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While we might shy away from spending a night in America's most haunted hotels, we know that if you're here, ghost sightings and creepy thrills are right up your alley. Imagine checking into a room where the whispers of history echo through the halls, where strange noises, ghostly apparitions, and doors closing on their own are just part of the experience.
From eerie encounters to chilling tales, we've rounded up the 10 most famous haunted hotels in America. Each one offers a unique blend of spine-tingling stories and supernatural activities that promise to keep you on edge. So, if you're brave enough, why not book a room and immerse yourself in these haunted havens? But beware, once you check in, you may never truly check out.
The 10 Most Haunted Hotels in America (Enter if you dare!)
- Emily Morgan Hotel: San Antonio, Texas
- Hotel Monteleone: New Orleans, Louisiana
- Stanley Hotel: Este Park, Colorado
- 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa: Eureka Springs, Arkansa
- The Marshall House: Savannah, Georgia
- The Don CeSar: St. Petersburg, Florida
- Chelsea Hotel: New York City, New York
- The Driskill: Austin, Texas
- Kimpton Hotel Monaco: Washington D.C
- Hawthorne Hotel: Salem, Massachusetts
1. Emily Morgan Hotel: San Antonio, Texas
Discover the eerie allure of the Emily Morgan Hotel in San Antonio, Texas, a DoubleTree by Hilton property steeped in history and shrouded in mystery. Originally built in 1924 as a Medical Arts Building, it housed a hospital, morgue, and psychiatric wing. Its proximity to the Battle of the Alamo adds to its chilling atmosphere. Guests and staff report doors closing on their own, elevators stopping randomly, and ghostly figures, including a woman in white, roaming the halls. Experience these spine-tingling phenomena and embrace this haunted hotel's supernatural history, especially during the Día de los Muertos festival, for an unforgettable encounter with the unknown.
Book with Hotelgift: Emily Morgan Hotel
2. Hotel Monteleone: New Orleans, Louisiana
Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans' bustling French Quarter is renowned for its ghostly sightings and rich history. Opened over a century ago, this grand haunted hotel is famous for its rotating Carousel Bar and haunted reputation. Guests frequently report seeing the spirit of Maurice Begere, a young boy who died there in the late 1800s, wandering the 14th floor. Other ghosts include former employee William "Red" Wildermere and feuding spirits of a chef and busser. With tales of playful spirits and phantom footsteps, Hotel Monteleone remains one of the most haunted hotels in Louisiana New Orleans.
Book with Hotelgift: Hotel Monteleone
3. Stanley Hotel: Estes Park, Colorado
Perched in the Rocky Mountains, the Stanley Hotel in Colorado is famed for inspiring Stephen King's "The Shining." Opened in 1909, this historic property overlooks Estes Park and has become a hotspot for paranormal activity. King himself spent a chilling night here in 1974, awakening from a nightmare that spurred his iconic novel, making the most haunted hotel in Colorado. Guests and staff report ghostly apparitions, mysterious sounds, and other eerie phenomena. For a spine-tingling experience, join one of the hotel's night tours or stay in a "spirited" room, such as the Stephen King Suite (217). October visitors can also enjoy the Estes Park Elk Fest, adding to the hotel's haunted allure.
4. 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa: Eureka Springs, Arkansas
The 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, is a stunning retreat with a chilling past. Originally built in 1886, it was taken over in 1937 by Norman Baker, a criminal who turned it into an experimental hospital, falsely claiming to cure cancer. Many perished under his untrained care, and their spirits are said to haunt the hotel today. Embracing its haunted reputation, the hotel offers nightly ghost tours, showcasing eerie spots like the Crescent Hotel Morgue. Guests can even stay in Michael's Room, reputed to be the most haunted hotel stay. For serious ghost hunters, the Eureka Springs Paranormal Weekend in January provides exclusive access and overnight ghost hunts.
5. The Marshall House: Savannah, Georgia
The Marshall House in Savannah, Georgia, built in 1851, is steeped in history and haunted tales. Having served as a Civil War hospital and a refuge during yellow fever epidemics, this charming hotel is a hotbed for paranormal activity. Guests report hearing phantom children running through halls, faucets turning on and off, and ghostly apparitions. Known as one of Savannah's most haunted hotel locations, The Marshall House embraces its eerie reputation with ghost tours and stories of spectral encounters.
Book with Hotelgift: The Marshall House
6. The Don CeSar: St. Pete Beach, Florida
Dubbed the "Pink Palace," The Don CeSar in St. Pete Beach, Florida, is not only a romantic getaway but also a hotspot for ghostly tales. Opened in 1928, this iconic hotel was built by Thomas Rowe as a tribute to his forbidden love, Lucinda. Guests and staff have reported seeing Rowe's ghost wandering the grounds, seemingly in search of Lucinda. Some even claim to see the couple reunited in death, strolling hand in hand around the beautiful property. With its stunning Gulf of Mexico views and storied past, The Don CeSar offers both a romantic and a hauntingly intriguing experience.
7. The Chelsea Hotel: New York City, New York
Reopened in 2022 after an 11-year hiatus, The Hotel Chelsea in New York City remains as grand and haunted as ever. Originally opened in 1884, this Manhattan landmark has hosted countless celebrities, including Patti Smith, Mark Twain, Andy Warhol, and Bob Dylan. However, its history is marred by strange deaths, suicides, and murders, cementing its status as one of NYC's most haunted hotels. Guests have reported seeing the ghost of Mary, a Titanic survivor who took her life after losing her husband, often appearing in mirrors. Another spectral resident, Larry the Hipster Ghost, is known for his chatty interruptions during medium visits. With its storied past and paranormal activity, The Hotel Chelsea offers an intriguing stay for those fascinated by the supernatural.
Book with Hotelgift: Hotel Chelsea
8. The Driskill: Austin, Texas
The Driskill Hotel in downtown Austin, built in 1886 by cattle baron Jesse Driskill, is steeped in history and ghostly legends. President Lyndon B. Johnson, who had his first date with Lady Bird here, is said to haunt its halls. The founder, Jesse Driskill, is often seen smoking a cigar on the grounds, and the spirit of a four-year-old girl who died on the grand staircase in 1887 is rumored to be heard laughing and bouncing a ball. The most famous ghosts are two jilted brides who took their lives in the same room decades apart. If you're drawn to the supernatural, a stay at The Driskill offers an intriguing and eerie experience.
Book with Hotelgift: The Driskill Hotel
9. Kimpton Hotel Monaco: Washington, D.C.
Located in D.C.'s Penn Quarter, the Kimpton Hotel Monaco is housed in a historic building from 1842, originally a Civil War-era post office. Women once waited here for news of their loved ones, and some say their spirits remain. Guests report hearing wailing outside room 327 and seeing a lady in 19th-century attire. A construction worker even saw a Victorian-dressed woman vanish in a restricted courtyard. If you're drawn to ghostly tales and eerie experiences, the Kimpton Hotel Monaco offers a perfect, haunted hotel stay.
Book a night at Kimpton Hotel Monaco
10. Hawthorne Hotel: Salem, Massachusetts
In Salem, Massachusetts, the Hawthorne Hotel offers a spine-chilling stay in the heart of this haunted city. Named after author Nathaniel Hawthorne, the hotel is known for unexplained noises, ghost sightings, moving furniture, and odd smells. Guests have reported hearing an unseen baby crying on the third floor and seeing the spirit of Bridget Bishop, the first woman executed in the Salem witch trials, wandering the halls. For a truly eerie experience, the Hawthorne Hotel is a must-visit during the Salem Haunted Happenings festival.
Book a night at Hawthorne Hotel
Experience a Night at the Most Haunted Hotels in the US with Hotelgift
Haunted hotels are more than just a setting for horror movies; they offer a tangible connection to the past, brimming with tales of historical events, personal tragedies, and lingering spirits. If these thrilling stories excite you then book a stay at the most haunted hotels in America.
Haunted hotels not for you, but maybe you know someone who would love a frightful ghost tour? Gift them the best night away at any of these thrilling stays! With a hotel gift card from Hotelgift, your loved one can choose from over 750,000 hotels worldwide (because there are many more haunted hotels across the world to explore). Valid for two years, all you have to do is customize your gift card with a personal message and photo and ship this luxury hotel gift to your lucky recipient!
Not interested in Haunted Hotels? Check out our guides for travel and hotel stays this fall:
