The 5 Most Haunted Hotels in the United States

Stephen King came up with the idea for "The Shining" in 1977 while staying at the Stanley Hotel in Colorado.

When we think of hotels, we think of going on vacation and getting away from it all.

However, have you ever considered staying at a haunted hotel?

A vacation including paranormal activity might be a nice escape for some people, but it can also be their greatest nightmare.

But how can you tell whether or not a hotel is haunted? Would you cancel your reservation if you discovered your hotel is haunted?

Here are the top five most haunted hotels in the United States.

1. Este Park, Colorado's Stanley Hotel.

The Stanley Hotel in Este Park, Colorado is reputed to be one of America's most haunted establishments.

It's famous for the spirits that wander the halls and "entertain" visitors.

The Stanley Hotel, which had 142 rooms when it opened on July 4, 1909, was designed to accommodate travelers and city dwellers.

Some guests' and staff's spirits are reported to stroll the corridors, and there have been accounts of a piano playing and wicked-sounding laughter.

In 1977, Stephen King came up with the idea for "The Shining" at the Stanley Hotel, which became well-known.

King stayed at The Stanley Hotel, and it is thought that the establishment portrayed in the aforementioned novel is based on this hotel.

The hotel used to be a tranquil place to stay, but with the release of The Shining, it became a location of ghostly intrigue.

This location is so strange that it has been featured on both Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures television shows.

The hotel takes advantage of this ghostly activity by hosting paranormal-themed events where guests can be terrified by the property's spirits.

2. Eureka Springs, Arkansas' Crescent Hotel.

The Crescent Hotel, in the Victorian resort of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, has been dubbed "America's most haunted hotel."

The hotel was created as a wealthy resort in 1886, but it didn't last long.

Unfortunately, it was forced to close due to its unmanageability, but it was revived in 1908 as a college for young women.

Since then, it has served as a school, a hospital, and a hotel, among other things.

The hotel's most recent alteration began in 1997, when it was purchased by a couple who began a six-year refurbishment.

Unfortunately, the owner died in a car accident in 2009, leaving his wife as the only owner.

Despite its unfortunate history of abandonment, the structure is nonetheless operational as a hotel today.

The structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2016.

The hotel has long been rumored to be haunted, so in 2005, the television show Ghost Hunters paid a visit and confirmed paranormal activity.

A sick-stricken cancer patient asking for her room key, a mystery figure in a white suit, and a construction worker who died during the first build are all regular apparitions of ghoulie ghosts.

Morris, a frightening cat who once lived on the property, is said to have haunted the place.

3. Windber, Pennsylvania's Grand Midway Hotel.

The Grand Midway Hotel in Pennsylvania was built in the late 1800s and has been haunted by ghosts and ghouls for many years.

Originally designed to shelter coal mining immigrants, the hotel has also served as a brothel and a local event center.

It has been a bohemian-gothic style arts venue and hotel since 2000, attracting interested visitors from all over the world.

Each room is themed, and the majority of them have their own distinct narrative about events that occurred in particular rooms.

Some say there have been magical events, while others say there have been horrific encounters, with "The Canopy" room being the most terrifying of them.

It is supposed to be haunted by the ghosts of those who once lived there.

The Grand Midway hotel holds two Guinness World Records, in keeping with its eerie aura.

The hotel is home to the world's largest Ouija board and the world's largest tarot card.

This collection of oddities has gotten international notice and has been featured on shows like The Haunted Collector and The Exorcist Files.

4. New Orleans' Hotel Monteleone.

The hotel was built in 1886 and has been managed by the founding family for more than five generations.

In 2003, the International Society of Paranormal Research stayed for a few days to observe the hotel's activity.

They were able to communicate with some of the hotel's spirits as a result of their inquiry.

A former employee named William Wildemere and a youngster named Maurice Begere were among them.

The sightings of a maid are extremely common, and she told the paranormal investigators who spoke with her that she was in charge of keeping the hotel clean.

Other common incidents include the dining hall doors opening and closing even when secured, as well as an elevator stopping on the wrong floor.

When guests travel down a certain hallway, the temperature drops and images of youngsters playing appear.

5. Concord, Massachusetts' Colonial Inn.

The Colonial Inn of Concord was built in 1716.

During the Revolutionary War, the inn was used as a hospital, and many troops were treated there.

Wounded patriot warriors would be carried to what are now the hotel rooms and operated on.

Room 424 is reported to have been Dr. James Minot's operating room.

Many people who have stayed in this room have claimed strange things happening to them.

It is popularly believed that ghosts, particularly those of soldiers who died here, roam the hallways of this hostel.

These are only five of America's most haunted hotels; there are many more!

Because of their histories, most hotels that have seen deaths or served as hospitals are thought to be haunted.

Some hotels are simply ancient, and walking about them at night gives you an ominous impression.

So, if you're searching for a terrifying experience, check out the Historic Hotels of America list to see if there's one near you.