Top 10 Haunted Places You Can Actually Spend the Night In
#10: The Mermaid Inn
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Rye, East Sussex, England If ever you’re in jolly old England and happen to be in the vicinity of Rye, you can book a stay at the Mermaid Inn. The inn’s cellars date back to the 12th century, and its above-ground structure was last rebuilt in the 15th. With such a long, rich history, ghosts are kind of inevitable. The inn has thirty-one rooms, and at least eight are famous for their ghostly residents, according to their website. Stories include spirit sword duels, chairs rocking by themselves, sudden temperature drops, people in old-fashioned dress sitting on beds at night, a lady in white sitting by the fire who likes to wet your clothes if you leave them on her chair… and the list goes on.
#9: Omni Homestead Resort
Hot Springs, Virginia, US The Omni Homestead was first built in 1766, intentionally near a large concentration of hot springs which are believed to have healing properties. The resort itself is beautiful, surrounded by scenic mountains and rich natural forests. With age comes much history, and this place isn’t without its resident spirits. The most notable is a woman who was to be married at the resort in the early 1900s, only to be abandoned by her fiancé. The heart-broken woman took her own life, and is said to still be roaming the 14th floor halls in a panic, asking visitors and staff members for the time.
#8: Equinox Golf Resort & Spa
Manchester, Vermont, US The Equinox was built in the late 18th century, and was a popular hotel for US politicians such as Ulysses S. Grant and Theodore Roosevelt. In 1864, Abraham Lincoln’s wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, visited the Equinox and made reservations to return with her husband the following year. The hotel prepared a suite specifically for the couple, but the president was assassinated shortly before the planned sojourn. There have been sightings of the former first lady and a small boy assumed to be her son Robert. Guests and staff have equally reported hearing whispers, items moved around the rooms and lights spontaneously turning on in the middle of the night.
#7: The Historic Lizzie Borden House
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Fall River, Massachusetts, US Lizzie Borden is definitely a recognizable name in macabre US history. You can believe what you wish, but most lean towards Borden’s guilt in the deaths of her father and stepmother. The unfortunate couple was murdered, presumably by hatchet, in their home on Second Street in Fall River, Massachusetts on August 4th, 1892. Though she was acquitted, most of the stories don’t really add up. The Historic Lizzie Borden House is the actual house where the incident took place, where tours are offered and serves as a bed and breakfast for the brave. According to their site, visitors have reported “strange odors, voices, objects moving on their own, feeling touched at night, and footsteps,” as well as full-body ghost sightings.
#6: Chillingham Castle
Chillingham, Northumberland, England The appropriately named Chillingham Castle started out as a monastery in the 12th century. It was further constructed into a castle in 1344, and has remained within its family bloodline since. In its centuries of history the castle has seen wars, attempted sieges, royal visitors and much more. There are a number of resident spirits in the castle, including a pale, sickly “pantry ghost” who begs for water, two ethereal men conversing in the chapel and shadowy courtyard wanderers. Visitors have claimed feelings of being grabbed, hearing whispers and more. If you’re too spooked to book an overnight stay, they offer a number of ghost tours.
#5: The Russell Hotel
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Sydney, New South Wales, Australia The area in which the Russell Hotel lies was originally the site of a convict hospital in the late 18th century. The property has a history of passing ownership, but the building that still stands was built in 1887, originally known as the Port Jackson Hotel. The hotel is known as the most haunted in Sydney. Its famed ghostly resident, a sailor, haunts Room 8. It’s said that the seaman was murdered by a lady of the night in that room, and his spirit lingers. Feeling courageous? Book the room and be distubed all night by the vindictive sailor, particularly if you’re a lone woman.
#4: Antietam Creek Campsite
Hagerstown, Maryland, US It’s one thing to sleep in a haunted room, but to sleep in a tent surrounded by ghosts… The Battle of Antietam took place during the Civil War, and was one of the most brutal in American history with a death count of over 22,000. Right near the historic battlefields is the Antietam Creek Campsite, where you can pitch a tent and sleep amongst the errant ghostly soldiers! Campers have reported seeing the spirits of military men and drummer boys, as well as hearing gunfire, cannons and general battle sounds. The site is close to a battlefield known as Bloody Lane, which should be a good indication of the horrors that occurred there.
#3: Ross Castle
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County Meath, Ireland The occupied area surrounding Ross Castle dates back to the iron age; many discoveries of Norman settlement ruins have been made on or near its grounds. The castle itself began as a stronghold in 1533, much like the aforementioned Chillingham Castle. The original owner, Englishman and cruel Baron Richard Nugent, had a daughter named Sabina who had a love affair with an Irishman. The two attempted to elope, however were struck by a storm on the seas, and the man drowned whereas Sabina survived. Heartbroken, she locked herself in Ross Castle tower, starving herself to death. It is said she still remains in the castle, mourning the loss of her lover. Her father has also been spotted in the stone halls.
#2: The Queen Mary
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Long Beach, California, US The Queen Mary was officially launched by Her Majesty Queen Mary of Teck, grandmother to Elizabeth II, in 1934. The ship served as soldier transport during World War II, and post-war was refurbished as an ocean liner until 1967, at which time she was retired. It remains permanently docked, now a hotel and tourist destination. The Queen Mary is said to be quite haunted. For example, Stateroom B340 is said to be frequented by a British passenger who died in 1948 and he pulls blankets, turns on water and messes with lights. Hatch Door #13 was the site of a crushing accident in 1966 which took the life of an eighteen-year-old crew member. He has been seen, heard and even leaves greasy fingerprints on visitors.
#1: The Stanley Hotel
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Estes Park, Colorado, US This one will be familiar to many. The Stanley Hotel was made famous as the Overlook Hotel by Stephen King with his novel “The Shining.” King’s inspiration came from an actual stay at the hotel, during which he had a nightmare. Despite this, the hotel already had a reputation for being haunted. Original owner Freelan Oscar Stanley’s specter has been seen frequently since his death in 1940. His wife Flora, who was a pianist, can be heard playing the piano on occasion. A pious phantom chambermaid is said to push unwed couples apart in their shared beds. The stories are really endless, which is striking given that the hotel hasn’t seen as many tragedies as some of the others on this list.
