The World’s Most Haunted Hotels: Ghostly Encounters That Will Chill Your Soul

Hotels are often seen as places of comfort and rest, but for some, they are gateways to the paranormal. Across the globe, certain hotels have earned notoriety not just for their luxury or charm, but for their haunted reputations. These establishments draw thrill-seekers, ghost hunters, and curious travelers eager to experience eerie phenomena. If you dare, read on to discover the spine-chilling tales behind some of the world’s most haunted hotels.

1. The Stanley Hotel (Estes Park, Colorado, USA)

Immortalized by Stephen King's The Shining, The Stanley Hotel is renowned for its paranormal activity. Guests report hearing piano music echoing from the ballroom, though no one is present. The ghost of Flora Stanley, wife of the hotel’s founder, is said to play the piano herself. Room 217, where King stayed, is a hotspot for spectral sightings, with guests claiming to see apparitions and feel unexplained chills. The ghostly bellboy is another frequent visitor, knocking on doors and vanishing into thin air.

2. Ballygally Castle Hotel (County Antrim, Northern Ireland)

Built in 1625, Ballygally Castle offers more than its scenic views of Ballygally Bay—it’s home to Lady Isabella Shaw’s restless spirit. According to legend, she was imprisoned in the castle’s tower by her husband, and she met her tragic end while trying to escape. Guests staying in the tower report cold drafts, ghostly whispers, and even sightings of Lady Isabella herself, wandering the halls searching for her child.

3. Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (Alberta, Canada)

This luxurious Canadian hotel is as famous for its picturesque location in the Rockies as it is for its ghostly inhabitants. The most famous spirit is the "Bride of Banff," a woman who tragically fell to her death on the staircase on her wedding day. Guests claim to see her ghost descending the stairs in her wedding gown, her veil fluttering as if caught by an unseen breeze. Another resident ghost is Sam the Bellman, a former employee who continues to assist guests from beyond the grave, often seen helping with luggage before vanishing.

4. Château de Brissac (Loire Valley, France)

Known as the “Castle of the Seven Ghosts,” Château de Brissac’s most infamous apparition is the Green Lady. Once the mistress of a duke, she met a grisly end when she was murdered alongside her lover. Her ghost is often seen wandering the halls in a green dress, her face horrifyingly disfigured. Guests report hearing anguished moans echoing through the castle at night, making it one of Europe’s most unsettling destinations.

5. The Langham Hotel (London, England)

This opulent London hotel has a long-standing reputation for paranormal activity. Room 333 is said to be the epicenter of ghostly occurrences. Guests have reported the ghost of a Victorian man dressed in evening wear, floating above the bed. Other spirits include a German prince who allegedly committed suicide in the hotel and a doctor who murdered his wife before taking his own life. The Langham’s supernatural reputation is so well-known that even members of the England cricket team have claimed to experience hauntings during their stay.

6. The Crescent Hotel (Eureka Springs, Arkansas, USA)

Dubbed “America’s Most Haunted Hotel,” the Crescent Hotel was once a hospital where a fraudulent doctor performed questionable cancer treatments. Today, the spirits of his victims are said to haunt the property. Room 218 is particularly infamous, with reports of lights flickering, doors slamming shut, and objects moving on their own. Guests also claim to see ghostly nurses roaming the halls and a man in Victorian attire sitting in the lobby.

7. Hotel del Salto (Colombia)

Overlooking the Tequendama Falls, Hotel del Salto’s eerie beauty is matched by its tragic history. Originally built as a luxurious retreat, the hotel fell into disrepair and became synonymous with death due to its association with suicides. Visitors report spectral figures wandering the abandoned halls and hearing disembodied screams that echo through the night. Its dilapidated state only adds to its haunted allure, making it a chilling destination for the brave.

8. The Russell Hotel (Sydney, Australia)

Located in the heart of Sydney’s historic Rocks district, The Russell Hotel has a history steeped in mystery. Its most famous ghost is that of a sailor, believed to have stayed in Room 8 before his untimely death. Guests claim to wake up to the feeling of being watched or even touched. Staff and visitors alike have reported footsteps in empty corridors and unexplained temperature drops.

9. The Queen Mary (Long Beach, California, USA)

Once a luxury ocean liner, the Queen Mary is now a floating hotel and one of the most haunted locations in the United States. The ship is rife with ghost stories, including the infamous “Door 13,” where a crewman was crushed to death. The swimming pool is another paranormal hotspot, with sightings of women in vintage swimsuits and the sounds of splashing despite the pool being empty. Guests frequently hear phantom children laughing and running through the halls.

10. The Savoy Hotel (Mussoorie, India)

This grand hotel in the Indian hill station of Mussoorie is said to be haunted by Lady Garnet Orme, a British spiritualist who died under mysterious circumstances. Her ghost allegedly roams the halls, opening and closing doors and whispering faintly. Agatha Christie’s novel The Mysterious Affair at Styles is believed to have been inspired by this hotel’s haunting tale.

Why Do Haunted Hotels Fascinate Us?

The allure of haunted hotels lies in the thrill of the unknown. These eerie establishments combine the luxury of a hotel stay with the suspense of a ghost story. Travelers who book rooms in these locations often do so out of curiosity or a desire to experience something beyond the ordinary.

Ghostly encounters may remain unproven, but their stories persist through generations, captivating skeptics and believers alike. For some, these tales are a reminder of history’s darker moments. For others, they’re an irresistible invitation to explore the supernatural.

Should You Stay in a Haunted Hotel?

For thrill-seekers, haunted hotels offer the chance to test their courage and maybe even encounter the unexplained. For others, they serve as cautionary tales of history’s lingering shadows. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, staying in one of these hotels is bound to be an unforgettable experience.

Are you ready to book a stay and see for yourself? Or will you let these ghostly tales keep you up at night? Whatever your choice, these haunted hotels will continue to captivate and terrify those who cross their thresholds.