Haunted Hotel Rooms: Where To Stay For Halloween

Have you ever thought about doing something thrilling like spending the night in a haunted hotel room? After all, you deserve to treat yourself to something very special this Halloween, especially after all you’ve been through. But the time to look for haunted hotels and rooms is now as demand will rise as it gets closer to October 31st. Take a look at some of America’s most haunted hotel rooms and see if it can be part of your Halloween festivities.

Bourbon Orleans Hotel

717 Orleans St.
New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 523-2222
www.bourbonorleans.com

One of America’s most haunted cities, New Orleans has several locations that are reportedly haunted. Take for example St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 and haunted hotels like the Andrew Jackson and Le Pavillon. But Bourbon Orleans Hotel may have the most stories about ghosts and apparitions. In fact, there may be several ghosts who still roam the rooms and corridors.

A Former Convent/Orphanage

Originally built as a ballroom in 1815, the hotel was converted into a convent and orphanage several years later. During this time, the city experienced an outbreak of yellow fever, causing the death of several children and nuns. Room 644 may be the most haunted, allegedly where a nun died by suicide. Additionally, the ghost of a Confederate soldier is believed to lurk on the third and sixth floors.

Chateau Marmont

8221 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 656-1010
www.chateaumarmont.com

The City of Angels is known to have several hotels that are known to be haunted. Take for instance, the Hollywood Roosevelt, with the wandering ghost of Marilyn Monroe. Then there’s Millennium Biltmore, where Elizabeth Short aka the “Black Dahlia” who roams the lobby. But Chateau Marmont is particularly notorious for accidental deaths and ghostly sightings. The most famous death was likely that of comedian John Belushi, who died in Bungalow 3 in 1982.

A History of Scandals and Ghosts

The ghost of John Belushi was once reported in Bungalow 3 several years after his death. However, the most haunted room at Chateau Marmont is said to be 79, due to stories about moving furniture and voices. On the other hand, other incidents seem to support a belief that Chateau Marmont is haunted. Notably, photographer Helmut Newton died after crashing his car in the driveway. Furthermore, F. Scott Fitzgerald suffered a heart attack there and James Dean jumped out of a window. If that’s not enough, the ghosts of Howard Hughes, Jim Morrison and others are rumored to be there.

Congress Plaza Hotel

520 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 427-3800
www.congressplazahotel.com

Congress Plaza Hotel is widely recognized as Chicago’s most haunted hotel. A gateway to Grant Park, the hotel has hosted several presidents and celebrities over the years. But it’s the infamous guests that have been allegedly spotted. For instance, the ghost of notorious gangster Al Capone is known to roam about. After all, that’s where he ran his mob business. If that’s not enough, there have also been sightings of America’s first serial killer – H.H. Holmes.

Most Haunted Place In Illinois

In addition to Al Capone and H.H. Holmes is a lesser known ghost known as Peg Leg Johnny. A homeless man, Johnny was murdered in the alley behind the hotel. Johnny reportedly visits the south tower while a hotel employee is buried behind a wall in the Gold Room. Haunted disturbances were so rampant that rooms 209 and 666 were shuttered. But room 441 gets the most attention. It’s there where a female ghost will kick guests awake and the setting for the most ghost sightings.

Crescent Hotel

75 Prospect Ave.
Eureka Springs, AR 72632
(855) 725-5720
www.crescent-hotel.com

The Crescent Hotel has been described by MSN as the most haunted hotel in America. That’s because of its history as an infamous hospital-health resort some 50 years after opening in 1886. The resort was purchased by Norman G. Baker, an inventor and quack doctor who claimed he had a cure for cancer. During this time, an incalculable number of patients reportedly died while undergoing treatment.

The Ghosts At America’s Most Haunted Hotel

Not only are ghosts of cancer patients believed to be roaming about, but a portal to the “other side” has been claimed. Set in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, the Crescent Hotel’s most requested room is 218. That’s because “Michael’s Room” is known to be the most active for paranormal activity. But “Theodora’s Room” 419 reportedly is haunted as is “lady in a Victorian nightgown” in room 3500.

Hawthorne Hotel

18 Washington Square W
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 744-4080
www.hawthornehotel.com

A chance to stay in a haunted room in arguably America’s most haunted city should be a given. But the Hawthorne Hotel stands out for its connection to the Salem Witch Trials. For example, it’s said that Bridget Bishop, the first woman to be executed for witchcraft owned an apple orchard on the property. Although management at the Hawthorne say that no evidence of paranormal activity has been found, the debate continues

Haunted Hotel Rooms at the Hawthorne

Room 612 is often cited as the source of the hotel’s most unexplained Room 621 has had reported sounds and flickering lights, in addition to room 325.events. Anecdotal evidence suggests the apparition of a woman has been spotted in the hallways. Additional witness have suggested that lights turn on and off inside 612.

Hotel Bethlehem

437 Main St.
Bethlehem, PA 18018
(833) 247-5891
www.hotelbethlehem.com

Named USA Today’s 2021 No. 1 Historic Hotel in America, Hotel Bethlehem has its own share of ghosts. On the other hand, the ghosts that reside here aren’t around to scare you. In fact, these spiritual apparitions are of the friendly variety. Among them is Francis “Daddy” Thomas, a cabinetmaker and a church and civic leader. He died in 1822 but his ghost still welcomes visitors and is usually spotted at the hotel’s boiler room

Hotel Bethlehem’s Most Haunted Room

Opened in 1922, Hotel Bethlehem has hosted a long list of dignitaries. Indeed, the list of guests include Thomas Edison, Winston Churchill, Muhammad Ali and even the Dalai Lama. But the hotel resides property that dates to Bethlehem’s early days. Reports of ghostly 17th century figures may help explain the paranormal activity. The most haunted room to is 932. Called the “Room with a Boo”, 932 has had several instances of unexplained events, like blinking lights and moving objects.

Omni Mount Washington

310 Mount Washington Hotel Road
Bretton Woods, NH 03575
(603) 278-1000
www.omnihotels.com/mountwashington

Set in the majestic White Mountains, the Omni Mount Washington is among New Hampshire’s most distinctive destinations. In fact, it’s probably the most famous hotel property in the Granite State. Opened in 1902 by Joseph Stickney, the grand hotel was rumored to be an inspiration for The Shining. Whether that’s true or not, witnesses say it’s haunted by Joseph’s wife Carolyn Stickney. What’s more, it’s attracted the attention of the stars of the Sci-Fi Channel’s Ghost Hunters. During her lifetime, Carolyn stayed in room 314, also known as the Princess Room.

More Haunted Rooms At Omni Mount Washington

While room 314 gets the most attention for paranormal activity, other rooms have been described as suspicious. Of these, room 217 is often cited, perhaps of its relative connection to Stephen King’s reference in The Shining. Even if a “haunted room” isn’t available, the Omni Mount Washington does appear to have a spiritual presence.

The Emily Morgan Hotel

705 E. Houston St.
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 225-5100
www.emilymorganhotel.com

There’s an obvious reason why the Emily Morgan is often cited among the world’s most haunted hotels. After all, it was built over a section of where the Battle of Alamo was fought. On that critical event in 1836, several hundred men were killed. Because of the great loss of life at the Alamo, the hotel is rumored to be haunted.

Haunted Rooms and Floors

Originally built in 1926 as a massive medical facility, it wasn’t until 2012 that it became a hotel. Like many hotels, Emily Morgan doesn’t have a thirteenth floor. But the hotel took it a step further by eliminating room 1408 because the numbers add to 13. Room 707 has had reported supernatural events. But the entire seventh floor is thought to be occupied by ghosts. Others say floors that served as the psychiatric ward and morgue are all haunted.

The Queen Anne Hotel

1590 Sutter St.
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 441-2828
www.queenanne.com

Ever since the gold rush days, San Francisco has had a reputation as a ghost haven. Indeed, there’s the Stow Lake Ghost who disappeared in Golden Gate Park more than 100 years ago. Then there’s Alcatraz Island, where prison ghosts represent several unexplained events. Of course, some San Francisco hotels are known to be haunted, like the Queen Anne Hotel near Japantown.

The Ghost Of Mary Lake

This stately Victorian opened in 1890 as a boarding school for girls and was led by headmistress Mary Lake. Rumor has it that Miss Lake had an affair with James “Slippery Jim” Fair, a railroad tycoon who funded the building. Although Mary denied the affair, her reputation was damaged by the local newspaper. After her death, it’s thought that her ghost visits room 410, where her office was located. Thankfully, she’s a friendly ghost who’s known to welcome guests to the
Queen Ann.

The Stanley Hotel

333 Wonderview Ave.
Estes Park, CO 80517
(970) 577-4000
www.stanleyhotel.com

It really goes without saying that the Stanley Hotel ranks amongst the country’s most haunted hotels. Set at the base of Rocky Mountain National Park, the Stanley inspired Stephen King to write his 1977 horror novel The Shining. The room that King stayed at in 1974 is 217 and was later recreated in the 1980 film. Today room 217 at the Stanley is known as the Stephen King Suite.

Disneyland For Ghosts

Even before King stayed in 217, an explosion occurred while lighting lanterns in 1911. The housekeeper who was injured was Elizabeth Wilson and some say her ghost still visits. Although that may be true, other rooms and areas may be haunted. This includes rooms 237 and 408, the staircase called “the Vortex” and the Concert Hall. The Stanley Hotel is called the Disneyland for ghosts for a good reason.

About The Author

Randy Yagi is an award-winning freelance writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS Local from 2012-2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including CBS New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget and Radio.com.