5 of the most haunted hotels in America to visit if you dare

A hotel stay is supposed to offer a comfortable bed, a little peace and quiet, and a place to recharge before the next day’s adventures. But at some historic hotels across the U.S., the stories that follow guests to their rooms are a lot harder to sleep through. From mysterious figures in empty hallways to unexplained noises and objects that seem to move on their own, these properties have built reputations for paranormal activity.

According to a roundup from Reader’s Digest, some of the legends are tied to former guests who supposedly never left, while others involve buildings with long histories, including former hospitals, grand resorts, and hotels that once served very different purposes. Their reported hauntings have become part of what makes them memorable destinations, drawing curious travelers who want a little history with their overnight stay — and perhaps a ghost story to take home.

Of course, reports of hauntings are not proof of the supernatural. But whether you’re a committed ghost hunter or simply enjoy a spooky travel story, these hotels offer plenty of atmosphere. One has a famously haunted room, another is associated with a mysterious woman in pink, and a historic Arkansas property has even earned the nickname “America’s Most Haunted Hotel.”

If you’re planning a Halloween getaway or just want to add an unusual stop to your travel bucket list, these five hotels offer a glimpse into some of the country’s most enduring ghost stories. Just remember: you may be checking in for one night, but according to the legends, some of the other guests never checked out.

Here are five of the most haunted hotels in America. 

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In Eureka Springs, Arkansas, the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa has earned the nickname “America’s Most Haunted Hotel.” Its spooky reputation is tied to stories of unexplained activity throughout the historic property, including reports connected to guest room 218.

According to Reader’s Digest, an Irish stonemason fell to his death while the hotel was being built in the 1880s. The room now known as 218 is said to be particularly active, with guests reporting strange sights and sounds. Some claim to have seen hands emerge from the bathroom mirror, while others describe hearing the sound of a falling man from the ceiling. There are also stories of doors opening and slamming shut, sometimes leaving guests unable to open them again.

The reports have attracted more than curious overnight visitors. Room 218 has reportedly drawn television film crews interested in documenting the alleged paranormal activity. Hotel staff have also used the name “Michael” when referring to the entity believed to be associated with the room.

The stories are part of the hotel’s identity, making it a destination for travelers who enjoy combining historic accommodations with a dose of the unexplained. Whether you believe the tales or simply appreciate a property with a dramatic past, the Crescent Hotel offers no shortage of ghost-story material.

If you’re considering a stay, the room at the center of the legends is the obvious one to ask about. Just be prepared for a night in which every creak or unexpected noise might inspire a second look.

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The Omni Grove Park Inn sits in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina, where guests have reported sightings of a ghost known as the Pink Lady. The apparition is described as a young woman in Victorian clothing surrounded by a pink mist, and her story has become one of the inn’s best-known legends.

According to Reader’s Digest, the woman is believed to have been a guest at the inn during the 1920s. The story says she fell to her death in the Palm Court, and some believe her spirit still wanders the area. The reports have given the historic resort a ghost story that stands apart from the usual tales of mysterious footsteps and unexplained noises.

The inn has even found a lighthearted way to acknowledge its famous spectral guest: the Great Hall Bar serves a Pink Lady cocktail. It’s a playful nod to the legend for visitors who would rather enjoy a drink than spend the evening searching the hallways for a ghost.

The setting adds to the atmosphere. Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, the property offers a historic getaway with a story that may appeal to travelers who enjoy a little mystery alongside their mountain views. You don’t have to believe in ghosts to appreciate how a local legend can become part of a hotel’s character.

Still, if you visit, keep an eye out around the Palm Court. According to the stories, the Pink Lady may be one of the inn’s most famous guests — even if she never appears on the reservation list.

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New Orleans is famous for its history and ghost stories, so it’s fitting that Hotel Monteleone has developed a haunted reputation of its own. Guests and staff have reportedly experienced strange happenings throughout the property, from a locked restaurant door that opens and closes to an elevator that stops on the wrong floor.

The unsettling part, according to Reader’s Digest, is what some visitors say happens after the elevator opens. They describe stepping into a chilly hallway where ghostly images of children appear to be playing. Other reported sightings include former hotel employees and a man named William “Red” Wildemere, who died at the hotel of natural causes.

One of the hotel’s most touching legends concerns a toddler named Maurice Begere. The child reportedly died at the hotel, and his grieving parents returned repeatedly in the hope of seeing him again. The story says Maurice eventually appeared to his mother to comfort her. Guests have since reported seeing him near the room where he died.

In March 2003, the International Society for Paranormal Research spent several days investigating the hotel. The group reported making contact with more than a dozen entities, adding another chapter to the property’s collection of paranormal claims.

Of course, an elevator stopping on an unexpected floor or a door moving on its own can have ordinary explanations. But Hotel Monteleone’s combination of historic surroundings and persistent ghost stories has made it one of New Orleans’ most talked-about haunted hotels.

For travelers who like their city breaks with a little supernatural intrigue, it offers plenty to wonder about after dark.

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The Read House Hotel in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is best known among ghost-story enthusiasts for the legend surrounding room 311. The room is said to be haunted by a woman named Annalisa Netherly, whose story has become part of the hotel’s reputation.

According to Reader’s Digest, the details of Netherly’s life are hazy, and several versions of her story circulate. The most familiar account describes her as a woman who worked as a prostitute in Chattanooga during the 1920s and 1930s and stayed in room 311 for an extended period. The legend holds that she died in the room.

That history has helped turn room 311 into the focal point of the hotel’s haunted reputation. For some travelers, a room with a ghost story attached is a reason to request it; for others, the idea might be enough to ask for a different part of the building. Either way, the legend gives the property a story that curious guests may want to hear before checking in.

As with many haunted-hotel tales, the uncertainty surrounding the details is part of the mystery. The story has endured even though the account of who Netherly was and how she came to be associated with the room is not entirely clear.

If you’re passing through Chattanooga and enjoy historic hotels with a spooky reputation, the Read House offers a reason to ask about its most talked-about room. You may not encounter anything unusual during your stay, but you’ll have a ghost story ready to share when you get home.

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The Hotel Alex Johnson in Rapid City, South Dakota, has long been associated with reports of paranormal activity. Among the figures said to haunt the property are a “lady in white” and the ghost of Alex Johnson himself. Guests and employees have described everything from unexplained noises to flickering lights and water turning on unexpectedly.

The hotel’s reputation is strong enough that its front desk staff reportedly keeps a “ghost journal,” where visitors can record experiences they can’t explain. Guests can also request ghost tours, giving curious travelers a way to explore the stories associated with the building.

According to Reader’s Digest, the hotel’s reported activity has attracted attention beyond its own guests. The SyFy Channel’s “Ghost Hunters” visited Rapid City to film a segment at the property, and the investigators reported experiencing significant paranormal activity throughout the hotel.

That combination of visitor accounts, staff stories and television interest has helped establish the Hotel Alex Johnson as a destination for people fascinated by haunted places. The ghost journal is especially appealing for travelers who want to compare their experiences with those of people who have stayed there before.

Of course, strange sounds and flickering lights don’t necessarily point to anything supernatural. But for visitors who enjoy a good mystery, the chance to read other guests’ accounts — and perhaps add one of their own — can be part of the appeal.

If your ideal hotel stay includes historic character and a possible ghost story, this Rapid City property belongs on your list. Just remember to leave a little room in the journal for whatever you think you experienced.