One of the best parts of embarking on a road trip is the chance to stay in a variety of accommodations and learn about different parts of the country. America’s historic hotels are a must-see, but you should be warned that most of them come with quite a haunted past. That’s certainly the case with the following places, whose beautiful grounds and impressive architecture are rumored to house more than just visitors. See if you can brave a night at any of the following haunted places:
- The Stanley Hotel (Estes, Colorado)
Joshua Eckert/flickr The Stanley is one of the most renowned hotels in Colorado, both for its stunning architecture as well as its association with the famous horror movie The Shining. The year was 1973 when author Stephen King and his wife spent a particularly spooky night at the otherwise empty hotel. According to King, it was a haunted dream and vision of the long corridors that inspired him to write the thrillers. Tales of unexplained paranormal activity at the Stanley continue today.
- Hotel Andra (Seattle, Washington)
Jonathan Smith/flickr Hotel Andra is a chic looking spot in the heart of downtown Seattle, just a 15 minute walk from the Space Needle. The Scandinavian hotel was built in the 1920s, and attracted many of societies party-goers. Today, hotel guests have reported sounds of these phantom jazz-age partiers still on the premises.
- The Gadsden Hotel (Douglas, AZ)
The Gadsden Hotel/Facebook The Gadsden Hotel opened its doors in 1907 and was built by famed architect Henry Trost. Ghost sightings occur so frequently here that the front desk keeps two binders for the purpose of recording guests’ paranormal experiences. Reports include the televisions being turned on and off and even guests being momentarily pinned to the beds.
- Hotel Monaco (Alexandria, Virginia)
Dewita Soeharjono/flickr Just 7 miles from the White House, Hotel Monaco can be found in this historic district of Old Town Alexandria. The building was once known as the Marshall House, dating back to the Civil War. There have been reports of two ghosts in particular, those of James W. Jackson and Colonel Elmer Ellsworth, both of whom died during battle. These spirits are known to haunt the sixth floor.
- Hotel Roosevelt (Los Angeles, California)
Roger/flickr The historic Hotel Roosevelt opened for business in May of 1927. This happens to be the oldest continuously running hotel in all of Los Angeles. In addition to hosting a variety of famous guests, this hotel also has a very famous ghost. The spirit of Marilyn Monroe is said to wander through the halls of this famed establishment. The famous actress lived here for two years of her life when she began her modeling career.
- Hotel Chelsea (New York, New York)
Curtis Cronn/flickr The Chelsea is a historic New York landmark that was built in 1885 and has hosted quite a few notable guests. Dylan Thomas died from pneumonia while staying at the hotel. It seems fitting that the ghosts here are pretty famous as well. There have been reports of ghostly sightings of Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix, among other noteworthy musicians and celebrities.
- La Fonda (Santa Fe, New Mexico)
Ron Cogswell/flickr La Fonda evokes the spirit of the Old West with its brick coloring and stylistic architecture. Various inns and hotels have existed on this same property since 1609, and thus there has been plenty of time for the hotel to accumulate a haunted history. A man by the name of John P. Slough was once shot in the hotel lobby and many believe he still haunts the grounds today.
- The Crescent Hotel (Eureka Springs, Arkansas)
Doug Wertman/flickr The 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa is often referred to as America’s Most Haunted Hotel. In its early years, the hotel gained reputation for its charming southern hospitality. Guests would enjoy tea parties in the afternoon and dances in the evening. In more recent years, the hotel has experienced its fair share of the paranormal. The hotel provides ghost tours at night for any visitors who wish to investigate.
- Blackhawk Hotel (Davenport, Iowa)
Alan Light/flickr The Blackhawk Hotel was built in 1915 and was known for hosting an impressive list of celebrities. By the 90s, the building had gone under, and it was not until fairly recently that total renovations were done. Guests have reported seeing some peculiar apparitions, including the ghost of Cary Grant who collapsed and died in one of the rooms in 1986.
For more spooky accommodations, be sure to check out these 10 Haunted Hotels Where You Can Actually Stay Overnight (If You Dare).
Joshua Eckert/flickr
The Stanley is one of the most renowned hotels in Colorado, both for its stunning architecture as well as its association with the famous horror movie The Shining. The year was 1973 when author Stephen King and his wife spent a particularly spooky night at the otherwise empty hotel. According to King, it was a haunted dream and vision of the long corridors that inspired him to write the thrillers. Tales of unexplained paranormal activity at the Stanley continue today.
Jonathan Smith/flickr
Hotel Andra is a chic looking spot in the heart of downtown Seattle, just a 15 minute walk from the Space Needle. The Scandinavian hotel was built in the 1920s, and attracted many of societies party-goers. Today, hotel guests have reported sounds of these phantom jazz-age partiers still on the premises.
The Gadsden Hotel/Facebook
The Gadsden Hotel opened its doors in 1907 and was built by famed architect Henry Trost. Ghost sightings occur so frequently here that the front desk keeps two binders for the purpose of recording guests’ paranormal experiences. Reports include the televisions being turned on and off and even guests being momentarily pinned to the beds.
Dewita Soeharjono/flickr
Just 7 miles from the White House, Hotel Monaco can be found in this historic district of Old Town Alexandria. The building was once known as the Marshall House, dating back to the Civil War. There have been reports of two ghosts in particular, those of James W. Jackson and Colonel Elmer Ellsworth, both of whom died during battle. These spirits are known to haunt the sixth floor.
Roger/flickr
The historic Hotel Roosevelt opened for business in May of 1927. This happens to be the oldest continuously running hotel in all of Los Angeles. In addition to hosting a variety of famous guests, this hotel also has a very famous ghost. The spirit of Marilyn Monroe is said to wander through the halls of this famed establishment. The famous actress lived here for two years of her life when she began her modeling career.
Curtis Cronn/flickr
The Chelsea is a historic New York landmark that was built in 1885 and has hosted quite a few notable guests. Dylan Thomas died from pneumonia while staying at the hotel. It seems fitting that the ghosts here are pretty famous as well. There have been reports of ghostly sightings of Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix, among other noteworthy musicians and celebrities.
Ron Cogswell/flickr
La Fonda evokes the spirit of the Old West with its brick coloring and stylistic architecture. Various inns and hotels have existed on this same property since 1609, and thus there has been plenty of time for the hotel to accumulate a haunted history. A man by the name of John P. Slough was once shot in the hotel lobby and many believe he still haunts the grounds today.
Doug Wertman/flickr
The 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa is often referred to as America’s Most Haunted Hotel. In its early years, the hotel gained reputation for its charming southern hospitality. Guests would enjoy tea parties in the afternoon and dances in the evening. In more recent years, the hotel has experienced its fair share of the paranormal. The hotel provides ghost tours at night for any visitors who wish to investigate.
Alan Light/flickr
The Blackhawk Hotel was built in 1915 and was known for hosting an impressive list of celebrities. By the 90s, the building had gone under, and it was not until fairly recently that total renovations were done. Guests have reported seeing some peculiar apparitions, including the ghost of Cary Grant who collapsed and died in one of the rooms in 1986.
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