Hotels are places where travelers come and go, but some guests never leave. Across America, a handful of historic properties carry with them tales of tragic deaths, mysterious apparitions, and eerie encounters that continue to chill visitors long after checkout.
From a Tennessee hotel room haunted by a jealous lover’s victim, to a Colorado lodge that inspired Stephen King’s The Shining, these are six of the most spine-tingling hotels in the United States. Book at your own risk.
1. The Read House Hotel – Chattanooga, Tennessee
Dating back to 1872, The Read House is the oldest continuously operating hotel in the Southeast. Step inside and you’re greeted by glittering chandeliers, marble floors, and Art Deco glamour — but behind the elegance lurks a darker story.
Room 311 is said to be home to the spirit of Annalisa Netherly, a woman allegedly murdered by a jealous lover in the bathtub in 1927. Guests claim to hear taps turning on by themselves, lights flickering, and footsteps in the night. Shadowy figures sometimes appear without explanation.
The hotel recently restored Room 311 to its original 1920s style, complete with a clawfoot tub, vintage radio, and old-fashioned key lock. Brave travelers can spend the night — or request a quick tour if sleeping there feels a step too far.
2. The Hay-Adams – Washington, D.C.
Just a stone’s throw from the White House, The Hay-Adams is known for luxury, history, and a ghostly presence. Built in 1928 on the site of the former homes of John Hay and Henry Adams, the hotel has long been linked to Marian “Clover” Hooper Adams, Henry’s wife.
Clover took her own life in 1885, ingesting cyanide after the death of her father. Guests and staff report that her spirit lingers, with stories of chandeliers swaying, unexplained crying, and even faint whiffs of almonds — a haunting nod to the chemical that ended her life.
She is said to be especially active during early December, when her presence is most often felt. For those intrigued by the paranormal, this D.C. landmark offers both high-end service and an unsettling brush with the past.
3. 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa – Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Often called “America’s Most Haunted Hotel,” the 1886 Crescent Hotel has seen more than its share of tragedy. In the 1930s, it was transformed into a sham cancer hospital by conman Norman Baker, who posed as a doctor and preyed on desperate patients.
Guests today report seeing Baker himself wandering the lobby in his trademark white suit and purple shirt. Another well-known spirit is Theodora, a former patient who tidies rooms and even stacks coins left on tables.
The hotel leans into its reputation, offering nightly ghost tours and even a cocktail named after Theodora. Visitors come as much for the atmosphere as for the spa services, hoping for a glimpse of its spectral residents.
4. The Stanley Hotel – Estes Park, Colorado
Perched in the Rockies, The Stanley Hotel is legendary in the world of haunted travel. Built in 1909 as a luxury mountain retreat, it’s forever tied to Stephen King, who stayed here in 1974. His unnerving experience in Room 217 inspired The Shining.
Among its resident spirits is Elizabeth Wilson, a chambermaid injured in a gas explosion in the very same room. Guests report her unpacking their bags or creating an icy presence between unmarried couples. Other hot spots include the fourth floor, once the servants’ quarters, where children’s laughter and ghostly footsteps are often heard.
The Stanley has embraced its eerie reputation with nightly tours and paranormal events, making it one of the most famous haunted hotels in America.
5. Omni William Penn Hotel – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
This 1916 hotel may be elegant, but beneath its grandeur lie chilling tales. Author Ruth Harkness, who brought the first live panda to the U.S. in the 1940s, died here in 1947. Guests and staff have since reported seeing her apparition — sometimes accompanied by the ghostly image of a panda.
The Omni is also said to host the spirits of a traveling salesman, a bootlegger, and a guest who died by suicide in the 1920s. Perhaps most unsettling are the elevators, which are known to skip certain floors or refuse to open without reason.
It’s a hotel where the living and the departed seem to ride side by side.
6. The Elms Hotel & Spa – Excelsior Springs, Missouri
The Elms, a stately retreat that once hosted Al Capone and President Harry Truman, hides a haunted lap pool. Legend says a Prohibition-era gambler drowned here, and his spirit still lingers, watching over swimmers.
Guests have also spotted a spectral maid in a 1920s uniform, said to patrol the halls. The hotel embraces these tales with a “Paranormal Experience Package,” which includes a guided night tour through its historic passages and hidden rooms.
Rather than fearing its ghosts, The Elms has made them part of its charm.
Final Check-In
From Tennessee to Missouri, these hotels blend history, luxury, and mystery. Each offers more than a comfortable bed — they promise the possibility of an encounter you won’t forget. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, one thing is certain: at these hotels, not every guest checks out.
