13 Of The Most Haunted Hotels In The World To Visit

Disclosure: Advertising and affiliate services, including Amazon Associates, help the cost of running my blog. Clicking ads or making purchases through affiliate links may, at no additional cost to you, earn me a small commission. I appreciate your support.

Tragic accidents, murder and people who loved a place so much they just didn’t want to leave. There are lots of reasons why ghosts may haunt somewhere. If you ever watched Casper, maybe you believe it’s because they have “unfinished business”. Or maybe being a ghost is just a heck of a lot of fun. Whatever the reason, we’re about to count down some of the most haunted hotels in the world. Are you scared yet?

Where to find the most haunted hotels in the world

Ever stay in a hotel and get this unsettling feeling you’re not alone? Wake up to strange goings on in the middle of the night? Well for anyone who loves a ghost story or two, these might be the hotels for you. Hotels that are so famously haunted that many of them have embraced the paranormal happenings. Find out what happened here and see if you’re brave enough to book a stay at one of the most haunted hotels in the world.

The Elms Hotel, Excelsior Springs Missouri, USA

Contributed by Alexa from Travel in Missouri

The Elms Hotel in Excelsior Springs dates back to the 1880s and is known as one of the most haunted hotels in Missouri. Two devastating fires destroyed The Elms in 1898 and then in 1910. Though no fatalities ever occurred in either fire, rumors have persisted that one of the spirits was involved in one of the fires. 

The hotel is said to have several ghosts and spirits that still roam the halls. The most haunted area in the hotel is believed to be the third floor. Here staff and guests have reported seeing an abundance of paranormal activity. 

People have reported seeing a woman who roams the halls looking for her child and a maid wearing a 1920s-style uniform.  Both women are said to play tricks on guests, such as pulling hair and moving or throwing items around. 

The Elms Hotel offers haunted tours so visitors can decide for themselves if it’s truly haunted.

The Fairmont Empress, Victoria, Canada

The Fairmont Empress is considered to be one of the most haunted hotels in the world. It has more than its fair share of supernatural residents who don’t want to ever leave the beautiful property. From the old lady searching for her room and vanishing before the elevator, to the hotel’s architect Sir Francis Rattenbury who often walks the halls.

In fact one of the chamber maids, who died by falling from the sixth floor, was so committed to her job there that she continues her cleaning duties even after death. I even had experiences of repeatedly waking up to my lamp turned on even though it was definitely off before sleep.

But a stay at The Empress is a must for any visitor to the quaint island city of Victoria, British Columbia. The grand hotel has fabulous restaurants, a regal afternoon tea, and one of the best views of the Victoria harbour. Don’t let the friendly ghosts put you off staying at this fabulous hotel.

Ballygally Castle Hotel, Larne, Northern Ireland

Contributed by Jackie from Jou Jou Travels

Ballygally Castle Hotel is located in Larne and is a great place to base yourself for a road trip through Northern Ireland. The views nearby are incredible as it sits on the Antrim Coast Road, and you can hear the peaceful ocean from your room.

The castle dates back to 1625 and is said to be one of the most haunted hotels in the world. It features a ghost room which guests can visit if they dare!

The reason it’s haunted is a former resident of the castle, Lady Isobella Shaw, was locked in a room by her husband without their child. When she tried to escape and find her son, she tragically fell out of the window. Since her death her ghost and presence has been felt in the many rooms guests stay in to this day. 

17Hundred90 Inn, Savannah, Georgia, USA

Contributed by Gabby from Office Escape Artist

Savannah, Georgia is often considered one of the most – if not the most – haunted cities in America. 17Hundred90 Inn, voted Savanah’s most haunted hotel, is therefore a hotel you absolutely must visit if you’re into the paranormal. The most haunted hotel in one of the most haunted cities – can you beat that?

17Hundred90 Inn reports that there are three ghosts present in the hotel, but the most prevalent is Anna. The story goes that Anna flung herself to her death from the third-floor window as she watched her sailor husband leave port. There’s another legend that she was pushed out the window by the husband. Regardless which story is true, Anna still haunts room 204 to this day. There is even a doll representing Anna in the window that you can see from the street!

Beyond the ghosts, the best amenity here is the on-site restaurant. The blue crab stew is out of this world (and a Savannah specialty). The location of the hotel also cannot be beaten – a quick walk away from the popular Mercer-Williams House and Forsyth Park, but tucked into a nice, quiet neighborhood. Book a haunted trolley tour of Savannah here.

Rataskaevu Residence, Tallinn, Estonia

With over 900 years of history, the medieval city of Tallinn has more than just a handful of ghosts. And while you can explore the narrow cobble-stoned streets and historical sites, there’s a hotel that has one of the city’s creepiest stories. One of the now most haunted hotels in the world was once visited by the Devil himself.

As the story goes, the Rataskaevu Residence in Old Town Tallinn was the site of the Devil’s wedding. The hotel owner was on the verge of suicide as his business was doing so badly. But then he received an offer of a large sum of money to rent out a room for a wedding. The only condition: absolute privacy. However one employee couldn’t help taking a peek into the room where he saw the Devil’s wedding party being held. He became gravely ill the next day.

The window is now bricked up with curtains painted on. Look up from the street and spot the fake window. Guests in this 15th Century building can sometimes hear noises of a party happening, even if they’re the only ones there. Check out this Estonian history, food and drinks tour.

Hotel Nacional, Havana, Cuba

Contributed by Carley from Home to Havana

Featured in countless movies about Cuba and a part of any Havana itinerary, the Hotel Nacional is undoubtedly the most historical hotel on the island. It is known for its beauty, history, and even its ghostly residents.

Legend has it that ghostly figures can be spotted roaming the hallways, especially on the first floor, at all hours of the day and night. Frank Sinatra’s ghost is even rumored to still be in residence here, after he visited the hotel to serenade a meeting of mafia bosses prior to the Cuban Revolution. Legend also has it that spirits move the antique hands that indicate the location of the elevators between floors.

Not only is the hotel supposedly haunted, but it is packed with the history of Cuba. It’s well worth a visit even if you’re not planning on staying here. The ballrooms and conference rooms, as well as the gardens, have hosted presidents, authors, and celebrities for generations. They are home to countless moments that have shaped the entire country. Make sure to visit for an evening drink overlooking the ocean to celebrate your time visiting Cuba. 

Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado, USA

Contributed by Megan from Red Around The World

The Stanley Hotel is on the edge of Estes Park, Colorado, just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s one of the most haunted hotels in the world, with plenty of spooky stories. It is probably most famous for being the inspiration of Stephen King’s horror novel The Shining.

If you’re just visiting for a day, or evening, you can do a Stanley Hotel ghost tour. They have more historic tours and family-friendly tours available during the day and slightly spookier tours available at night. Or go all out and spend the night in one of the haunted rooms (specifically mentioned on the hotel website). It’s a little pricier but the experience is probably worth it.

So, what makes the Stanley Hotel so haunted? An explosion in room 217, one of the most haunted rooms, almost killed a chambermaid, Elizabeth Wilson. But she survived and remained at the hotel until her death. And then she stuck around for good. 

The hotel doesn’t have a blood-filled history but it has plenty of permanent ghostly residents including Mr. Stanley himself. Most spirits remaining are probably there because they were happy while visiting, not because of tragedy. Either way, this is a hotel you should be sure to visit.

Grand Hyatt, Taipei, Taiwan

Contributed by Helen from Differentville.com

When you walk into the palatial lobby of the Grand Hyatt, your biggest fear may be the potential mini-bar bill. But this hotel, in the upmarket Xinyi district of Taipei, is also said to be haunted.

Rumour has it that it was built on an old prisoner-of-war camp where executions were conducted – something the staff say is incorrect. There are ghostly reports include people waking with strange scratches on their body – and others simply checking out in the middle of the night!

Spooks aside, the hotel’s big selling point is its location on the doorstep of the iconic Taipei 101. In fact many of its 850 rooms have skyscraper views. There’s a heated pool and nine restaurants on site at the hotel. And checking out the famous afternoon tea at Cha Lounge is one of the best things to do near Taipei 101.

When you do settle into your room at night, note, there’s a handy nightlight under the bedside table – just in case!

Banff Springs Hotel, Canada

Contributed by Cecily from Groovy Mashed Potatoes

In the Canadian Rockies sits the Fairmont Banff Springs, a gorgeous castle-like hotel surrounded by rugged peaks. Located just outside of Banff, the historic luxury hotel opened in 1888 and is said to have a haunted past. 

One tale is that a 1920s bride who tripped and fell down the stairs to her death has been seen roaming the halls of the hotel. A more sinister story is about missing room 873. Every floor has a room ending in “73” except for Floor 8. Rumor has it that a man went insane and killed his wife and children in that room. The story goes that room 873 then became so haunted that they had to board it up. 

If you’re not too spooked out, the Fairmont Banff Springs is one of the best hotels to stay at during your trip to Banff and Lake Louise. Enjoy marvelous views of the Rockies from your room and be sure to visit their world-class spa. The outdoor heated pool surrounded by the mountains is a real treat.

The Savoy, London, United Kingdom

With over 130 years of operation, it’s no wonder a ghost of two might be wandering the halls of this elegant central London hotel. As the country’s first luxury hotel everyone wanted to stay here. Over the years the hotel has been a good night’s sleep for everyone from Marilyn Monroe to Harry Truman and The Beatles. But then there are the guests that refuse to leave.

The creepiest of creepy ghosts for some reason are always little girl ghosts, and lucky for you The Savoy has its very own. The ghost is even known to operate a non-existing apparition of an elevator. If you ever get near room 502, maybe keep an eye out for her.

The Savoy is one of the nicest hotels in London to this day and you’ll be the envy of anyone by spending the night here. If you’re looking for the ultimate London hotel experience this will be hard to beat. As will the afternoon tea or a meal at Gordon Ramsay’s Savoy Grill. Looking for an evening activity? How about this haunted trolley tour.

Hotel del Coronado, San Diego, United States

Contributed by Katie from La Jolla Mom

San Diego’s most popular beach resort, Hotel del Coronado, is also the city’s most haunted. Kate Morgan checked into the hotel on Thanksgiving Day in 1892 to supposedly meet a lover who never showed up. After five days, she took her own life at the hotel and became known as “the beautiful stranger” as police sought for some time after her death to positively identify her.

Since then, paranormal activity has been witnessed around the hotel to this day — and professionally identified in what was her hotel room – from flickering lights to the inexplicable movement of items and then some. 

People check into the hotel now thanks to its haunting history and also because it happens to be perched on sparkling Coronado Beach, voted by multiple travel publications as one of the best in America.

It’s a full-service resort with a spa, multiple dining outlets, a main pool with cabanas, fire pit rooms, and a long roster of activities sure to make your California beach vacation a hit no matter your age.

Crag Hotel, Penang, Malaysia

Contributed by Marco from Penang Insider

The Crag Hotel is the most famous haunted hotel in Malaysia. And its ghostly reputation has certainly helped in keeping it abandoned for many years. The hotel, dating back to 1895, is set on a less-visited part of the popular Penang Hill.

It was built in by Iranian-Armenian architects, the Sarkies Brothers, famous for having built four of Southeast Asia’s most celebrated colonial hotels. The Raffles in Singapore, the Strand in Yangon, the Eastern & Oriental, and the Crag Hotel on Penang island in Malaysia.

The haunted hotel reputation unleashed upon the Crag after it stayed empty since 1977. A visit today (which can be done on foot once you reach the top of Penang Hill) shows a cluster of colonial buildings that still conserve their original furnishings and shape, but lay abandoned.

Plans to turn it into a super-swanky six-star resort, the Aman Crag have yet to be realized. With this location and views, however, the Crag Hotel will be a hit whenever it will eventually reopen. 

Abandoned Hotel, Koh Tao, Thailand

Contributed by Victoria from Guide Your Travel

Koh Tao, one of Thailand’s most beautiful islands, is home to a mysterious abandoned building that used to be a high-end resort. If urban exploring is something you enjoy this is an absolute must-see! It’s unclear why the resort was abandoned but it seems to have been operating until early 2013. Nature soon took over and today it’s being swallowed up by the jungle.

The location of the resort is quite remote so it hasn’t become a mainstream tourist location just yet. You can either get there by hiking through the jungle for around an hour or going to Tanote Beach and renting a kayak. It takes less than 20 minutes to paddle to the resort and on calm days it’s easily manageable. The resort has a private beach where you can leave your kayak.

It’s a spooky place but some backpackers do choose to camp here overnight. If you don’t mind the empty rooms, dubious graffiti and that eerie feeling it’s definitely an experience. However, the views from the resort are still picturesque and absolutely beautiful.

Would you stay in the most haunted hotels in the world?

Chances are if you’re reading this you’re at least a little curious. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, there’s no doubt there’s something a little bit different about these hotels. But with the exception of the two abandoned resorts, you’ll hopefully still get a really good night sleep in any of these hotels.

At the very least the history of some of these incredible properties is fascinating. Well worth checking out if you can, even if just for a flying visit. And I’m sure you’ll get a lot of respect from your friends for staying in some of these hotels…if you manage to stay the whole night!

If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Would you staying any of these most haunted hotels in the world? Which one sounds the spookiest to you?