Planning a group trip can be a haunting experience in itself. Between navigating multiple browser tabs and calling hotel after hotel, it’s hard to find the perfect accommodations—especially when your group needs more than a few rooms and/or event space. But imagine the added thrill (or chill) of staying at a haunted hotel! Whether you’re a ghost hunter looking for your next paranormal experience or just want to spice up your next group event, there’s something uniquely exhilarating about booking a stay in a hotel with a history that’s both fascinating and bone-chilling.
Let’s dive into some of the world’s most haunted hotels—whether you believe in ghosts or just want to add a little spookiness to your next group gathering.
1. The Stanley Hotel – Estes Park, Colorado, USA
Famous for inspiring Stephen King’s The Shining, The Stanley Hotel is a must-visit for ghost enthusiasts. Guests have reported strange piano music from the hotel’s ballroom and sightings of the ghost of Freelan Oscar Stanley, the hotel’s original owner. Some even claim to hear children’s laughter in the halls when no children are present.
Your group will be spooked, entertained, and captivated by this historic hotel’s eerie atmosphere. Plus, the stunning Rocky Mountain backdrop makes it ideal for any corporate retreat or event.
Why It’s Perfect for Your Group:
The Stanley offers spacious event venues and over 160 rooms, making it perfect for large gatherings.
2. Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel – Banff, Alberta, Canada
Often referred to as the “Castle in the Rockies,” the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel has hosted royalty and celebrities.
However, it’s the hotel’s ghostly residents that keep the curiosity flowing. One such helpful ghost is Sam McCauley, an elderly Scotsman who served as the hotel’s lead bellhop throughout the mid-20th century. Sam’s ghost is said to be helpful and kind. One famous tale involves him assisting two women in unlocking their guestroom door when their key wouldn’t work. Other stories involve guests seeing Sam haunt his old office on the mezzanine floor, which is currently a guestroom. A few have even watched his ghostly façade materialize at various spots on the sixth, seventh, and ninth floors of the hotel.
Your group can explore the opulent architecture while sharing spine-tingling ghost stories by the fireplace.
Why It’s Perfect for Your Group:
With its expansive meeting rooms and stunning scenery, this hotel offers an unforgettable combination of business and mystery.
3. The Langham – London, England
The Langham is one of London’s most luxurious hotels, but it’s also one of its most haunted.
This grand hotel is home to several apparitions, including a Victorian man in military garb and a doctor who murdered his wife before taking his own life. Room 333 is particularly notorious for ghostly activity, making it a top request for those seeking a paranormal thrill.
The Langham – London, England
Why It’s Perfect for Your Group:
The Langham’s exceptional event facilities provide a sophisticated backdrop for meetings, weddings, or any other large gathering. Your team can debate the merits of ghost hunting over afternoon tea.
4. Hotel del Coronado – San Diego, California, USA
This stunning beachfront hotel has been a West Coast favorite for over a century, but its beauty hides a dark side.
Guests claim to see the ghost of Kate Morgan, a young woman who checked in to the hotel in 1892 but never checked out alive. Her tragic story has drawn ghost hunters from all over, and the hotel even offers ghost tours for those who want to learn more.
Hotel del Coronado – San Diego, California, USA
Why It’s Perfect for Your Group:
With breathtaking ocean views and abundant meeting spaces, the Hotel del Coronado is the ideal destination for corporate events, weddings, or group vacations—especially for those who love a good ghost story.
The Hotel Saranac, nestled in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains in Saranac Lake, New York, is renowned for its rich history and its ghostly reputation.
Built in 1927, this iconic hotel has long been rumored to be haunted by spirits from its past. Guests and staff alike have reported eerie occurrences, from phantom footsteps echoing down the halls to unexplained cold spots and mysterious apparitions. Some believe that former guests or even past employees still linger within its walls, adding a supernatural touch to the hotel’s vintage charm.
Why It’s Perfect for Your Group:
Steeped in character and history, the Hotel Saranac features historic design details, state-of-the-art audio and visual equipment, and flexible floor plan options. Set among the beauty of the Adirondacks, these spaces are suited for events of all kinds.
This 17th-century castle-turned-hotel is a peaceful retreat, but some guests believe it’s still inhabited by Lady Isabella Shaw, who allegedly fell to her death after being locked in her room. Visitors report seeing her ghost wandering the halls at night and knocking on doors.
Set against the backdrop of Ireland’s stunning landscapes, this hotel is a popular spot for weddings and events.
Why It’s Perfect for Your Group:
Ballygally Castle’s unique atmosphere and event spaces provide an unforgettable experience, whether you’re hosting a corporate event or a wedding with a touch of mystery.
This historic inn is rumored to be haunted by a woman known as “The Pink Lady,” who is said to have fallen to her death in the 1920s. Guests often report seeing her apparition in a pink dress, especially near room 545.
With its cozy, rustic charm and spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, The Omni Grove Park Inn offers more than just a ghostly experience.
The Omni Grove Park Inn – Asheville, North Carolina, USA
Why It’s Perfect for Your Group:
With spacious event facilities and a renowned spa, your group can relax while keeping an eye out for the Pink Lady.
The Bourbon Orleans Hotel in New Orleans, a former 19th-century ballroom and convent, is steeped in both elegance and eerie tales of the paranormal. Located in the heart of the French Quarter, this historic hotel is said to be one of the most haunted places in the city. Ghost sightings are common, with reports of Civil War soldiers, a lone dancer, ghostly nuns, and the spirit of a little girl roaming the halls. Guests have experienced strange sounds, flickering lights, and shadowy figures.
The hotel’s rich past, intertwined with the city’s dark history, makes it a hot spot for paranormal enthusiasts, offering a uniquely spooky blend of Southern charm and supernatural mystery.
Why It’s Perfect for Your Group:
With its French Quarter setting and spaces rich in character and history, this hotel is perfect for show-stopping events and remarkable meetings with reception space for up to 250 guests.
Located in the heart of Sydney, The Russell Hotel is known for its charm—and its ghost.
Guests have reported sightings of a sailor who is believed to have been murdered in Room 8. The hotel’s central location makes it easy for guests to explore Sydney by day, while the ghost stories add a little thrill to the night. This hotel is currently undergoing renovations with plans to re-open later this year.
Why It’s Perfect for Your Group:
Its intimate event spaces and convenient location make The Russell Hotel ideal for smaller gatherings with a paranormal twist.
The Hollywood Roosevelt offers glamour and mystery in equal measure, making it a perfect destination for ghost hunters and movie buffs alike.
This iconic hotel has a long list of famous guests, both living and dead. The ghost of Marilyn Monroe is said to haunt her old suite, while actor Montgomery Clift’s ghost is often spotted in Room 928.
Hollywood Roosevelt – Los Angeles, California, USA
Why It’s Perfect for Your Group:
Take advantage of the California sunshine with an outdoor event. In addition to a variety of indoor meeting spaces, The Hollywood Roosevelt offers many unique outdoor spaces to host your event. Including the iconic Roosevelt Rooftop, several poolside event spaces, movie screening spaces and even a drive-in movie theatre.
Prefer to Escape the Frights of Group Booking?
At Groups360, we understand that planning group travel or an event at a haunted hotel, or any hotel, adds an extra layer of complexity. Navigating the logistics of booking rooms and event spaces while juggling group preferences is overwhelming–– but it doesn’t have to be. With our easy-to-use platform, you can compare options, book rooms instantly, and even secure meeting spaces—without the normal (or paranormal) frustrations involved.
When it comes to group travel, we know you need efficiency, transparency, and trust. GroupSync is designed to streamline the booking process for groups, giving you back the time you need to focus on what matters—like finding the perfect haunted hotel for your next event.
So whether you’re planning a corporate retreat, a wedding, or a ghost-hunting getaway, we’ve got you covered. Let us help you create an experience that will leave your group both amazed and slightly spooked.
