Looking for a "spooktacular" stay this Halloween? If you dare, book a room at a hauntingly historic hotel, where you can spend time with ghostly guests who've checked-in, but refused to check out. From forlorn lovers trapped in time to hotel employees who just weren't ready to abandon their duties, many of Historic Hotels of America's "visitors" have a spine-chilling good time in store for you. Below is a list of ghoulish getaways.
The Sagamore: Bolton Landing, New York
Paso Robles Inn: Paso Robles, California
The phone at the front desk of the Paso Robles Inn receives mysterious calls from Room 1007 on a regular basis. At first the Inn's management wrote the calls off as a glitch in the system. However, when a member of the maintenance staff inspected the phone line, he witnessed it light-up and call the front desk on its own. When he tried calling the front desk himself, the phone, which has two lines, cut him off and called the front desk from the second line. The spirit has even gone so far as to place a call to 911. When police responded to the call, they found the room unoccupied. Hotel staff attribute the calls to a story uncovered in a 1940 newspaper article. On December 19, 1940, night clerk J.H. Emsley discovered a fire on the second floor of the hotel. Panicked, Mr. Emsley rushed downstairs, sounded the fire alarm and died, on the spot, of a heart attack. Thanks to his quick response and actions all of the hotel's guests were evacuated. Unfortunately due to his sudden death, Mr. Emsley was never aware of his heroism which may be the reason he feels the need to continue to call for help. www.pasoroblesinn.com
The Pfister Hotel: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Apparently Charles Pfister, founder of The Pfister, still visits his century-old "Grand Hotel of the West" from time-to-time to ensure his guests continue to be well taken care of. A "visitor" has been spotted surveying the lobby from the grand staircase, strolling the minstrel's gallery above the ballroom, and passing through the ninth floor storage area. He is always described in roughly the same terms: "older," "portly," "smiling," and "well-dressed." Upon seeing a portrait of Mr. Pfister, witnesses have sworn it was him. If the visitor is Charles Pfister, then he seems to be pleased with the current state of his hotel. www.thepfisterhotel.com
Jekyll Island Club Hotel: Jekyll Island, Georgia
For years Samuel Spencer, president of the Southern Railroad Company and member of the exclusive Jekyll Island hunt club, had a specific morning ritual-coffee and the Wall Street Journal would be delivered to his room so he could scan the morning news while enjoying his cup of coffee. Unfortunately, in 1906 Mr. Spencer died tragically in a train accident. For years, Jekyll Island Club members and hotel guests who occupy Spencer's room have found copies of their newspaper disturbed, moved or folded in their absence. Coffee cups have even been mysteriously poured or "sipped on" when guests returned from the shower or a brief outing. Perhaps Mr. Spencer is still enjoying his morning routine. www.jekyllclub.com
The 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa: Eureka Springs, Arkansas
It is said that after the skeleton frame of the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa had been erected in the 1880's, one of the Irish stone masons plunged to his death in what is now Room 218. This may be the reason why this room proves to be the most spiritually active in the hotel. Throughout the history of the hotel, employees have referred to the entity as "Michael," classified a poltergeist due to the nature of the unexplained activity. For decades television and film crews have been attracted to the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa for the quantity, and quality, of reported sightings. Guests have witnessed hands coming out of the bathroom mirror, cries of a falling man in the ceiling, the door opening then slamming shut, unable to be opened again. The intrigue of this activity had drawn guests to specifically request Room 218 for the sheer chance of experiencing a visit from "Michael."www.www.crescent-hotel.com
Don CeSar Beach Resort and Spa: St. Pete Beach, Florida
"Time is infinite. I wait for you by our fountain . . . to share our timeless love, our destiny is time." Thomas Rowe received this note upon the death of his beloved Lucinda. The two met in the 1890s when Rowe was studying in Europe. Lucinda's parents forbade the relationship and the forlorn Rowe returned to America. For years his letters to her were returned unopened. In 1925, Rowe built the Don CeSar Beach Resort and Spa and in the lobby of the hotel included a replica of the courtyard and fountain where Rowe and Lucinda used to meet. Although the fountain no longer exists, employees at the Don CeSar tell tales of seeing a couple who suddenly appear walking hand-in-hand into the hotel and then vanish. www.doncesar.com
About Historic Hotels of America
Historic Hotels of America is a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation that was formed in 1989 and a brand of Preferred Hotel Group. Historic Hotels has identified more than 220 hotels located in the U.S.A. that have faithfully maintained their historic integrity, architecture and ambiance. For more information please visit wwww.historichotels.org