Some hotels give you a comfortable bed, a good breakfast and maybe a nice view. Others come with something extra: ghost stories, unexplained footsteps, mysterious figures and decades of paranormal legends.
Across North America, historic hotels have become famous not only for their architecture and notable guests but also for the strange experiences reported by visitors and staff. Better yet, many of these places are still operating today — meaning you can actually book a room and investigate the stories for yourself.
From grand Victorian resorts to former ocean liners, these are 15 allegedly haunted hotels where spending the night is part vacation and part paranormal adventure.
At Go Ghostly, we separate the documented history from the legends and reported experiences, so you can discover the story — and decide for yourself what you believe.
1. The Stanley Hotel — Estes Park, Colorado
Perched above the mountain town of Estes Park, the Stanley Hotel has become one of America’s most famous destinations for travelers interested in the paranormal. Opened in 1909 by inventor F.O. Stanley, the grand Colonial Revival hotel has hosted generations of guests — including author Stephen King.
King’s stay at the nearly empty Stanley in 1974 famously helped inspire The Shining. The novel’s fictional Overlook Hotel isn’t a direct portrait of the Stanley, but the connection helped turn the real hotel into a paranormal landmark.
Over the years, guests and staff have reported unexplained footsteps, voices, doors apparently moving on their own and sightings of mysterious figures. Room 217 is especially famous because of its connection to King’s stay and the legends that developed around it.
The Stanley embraces its spooky reputation today, offering visitors opportunities to explore the property’s history and paranormal stories. You don’t have to simply read about this legendary hotel — you can actually stay there.
Why Go Ghostly: A historic mountain hotel, a fascinating literary connection and decades of paranormal lore make the Stanley an ideal first stop for a haunted getaway.
Location: Estes Park, Colorado
Built: 1909
Known for: The Shining connection, Room 217 and reported paranormal activity
Explore Staying at The Stanley Hotel →
2. The Queen Mary — Long Beach, California
Once one of the world’s most celebrated ocean liners, the Queen Mary carried passengers across the Atlantic from 1936 until her retirement in 1967. Today, the enormous ship is permanently docked in Long Beach, California, where visitors can explore her history — and even spend the night aboard.
The ship’s long history includes wartime service, accidents and deaths, and over the decades an extensive collection of ghost stories has developed around her corridors, cabins and former working areas.
Visitors and employees have reported unexplained footsteps, voices, knocking sounds and apparent apparitions. Some of the ship’s most famous paranormal legends involve the former first-class swimming pool, the engine and boiler areas, and various passenger cabins.
The Queen Mary has leaned into this reputation, becoming one of Southern California’s best-known paranormal attractions. What makes it particularly interesting for Go Ghostly travelers is that this isn’t simply a historic site you tour during the day — the Queen Mary operates as a hotel, so you can actually sleep aboard the ship.
Why Go Ghostly: Few haunted stays can match the experience of spending the night aboard a historic ocean liner with nearly a century of stories behind it.
Location: Long Beach, California
Launched: 1934
Known for: Historic ocean liner, wartime service and decades of reported paranormal experiences
Explore Staying Aboard the Queen Mary →
3. Bourbon Orleans Hotel — New Orleans, Louisiana
In the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter, the Bourbon Orleans Hotel sits between two of the city’s most famous streets — Bourbon Street and Royal Street. Long before becoming a hotel, the property had a colorful history that included a grand ballroom and later a convent and school operated by the Sisters of the Holy Family.
That layered past has also produced plenty of ghost stories.
Guests and staff have reported unexplained footsteps, mysterious voices and sightings of figures throughout the property. Among the hotel’s best-known legends are stories of a young girl seen in the hallways, a ghostly dancer associated with the building’s ballroom history and other apparitions reportedly encountered by overnight guests.
As with many historic properties, the paranormal claims are part of the hotel’s folklore rather than established fact. The documented history, however, makes the Bourbon Orleans fascinating even before the ghost stories begin.
Best of all, you’re staying directly in the French Quarter, putting many of New Orleans’ cemeteries, historic locations and popular ghost tours within easy reach.
Why Go Ghostly: You get a historic allegedly haunted hotel and one of America’s greatest paranormal-travel destinations immediately outside the front door.
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Known for: Historic ballroom, convent history and reported apparitions
Explore Staying at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel →
4. The Marshall House — Savannah, Georgia
Standing on historic Broughton Street in downtown Savannah, The Marshall House dates to 1851 and has lived through some of the most turbulent periods in the city’s history.
During the Civil War, parts of the building were used to accommodate wounded soldiers, and the property was also used during yellow fever epidemics that struck Savannah in the 19th century. That history has helped make The Marshall House one of the city’s best-known allegedly haunted hotels.
Guests have reported hearing unexplained footsteps and strange noises in the hallways, while other stories describe faucets apparently turning on by themselves and sightings of mysterious figures. Tales involving children and Civil War-era soldiers are also commonly associated with the property.
Whether or not you encounter anything paranormal, The Marshall House offers something particularly appealing for a haunted getaway: you can sleep inside a genuinely historic building while exploring one of America’s most famously haunted cities.
Its downtown location also puts Savannah’s historic squares, cemeteries and ghost-tour meeting points within easy reach.
Why Go Ghostly: A genuine 19th-century hotel combined with Savannah’s dark history makes this an excellent base for an entire paranormal weekend.
Location: Savannah, Georgia
Opened: 1851
Known for: Civil War history, yellow fever era and reported ghostly encounters
Explore Staying at The Marshall House →
5. 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa — Eureka Springs, Arkansas
High above the Victorian mountain town of Eureka Springs stands the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa, a grand stone property with a history almost as unusual as its paranormal reputation.
The Crescent opened as a luxury resort in 1886. Over the decades, the building also served as a women’s college before becoming the site of a controversial hospital operated by Norman Baker in the late 1930s. Baker promoted supposed cancer treatments despite having no medical training, adding a particularly dark chapter to the building’s history.
Today, stories of unexplained activity are closely associated with the hotel. Guests and investigators have reported mysterious footsteps, unusual sounds and apparent apparitions throughout the property. One frequently told legend involves a worker commonly called Michael, who is said to have died during the hotel’s original construction.
Rather than hiding from its reputation, the Crescent has made its paranormal history part of the visitor experience, including ghost tours that explore both the documented history and legends surrounding the property.
And unlike an abandoned asylum or inaccessible historic building, you can book a room and spend the entire night inside.
Why Go Ghostly: Few properties combine Victorian architecture, bizarre documented history, ghost stories and an overnight stay as effectively as the Crescent.
Location: Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Opened: 1886
Known for: Norman Baker’s hospital, Victorian history and reported paranormal activity
Explore Staying at the 1886 Crescent Hotel →
6. Omni Parker House — Boston, Massachusetts
Opened in 1855, the Omni Parker House is one of Boston’s most historic hotels. Sitting along the Freedom Trail in the heart of downtown, the hotel has hosted generations of politicians, writers, performers and other notable guests.
Its history alone makes it worth visiting, but the Parker House has also developed a long-running paranormal reputation.
One of the hotel’s best-known ghost stories involves its founder, Harvey Parker, who has reportedly been seen by guests after his death. Stories have also centered around the hotel’s third and tenth floors, where visitors have described unexplained noises, unusual sensations and other strange experiences.
The hotel also has fascinating literary connections. Charles Dickens stayed at the Parker House and reportedly rehearsed A Christmas Carol there, while members of Boston’s famous Saturday Club included writers such as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Ralph Waldo Emerson.
As always, the ghost stories should be treated as reported experiences and folklore rather than established fact. The hotel’s remarkable history, however, is very real — and you can still book a room in the middle of it.
Why Go Ghostly: Historic Boston, famous former guests and generations of ghost stories make the Parker House a great choice for travelers who want paranormal lore without sacrificing a prime downtown location.
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Opened: 1855
Known for: Harvey Parker ghost stories, literary history and reported unexplained activity
Explore Staying at the Omni Parker House →
7. Hotel Monteleone — New Orleans, Louisiana
Rising above Royal Street in the French Quarter, Hotel Monteleone has been welcoming guests since 1886. Still operated by the Monteleone family, the landmark hotel combines luxury accommodations with more than a century of New Orleans history — and a substantial collection of ghost stories.
One of the property’s best-known paranormal legends involves a young boy named Maurice Begere, whose spirit is said to have been encountered near the hotel’s 14th floor. Other guests have described unexplained footsteps, doors apparently opening on their own and encounters with mysterious figures.
The hotel’s literary history is equally impressive. Writers including Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote and William Faulkner have connections to the property, helping earn Hotel Monteleone recognition as a Literary Landmark.
Downstairs you’ll also find the famous Carousel Bar, where the slowly rotating bar has become an attraction in its own right.
Whether the hotel’s reported spirits make an appearance or not, staying here puts you directly inside the atmosphere that makes New Orleans such an extraordinary paranormal destination.
Why Go Ghostly: Haunted-hotel lore, literary history, classic New Orleans atmosphere and a location in the middle of the French Quarter make this much more than simply somewhere to sleep.
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Established: 1886
Known for: Maurice Begere legend, literary history and the Carousel Bar
Explore Staying at Hotel Monteleone →
8. Fairmont Banff Springs — Banff, Alberta
Rising dramatically beneath the Rocky Mountains, the Fairmont Banff Springs looks almost like a castle built for a ghost story. Opened in 1888 by the Canadian Pacific Railway, the landmark resort has become one of Canada’s most recognizable historic hotels.
With more than a century of history behind it, the Banff Springs has naturally accumulated its share of paranormal legends.
Perhaps the most famous is the story of the Ghost Bride, a mysterious bridal figure said to have been seen around the hotel’s grand staircase and ballroom areas. Another enduring legend involves Sam the Bellman, a former employee whose spirit is said to continue helping guests long after his death.
Visitors have also reported unexplained noises, unusual apparitions and other strange experiences throughout the sprawling property.
Some stories surrounding the hotel have become embellished over the years, so separating documented history from paranormal folklore is particularly important here. What isn’t in doubt is the spectacular setting and the hotel’s remarkable history.
Even without a ghostly encounter, spending a night inside this enormous castle-like hotel surrounded by the Canadian Rockies makes for an unforgettable stay.
Why Go Ghostly: Canadian history, Rocky Mountain scenery, castle-like architecture and two of the country’s best-known hotel ghost legends all in one destination.
Location: Banff, Alberta, Canada
Opened: 1888
Known for: The Ghost Bride, Sam the Bellman and historic Canadian Pacific Railway connections
Explore Staying at Fairmont Banff Springs →
9. The Emily Morgan Hotel — San Antonio, Texas
Standing just steps from the Alamo, the Emily Morgan Hotel occupies one of the most distinctive buildings in downtown San Antonio. The Gothic Revival-style tower opened in the 1920s and originally housed medical offices, including doctors and dentists, before eventually being converted into a hotel.
That medical history — combined with the building’s proximity to the site of the Battle of the Alamo — has helped fuel its paranormal reputation.
Guests have reported strange noises, unexplained footsteps, unusual shadows and elevators that seemingly behave on their own. Some stories describe the smell of antiseptic appearing without an obvious source, while others involve mysterious figures reportedly seen in hallways and guest rooms.
The building’s unusual architecture adds considerably to the atmosphere. Gargoyle-like figures decorating the exterior actually represent different medical ailments, a reminder of the property’s original purpose.
As with any allegedly haunted hotel, the paranormal stories are reports and legends rather than established facts. But the building’s documented history and location beside one of America’s most famous historic sites make it an intriguing place to spend the night.
Why Go Ghostly: Gothic architecture, unusual medical history, paranormal legends and the Alamo practically outside the front door make this an excellent base for exploring haunted San Antonio.
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Building opened: 1924
Known for: Former medical offices, Gothic architecture, proximity to the Alamo and reported paranormal activity
Explore Staying at The Emily Morgan Hotel →
10. Fairmont Empress — Victoria, British Columbia
Overlooking Victoria’s Inner Harbour, the Fairmont Empress is one of Canada’s most recognizable historic hotels. Opened in 1908, the grand château-style property has welcomed royalty, celebrities and generations of travelers to British Columbia’s capital.
It has also accumulated more than a few ghost stories.
One of the hotel’s best-known legends involves its architect, Francis Rattenbury, whose apparition has reportedly been seen carrying a cane through the hotel. Other stories describe an elderly woman wandering the halls, unexplained knocking and mysterious figures that seemingly disappear.
Another frequently repeated tale involves a construction worker said to have died during the hotel’s early years, although stories like these can vary considerably depending on the source.
The Empress is especially interesting because the hotel sits in the middle of a city already rich with ghost lore. Victoria’s historic downtown, old buildings and atmospheric streets have inspired numerous paranormal stories and walking tours, making the hotel an excellent base for an entire haunted weekend.
And during daylight hours, you can trade ghost hunting for one of the hotel’s most famous traditions: Afternoon Tea at the Empress.
Why Go Ghostly: A legendary Canadian hotel combined with Victoria’s wider collection of haunted locations makes the Empress ideal for building an entire paranormal getaway around your stay.
Location: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Opened: 1908
Known for: Historic architecture, Francis Rattenbury legends and reported paranormal encounters
Explore Staying at Fairmont Empress →
11. The Hawthorne Hotel — Salem, Massachusetts
Few places are better suited to a paranormal getaway than Salem, Massachusetts, and the historic Hawthorne Hotel puts you right in the middle of the city.
Opened in 1925, the hotel was named for Salem-born author Nathaniel Hawthorne and has welcomed visitors to the city for more than a century. Its location makes it particularly appealing for travelers interested in Salem’s complicated history, supernatural folklore and modern witch culture.
Over the years, guests have reported unexplained noises, mysterious footsteps and unusual experiences in parts of the hotel. Rooms on the sixth floor are frequently mentioned in paranormal stories, while Room 325 has developed a reputation of its own among guests interested in the hotel’s ghost lore.
Not every spooky story connected to Salem has strong historical evidence behind it, and the city’s tourism industry has produced plenty of embellished legends. That’s part of what makes the Hawthorne interesting: the hotel’s genuine history can be explored separately from the paranormal claims surrounding it.
Outside the hotel, Salem offers museums, historic sites, cemeteries, witch-trial history and numerous ghost tours within a relatively compact area.
Why Go Ghostly: Staying at the Hawthorne gives you a historic hotel while putting one of America’s most famous destinations for dark history and paranormal tourism right outside your door.
Location: Salem, Massachusetts
Opened: 1925
Known for: Salem history, sixth-floor ghost stories and reported unexplained activity
Explore Staying at the Hawthorne Hotel →
12. Lord Baltimore Hotel — Baltimore, Maryland
12. Lord Baltimore Hotel — Baltimore, Maryland
Then paste this underneath:
Opened in 1928, the Lord Baltimore Hotel is a striking historic property in downtown Baltimore. Its grand public spaces, ornate details and nearly century-long history give it exactly the kind of atmosphere paranormal travelers tend to appreciate.
The hotel has also developed a collection of unsettling ghost stories.
One of the best-known legends involves a young girl who has reportedly been seen wearing old-fashioned clothing and carrying a red ball. Guests and paranormal investigators have also described unexplained noises, elevator activity and mysterious figures appearing in parts of the building.
The hotel’s upper floors are particularly prominent in its paranormal lore, although the details of individual stories vary considerably depending on who is telling them.
The darker legends should be treated as folklore unless supported by historical records. What can be experienced firsthand is the historic hotel itself — and its downtown location makes it easy to combine an overnight stay with exploring Baltimore’s older neighborhoods and historic sites.
Why Go Ghostly: Historic architecture and long-running paranormal stories make the Lord Baltimore an intriguing alternative to an ordinary downtown hotel.
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Opened: 1928
Known for: The red-ball girl legend, historic architecture and reported unexplained activity
Explore Staying at the Lord Baltimore Hotel →
13. The Hollywood Roosevelt — Los Angeles, California
Opened in 1927 on Hollywood Boulevard, the Hollywood Roosevelt has been part of Los Angeles history since the golden age of cinema. The hotel hosted the first Academy Awards ceremony in 1929 and has welcomed generations of actors, musicians and other celebrities.
Unsurprisingly, a hotel with that much Hollywood history has also accumulated its share of ghost stories.
The most famous paranormal legend involves Marilyn Monroe, who lived at the Roosevelt for a period early in her career. Stories have circulated for years about guests seeing what appears to be her reflection in a mirror once associated with the hotel.
Another frequently mentioned spirit is actor Montgomery Clift, who stayed at the Roosevelt while working on From Here to Eternity. Guests have reported unusual sounds and other unexplained activity associated with his former room and surrounding areas.
These stories remain paranormal folklore rather than proof that famous Hollywood stars never really checked out. The hotel’s documented connection to Hollywood history, however, is reason enough to visit.
And unlike many historic Hollywood landmarks, this is one where you can actually spend the night.
Why Go Ghostly: Old Hollywood glamour, celebrity history and famous ghost legends create one of the most distinctive haunted-hotel experiences in California.
Location: Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
Opened: 1927
Known for: Marilyn Monroe legends, Montgomery Clift stories and early Academy Awards history
Explore Staying at the Hollywood Roosevelt →
14. The Pfister Hotel — Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Opened in 1893, The Pfister Hotel is one of Milwaukee’s most celebrated historic hotels. Built by businessman Guido Pfister and his son Charles, the elaborate property was designed to provide the city with a luxurious hotel worthy of a major American destination.
More than a century later, the Pfister remains an upscale hotel — but it has also developed an unusually famous paranormal reputation.
Stories often center on the spirit of Charles Pfister, who has reportedly been seen around the property. Guests have described unexplained footsteps, unusual noises, electronics behaving strangely and mysterious figures appearing in rooms or hallways.
What makes the Pfister’s ghost stories particularly interesting is the number of professional baseball players who have publicly discussed strange experiences while staying there. Visiting Major League Baseball teams have traditionally used the hotel, and over the years several players have described unsettling nights at the property.
Of course, spooky experiences aren’t proof of a haunting. But when a luxury hotel becomes almost as famous among professional athletes for its ghosts as it is for its accommodations, it earns a place on a Go Ghostly itinerary.
Why Go Ghostly: Gilded Age luxury, more than a century of history and paranormal stories involving some very unexpected witnesses make the Pfister a fascinating overnight stay.
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Opened: 1893
Known for: Charles Pfister legends, historic luxury and paranormal stories from visiting baseball players
Explore Staying at The Pfister Hotel →
15. Fairmont Château Frontenac — Québec City, Québec
Towering above Old Québec and the St. Lawrence River, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac looks like something pulled directly from a Gothic ghost story. Opened in 1893, the château-style hotel was developed by the Canadian Pacific Railway and has become one of the most recognizable landmarks in Canada.
Its long history has also produced several paranormal legends.
The hotel’s best-known ghost story involves Louis de Buade, Comte de Frontenac, the 17th-century governor general of New France. According to local legend, Frontenac’s spirit has been encountered around the property centuries after his death.
Guests and staff have also reported mysterious figures, unexplained sounds and other unusual experiences within the enormous hotel.
There is an important catch to the Frontenac legend: the current hotel wasn’t built until roughly two centuries after Governor Frontenac died. That makes the historical connection more complicated than some versions of the ghost story suggest — exactly the kind of distinction Go Ghostly believes is worth pointing out.
What isn’t questionable is the setting. The hotel dominates the skyline of Old Québec, a UNESCO World Heritage area filled with centuries-old buildings, narrow streets, historic sites and plenty of additional ghost lore.
Why Go Ghostly: A spectacular castle-like hotel in one of North America’s oldest cities makes Château Frontenac an incredible finale to a haunted-hotel trip — whether its legendary resident ghosts appear or not.
Location: Québec City, Québec, Canada
Opened: 1893
Known for: Château architecture, Governor Frontenac legend and reported paranormal experiences
Explore Staying at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac →
Ready to Spend the Night?
You don’t have to believe in ghosts to appreciate these hotels. Each offers something tangible beyond the paranormal stories: remarkable architecture, fascinating history and a destination worth exploring.
But if you’re the kind of traveler who would rather sleep somewhere with a story than in another anonymous hotel room, these properties offer something extra.
Go Ghostly is all about finding places where travel, history and the unexplained collide. We’ll continue exploring haunted hotels around the world, digging into the history behind their legends and helping you plan trips where the destination gets a little stranger after dark.
So the only question left is: which one would you spend the night in?