange noises in rooms. Figures that show up in the corners of rooms, then aren’t there when you look again. A lot of it gets connected back to the hospital days, though none of it’s ever been proven as anything paranormal just stuff that keeps getting passed around.
Outside the ghost stories, the Marshall House is a real, working historic hotel. Comfortable rooms, and it’s close to most of what Savannah’s known for.
Staying here gives you a genuine sense of the past the old architecture, that Southern feel running through the whole place.
Why stay: Great for a Savannah weekend, people into historic sightseeing, and anyone who wants their hotel stay to come with a real Civil War era backstory.
5. The Hotel Monte Vista – Flagstaff, Arizona
The Hotel Monte Vista is a one of the most memorable historic buildings in Flagstaff. It was opened in the 1920s as a part of the city’s highway to Route 66, and has been open to travelers for generations.
Eventually the hotel became infamous for oddities. There has been reported knocking while sleeping in the room without explanation, sounds that make no sense coming from the walls, and sighting of at least one individual in guest rooms.
Famous stories are linked to specific rooms such as Room 305/306. The stories have helped to popularize the site among the visitors who are seeking haunted hotels in America.
The hotel is also a great place to stay while you explore the northern Arizona landscape, and Flagstaff’s downtown is no exception.
The Monte Vista is a stop not to be missed for those crazy for a road trip, historic hotels and a little ‘mystery’.
Keep going: Perfect for Route 66, historic hotel legend, and the Arizona road trip.
6. The Emily Morgan Hotel – San Antonio, Texas
The Emily Morgan runs within and occupies a true historic building, flanked only by the iconic San Antonio Alamo — for which it is just a short walk away.
It doesn’t always have to be a hotel, however. Its haunted history began as the building was a medical arts facility. Over the years guests have logged creepy sounds, eerie feelings, and activity they simply couldn’t put their finger on.
Many of the ghost stories relate to old patients and staff, and to various rooms and corridors of the building. None of it has ever been substantiated as anything beyond doing paranormal – it’s just folklore that has grown under the building over the years that have passed and tales like that stick.
In addition to the ghost angle, the Emily Morgan is a good choice to base off of downtown. Historic Sites are nearby as is the River Walk.
If you are looking to make the trip a bit of sightseeing and a lot of haunted hotel fun, then this is a good idea.
Go slow: For history buffs, couples visiting San Antonio and anyone who’s interested in seeing buildings with bizarre backstories.
7. The Menger Hotel – San Antonio, Texas
The Menger Hotel has a history dating back to the 19th century. It is adjacent to the Alamo, and has historical architecture and celebrity visitors including some Old West American stars.
Many of the hotel’s ghost stories are very historical. An atribuat that touches the walls of the hotel’s bar is about a former president – named Teddy Roosevelt – who is said to have been spotted after he died.
Others include strange noises and people in hallways and guest rooms.
You don’t have to take the stories at face value, but for those who do, the Menger is a neat place to stay owing to these links to Texas history.
For those looking for an historic San Antonio hotel that is a popular SPOKE location, the hotel is a must visit.
Stay here: For fans of the Old West, history lovers and anyone seeking a traditional Texas hotel.
8. The Myrtles Plantation – St. Francisville, Louisiana
Describe the fire department’s response you observed. Explain what the fire department did that you saw.
Website: mengerhotel.com
“Menger’s” history dates back to the 1800s and it is pretty interesting, sitting right alongside the Alamo with a host of old world architecture at its doorstep, and an array of guests throughout the years some of which were genuine Old West legends.
Many of the ghost stories here take their turn to this history. The most popular one is that of Teddy Roosevelt, who has been rumored to have been seen in the hotel bar even after his death. But buyers or not, this is their initial story.
There’s the normal, you know, the odd sounds, sightings in the corridors that stuff just doesn’t make sense the sightings in their rooms too
Don’t take it on faith. If you do, however, you can still find Texas historical focus in Menger, as evidence of its Dallas South located location.
This is one hot hotel you can’t miss when it comes to an historic San Antonio property in the heart of it all.
Why stay: Perfect for Old West buffs, history enthusiasts, and all those seeking a vintage Texas hotel experience.
9. The Hotel Galvez – Galveston, Texas
One of Galveston’s iconic historical hotels is the Hotel Galvez. It was constructed early in the 20th century and has seen a number of hurricane, historical, and visitor changes.
It’s reputation is outlandish, and is usually associated with a tale called the Lady in White. The legend that has grown up around the hotel has taken root in the minds of its guests, who have waited for their chosen ones prior to hearing the news of their loved ones’ death. It is claimed that her spirit resides in some parts of the site.
Other reported incidences include noise in guesstrooms and unknown occurrences.
It’s also a lovely hotel for a beach vacation on Galveston. Wireless service within the building keeps you connected to the wonders of the Gulf Coast, historic square and the famous lighthouses on the city’s islands.
Stay: Perfect for beach getaways, a little more Texas history, those seeking a haunted hotel with a beach theme.
10. The Hotel Alex Johnson – Rapid City, South Dakota
For more information, please contact David E. DeRagonnement Conservation Area at 523 6th Street, Rapid City, SD.
Historically designated Hotel Alex Johnson is in the heart of the City of Rapid City. It was built early in the 20th century and one of the most famous historic rooms in South Dakota.
This hotel is known for its association with the Black Hills and its own paranormal activity.
Many have been the people who have told ghost stories. Reports have been received of ghostly sounds and sightings of odd people.
The most popular haunted room of the hotel is Room 812. The room is also connected with related stories making it popular among visitors who are interested in ghost stories.
The hotel’s proximity to the Black Hills area attractions of Rapid City and Mount Rushmore is another great plus.
For folks traveling the road of South Dakota, a ride through it is a mix of history, comfort and mystery.
Why not stay, at Black Hills historic hotels, or if it’s a memorable overnight stay, within the Black Hills.
What Is the Most Haunted Hotel in America?
No scientific evidence can be found to establish one hotel as the most haunted hotel in America. This varies according to your favorite.
The Stanley Hotel is a great choice for anyone looking for the ‘hotel’ most associated with modern horror due to its association with The Shining.
For those who want to stay at a hotel that has ghost tours and a lot of stories to tell, then the Crescent Hotel is really popular.
The Queen Mary has a very unique sleeping experience for something truly different: sleep on board an ocean liner that has a historic past.
How to Choose the Most Haunted Hotel Room in America
If your goal is to stay in the most haunted hotel room in America, remember that no room has been scientifically proven to be the most haunted.
Rather, seek out hotels which provide:
- A history and an interesting architecture.
- Overnight stays in the building in which the stories were born.
- Official ghost tours or historic tours.
- A convenient place for other travel activities.
- Provide good information regarding room availability and hotel policies.
It is also essential to confirm availability of the room, you are interested in, prior to booking. Famous rooms are often requested by paranormal enthusiasts.
Final Thoughts
The haunted hotels in the US are more than just venues to search for ghosts. They include historic structures, former hospitals, grand hotels and even a former ocean liner, which are now part of the travel culture of America.
These homes are no traditional hotel accommodations, whether you’re a believer in ghosts or just a fan of a good mystery, there’s more to them than that.
The best thing is you can experience the history yourself! Reserve a room in the building, discover the architecture, read the stories and form an opinion after spending the night.
Be sure to open your mind and perhaps leave the hallway light on.
The Stanley Hotel in Colorado is often considered one of the most haunted hotels in America, with numerous reported paranormal experiences and a long history of ghost stories.
Yes. Many reportedly haunted hotels are operating as regular accommodations, allowing guests to book rooms and stay overnight.
Several hotels are known for reported paranormal activity, including The Stanley Hotel, Hotel Alex Johnson, and The Crescent Hotel. The title of “most haunted” depends on the stories and reports associated with each property.
Haunted hotels generally operate like other hotels and follow standard safety procedures. Paranormal claims are typically based on reported experiences and local legends rather than scientifically established evidence.
