13 Lodges With the Spookiest Histories in the U.S. You Can Actually Book

Looking for a stay with real goosebumps included? This list pulls together historic lodges and hotels around the U.S. with stories that have survived the decades, from wandering brides to doors that like to open on their own. These places embrace their past, offer modern comfort, and keep the lights low enough to make your imagination run. If you love a great ghost story with your getaway, you’ll love this list.

Pro Tip: Book early for fall weekends. Haunted tours and themed packages sell out fast.

Eureka Springs, Arkansas: 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa

Nicknamed America’s Most Haunted Hotel, the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa mixes limestone grandeur with a past that includes a turn as a so-called cancer hospital. Guests report apparitions like Theodora, a woman in a nurse’s uniform, and a gentleman in Victorian clothes near Room 218. Staff keep a friendly vibe, even as the nightly ghost tour dives into recorded sightings and old photos.

Pro Tip: Ask about rooms in the historic wing if you want more creaks, character, and those classic Ozark views.

Estes Park, Colorado: The Stanley Hotel

Perched above town with postcard-worthy mountain views, the Stanley inspired one of America’s most famous horror stories. Guests still talk about music drifting from empty rooms and late-night footsteps in quiet halls. If you want a primer on its legends, start with this overview of haunted hotels from US Ghost Adventures.

Pro Tip: Book the day tour for history, then the night tour for chills. They feel very different.

Coronado, California: Hotel del Coronado

The “Del” shines like a red-roofed palace on the beach, and its lore is just as bold. Stories center on a young woman from the 1890s, with whispers of flickering lights and shifting breezes in sealed spaces. The National Trust’s roundup of haunted stays includes legends like this one; it’s a great context read from Historic Hotels of America’s partner site.

Pro Tip: Sunrise on the sand is calm and gorgeous. Bring coffee and watch the hotel glow.

Concord, Massachusetts: Concord’s Colonial Inn

Built in 1716, this inn housed a Revolutionary War hospital. Room 24 is tied to a former operating room, and many guests report voices, moving objects, and doors with a mind of their own. It appears on the newest list of haunted stays curated by the National Trust’s hotel arm; see the full roundup at Historic Hotels of America’s 2024 list.

Pro Tip: Visit nearby battle sites by day, then tuck in for a creaky New England evening by the fireplace.

Stockbridge, Massachusetts: The Red Lion Inn

This Berkshires icon dates to 1773 and looks the part, with wraparound porches and antique-filled rooms. Guests talk about a child spirit in the fourth-floor hallway and curious happenings in Room 301. For a friendly field guide to haunted East Coast stays, check out this roundup from Brown Eyed Flower Child.

Pro Tip: Request an older room if you want extra character. The annexes feel quieter and newer.

San Antonio, Texas: The Emily Morgan Hotel

Once a medical arts building, The Emily Morgan is famous for reports of nurse apparitions, elevator quirks, and hospital-era sounds on certain floors. It made the 2024 Most Haunted list announced this fall; see the news release on Yahoo Finance.

Pro Tip: River Walk nights are lively and close by. Balance ghost stories with a taco run.

New Orleans, Louisiana: Hotel Monteleone

This French Quarter grand dame features a carousel bar and a long history of reports, from literary spirits to friendly hotel staff who never quite clocked out. Several travel sources put it among the country’s most haunted stays; here’s a broader look at haunted properties across the U.S. from Travelmyth.

Pro Tip: Grab a seat at the Carousel Bar right when it opens. It’s busy, and the mood is peak New Orleans.

Baltimore, Maryland: Admiral Fell Inn

Set in Fell’s Point by the waterfront, the Admiral Fell Inn has a colorful past as boarding houses and a sailor hangout. Guests report phantom footsteps, whispered conversations, and periodic pranks in hallways. It’s one of many historic properties named in this trusted roundup from Forbes.

Pro Tip: Explore the cobblestone streets by day. Night tours bring out the neighborhood lore.

Savannah, Georgia: The Marshall House

Savannah loves a good ghost story, and The Marshall House sits near the top. This 1851 hotel served as a Civil War hospital, and guests still note curiosities like faucets turning on and the sound of rolling gurneys. The city’s inn group has a solid overview of local legends at Historic Inns of Savannah.

Pro Tip: Book a midweek stay for quieter halls and better rates. Savannah weekends get crowded.

Prescott, Arizona: Hassayampa Inn

A 1927 Art Deco gem, the Hassayampa is tied to the tale of a young bride waiting for a groom who never returned. Reports mention floral scents in empty rooms, elevator oddities, and a light touch on the shoulder in quiet corridors. It’s highlighted in media coverage of the latest haunted list, like this piece on Western Slope Now.

Pro Tip: Head to Whiskey Row for live music after dark, then see if your room stays busy on its own.

Tonopah, Nevada: Mizpah Hotel

Set between Las Vegas and Reno, the 1907 Mizpah Hotel wears its legend proudly. Guests talk about the Lady in Red, a friendly spirit said to roam the fifth floor, plus the usual flickers and whispers in vintage corridors. The hotel’s haunted reputation is covered by Historic Hotels of America’s news page.

Pro Tip: Ask about the Lady in Red room, then explore Tonopah’s mining history for a full Old West vibe.

Jekyll Island, Georgia: Jekyll Island Club Resort

Retreat of Gilded Age titans, this island lodge carries stories of former members who never quite left. Staff and guests report elevator activity, soft voices, and period perfume in quiet corners. It appears on earlier editions of haunted hotel lists, like this one from HospitalityNet.

Pro Tip: Sunrise bike rides around the island feel surreal, especially after a late-night ghost walk.

Santa Fe, New Mexico: La Posada de Santa Fe

This adobe-style resort blends art, history, and a famous resident spirit believed to be the home’s former matriarch. Guests mention cold spots, gentle knocks, and paintings that seem to watch. It often appears in national haunted roundups, including this guide to spooky stays from SheBuysTravel.

Pro Tip: The on-site art and courtyards are lovely by day. Book dinner on property to keep the vibe going.

Final Thoughts

Haunted doesn’t have to mean hokey. These historic lodges keep their stories alive with care, back them up with real history, and invite you to come see for yourself. Plan your stay, keep an open mind, and maybe leave a little space in your suitcase for a good ghost story to bring home.