8 Most Haunted Hotels in the US – Nine, Ten, Never Sleep Again

Visiting the most haunted hotels in the U.S. is best done during the fall season. There's something about the shorter days, the fall foliage, and Halloween that bring out the spooky vibes in just about everything.

As a child, did you ever look into the mirror and say "Bloody Mary" three times? Yeah, you probably won't want to do that at one of these eight haunted hotels unless you're looking to summon the ghost of Bloody Mary.

Are you brave enough to spend a night in one of America's most haunted hotels? From Civil War ghosts to jilted lovers, these historic establishments offer more than just a comfortable bed – they promise an unforgettable, possibly sleepless, night. Join us as we explore the 8 most haunted hotels in the US, perfect for your next paranormal adventure.

Why Visit Haunted Hotels?

Staying in one of the most haunted hotels in the US offers a unique blend of history, mystery, and adventure. Whether you're a paranormal enthusiast or just looking for a thrilling experience, these hotels provide:

• A glimpse into America's rich and sometimes dark history
• Opportunities to potentially witness unexplained phenomena
• Unique stories to share with friends and family
• A chance to challenge your beliefs about the supernatural

Now, let's dive into our list of the 8 most haunted hotels in the US.

1. Marshall House Hotel - Savannah, GA

Built in 1851 by Mary Marshall, the Marshall House stands as a testament to Savannah's rich and sometimes dark history. During the Civil War, the hotel served as a Union hospital, witnessing countless deaths and amputations. Legend has it that during a particularly cold winter in the 1860s, doctors were forced to bury amputated limbs beneath the floorboards due to frozen ground outside.

Ghostly Encounters

Guests and staff have reported numerous paranormal activities:

• Sightings of Civil War soldiers, including a one-armed Union soldier in the lobby
• Mysterious stretchers carrying invisible bodies
• Unexplained touches in the night
• Flickering lights and spontaneously operating faucets
• Slamming doors and rattling doorknobs
• Sounds of children playing (when no children are present)

The Wine Social: Liquid Courage or Southern Hospitality?

Each evening, the Marshall House hosts a complimentary wine social for guests. While officially touted as a display of Southern charm, some speculate it's to help calm the nerves of those anticipating a ghostly encounter.

👻🏨 The Marshall House > Check Availability

Eliza Thompson "Haunted House" - Alternative

Visitors to Savannah, who are not able to find occupancy in the Marshall House, may also enjoy staying at the Eliza Thompson "Haunted" House. Guests frequently see a girl in a white dress walking down the hallways or hearing children playing in the hallway, with their voices echoing throughout the expansive bed and breakfast. Here's the only problem with that—children are not allowed in this adults-only historic inn. Goosebumps!

👻🏨 Eliza Thompson House > Check Availability

😱 Scary Savannah Ghost Tours: History & Haunts Candlelit Walking Ghost Tour or the Haunted Ghost and Pub Walking Tour

2. Cosmopolitan Hotel - San Diego, CA

The Cosmopolitan Hotel, built in 1829, is one of San Diego's oldest structures. Originally constructed by Juan Bandini, it was later converted into a hotel by Albert Steeley in 1869, becoming a stop along his stagecoach route.

Ghostly Residents

Room 11

• Doors open and close randomly
• Objects move on their own
• Lights turn on and off unexpectedly
• Believed to be haunted by Juan Bandini's daughter

Rooms 4 & 5

• Home to the "Lady in Red," a ghostly figure believed to be a former lady of the night
• Furniture mysteriously rearranges itself

Paranormal Investigations

The Cosmopolitan Hotel has been featured on popular ghost-hunting shows including "Ghost Adventures" - Season 5, Episode 7.

👻🏨 Cosmopolitan Hotel > Check Availability

😱 Scary San Diego Ghost Tour: Haunted San Diego Ghost Tour

3. Vrooman Mansion - Bloomington, IL

With a noble past, the Scott-Vrooman Mansion, built in 1869, was once home to Julia Scott Vrooman, a wealthy socialite who dedicated her life to serving her country. During the 1918 influenza pandemic, Julia opened her home as a makeshift hospital and later housed WWII soldiers.

Subtle Supernatural Presence

While the Vrooman Mansion doesn't have a history of dramatic paranormal activity, many guests report:

• Feeling the presence of past occupants
• Unexplained noises coming from the walls
• A sense of being watched in certain rooms

Most properties with this amount of historical significance function only as a museum. However, today the gorgeous estate operates as a bed and breakfast. Guests can experience Julia Scott-Vrooman’s luxurious lifestyle by overnighting in one of the mansion’s many rooms.

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Overnight guests can enjoy:

• Luxurious Victorian-era accommodations
• Access to common areas where spirits are said to roam
• A chance to connect with the spiritual essence of the house

At night, overnight guests are welcome to enjoy the property. We recommend sipping on a cocktail while quietly taking in the presence of the space. While enjoying the home, be open to the spiritual world that may be sharing the common space with you.

👻🏨 Vrooman Mansion > Check Availability

😱 Scary Bloomington Ghost Tour: David Davis Mansion State Historic Site

Another good option to visit in Illinois is the Desoto House in Galena.

Desoto House Hotel in Galena, IL - Alternative

With just a few thousand residents, it may be surprising that both locals and paranormal experts claim that Galena is one of Illinois’ most ghostly towns. One property that offers a significant number of apparition sightings is the DeSoto House in Galena, Illinois.

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Opened in 1855, and hosting guests ever since, the hotel claims to be the oldest operating hotel in the state. Therefore, the property has a long history of tragedies and hauntings. In fact, the first reports of paranormal activity began in the 1880s when both employees and guests began witnessing “the lady in black” walking down staircases and disappearing into a wall.

If you’re a skeptic, consider that in July 2011 a flood forced the hotel to make repairs. When they removed the drywall they discovered an open passage that used to be an old doorway. This is the exact spot where the lady in black is often seen disappearing into the wall. Today, it remains open for visitor viewing, and a plaque documents the hotel’s spooky events. Still not a believer?

👻🏨 Desoto House Hotel > Check Availability

😱 Scary Galena Ghost Tour: The Haunted Galena Tour Company

4. Hotel Alex Johnson - Rapid City, SD

Hotel Alex Johnson opened in 1928, one year before work began on Mt. Rushmore. Named after its founder Alex Carlton Johnson, it was designed to blend Native American and Germanic cultures. Today, it's not just known for its unique architecture, but also for its ghostly inhabitants.

Spectral Residents

The Lady in White (Room 812)

• Believed to be a bride who allegedly committed suicide in the 1970s
• Seen wandering the 8th floor
• Guests report dresser drawers turned upside down overnight

The Giggling Girl

• Heard laughing in the hallways
• Known to knock on doors at night, only to disappear

Alex Johnson Himself

• Spotted strolling through the hotel
• Believed to be watching over his beloved establishment

Paranormal Investigations

The hotel has been featured on "Ghost Hunters" - Season 7, Episode 5.

👻🏨 Hotel Alex Johnson > Check Availability

😱 Scary Rapid City Ghost Tour: The Northern Black Hills Adventure

5. Omni Parker House - Boston, MA

The Omni Parker House, located in Boston's historic district, has been a landmark since 1855. Its proximity to King's Chapel cemetery and its long history make it a hotspot for paranormal activity.

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Ghostly Occurrences

Third Floor

• Ghost of Charles Dickens seen in mirrors
• Room 303 (now a storage closet) known for extreme paranormal activity
• Elevators stop without being called

9th and 10th Floors

• Sightings of Harvey Parker, the hotel's founder, in a stovetop hat
• Orbs of light and unexplained loud noises

Famous Guests

• Charles Dickens resided here for five months in 1867-1868
• John F. Kennedy announced his candidacy for Congress at the hotel

👻🏨 Omni Parker House > Check Availability

😱 Scary Boston Ghost Tour: Ghosts & Gravestones Night-Time Trolley Tour

6. Pfister Hotel - Milwaukee, WI

The Pfister Hotel once labeled the "Grand Hotel of the West," is known for its opulent decor and extensive art collection. However, it's the hotel's spectral residents that have made it infamous among professional athletes..

Paranormal Experiences

• Professional sports teams have removed the hotel from their list of accommodations due to ghostly encounters
• Players report seeing apparitions, objects moving on their own, and electrical anomalies
• Some athletes sleep with baseball bats for protection against supernatural entities

Theories

Some paranormal investigators believe the Pfister Hotel may be a gateway to the spiritual world, explaining the high level of ghostly activity.

👻🏨 The Pfister Hotel > Check Availability

😱 Scary Milwaukee Ghost Tour: Milwaukee Ghost Walks

7. Copper Queen Hotel - Bisbee, Arizona

The Copper Queen Hotel offers guests the unique opportunity to stay in one of three known haunted rooms, each with its own supernatural resident.

The Haunted Rooms

315 - The Julia Lowell Room

• Haunted by Julia, a prostitute who ended her life in the room after being rejected by her love
• Featured on "Ghost Adventures" and "Ghost Hunters"

401 - The No Name Room

• Visited by an older gentleman who leaves behind the scent of cigars

412 - The Billy Room

• Haunted by Billy, a young boy who drowned in the San Pedro River

Celebrity Guests

The hotel has hosted numerous celebrities over the years, adding to its allure and mystique.

👻🏨 Copper Queen Hotel > Check Availability

😱 Scary Bisbee Ghost Tour: Dead Men's Tales Walking Ghost Tour or Bullets and Bordellos Ghost Tour

8. The Myrtles Plantation - St. Francisville, Louisiana

The Myrtles Plantation, located near Baton Rouge, is infamous for its turbulent history and numerous reported hauntings. With over 200 years of history, including multiple deaths and alleged murders, it's no wonder the plantation is considered one of the most haunted places in America.

Notable Ghosts

William Winter

• The only historically documented murder on the plantation
• Footsteps are often heard on the stairway where he died

Chloe

• A former slave who allegedly poisoned the plantation owner's children
• Often seen wearing a green turban

The Children

• Handprints of children have been seen in mirrors throughout the house

Paranormal Activity

Over 1,000 ghostly encounters have been reported in the last decade alone, ranging from apparitions to unexplained sounds and sensations.

👻🏨 The Myrtles Plantation > Check Availability

😱 Scary New Orleans Ghost Tour: New Orleans #1 Haunted Ghost, Voodoo, & Vampire Tour

You're right to ask about the tone. Let me adjust it to better match the spooky and adventurous vibe of the rest of the text:

These eight haunted hotels offer more than just a place to sleep – they provide a chilling chance to walk through history and maybe encounter the paranormal. Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, a stay at one of these eerie establishments is sure to leave you with spine-tingling stories that you'll be telling for years to come.

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