Because who needs sleep when you can share a room with a ghost named Margaret?

If you’re the kind of traveler who thinks a vacation should come with a little heart-pounding excitement — and maybe a few flickering lights for effect — welcome to your next adventure. Forget the all-inclusive resorts and spa retreats. We’re going where the floorboards creak, the chandeliers sway (unprovoked), and the “Do Not Disturb” sign might not mean much to whoever — or whatever — still roams the halls.

Yes, dear thrill-seeker, this is the haunted side of hospitality. Grab your overnight bag, charge your phone (for ghost photos, obviously), and let’s check into some of America’s spookiest hotels you can actually spend the night in.

1. The Stanley Hotel — Estes Park, Colorado

Let’s start with the heavyweight champion of haunted hospitality. If you’ve ever seen The Shining and thought, “That looks cozy,” congratulations — you’re exactly the kind of brave (or reckless) soul this article is for.

The Stanley Hotel is where Stephen King himself stayed in 1974, and apparently, one night was all it took to inspire his most chilling novel. Guests report ghostly piano tunes, children laughing in empty hallways, and — everyone’s favorite — lights turning on and off by themselves.

The staff swear the place is friendly. The ghosts, though? They’re “playful.” (Which is usually ghost-speak for “good luck sleeping.”)

Room to book: 217 — yes, that room. Bring courage. Or caffeine.

2. The Crescent Hotel — Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Known as “America’s Most Haunted Hotel,” the Crescent is not messing around. Built in 1886, it was later turned into a hospital by a quack “doctor” who claimed to cure cancer. Spoiler alert: he did not.

Today, the building’s history lingers — quite literally. Guests have seen ghostly nurses, mysterious orbs, and even the late “Doctor” Baker still wandering the halls like he’s got patients to see.

There’s a nightly ghost tour where brave guests wander into the basement morgue with flashlights. (Yes, the same one used during the hospital days. Because apparently, vacation memories aren’t supposed to be relaxing.)

Stay here if: You like your vacations with a side of existential dread.

3. The Queen Mary — Long Beach, California

She’s not your average cruise ship — she’s a haunted hotel with a permanent parking spot. The Queen Mary once served as a luxury ocean liner, then a World War II troopship, and now… a hotspot for the paranormal.

Visitors report footsteps in empty corridors, slamming doors, and laughter echoing through deserted ballrooms. The first-class swimming pool is especially infamous — guests claim to hear the giggles of unseen children playing in the water.

Even skeptics get chills in “Door 13,” an area where a crewman tragically lost his life. Today, some say you can still hear the clang of machinery and faint voices below deck.

Fun fact: You can actually book a haunted overnight stay here — just maybe skip the midnight swim.

4. The Myrtles Plantation — St. Francisville, Louisiana

Down in Louisiana, surrounded by moss-covered oaks, stands one of America’s oldest (and eeriest) plantations. Built in 1796, The Myrtles is a picture-perfect Southern home — if you can ignore the ghosts, that is.

The most famous resident is Chloe, a former enslaved woman said to wander the property wearing a green turban. Guests claim to see her reflection in mirrors or catch her figure in photos — and let’s just say she’s not camera-shy.

Overnight guests have also reported phantom footsteps, piano music at odd hours, and even bed sheets being tugged while they sleep. (Because who doesn’t love an interactive haunting?)

Despite all this, the Myrtles remains a stunning B&B — proving that “haunted” and “hospitality” can coexist beautifully… and eerily.

5. The Marshall House — Savannah, Georgia

Savannah might just be the most haunted city in America, and The Marshall House is one of its crown jewels. Built in 1851, it once served as a Civil War hospital — and, surprise, not all the patients left.

Guests have spotted soldiers roaming the hallways, faucets turning on by themselves, and children laughing at 2 a.m. (which is the universal sign to hide under the blanket).

But don’t be fooled — the hotel itself is gorgeous. Think Southern charm, antique decor, and just enough ghostly atmosphere to make your glass of wine feel… earned.

Bonus points: The staff are used to ghost questions. You can totally ask for the “most haunted room” without judgment.

6. The Jerome Grand Hotel — Jerome, Arizona

Once a hospital in a mining town, the Jerome Grand Hotel now sits perched on a hill — overlooking both breathtaking desert views and, well, the restless dead.

Guests swear the old elevator moves on its own, typewriters click in empty offices, and faint cries echo down the halls. (Oh, and the restaurant used to be the operating room — bon appétit.)

The staff openly talk about their “resident spirits,” and some have even named them. If you’re looking for a haunted stay that combines vintage charm with supernatural flair, Jerome is the desert haunt you didn’t know you needed.

So… Would You Stay the Night?

Whether you’re a thrill-chaser or just someone who enjoys a good story, these haunted hotels promise unforgettable experiences — assuming you make it through the night.

From the icy halls of The Stanley to the moonlit verandas of The Myrtles, each of these places holds more than just history; they hold whispers, footsteps, and secrets from another time.

Just remember a few simple rules before you book:

• Don’t bring a Ouija board (unless you really want to extend checkout).
• Don’t follow the child laughter down the hallway.
• And if a door slams shut on its own, maybe… just let it stay that way.

Final Thoughts

Haunted hotels aren’t just about fear — they’re about connection. Every creak and whisper is a reminder that history never truly leaves us.

So if you’re tired of predictable vacations, trade palm trees for poltergeists. Whether you’re sipping bourbon in Savannah or chasing chills in Colorado, these eerie escapes will leave you with more than just selfies — they’ll give you stories that will outlive you (and possibly follow you home).

Pack your courage, bring your camera, and maybe… a little sage.
Sweet dreams — and don’t forget to tip your ghost. 👻