Every grand estate has secrets, and some keep them awake at night. Behind ornate gates and flickering chandeliers, echoes of the past continue to stir. Travelers searching for more than just a scenic stay have found these places unforgettable and unsettling. Keep scrolling through this collection of haunted havens to see which ones might tempt you… or terrify you enough to stay home.
The Stanley Hotel – Estes Park, Colorado, USA
Standing proudly in the Rockies since 1909, the Stanley Hotel is as beautiful as it is bone-chilling. Guests swear they’ve heard Flora Stanley’s piano playing by itself or seen ghostly figures on the fourth floor. And yes, Stephen King’s stay in Room 217 really did inspire “The Shining.”
Dalhousie Castle – Edinburgh, Scotland
Once a 13th-century fortress, Dalhousie Castle now welcomes guests with falconry and the occasional fright. Locals say Lady Catherine, the “Grey Lady,” still wanders the halls after a tragic love story centuries ago. Don’t worry, she’s said to be more heartbroken than harmful.
Dragsholm Slot – Horve, Denmark
This Danish castle mixes Michelin-star dining with a touch of the supernatural. Visitors have spotted three resident ghosts, including the “White Lady,” a former noblewoman found bricked behind a wall. Even the Earl of Bothwell—Mary Queen of Scots’ ill-fated husband—may still be hanging around.
Langham Hotel – London, England
Opened in 1865, the Langham is a Victorian icon with a dark legend. Room 333 allegedly hosts the ghost of a doctor who killed his wife before dying by suicide. Guests also report seeing uniformed soldiers, and a German prince said to have jumped to his death.
Kinnitty Castle – County Offaly, Ireland
A Gothic gem with a ghostly twist, Kinnitty Castle serves banquets and chills. The Phantom Monk has been spotted countless times drifting through candlelit corridors. Visitors last month even caught a glimpse. Apparently, he’s still making his nightly rounds centuries later.
Hotel Castle Liebenstein – Rhineland, Germany
Located high above the Rhine, this medieval hideaway offers stunning valley views and some sibling rivalry that never died. Legend says two feuding brothers built castles side by side, and one still haunts the ruins next door. Stay the night, and you might hear him grumbling about it.
Chateau Laurier – Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
This grand Canadian hotel has a touch of Titanic tragedy. Its founder, Charles Melville Hays, died aboard the doomed ship just before the hotel opened in 1912. Since then, guests have reported eerie footsteps and shadowy figures gliding through the halls. Maybe he finally checked in, just late.
The Myrtles Plantation – St. Francisville, Louisiana, USA
One of America’s most haunted homes, The Myrtles Plantation has twelve spirits, mysterious handprints that won’t fade, and stories that’ll make you sleep with the lights on. The ghost of Chloe, an enslaved woman caught in tragedy, is said to wander near the old mirrors and stairways.
Parador De Cardona – Cardona, Spain
High above Catalonia, this 9th-century fortress turned hotel has breathtaking views and a room you might not want to book. Room 712 is said to host wandering spirits from centuries past. Still, those panoramic scenes of the Cardener Valley might be worth a ghostly night or two.
Relais Castello Di Bevilacqua – Verona, Italy
Stayers at this 14th-century castle near Verona insist they’ve felt cold spots, heard footsteps, and even glimpsed apparitions of a soldier and a countess. Paranormal experts found no proof, but that’s never stopped stories from spreading. Maybe it’s just Italy’s romantic spirit getting a little too literal.
