The 6 Spookiest Hotels in the U.S.

October 8, 2026 - Hotels - by Georgia Carter

Some hotels are memorable for their views. Others for their history. Then there are the hotels where guests swear they heard footsteps in an empty corridor or woke to find someone sitting at the end of the bed. For travelers who like their history with a little mystery, these six haunted hotels make an unusual getaway – particularly if you can find last-minute hotel deals for a spooky-season stay.

886 Crescent Hotel & Spa | Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Location & vibe: Perched above the Victorian mountain town of Eureka Springs, the Crescent is an ornate 1886 hotel surrounded by the wooded Ozarks. Its reputation as “America’s Most Haunted Hotel” shapes the experience. 

Spook factor: The hotel has its own nightly ghost tour, exploring reported paranormal activity and the building’s darker history. The former morgue is among the stops, and the stories are delivered with plenty of theatrical flair.

Rates & packages: The hotel currently offers a Paranormal Package from $299, including a one-night stay and two ghost-tour tickets. Its midweek Ghostly Getaway also bundles a stay with tour tickets. Ghost tours regularly sell out, so booking the experience alongside the room is recommended.

The Stanley Hotel | Estes Park, Colorado

Location & vibe: With the Rocky Mountains rising behind it, The Stanley is as atmospheric in daylight as it is after dark. But it's more than a building with a nice view. In fact, its grand white façade and century-old history inspired Stephen King’s terrifying book The Shining.

Spook factor: The hotel's 60-minute Stanley Ghost Tour visits areas associated with documented hauntings and local folklore. There is also a dedicated Shining tour for fans wanting to immerse themselves in that world. 

Rates & packages: Current offers include a four-night stay saving 20%, a one-night wellness package, and a bed-and-breakfast option with a dining voucher per night. Ghost tours cost $35 per person.

Hotel del Coronado | Coronado, California

Location & vibe: Set directly on Coronado Beach, The Del is proof that a haunted hotel doesn't have to look sinister. Its Victorian architecture, Pacific views, and polished resort atmosphere make the contrast particularly impactful. 

Spook factor: The hotel's most famous ghost is Kate Morgan, who died at The Del in 1892. The nightly Haunted Happenings tour explores her story and other reported encounters, while seasonal tours delve further into the hotel's paranormal history.

Rates & packages: Haunted Happenings runs nightly at 7 pm; its current fall promotion includes 10% off and up to $150 in daily credit.

Omni Mount Washington Resort | Bretton Woods, New Hampshire

Location & vibe: This enormous 1902 grand hotel sits beneath New Hampshire's White Mountains, surrounded by forest and dramatic mountain scenery. It’s the perfect setting for a classic horror story.

Spook factor: The resident ghost legend is Carolyn Stickney, known as “The Princess.” Guests have reported seeing her apparition and unexplained activity around Room 314, her former suite. Even Ghost Hunters have investigated the room.

Rates & packages: The resort's current fall offer promises up to 15% off, making shoulder-season stays particularly tempting — especially when searching for last-minute stays.

Jekyll Island Club Resort | Jekyll Island, Georgia

Location & vibe: Set beneath moss-draped oaks and home to a once private winter playground for the likes of big names like the Rockefellers, this resort feels like a time capsule of the Gilded Age, with a fair share of spooky history attached to it. 

Spook factor: Guests have reported seeing former Club members long after their deaths, including General Lloyd Aspinwall, whose apparition is said to appear on the Riverfront Veranda.

Rates & packages: Ghost programming is particularly active in October. Pair the resort with the island's after-dark tours rather than expecting the hotel itself to stage a traditional ghost package.

Hotel Monteleone | New Orleans, Louisiana

Location & vibe: Right in the French Quarter, the family-owned Monteleone has welcomed guests since 1886. Think Beaux-Arts grandeur meets old New Orleans glamour, with the atmospheric streets of Royal and Bienville.

Spook factor: Its most famous feature isn't a ghost tour but the Carousel Bar, where the slowly revolving bar has become one of the city's great institutions. The hotel's century-plus history and famously storied corridors have also earned it a reputation among New Orleans' haunted hotels.

Rates & packages: Room prices vary considerably by season and event dates, so flexible travelers can snag great hotel deals. The real insider move? Stay midweek, then spend the evening exploring the French Quarter after dark.

Whether you believe in ghosts or simply love a hotel with a good backstory, these historic properties offer a memorable experience. Keep an eye out for last-minute hotel deals, especially in the quieter weeks surrounding Halloween, as you might find your spooky escape costs less than expected.