Haunted Hotels of the West: Ghosts With Dark Histories

Some places are meant to be safe havens—a warm bed, a soft pillow, a quiet night. But in haunted hotels, the walls whisper, the floors creak, and the air is heavy with memories of lives abruptly ended. Shadows move where no one stands, doors open and close on their own, and the laughter or cries of long-gone guests echo through empty hallways.

In the West, several hotels are infamous not just for luxury, but for the restless spirits that linger in their corridors, carrying stories of tragedy, betrayal, and unresolved sorrow. For those who dare, a night in these hotels is a walk through history… and a brush with the unknown.

1. The Stanley Hotel — Estes Park, Colorado, USA

Opened in 1909 by Freelan Oscar Stanley, the Stanley Hotel towers over Estes Park, Colorado, with grand Victorian elegance. Its isolation amidst the Rockies creates a natural atmosphere for eerie happenings, and over the years, countless guests and staff have reported unexplainable phenomena. The most famous room, Room 217, became legendary after a housekeeper described seeing a piano play by itself and witnessing lights flicker without cause.

The hotel’s connection to the supernatural was cemented when Stephen King stayed there in 1974. He claimed the place gave him vivid nightmares that inspired The Shining, one of the most iconic horror novels ever written. Over the years, ghost tours and paranormal investigations have reported footsteps in empty corridors, doors opening and closing, and ghostly figures appearing in hallways or dining rooms.

Some of the spirits are thought to be friendly or benign, lingering as echoes of past guests and staff who loved the hotel in life. Others seem more mischievous, creating sudden cold spots or shifting objects. Guests often report feeling watched or hearing whispers, even when alone. The Stanley blends history, horror, and elegance in a way that keeps thrill-seekers returning year after year.

What makes the Stanley truly compelling is the way it fuses human tragedy with legend. Each unexplained sound or flickering light becomes a story layered atop the grand architecture, turning a luxury hotel into a stage where the past never fully sleeps.

2. Hotel del Coronado — California, USA

The Hotel del Coronado, often called “The Del,” opened in 1888 as a Victorian beachfront marvel, attracting Hollywood stars and U.S. presidents. Beneath its opulent exterior, however, lies the tragic story of Kate Morgan, a young woman who checked in during the winter of 1892 and was found dead on the hotel’s staircase days later. Her death was officially ruled a suicide, but rumors of foul play and lingering unrest sparked the hotel’s haunted reputation.

Guests and staff claim to see Kate wandering the halls, particularly near the staircase and the room she stayed in. Paranormal investigators report unexplained cold spots, moving objects, and faint cries that seem to echo the desperate emotions of a young life ended too soon. The hotel itself has embraced its haunted legacy, with guided tours recounting the legend and sightings of spectral figures.

Over the decades, the Del has continued to attract guests hoping for a brush with the supernatural. Many report that the feeling of being watched or accompanied by an unseen presence is strongest at night, when the Victorian architecture and creaking floorboards amplify the eerie atmosphere.

What fascinates historians and ghost hunters alike is the combination of romantic tragedy and unexplained phenomena. Kate Morgan’s story becomes a lens through which the grandeur of the hotel and the darker sides of human emotion intersect, leaving visitors both awed and unnerved.

3. Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel — Alberta, Canada

Perched in the Canadian Rockies, the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, built in 1888, is often called the “Castle in the Rockies” for its imposing stone walls and turrets. Beyond its luxury lies a haunted reputation centered around the Ghost Bride, a woman said to have fallen down the grand staircase on her wedding day, her life ending tragically before it could begin.

Guests claim to see a figure in a white gown gliding through the halls, particularly near the staircase and the ballroom. Some report faint whispers, the sound of footsteps echoing in empty corridors, and cold drafts that seem to move independently of the wind. Even staff recount experiences of hearing voices or doors closing mysteriously when no one is nearby.

The hotel’s history of tragedies doesn’t end with the Ghost Bride. Over the years, there have been reports of disappearing objects, apparitions, and shadowy figures throughout guest rooms and public spaces. The blend of architectural grandeur and mountain isolation seems to heighten the sense of supernatural presence.

For visitors, a stay at the Fairmont Banff Springs is both luxurious and unsettling. The hotel demonstrates how history and myth can entwine, creating a place where the echoes of tragedy are as tangible as the breathtaking mountain views.

4. The Queen Mary — Long Beach, California, USA

The Queen Mary, a retired ocean liner now docked as a hotel, served as a troopship during WWII, carrying thousands of soldiers across dangerous waters. Its long history of military service and the countless lives lost aboard have contributed to its reputation as one of the most haunted ships in the world.

Visitors report shadowy figures in naval uniforms, footsteps echoing across empty decks, and cold spots that make even the bravest feel uneasy. The engine room, once a site of labor and tension, is a hotspot for paranormal encounters, as are the staterooms where passengers and crew reportedly disappeared under mysterious circumstances.

The ship’s haunted reputation has made it a fixture in paranormal investigations, with experts using thermal cameras, EMF detectors, and audio recording equipment to document strange phenomena. Sightings often include ghostly children playing in empty hallways or crew members performing tasks invisible to the living eye.

The Queen Mary offers visitors a unique combination of naval history and haunted intrigue, making it a place where luxury meets lingering spirits. Even today, its decks are alive with stories of the past, waiting for those who dare to listen.

5. The Crescent Hotel — Eureka Springs, Arkansas, USA

Opened in 1886, the Crescent Hotel is often called “America’s Most Haunted Hotel,” and its reputation is well-earned. Originally built as a luxury resort, it later became home to Norman Baker’s cancer clinic, where dubious treatments were administered to desperate patients. The combination of medical malpractice, suffering, and death has left an enduring mark on the hotel, giving rise to countless ghost stories.

Guests and staff report apparitions of patients wandering the halls, often appearing in period clothing from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Some have witnessed mysterious shadows moving along corridors, objects shifting on their own, and unexplained noises such as the faint sound of a piano playing or whispers echoing in empty rooms. Paranormal investigators frequently cite the hotel as a hotspot, capturing EVPs (Electronic Voice Phenomena) and photos of unexplained figures.

One of the most famous spirits is that of Michael, a young boy who is said to roam the hallways and play in guest rooms. Guests who have stayed in his vicinity often describe an overwhelming feeling of sadness mixed with a childlike curiosity, as if he’s searching for attention or connection from the living. Others report cold spots, sudden chills, and a sense of unseen eyes watching them as they move through the hotel’s historic wings.

The Crescent Hotel’s allure comes from its rich history intertwined with tragedy and mystery. Each room, hallway, and hidden nook tells a story of past lives and lingering spirits, creating an atmosphere that is equal parts beautiful and unnerving. A stay here is more than lodging—it’s an encounter with history and the supernatural, a reminder that some ghosts never truly leave.

6. The Jefferson Hotel — Richmond, Virginia

Opened in 1895, The Jefferson Hotel stands as one of Richmond’s most iconic landmarks, blending opulence with a dark, mysterious past. Its grand halls and ornate chandeliers hide more than elegance; they also conceal the echoes of lives lost and secrets whispered through the decades. Guests and staff have reported unexplained footsteps echoing down empty corridors, strange drafts, and flickering lights that defy explanation, lending the hotel an unsettling presence even during the day.

The most famous ghost is said to be the spirit of a maid named Ellen, who tragically died in the hotel long ago. She is often seen gliding silently through the hallways or appearing in rooms, her presence accompanied by a subtle chill and the faint scent of lavender, a perfume she reportedly favored in life. Some guests claim to have awakened to find objects slightly moved or doors ajar, as though she had quietly been checking on them in the night.

The hotel’s history also includes mysterious deaths and accidents that seem to have left imprints on its historic rooms. During renovations, workers have reported cold spots, moving shadows, and whispers, particularly near the older wings of the building, suggesting that past tragedies are woven into the very fabric of the hotel.

Staying at The Jefferson Hotel is more than a luxury experience—it’s a journey into history, mystery, and the lingering presence of spirits who refuse to be forgotten. For thrill-seekers and history enthusiasts alike, the hotel offers a chilling reminder that even the grandest of halls can harbor restless souls.

7. The Willard InterContinental Hotel — Washington, D.C.

Known as the “Residence of Presidents,” The Willard InterContinental Hotel has stood in the heart of D.C. since 1818, hosting presidents, dignitaries, and countless historic events. Its grandeur, however, is paired with a storied reputation for the supernatural. Guests and staff frequently report unexplained footsteps echoing through the halls, doors opening and closing on their own, and shadowy figures appearing in corridors, lending the hotel an aura of mystery that lingers behind its elegant facade.

The most famous spirit is said to be Abraham Lincoln, who reportedly stayed at the hotel during his pre-inauguration visit to Washington. Witnesses claim to have seen a spectral figure in Lincoln’s iconic tall hat wandering the corridors or felt a sudden chill accompanied by an overwhelming sense of his presence. Some staff say that during particularly quiet nights, they hear the faint sound of a carriage rolling by or the tap of boots in empty hallways, as if the hotel itself preserves echoes of history.

Over the years, other guests have reported doors swinging open without cause, cold drafts in otherwise warm rooms, and fleeting glimpses of figures dressed in 19th-century attire. Paranormal investigators have recorded unexplained phenomena, from disembodied voices to photographic anomalies, further cementing the Willard’s reputation as one of D.C.’s most haunted hotels.

Staying at The Willard is a unique blend of luxury and the supernatural. Between the gilded architecture, historic significance, and lingering spirits, visitors are offered not just a place to sleep, but a walk through the city’s haunted past—a reminder that in D.C., history is never fully at rest.