The Hollywood Roosevelt, Hollywood, CA. Photo: The Hollywood Roosevelt

If you love ghost stories, buckle up 👻

To celebrate the spooky month of October, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite historic hotels on Opulist that happen to be linked to haunted histories (allegedly) based on tales and sightings passed down through staff and guests, so enjoy this journey through cheeky and creepy ghost stories.

“A hotel is only as good as its ghosts. Tell me who haunts you and I’ll tell you who you are. Tell me whose memories are preserved within your walls and black marble floors and I will tell you what you are worth.” Bernard-Henri Lévy

Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, Riverside, CA

The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa is said to be haunted by the spirits of Frank Miller and his sister Alice, who once lived on the property. Alice’s presence is often felt in her former room on the fourth floor, where guests report cold spots, apparitions, and even her singing, while Frank's spirit is sensed in his room on the same floor.

The hotel's catacombs, originally used for smuggling alcohol during Prohibition, have a dark history and are rumored to stretch all the way to Mt. Rubidoux or a lost Chinatown, adding to the eerie atmosphere of the Mission Inn.

Other haunted areas include the Bridal Honeymoon Suite, where guests have been pushed down the staircase, and Room 215, where floating blue lights have been seen. The Mission Dining Room and Rotunda are also sites of ghostly sightings and unexplained cold spots.

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The US Grant, San Diego, CA

Opened in 1910 by Ulysses S. Grant Jr., The US Grant is said to be haunted by the ghost of his wife, Fannie, who passed away shortly after its opening. Guests have reported seeing her apparition in a white dress wandering the halls.

Other mysterious happenings have been reported at the hotel, including a man sometimes appearing briefly at the foot of a guest’s bed in rooms on the 5th floor, lights flickering throughout the hotel, and even items disappearing immediately after someone sets them down in the ballroom.

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The Whitney & Ghost Bar, Detroit, MI

While not a hotel, The Whitney, a grand mansion was built by David Whitney Jr. for his wife, Flora, who tragically passed away before its completion. He remarried Flora’s sister, Sara, and together they moved into the house with their children. However, Flora’s grieving spirit is said to haunt the third-floor lounge.

David Whitney Jr. passed away in the mansion in 1900, and his ghost is often seen near the third-floor Ghost Bar. Sara Whitney’s spirit is believed to reside in the basement after she passed in 1917.

The mansion has a haunted history, with period-clothed apparitions seen throughout, including in the elevator. The carriage house is also haunted by David and Flora’s daughter Grace and a menacing nurse with hollow eyes.

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Hotel del Coronado, San Diego, CA

Kate Morgan checked into Hotel del Coronado in 1892 and never checked out. After being jilted by her lover or husband, she took her own life in the hotel. Her spirit is said to linger in her former guestroom, Room 3327, and many have reported seeing her lovesick figure wandering the hotel’s grounds. Her ghostly antics include unpacking suitcases, leaving guests’ clothes strewn all over the room.

The resort’s gift shop, established in 1888, has seen its fair share of paranormal activity, with objects flying off shelves and walls.

Room 3519 is another hotspot for ghost hunters,as it’s believed to be haunted by a young maid who hung herself there. Guests and staff members throughout the hotel have reported mysterious temperature changes, disembodied voices, footsteps, and the sensation of unseen hands touching them.

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The Hollywood Roosevelt, Hollywood, CA

The Hollywood Roosevelt is known for its famous ghostly residents, including Marilyn Monroe, whose reflection is often seen in mirrors, and Montgomery Clift, who haunts Room 928, playing his trumpet and interacting with guests. Other reports include a young girl named Caroline searching for her mother, shadowy figures, and mysterious music, making the hotel one of the most haunted locations in Los Angeles.

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The Georgian Hotel, Santa Monica, CA

The Georgian Hotel staff often receive phone calls from empty rooms, and guests have found their belongings mysteriously unpacked and put away. It's believed that these spirits are former tenants from when the hotel was a long-term apartment building.

The speakeasy is the favorite hot spot for the ghosts, especially after hours or early morning. Loud sighs and odd noises have no explanation. Some mornings the smell of cooking eggs and bacon wafts out of the kitchen before the burners are even turned on. Others have heard a disembodied voice say “Good Morning!”

The ghosts at The Georgian Hotel are known for their subtle presence, whispering in the halls and flickering lights in rooms. Guests have reported cold spots in elevators and sightings of Clark Gable's ghost, who is said to take the elevator to the 8th floor monthly.

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The Carlyle Hotel, New York City, NY

The Carlyle Hotel is rumored to be haunted by the spirits of famous figures like Tennessee Williams and Mark Twain, adding to its star-studded legacy. The ghosts of celebrities such as the Kennedys, Marilyn Monroe, Truman Capote, Elizabeth Taylor, and Hunter S. Thompson are also said to linger in the hotel's halls.

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The Driskill Hotel, Austin, TX

The Driskill Hotel is said to be haunted by several spirits, including Samantha, a young girl who allegedly fell to her death on the grand staircase, and Colonel Jesse Driskill, whose presence is marked by the smell of cigar smoke.

Other ghostly residents include Peter Lawless, a former long-term guest, and a jilted bride who is said to have taken her own life in Room 525. The hotel's connection to a sacred Native American spring is also thought to enhance its paranormal activity.

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The Hotel Chelsea, New York City, NY

Mary is a Victorian spirit who haunts the fifth floor of The Hotel Chelsea. A Titanic survivor who tragically lost her husband, Mary ended her life in the hotel, overwhelmed by grief. Today, she is often seen at the western end of the building, gazing at her reflection in mirrors, which has earned her the reputation of the Vain Ghost.

Larry the Hipster is another ghostly presence at The Hotel Chelsea, known for his cryptic messages about the hotel's unique energy. He claims that while everything inside the Chelsea is real, the outside world is merely an illusion, and hints at a mysterious power beneath the hotel that predates its existence. Larry emphasizes that at the Chelsea, it’s not just about the art but also about how one lives their life within its walls.

It is said to be haunted by several spirits, including Nadia, a young artist who allegedly jumped to her death after a failed marriage.

Sid Vicious, accused of murdering his girlfriend, is also believed to roam the halls, while Dylan Thomas, the writer who died in Room 206 in 1953, continues to be a ghostly presence within the hotel.

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Hotel Jerome, Aspen, CO

Katie Kerrigan, a 16-year-old chambermaid, died after a cruel prank led to her falling into a frozen pond. Her ghost now haunts Hotel Jerome, playing tricks on the staff, turning on the heat, and unsettling guests by adjusting bed covers on the third floor.

The ghost of a 10-year-old boy, known as Water Boy, is said to haunt Room 310, which overlooks the pool where he drowned in 1936. In 1988, a guest saw a shivering boy wrapped in a towel, who vanished, leaving behind wet footprints. His eerie presence is captured in a painting on display at the hotel.

In 1889, Henry O'Callister found both fortune and love in Aspen, Colorado, only to lose his beloved Clarissa Wellington due to her family's disapproval. Heartbroken, Henry died in despair, and his spirit is said to linger in the hotel, with guests often hearing his sorrowful cries echoing in the halls.

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As you plan your next adventure, consider adding one of these haunted hotels to your travel itinerary. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or just curious about the stories that linger within these historic walls, these destinations offer more than just a luxurious stay—they provide a unique glimpse into the past, where mystery and elegance meet. Who knows, maybe you’ll even have a ghostly encounter of your own! At the very least, you’ll leave with a few spine-tingling tales to share. Safe travels... and sweet dreams!

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