“Hotel rooms are just naturally creepy places. ... I mean, how many people have slept in that bed before you? How many of them were sick? How many were losing their minds? How many were perhaps thinking about reading a few final verses from the Bible in the drawer of the nightstand beside them and then hanging themselves in the closet beside the TV?” – Stephen King
5. Banff Springs in Alberta, Canada
A luxury hotel that opened to the public in 1888 and dubbed ‘The Castle of the Rockies’ and had many guests throughout the years including Marilyn Monroe and Queen Elizabeth II but apparently some of those guests never checked out. Within the hotel is a missing room, the number 873 and legend tells of a man who checked into it with his wife and young child before brutally murdered them and committing suicide.
The room has since been bricked up but people who stayed in the room prior to its sealing reported violent shrieks in the night and chambermaids repeatedly found bloody fingerprints on the bathroom mirrors, the family are said to still haunt the hallway the missing room is said to be found on. As well as these poor unfortunates there is the ghost of the bellman who assists guests, a spectral barman who encourages those who’ve had a little too much to go off to bed and the iconic phantom bride. The bride is said to be seen dancing alone in the ballroom or to be climbing the grand marble steps upon which she broke her neck.
4. The Queen Mary in California, USA
Resting majestically in Long Beach Harbor is the RMS Queen Mary, a ship that was bigger, faster and more powerful than the famous Titanic. Once a grand ocean liner, cruise ship and even a troopship during the Second World War, the vessel is now a luxury hotel and museum that attracts thousands of visitors a year and some of the unearthly ones have decided to stay. One of the biggest hotspots for paranormal activity aboard the ship is the swimming pool in first class, which although is no longer utilized today and has been closed for three decades, the spirits seem to be completely unaware of that fact.
Women in 1930’s swimming costumes are seen wandering the decks nearby and wet footprints leading toward the changing rooms, despite a notable absence of water. As well as this, there is the ghost of a young girl seen with a teddy bear and a lady in a white evening gown. In Cabin B340 there have also been a lot of paranormal reports, however this isn’t available for rent any longer. Whether this is to do with the experiences that have been reported there or for very different reasons, is not known.
3. The Stanley in Colorado, USA
Known to be the inspiration behind Stephen King’s The Shining, The Stanley Hotel was opened in 1909 as a secluded mountain resort by Massachusetts couple F.O. and Flora Stanley. Though it has been many years since The Stanley’s have passed, it’s said that the couple never actually left with Flora herself reportedly still playing the piano in the hotel’s music room. Long time staff at the Hotel confirm to the existence of at least 4 other ghosts that roam the corridors, halls and rooms: Elizabeth, Paul, Eddie and Lucy. Elizabeth Wilson was the chief housekeeper during an early summer storm in 1911, was injured in an explosion as she was lighting the acetylene lanterns in room 217. To this day takes special care of room 217’s guests, possibly even Stephen King who stayed in that very room.
Paul worked at The Stanley from 1995-2005 and died of a heart attack. He is heard to be saying ‘get out’ in the after hours, though it’s not clear if he is speaking to guests or to the ghost of Flora who is playing her piano. Lucy wanders the concert hall, tampering with the lights and she lightens the energy and mood of the room where she lingers. Eddie is the resident ladies man, known to stroke hair and kiss cheeks and is a bit of a prankster who interacts with guests. While staying at the hotel Stephen King is said to have encountered a young child, though there were no children visiting at that time. Many guests have reported items moved, luggage unpacked, and lights being turned on and off, this place has certainly earned its place on the list.
2. The Grand Hyatt in Taipei, Taiwan
Despite appearing the epitome of modern opulence, the Grand Hyatt has a dark past hidden behind the glamour. During the Second World War, the area where the hotel now stands was a prisoner of war camp and cemetery for those who were executed there and is said to still be haunted by those poor souls. Unlike the other hotels on the list, the Grand Hyatt does not capitalize on the gruesome horror of its past but it does not ignore it either.
During development of the building, feng shui experts were called in to help bring peace to the place; calligraphy scrolls were installed in strategic places to ward of spirits and if you visit you may notice the many amulets, wind chimes and religious texts to keep its otherworldly residents at bay. Don’t believe me? Just check Trip Advisor to see the many reviews from guests who’ve noticed an eerie presence. It’s even rumored that Jackie Chan encountered an apparition during his stay here and rapidly checked out at 3am, refusing to ever stay here again.
1. The Langham in London, England
The Langham is a luxurious 5 star hotel built in 1865, boasting nearly 500 rooms and suits it is often referred to as the ‘original grand hotel’. With a number of ghostly apparitions said to roam the halls, even some staff at the hotel avoid the third floor altogether and the infamous room 333 is said to house a ghost that once shook the bed so hard, the guest sleeping in it ran out of the hotel in the middle of the night. Some of the most famous specters include a silver-haired Victorian gentleman said to be a doctor who murdered his wife before killing himself on their honeymoon, he can be spotted in room 333 but only in the month of October.
Another is that of the German Prince, with closely cropped hair and sporting a military style jacket, it’s said he leapt to his death from a fourth-floor window and is frequently seen during the early morning hours walking through doors. It’s said that he’s the most active of their ghosts and he also has a penchant for room 333. As well as these, there’s the terrifying man with a gaping wound on his face who tends to stick to roaming the hallways, the bed tipper of room 333, the butler with holes in his socks and even Napoleon III (He was the first President of France to be elected by a direct popular vote) who likes to hang around in the basement.
Have you ever stayed in a haunted hotel room, have any good ghost stories of your own? Comment below!
Most Helpful Opinions