Ghostly getaways: Haunted inns and B&Bs for a chilling stay
If you’re drawn to old creaky staircases, candlelit hallways, and the thrill of a good ghost story, haunted inns and bed and breakfasts might be your kind of getaway. Across the country, historic lodgings carry traces of their past guests, some of whom never really checked out. From eerie Victorian manors to seaside inns known for their spectral residents, these places offer both comfort and a haunting sense of mystery. Here are a few unforgettable stays that might keep you up at night.
1. The Stanley Hotel, Colorado
You’ve probably heard of this one. The Stanley Hotel inspired Stephen King’s “The Shining,” and it lives up to the legend. Guests report ghostly piano music in the empty ballroom, laughter in deserted corridors, and flickering lights that seem to have a will of their own. The hotel embraces its spooky reputation with nightly tours that dig into its haunted past. Even if you don’t spot a spirit, the setting alone surrounded by misty mountains and moonlit silence feels charged with energy. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, one night here guarantees a story worth retelling.
2. Queen Mary Hotel, California
This retired ocean liner now rests permanently as a hotel, but it hasn’t quite left its sea stories behind. Once known for its wartime service and luxury cruises, the Queen Mary carries echoes of its turbulent history. Guests in the first class swimming pool area have reported phantom footsteps, sudden cold spots, and the sound of splashing water from an empty pool. The ship’s engine room, where a tragic accident once occurred, is considered the most haunted area of all. Staying aboard feels like sleeping inside a ghost story that never ended.
3. The Myrtles Plantation, Louisiana
The Myrtles Plantation is often called one of the most haunted homes in America, and many visitors say it earns that title. Built in the late 1700s, it’s rumored to sit on top of an ancient burial ground, and stories of former enslaved workers and tragic family deaths fill its history. The most famous ghost, Chloe, is said to roam the house wearing a green turban. Guests have captured mysterious figures in photos and heard children’s laughter echo through the halls. Despite the chills, the property’s oak-lined grounds and southern charm make it hauntingly beautiful.
4. The 1886 Crescent Hotel, Arkansas
Perched high on a mountain, the Crescent Hotel has seen it all from elegant parties to questionable medical experiments. Once operated as a hospital in the 1930s by a man posing as a doctor, it’s no surprise guests have reported strange figures in the halls and unexplained voices in old treatment rooms. Room 218 is especially notorious for ghostly knocks and flickering lights. You can take a nightly ghost tour or simply sit in the lobby and watch the shadows stretch across the floor. It’s eerie, yes, but fascinating.
5. The Marshall House, Georgia
The Marshall House offers history layered with mystery. During the Civil War, it served as a hospital, and many say those long ago patients never left. Guests sometimes wake to the sound of footsteps in empty halls or feel a sudden drop in temperature. The staff handles it all with grace, sharing stories that make you both shiver and smile. Despite its ghostly reputation, the hotel’s antique decor and warm Southern hospitality balance the chills with genuine comfort, making it one of the more inviting haunted stays you’ll find.
6. The Hawthorne Hotel, Massachusetts
Right in the heart of Salem, this hotel fits perfectly into the city’s witchy legacy. Guests have long reported seeing ghostly figures in mirrors, unexplained drafts, and lights that flicker in rhythm with unseen footsteps. Rooms 325 and 612 are the most talked about, each with its own share of strange activity. Staff members say they’ve learned to live with the spirits, and guests seem to enjoy the blend of elegance and eerie charm. Staying here feels like walking through a living chapter of Salem’s haunted past.
7. The Jerome Grand Hotel, Arizona
Once a hospital serving the mining town of Jerome, this hotel has a reputation that matches its imposing hillside presence. Guests often hear hospital gurneys rolling down the halls or the distant ring of a long disconnected elevator bell. Room 32 is said to be the most haunted, where a former maintenance man met a mysterious end. Today, the hotel welcomes ghost hunters and curious travelers alike. Between the creaks, whispers, and sudden cold spots, you’ll find a haunting atmosphere that’s hard to forget.
