All of the hotels on this list are unbelievable. Sometimes eccentric and always unusual, many of these one-of-a-kind destinations are known to be haunted, while others feature breathtaking architecture.
Inntel Zaandam Hotel in the Netherlands
The Inntel Zaandam looks like many different houses stacked on top of each other. This outrageously eye-catching structure was designed to look like houses in the local Zaan region. At the tippy-top of this 12-story Dutch creation sits a blue house which architects playfully added as a nod to Monet’s famous painting.
The French artist painted “The Blue House” in this region of North Holland in 1871. The house that Monet painted is just a hop, skip, and a jump to the city’s center by train, with the station located conveniently just outside the Inntel.
Stanley Hotel in Colorado
The majestic Stanley Hotel is wedged against Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. This creepy hotel is not just a cool place to stay in, but it actually inspired Stephen King to write "The Shining."
King stayed in the infamous Room 217, which has inspired him to write one of literature's scariest novels. If you wish to do so, you can book the room yourselves, but beware, this room, as well as other rooms in the property, are designated as “spirited.”
Mount Washington Resort in New Hampshire
Built to cater to the high society of New England in 1902, the extravagant Mount Washington Resort in New Hampshire (now Omni) has a freaky past. It has hosted the Vanderbilts, Thomas Edison, and three U.S. presidents. But, according to ghost hunters of The Atlantic Paranormal Society, it also hosts a spirit. The team discovered spirit voice activity in the hotel.
Many are convinced the spirit belongs to the widow of Wealthy financier Joseph Stickney who died a year after completing his grand hotel. The widow will forever haunt the halls. Her shade has been witnessed most frequently in her former suite, room 314.
Hôtel de Glace in Canada
The Quebec City Ice Hotel is a seasonal delight. Each year 50 ice builders use 30 thousand tons of manmade snow and ice to create the winter hotel that is open for three months before it melts away in spring.
If you book a stay in this hotel, you can expect to get an ice room and an icy bed. This frosty marvelous hotel also includes an ice slide, a chapel, and a beautifully carved grand hall. It is located at Village Vacances Valcartier and opens in January.
The Equinox Hotel in Vermont
The Equinox Hotel in Manchester Village is a luxury accommodation that has been hosting upscale guests since it opened in 1769. It was a favorite vacation stay for Abraham Lincoln’s family. They spent their summers there.
President Lincoln’s assassination precluded their summer visit in 1865. Mary Todd Lincoln adored the Manchester Village property. Employees have reportedly seen her ghost wandering around the luxurious hotel, grieving her young son.
The Cecil Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles
Constructed in 1925, the history of the Cecil is incredibly dark. It is located in L.A's worst neighborhood, and its name has been tied to some mysterious unsolved crimes. During its darkest years, dealers and even serial criminals enjoyed staying in this shady hotel; this could be the reason why an inordinate amount of deaths haunt the property.
As many as four women have jumped to their deaths from an upper-level window. One woman caused an additional death when she landed on a pedestrian! Ghost sightings are common. Known as the “Horror Hotel” in 2013, it was the location of yet another unsolved death.
Omni Parker House in Massachusetts
The Omni Parker House in Boston has a rich history. It’s the longest continuously running hotel in the country, and it’s been dignified by guests such as Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne, Dickens, F.D.R., Ulysses S. Grant, and Mary Todd Lincoln. The Omni hosted J.F.K.’s bachelor party.
Malcolm X even worked as a busboy there. But a dark pall fell over it in 1865, when John Wilkes Booth stayed there on the 5th and 6th of April just before assassinating Lincoln. It is said he practiced his mark at a nearby shooting gallery. Spooky.
Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast in Fall River
The Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast in Fall River, Massachusetts, is located in a quaint old 1890s clapboard house. The same residence where Lizzie Borden, although acquitted, took the life of her father and stepmother in 1892.
The reputable Christian woman got away with her crime and lived her life on a substantial inheritance from her father’s estate. It was a national scandal then, and today the intriguing story attracts guests from all over the world to stay at this B&B.
The Biltmore Hotel in Providence
The Biltmore Hotel in Providence, Rhode Island, has an exceptionally freaky backstory. The lodging was built by prominent Satanist Johan Leisse Weisskopf, and open satanic rituals, including sacrifices, were conducted there. During Prohibition, the hotel acted as a speakeasy.
Catering to assassins and hosting wild parties, the mayor and police partook in the unscrupulous adventures. Finally, The Biltmore is the inspiration for one of the creepiest horror stories ever -- The Bates Motel in "Psycho" by Robert Bloch.
Nakagusuku Hotel in Okinawa
The construction of the Nakagusuku Hotel in Okinawa, Japan, still lay in ruins. A wealthy businessman hoped to develop the idyllic hillside neighboring the Nakagusuku Castle with views of the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea.
Buddhist monks from a nearby temple warned the developer about restless souls inhabiting a nearby tomb and that many sacred burials sites lie nearby. After several freak accidents during construction, the builder heeded the monk’s warning. The cursed project was abruptly abandoned, and the 1975 completion date came and went.
Chillingham Castle in Northumberland, England
The Chillingham Castle lays claim to the title of Britain’s most haunted historic castle. The 13th-century military fortress near the seaside boasts many bloody historic battles as well as fine gardens, exquisite tea rooms, beautiful chambers, and ghosts.
And, yes, ghost tours are available. The Chillingham Castle inspired Longfellow to write, “Through the open doors, the harmless phantoms on their errands glide.” The castle also has a dungeon in which many prisoners were held captive. Today you can see letters the prisoners carved on the dungeon's wall.
The Gettysburg Hotel
If you’re looking for the most haunted stay stateside, look no farther than the Gettysburg Hotel in Pennsylvania. The Gettysburg is the oldest hotel in Pennsylvania, and it’s just a few steps away from the historic Gettysburg Battlefield, another of the state’s spookiest locales.
The hotel was used as a makeshift hospital during that epic Civil War battle, and the shadows of those who died there during the battle are said to roam the halls. If you are looking to hang out with civil war ghosts, this is the place for you.
La Ballade des Gnômes in Belgium
At the whimsical La Balade des Gnomes hotel in Belgium, each suite has a different theme, usually inspired by old tales and legends. One of the hotel's suites is actually a Trojan horse. La Ballade is nestled in Durbuy, a small, cobblestone town from the 17th century.
In total, there are 11 uniquely designed suites, each as adventuresome and magical as the next. The insides of the suits are all different from each other and fit the theme of the room.
The Queen Mary in Long Beach
In 1967, the Queen Mary docked permanently in sunny Southern California’s Long Beach Harbor, where it has served as a luxury hotel ever since. But in its prime, the trans-Atlantic vessel had a glorious past. It was the grandest luxury liner in the 1930s, ferrying acclaimed passengers like Winston Churchill and Greta Garbo.
During WWII, the Queen Mary, which was famous for its record-breaking speed and size, took on a new task. Painted grey and dubbed “the Grey Ghost,” it transported soldiers to the front lines.
The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee
Nearing the shores of Lake Michigan sits the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This historic extravagant hotel from the 1890s has been designated one of the most haunted hotels in the entire nation.
Serving as a frequent haunt for professional baseball players in the sports town, various examples of paranormal activity have been reported. Carlos Gomez from the Twins heard a peculiar voice followed by some freaky behavior on his iPod.
Karosta Prison Hotel in Latvia
The prison-theme hotel in Karosta, Latvia, has a bone-chilling past. A far cry from posh accommodations of more stately inns, guests, are subjected to a full military experience. But it’s not as bad as the experiences of its past victims. The Tsarist-era Karosta Prison served as a military prison and Soviet command circa 1900.
It was responsible for the death of hundreds of inmates. Many people are convinced that the spirits of the condemned are said to yet linger in the hotel.
Jekyll Island Club Resort in Georgia
A spooky ghost story attends the Jekyll Island Club Hotel in Georgia. The 1887 Victorian resort has been a hunting retreat for years. It hosted many patrons from the wealthy elite. J.P. Morgan, William Rockefeller, and Joseph Pulitzer have all stayed here.
But one notable guest still haunts the place. Samuel Spencer, president of a Southern Railroad Company, stayed often. His morning ritual required a coffee over the Wall Street Journal. He was killed in a train accident. Guests who stay in his former suite report a phantom sipping their coffee and reading the paper.
The Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.
This D.C. hotel opened in 1930 on Calvert Street. Since then, bizarre events have plagued the property. Many hotel guests took their own lives, and there was also a run of unexplained deaths in this mysterious D.C Hotel. Suite 870, or “Ghost Suite,” as it is known, has a particularly peculiar history.
It’s a spacious penthouse with sweeping D.C. views. One of the hotel owners used to stay there, but one day he found his housekeeper dead, inexplicably, in his suite. Next, both his wife and his daughter died mysteriously in that same room!
Mason House Inn in Bentonsport, Iowa
The Mason House is an old inn built-in 1846 for steamboat travelers. It has an eerie history and hosts, and lore says it also has at least five spirits. One of them is “George,” a precocious boy spirit who plays pranks like knocking on doors and tugging on people’s clothing.
The Mason House was employed as a hospital twice. In the 1940s, the hospital saw many deaths due to an infection, including one of the doctors who was treating the ill. It is possible that the doctor's spirit is one of the five haunting this hotel?
The Crescent Hotel & Spa in Arkansas
When construction finished on this southern gem, it was 1886. It attracted many visitors to its beautiful hot springs, which were believed to have natural healing powers. Throughout the Ozarks, no other hotel is as haunted as the Crescent Hotel.
It also functioned as an irrefutable cancer hospital and as a young women’s conservatory. But, as it was being built, a stonemason named Michael fell to his death. His pesky spirit is the most frequent haunt on the property. His apparition has played tricks on guests since his fateful demise.
Sun Cruise Resort in South Korea
Nowhere else in the world will you find a cruise ship perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean. In South Korea’s coastal town of Jeongdongjin, however, this beached behemoth is open for business.
The 30,000-ton resort has been catering to cruisers who are looking for an alternative to motion sickness and a more economical cruise vacation. The hotel’s sea experience is carefully crafted and even includes a soundtrack of crashing waves and bird calls. If you are looking for a seafaring experience, this place will fulfill all of your desires.
The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles
Open since 1927, Hollywood’s oldest continuously operating hotel, the Hollywood Roosevelt in Los Angeles, harbors an assortment of tales from Hollywood’s Golden Age and beyond. Its grand beginnings include hosting the 1929 Academy Awards.
Marilyn Monroe resided in Room 229 for two whole years. The room is now called “Marilyn’s Suite.” Many other Hollywood legends stayed at the Roosevelt, so, of course, ghosts of this celebs-past make their ethereal appearances.
The Hotel Provincial in New Orleans
The classy Hotel Provincial in New Orleans, Louisiana, is beautifully decorated in 19th-century architecture and decor. The property on Chartres Street, two blocks from Bourbon Street, has burned to the ground, been rebuilt, and hosted a Confederate hospital.
The hotel has been owned by the same family since 1961, and it is appreciated for its elegant architecture. Ghostly visits are most commonly the military wounded, and much of the paranormal activity occurs in the infamous building five.
Hotel Chelsea in Manhattan
The Chelsea Hotel in New York City is a bastion of pop culture history. The property had humble beginnings as an apartment building founded in 1883. When it was converted to a hotel, the 250-room building came alive with stays by artists, musicians, writers, and filmmakers. Many lived there, like Bob Dylan, who famously composed "Blonde on Blonde" during one extended stay.
Arthur Miller wrote three plays while staying here, and Andy Warhol made Chelsea Girls. Pretty much every Beat poet lived and/or worked at the Chelsea. Most notoriously, Sid Vicious’s girlfriend Nancy Spungen died there in 1978. The weapon was Sid’s, but the former Sex Pistols bassist said he didn’t kill her.
Malaga Inn Mobile, Alabama
The Malaga Inn, located in Alabama’s storied town of Mobile, has a history that stretches back to the Civil War. It was built in that era for two sisters whose husbands constructed matching houses for them.
Resoundingly, it is the most haunted hotel in Alabama. Spooky supernatural activities such as swinging chandeliers, furniture moving, and lights flicking on by themselves have been witnessed by guests. These are most likely caused by one of the sisters the hotel was built for. Today she is known as The Lady in White phantom.
Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina
Most of the paranormal activities cited here revolves around a lady in pink who is believed to be the ghost of a woman who fell to her death in the atrium. The Grove Park Inn was founded as a medical treatment sanctuary in the late 1880s. In 1913 it opened as a resort and hosted many famous people and dignitaries.
In 1995, the hotel brought in ghost hunter Joshua P. Warren of Travel Channel’s "Paranormal Paparazzi." He interviewed 20 people who shared firsthand accounts of paranormal activity. The haunted room was confirmed to be Room 545, the former residence of the pink lady.
St. James Hotel in Cimarron, New Mexico
In all of New Mexico, there is no western legend as haunting as what went down at the St James Hotel. The place was so famous that western legends like Wyatt Earp, Buffalo Bill, and Jesse James frequently visited. So, it is no surprise that 26 people died there. But one case, in particular, marks the place as haunted.
A man playing poker took it all with a winning hand. As he left the room, he was shot. People claim that right after that, they saw him going back into the poker room. His angry spirit has never left. The room stays locked and is left as it was.
Tilton Inn in New Hampshire
The Tilton Inn, located in Tilton, New Hampshire, has been around so long its nickname is “The 1875 Inn,” after the year it was built. The place managed to get burned down three times. Out of those misfortunes, at least one resulted in a resident spirit.
Little Laura, a 12-year-old girl, died in one of the inn’s rooms during a fire. That fire happened over 100 years, but Laura has stayed around like a sad spirit ever since. If you stay in the hotel, you can ask to visit Laura's room and decide for yourself if her essence is still there.
The Pollard in Montana
The Pollard in Red Lodge, Montana, is another western legend. Built-in 1884 in the bustling town of Red Lodge not far from Yellowstone park, this lodge has more ghosts than you can shake a stick at. It even has a monkey spirit.
Lore says one of the Pollard children had one as a pet. The monkey disappeared during a renovation, and it is believed that it still frequents the place. The pollard was also a hotbed for cowboys. Buffalo Bill and Calamity Jane socialized here often.
The Brown Hotel in Louisville
Kentucky, best known for Bluegrass and the Kentucky Derby, is home to the Brown Hotel in Louisville. The 16-story renaissance structure is extraordinary in its elegance. It is located in the theatre district and has a two-story lobby.
The hotel is haunted by its founder, James Graham Brown. His creation of grandeur was established in 1923, during the splendor of the roaring twenties. His spirit is said to roam the 15th floor, where he lived until 1969, the year in which he died.
Place d’Armes Hotel in New Orleans
The Place d’Armes Hotel is located in the heart of New Orleans’ fabled French Quarter. The Quarter is cursed, but the reason for the hex predates Place d’Armes establishment. Hundreds of years ago, another building stood where the hotel stands today.
It was a school established in 1725. Tragically, it burned to the ground and killed students, teachers, and the headmaster. So, the property was cursed before the Louisiana hotel was even built. Many believe the spirits still linger.
Emily Morgan Hotel in San Antonio, Texas
The Emily Morgan Hotel in San Antonio is the “Official Hotel of the Alamo” and the world’s third most haunted place, according to "USA Today." The majestic building soars 13 stories with impressive gothic-style architecture. It was a medical building before it became the Emily Morgan in 1984.
Don’t let that recent date fool you. The building was founded in 1924, and all of its floors are haunted. What can you expect when some of its levels used to serve as a morgue and a crematorium? The 7th floor is the most haunted so don’t stay there! Or do. It depends on whether you are looking for a relaxing or an exciting stay.
Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego
The beautiful Hotel Del Coronado is located on San Diego’s Coronado Island is a luxury getaway, but one guest has never quite checked out. The Victorian resort was built in 1888. In 1892, Kate Morgan arrived at the hotel to meet her love, but he never showed. Five days later, the young lady took her life.
That is one version of the story. “The beautiful stranger” and her unsolved 1892 death is shrouded in mystery and have intrigued many ever since. Numerous paranormal activities are said to occur on the floor she stayed at. Eerie!
Oops Hotel in Västerås, Sweden
At first view, the Hotel Oops looks like a flooded house. In fact, it’s a luxury lake accommodation on Lake Mälaren in the Västerås archipelago in Sweden. The house is not floating or flooded; it is anchored to the lake's floor with foundations.
Conceived as an art installation by Mikael Genberg, the lodging includes an aquarium view from the lower level. The artist has created several of these alternative dwelling environments. This hotel is not recommended for any who has an aquaphobia, or really anyone who is spooked by staying underwater.
Hotel DuPont in Wilmington, Delaware
The Hotel DuPont was established in 1913. The beautiful 12-story Italian Renaissance building is a massive structure taking up an entire city block. Interior and exterior craftsmanship by French and Italian artisans set this luxury hotel apart, as it has the finest décor.
In its day, Wilmington’s Hotel DuPont has hosted prominent American and European celebrities as well as Hollywood legends. Some of its notable guests include Katherine Hepburn, Elizabeth Bergman, and Joe DiMaggio, who was married to Marilyn Monroe. If you go there, make sure to steer clear of Room 1018, we've heard it's haunted!
Moana Surfrider Westin in Honolulu, Hawaii
Moana Surfrider Westin, also known as “The First Lady of Waikiki,” is a historic hotel. It was first opened in 1901, but by 1905 it was already plagued by a tragic death. Jane Stanford, the co-founder of The Stanford University, visited the new Italian Renaissance luxury hotel just a few years after it was built.
Jane is believed to have died of unnatural causes, but it is unclear who was responsible for her death. This mystery brought about many ghost stories of her apparition. The resort landed on "Forbes" list of “America’s 25 Most Haunted Hotels.”
Congress Plaza Hotel in Chicago
This relic from Chicago’s 1893 World’s Fair is the most haunted hotel in Illinois. Several ghost stories keep the Congress Plaza Hotel on ghost trackers’ lists. Room 441 inspired Stephen King to write "1408," a story about a room that causes people to take their own lives.
The only time someone took their lives in the building, however, happened in the 12th story, so if you are scared of spirits - don't stay there. Also, mobster Al Capone’s ghost is known to haunt the bar and lobby, so maybe skip those as well.
The Don CeSar “Pink Palace” in Florida
The Florida Gulf Coast’s only historic resort was all the rage during the Jazz Age. It opened its doors in 1928 and was the epitome of the roaring twenties. Legend has it that the place inspired author F. Scott Fitzgerald to write "The Great Gatsby," one of the greatest American classics.
The Pink Palace was constructed as a memorial to the builder’s tragic and lost love, so it is only reasonable that her spirit frequents the hotel. But, other spirits linger are said to linger as well, and honestly, we can't blame them. Wouldn't you want to haunt this magnificent palace?
The Drury Plaza Broadview Hotel in Wichita
The stately brick building hosting the Broadview Hotel in Wichita, Kansas, was built in 1922. In the spirit of its times, the hotel used to have a speakeasy during prohibition. The Drury is haunted by the specter of a man named Clarence, who took his wife's life just before taking his own.
It is assumed he did it in a jealous rage after discovering she was unfaithful. Clarence's ghost still lingers in the hotel, and despite his immoral actions in his life, as a ghost, he is usually harmless until he decides to prank one of the hotel's guests.
Lord Baltimore Hotel in Maryland
Lord Baltimore in Mount Vernon, Maryland, was the tallest building when it went up in 1928. A ghostly legend took root in the 1930s during the Great Depression when a man, woman, and a little girl jumped to their deaths from the hotel's rooftop.
On the ballroom floor, two spirits are seen dancing, and a little girl has been spotted wandering the halls. Lee Johnson-Lowe, director of sales and marketing at Lord Baltimore, says that the hotel is visited throughout the year by ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts.
The Palmer House Hotel in Sauk Centre, Minnesota
When the historic Palmer House was built in 1901, it was a modern marvel with electricity, running water, and indoor bathrooms. No expense was spared; even the beautiful arched windows were made of stained glass from Vienna. Legends say that talented writer Sinclair Lewis's ghost visits the Sauk Centre hotel, among many.
One thing is sure, the author’s novel "Main Street," for which he won a Nobel Prize, was inspired by the Palmer House. He wrote the novel while staying at the hotel. Today supernatural phenomena are documented by paranormal experts who visit the hotel.
The Argo Hotel in Crofton, Nebraska
The Argo Hotel, built in the heydays of the railroad town of Crofton, Nebraska, started as a hotel until it was converted to a medical clinic. In 1994, the Argo came back to its former glory. It was restored and opened as a hotel again.
But, since the place used to be a hospital, it only makes sense that ghostly visitations from the building’s past were not cleaned out with the upgrade. The most famous ghost is that of Alice, a former patient who wanders the basement incessantly in search of her lost baby girl.
Mizpah Hotel in Nevada
Ghost hunters Zak, Nick, and Aaron from Travel Channels’ "Ghost Adventures" can attest that the Mizpah Hotel is haunted. The “Jewel of the Desert” is located in an old silver mining town called Tonopah. In 1907 a cabal of wealthy businessmen established the luxury stay to host its prosperous patrons.
Western legends like Wyatt Earp, an officer, and a businessman, are known to haunt the place. The Mizpah's glory days didn't last as long as excepted, and its former high-class clientele was replaced with spirits who never checked out. This makes this hotel a less than ideal place to stay.
The Southern Mansion in Cape May, New Jersey
The Southern Mansion was built by George Allen in 1863. Allen originally built the mansion for his family. His niece lived there with her husband, Ulysses, until she died suddenly, and her husband couldn’t stand to stay in the home she had adored.
The Southern Mansion went to ruin for years until it was renovated in 1994. Even after the renovation, the niece's ghost is said to flit to and fro with her disembodied laughter echoing off the walls and ceilings. With such a creepy story, would you be able to stay in this hotel?
The Shanley Hotel in Upstate New York
The Shanley Hotel in Napanoch, New York, has a tragic and dubious history. Built in 1845, the property is located near the town’s railroad stop. It used to serve as an N.Y.C. getaway. A fire once destroyed the building, but the bustling hotel was rebuilt. Shanley purchased it in 1906.
The wealthy Irish Immigrant added unique amenities like a billiard room and barbershop. It attracted famous people, including F.D.R. and Elenore Roosevelt, who frequently stayed. In the basement, however, Shanley was managing an illegal hub for the trade of bootlegged products like alcohol during Prohibition.
Rough Riders Hotel in Medora, North Dakota
The Rough Riders Hotel, established in 1905, paid homage to the local cowboys who served under President Theodore Roosevelt in the Spanish-American War. Theodore’s Dining Room also recognizes the former president.
He honored the hotel by stopping the tiny town near the North Dakota badlands and giving a speech from the balcony. Teddy Roosevelt is said to have fallen in love with the town. This is another place high on the list of paranormal hunters, and you can see many ghost hunters staying here all year round.
The Marshall House in Savannah, Georgia
The Marshall House is one of six Historic Inns in Savannah, all built in the mid to late-1800s. This hotel was established in 1851, and it is one of Savannah’s oldest buildings. The Marshall House has quite a history. It was occupied by Union troops under General Sherman in 1864.
Later, the Marshall House served as a wartime hospital for Union soldiers and, before that, as a medical facility for victims of yellow fever. Savannah is known for its haunted past, and the Marshall House established in 1851 is no different. It has ghosts of both soldiers and yellow fever victims haunting it.
The Historic Anchorage Hotel in Alaska
This rustic hotel was established in 1916. It has an old-fashioned saloon in picturesque Anchorage and an occupancy of at least three dozen supernatural guests, according to Terri Russi, who has worked there for many years.
After a continuous stream of ghostly sightings by various hotel guests, Terri started keeping track of them, writing each sighting down. Her chronicle is known as the ghost log. With every spirit comes a story, and she has chronicled them all. If you want to read the ghost log, you can find it in the hotel's lobby.
La Fonda on the Plaza in New Mexico
Historic and popular for ghost sightings, the La Fonda on the Plaza in Santa Fe was erected on the site of the city’s first inn in 1607. The La Fonda was established in 1922, but before its establishment, it saw two terrible, frightening crimes.
In the first crime, John P. Slough, a judge who lost an argument in the lobby in 1867, had died. In the second, a young bride was killed on her wedding night by a jealous ex-lover. Her spirit haunts the wedding suite, Room 510, as well as other areas. This hotel is definitely on the map of every paranormal tourist.