Given the opportunity to stay in haunted hotels, would you check in or freak out? As Halloween approaches and the nights draw in, thoughts turn to things that go bump in the night. Whether you believe in the supernatural or not, the thought of something otherworldly can still give a spine-tingling thrill many would love to experience.
Countless locations across the globe can fulfil that fantasy, but here are our top five picks for a spooktacular stay.
Borgvattnet Vicarage, Jämtland, Sweden
The tiny village of Borgvattnet in Jämtland has only around 50 residents—but it is said to have the highest number of ghosts per capita in Sweden. Its vicarage, Borgvattnets Prästgård
, dates from 1876 and is considered Sweden’s most haunted spot. In 1970, the vicarage was opened to the public for those brave souls who wanted to take their chances with the spirits for a hair-raising night. If you make it through the night, you’ll get a certificate to commemorate the achievement.
Reports of sightings include a guest staying at the vicarage during the 1940s waking in the night to see three women sitting on the sofa opposite her bed watching her. Music has been heard coming from various rooms, stopping abruptly upon opening the door.
A previous resident of the vicarage, vicar Erik Lingren, experienced several encounters during his time there, including watching his rocking chair moving as though it was occupied — he never sat in the chair again…
Fairmont Banff Springs, Alberta, Canada
Nestled in the beautiful surrounds of Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fairmont Banff Springs offers more than just luxurious hospitality to its guests. With a reputation for quality and the finer things in life, it’s probably no surprise that not all guests checked out!
Several ghosts are said to be resident in the hotel, but the most ghoulish are the mother and daughter, murdered in room 873. The family, including the father, checked in, and he slaughtered the family during the night. Visitors have reported being woken by a woman’s screams in the dead of night…
Other sightings include the ghostly spectre of a bride who died on her wedding day after a fall and now dances alone in the ballroom in her flowing wedding gown. A supernatural employee, Sam McAuley, has also been seen in the hotel. Sam was the lead bellhop in the mid-1900s and is still doing his chores and even reportedly helping guests.
Bourbon Orleans Hotel, New Orleans, USA
Located in the heart of the French Quarter, New Orleans, the Bourbon Orleans Hotel has been ranked in the top ten most haunted hotels in the US, according to USA Today. The building has been through many different uses since it was first built in the early 19th century. It was home to a theatre and ballroom, a convent for a holy order, and an orphanage and asylum for girls before becoming the hotel it is today.
The descriptions of the ghostly sightings within the walls span the decades, from a Confederate soldier spotted stalking the halls to a little girl seen playing with a ball on the sixth floor. Footsteps are frequently heard in the corridors, and there are numerous reports of apparitions of women and children. The ballroom has a spectre of its own, too, as a woman has been seen dancing beneath the huge crystal chandelier in the silent ballroom.
The Langham, London
The Langham has a long and illustrious history, hosting royalty and the glitterati since it opened its doors in 1865. It has its fair share of resident ghosts, too, including Napoleon III, who spent much of his time at The Langham while exiled from France. It seems he enjoyed his stay so much that he now haunts the basement!
Another figure dressed in military uniform, possibly a German prince, has been seen at the fourth-floor window, which he allegedly jumped from to his death just before the first world war.
One of the most commonly reported sightings is a Victorian gentleman dressed in evening attire. His spirit lingers in room 333 and is most often seen around October, which is when, so the story goes, he checked into the hotel with his new wife before killing her and taking his own life.
There have been reports of balls of light manifesting into forms and taps turning on and off on their own. If you want to test your nerves, this might be the place to stay!
Tulloch Castle Hotel, Scotland
Tulloch Castle, In Dingwall, Scotland, dates back to the 12th century. It has served as a family home, a hospital, and even a girl’s hostel over the generations until, in 1996, it was bought and converted into a hotel.
There are said to be many ghosts inhabiting the castle, and with a history spanning almost 800 years, some may argue that’s no surprise. The most commonly seen spirit is the Green Lady. She is believed to be the manifestation of Elizabeth Davidson, whose family and descendants owned Tulloch Castle from around 1762 until the 1900s. So frequent are the sightings of the Green Lady that the hotel bar is named in her honour.
The Green Lady isn’t shy, though; she has apparently been captured on camera. This phenomenon has led to ghost hunters from far and wide visiting the castle to try to capture images and sightings, with countless incidents of cold spots, balls of light and noises and bumps in the darkness.
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