Have you ever checked into a hotel and felt an eerie chill crawl up your spine, as if unseen eyes were watching you? While most hotels promise comfort, luxury, and relaxation, there are a few across the world that come with an extra “guest list” — one filled with spirits, ghostly apparitions, and energies that refuse to move on.
From historic castles in Europe to luxury hotels in India and the US, these haunted destinations attract thrill-seekers, paranormal investigators, and even casual travelers who just want to test their courage. Some guests swear they’ve seen shadowy figures, others heard voices in empty corridors, and a few even fled in the middle of the night, leaving their belongings behind.
If you’re brave enough, here are 13 haunted hotels you can actually book a stay in — but don’t say we didn’t warn you.
1. The Stanley Hotel – Colorado, USA
Nestled in Estes Park, Colorado, the Stanley Hotel is one of the most iconic haunted hotels in the world. Its reputation skyrocketed after Stephen King stayed in Room 217, where he reportedly had a nightmare that inspired his legendary novel The Shining.
What Guests Report:
- Hearing children’s laughter echoing in empty hallways.
- Luggage moving on its own.
- A piano playing by itself in the music room.
- Ghostly maid sightings in Room 217.
The hotel even embraces its haunted fame, offering ghost tours and paranormal investigations. Guests say the atmosphere shifts dramatically at night — the air gets heavy, and shadows linger longer than they should.
2. Bhangarh Fort Guesthouses – Rajasthan, India
While not technically inside the fort, nearby guesthouses let visitors stay overnight near Bhangarh Fort, often called the most haunted place in India. Local legend says a sorcerer cursed the fort after being rejected by a princess, dooming the entire settlement.
What Guests Report:
- Whispers and screams after sunset.
- Flickering lanterns and shadows moving across the fort walls.
- Travelers feeling a “push” while exploring ruins.
The Archaeological Survey of India has even put up a warning sign: “No entry after sunset.” Yet thrill-seekers from across the world still flock here, hoping for an encounter with the unknown.
3. The Langham Hotel – London, UK
Built in 1865, the Langham Hotel is not only a luxurious landmark but also a paranormal hotspot. Room 333 is particularly infamous for its spectral residents.
What Guests Report:
- A man dressed in Victorian evening wear appearing and vanishing.
- A German prince who allegedly jumped to his death still roaming the halls.
- Napoleon III himself spotted haunting the basement.
Even professional cricketers from the English team once refused to stay here after experiencing eerie disturbances. The Langham is proof that even the most elegant hotels can house sinister secrets.
4. Fairmont Banff Springs – Alberta, Canada
The Banff Springs Hotel, also known as the “Castle in the Rockies,” is breathtaking in both beauty and chills. Its gothic architecture sets the perfect stage for its many ghost stories.
What Guests Report:
- A bride who tragically fell down the staircase now roams in her wedding dress.
- A former bellhop, Sam McAuley, still helps guests by opening locked doors or carrying luggage — only to vanish moments later.
- Room 873 is permanently sealed after multiple guests reported violent apparitions.
Despite its elegance, many guests leave with goosebumps instead of sweet memories.
5. Hotel Cecil (Stay on Main) – Los Angeles, USA
The Cecil Hotel has a dark reputation tied to both crime and the paranormal. It was once home to infamous serial killer Richard Ramirez, known as the “Night Stalker,” and Austrian killer Jack Unterweger.
What Guests Report:
- Creepy figures seen in hallways.
- A heavy, suffocating energy in certain rooms.
- Elevators behaving strangely (as captured in the chilling Elisa Lam case).
Netflix’s documentary Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel reignited public fascination. For many, staying here feels like stepping into the center of a living nightmare.
6. Taj Mahal Palace – Mumbai, India
This iconic five-star hotel is famous for luxury, but it has its share of ghostly legends too. The architect, reportedly devastated after discovering a design error, is said to have jumped to his death — and his spirit never left.
What Guests Report:
- Phantom footsteps in empty corridors.
- The feeling of being watched while sleeping.
- Shadowy figures on the staircase.
Despite its haunting reputation, the Taj remains one of the most prestigious hotels in the world, proving that ghosts don’t always chase away glamour.
7. The Queen Mary – Long Beach, USA
Once a luxury ocean liner and later a WWII troopship, the Queen Mary is now permanently docked as a floating hotel. Its haunted history is legendary.
What Guests Report:
- Children giggling and splashing near the now-empty swimming pool.
- A sailor crushed in the engine room still makes appearances.
- Cabin B340 is notorious for poltergeist activity and ghostly visitors at night.
Many ghost-hunting TV shows have featured the Queen Mary, calling it one of the most haunted ships in the world.
8. Hotel del Coronado – California, USA
Opened in 1888, this beachside luxury hotel has a tragic tale. Kate Morgan, a young woman, checked in but never checked out alive. Her mysterious death has kept her spirit tied to the place.
What Guests Report:
- Flickering lights in her old room.
- Cold breezes despite closed windows.
- Apparitions of Kate wandering the beach at night.
Guests who book her room often leave with more than just seaside memories.
9. Château de Brissac – France
Known as the tallest castle in France, the Château de Brissac is a lavish hotel — and home to the terrifying “Green Lady.”
What Guests Report:
- Sightings of the Green Lady, who was allegedly murdered by her husband centuries ago.
- Her wails echoing through the halls at night.
- Guests waking up to find her spectral figure watching them sleep.
The mix of beauty and horror here makes it one of the most surreal haunted stays in Europe.
10. Ross Castle – Ireland
This Irish fortress-turned-hotel is steeped in legend. The story goes that Sabina, a noblewoman, fell in love with a man her family disapproved of. When he drowned, she locked herself away and died of grief.
What Guests Report:
- Sabina’s ghost wandering the halls, searching for her lost love.
- Bedsheets pulled at night by unseen hands.
- Visitors waking to the sensation of someone sitting at the edge of their bed.
Romance and tragedy intertwine here, creating a chilling yet sorrowful haunting.
11. Fairmont Le Château Frontenac – Quebec, Canada
Another Fairmont classic, this castle hotel towers over Quebec City. Its hauntings are tied to Count Louis de Buade, a former governor.
What Guests Report:
- The Count appearing in full attire, pacing the halls.
- Guests hearing phantom knocks on their doors.
- Eerie voices echoing through empty stairwells.
Despite its ghostly inhabitants, this Fairmont is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it a must-visit for history buffs and ghost hunters alike.
12. Dragsholm Slot – Denmark
One of Denmark’s oldest castles, Dragsholm Slot is now a luxury hotel with over 800 years of ghostly baggage.
What Guests Report:
- Over 100 spirits, including a “White Lady” who died locked away in the castle.
- A “Gray Lady” who wanders silently, often appearing to staff.
- A noble prisoner still rattling his chains in the dungeons.
Guests often claim to see glowing orbs floating through the corridors — a haunting reminder of its violent history.
13. Parador de Jaén – Spain
Located in a 13th-century fortress, this hotel has one of the creepiest reputations in Spain. Room 22, in particular, is infamous.
What Guests Report:
- Knocking sounds and moaning in the night.
- Guests fleeing the room so quickly they leave belongings behind.
- A female spirit tied to tragic medieval love stories.
Even skeptics leave convinced that something otherworldly resides here.
🕯️ Why Do Haunted Hotels Fascinate Us?
- The Thrill Factor: Humans love flirting with fear in safe settings. Staying in a haunted hotel provides just that — a scary story you can tell for life.
- History Meets Mystery: These hotels are often centuries old, carrying layers of tragedy, war, and untold secrets.
- Ghost Tourism: Paranormal tourism is a booming industry. Travelers deliberately seek haunted destinations for unique experiences.
🧳 Would You Dare to Stay the Night?
These haunted hotels blur the line between comfort and the supernatural. They’re places where luxury meets legend, and where every creaking floorboard might just be a ghost saying hello. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, booking a stay in one of these hotels guarantees one thing: you’ll never forget it.
So, pack your bags — if you dare.
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