Just in time for Halloween, we have collected the Top 5 most luxuriously haunted mansions and hotels in the world, for a price. If you are faint of heart these places are definitely not for you, however if you’re the thrill-seeking-scared-of-nothing type, this may be right up your alley!
Most famously known as the isolated ski lodge from, The Shining, this glamorous mansion of a hotel also comes with the amazing mountain backdrop and a beautiful lush interior. While the Hotel is very well haunted, every year The Stanley celebrates the presence of the hotel’s supernatural with their annual Shining Ball and guests can enjoy murder mystery dinner and Ghost Adventure Package. Just don’t forget to ask to stay in rooms 407, 217, or 418, the hotels most haunted rooms. In room 407, the tobacco smoke from The Earl of Dunraven can still be smelt. Stephen King and his wife stayed in room 217 and experienced some extra ghostly housekeeping services: bags unpacked and clothes folded neatly into the dresser without any explanation. But room 418 is the most haunted of all, the stay say they’ve seen ghosts of children and even their impressions left behind on the mattresses. SpoOoOoOoky!
Chillingham became a fully fortified castle in 1344 and since then has up kept its medieval luxury and royalty feel. Kings and Queens would come to here to hunt and for leisure vacations. The staterooms are known for their Elizabethan ceilings and antique originals. Fresh from his royal triumphs at Windsor Castle, Sir Jeffrey Wyatville created a garden so extensive Queen Elizabeth would be proud. And yes, there is a dungeon and a torture chamber, standard right? Due to multiple executions during the castle’s battle days, many spirits stayed behind such as The Blue Boy, whose screams can be heard in the night, and Lady Mary Berkeley, who is still in search of her long lost husband. Don’t let these things deter you, I assure you the ghosts are perfectly friendly!
Located in the picturesque and idyllic town of Sealand, one would think this castle just provides the perfect long-weekend getaway. With expanding lawns and gardens perfect for a wedding, the 34-room mansion is built for the wealthy of Denmark to come eat, drink, and be merry. It is also one of the oldest castles in Denmark, built in 1200 and remodeled over the years. One thing they do not like to advertise are their 3 resident ghosts: The Earl of Bothwell, The White Lady, and The Grey Lady. During one of the hotel’s renovations, a body of a nobleman’s daughter was said to have been found entombed inside the castle walls. Her father imprisoned her after she fell in love with a commoner. The Earl has been said to ride through the courtyard with a full horse and carriage, so be sure to watch out to not get run over.
Known as “The most haunted city in America” due to its dark and mysterious voodoo past, the Hotel Monteleone was built in 1886 and has had multiple renovations done to it since then to expand into over 300 rooms in the heart of the French Quarter. 5-generations have owned and operated this 15-story hotel since then, all while keeping up the Beaux-Arts style interior and antique decorations. In the late 1890s Josephine and Jacques Begere, their 3 year old son, Maurice and his nanny came to stay at the Hotel Monteleone. Josephine and Jacques Begere went to the Opera, while the nanny stayed with Maurice at the hotel. Disaster was just around the corner. Tragedy struck when Jacques was killed in a carriage accident. Their son, Maurice caught yellow fever, and died at the hotel. Josephine never got over losing her husband and son, and died a year later of a broken heart. This is one of the many many instinces in which the hotel is claimed to be haunted. The International Society of Paranormal Research even spent some time at the hotel to investigate these claims. If you want to know what they found, try checking out the hotel for yourself.
Honorable mention: Le Pavillon Hotel in New Orleans. Equally luxurious and especially haunted.
Built in 1625, Ballygally Castle is a beautiful and regal hotel on the Antrim Coast in Northern Ireland. It overlooks Ballgally Bay and has stunning views of the Scottish coast. The rooms are fit for a king, quite literally actually and each room comes equipped with a ‘cloud mattress’, for the nights too scary to get out of bed. Which may be many nights, according to the Castle staf,f there has been a ghost haunting the mansion for over 400 years. The ghost is said to be that of Lady Isobella Shaw, who was the wife of Lord James Shaw. Lord Shaw wanted a son to be his heir, however when Lady Shaw delivered him his heir he snatched him away and locked her up in a room at the top of the castle. In an escape attempt, it is believed Lady Shaw fell to her death. Another theory is that Lord Shaw himself thorugh her to her death or he paid someone to do it. The ghost of Lady Isobella is said to be friendly and is regularly seen wondering around the old castle, perhaps in search of her beloved son. There are countless reports of eerie activity around the castle with several guests feeling a presence in their rooms, hearing unexplained noises, and witnessing the inexplicable. A mysterious green mist has also been reported hovering above the castle. Ballygally Castle hotel is proud of its resident ghost, dedicating a room to her in one of the towers in the older part of the castle, so beware!
Also receiving honorable mention: The Langham Hotel. London, England