Staying with ghostly residents
Looking for an ‘out of this world’ getaway vacation? Look no further. These are hotels that boast of uninvited inhabitants who are not recorded on the nightly occupancy stats - despite some of them being the longest long-staying guests. These hotels offer more than a bed and complimentary breakfast; they provide a heart - pounding experience that dreams…nay, nightmares are meant to be. These hotels go the extra mile by having a little extra spirit. Remember though, 'Spirit Possession' is not covered by the majority of travel insurers.
Be prepared to sleep with one eye open unless you want to get a wakeup call from the other side. Receive room service delivered by the afterlife; even though not ordered. Sounds like your cup of tea? Have your bags re-packed with some ghoulish help should you plan to make fast getaway – all on the house!
So, if you are looking for a unique, hair- tingling holiday experience; one that might send shivers of angst down your spine, check in to one of those ghostly hotels for a ghoulish stay. A stay you won’t forget…even if you tried.
In a world where hotel ratings are based on the number of ghostly encounters per night, the Stanley Hotel in Colorado, USA tops the list. Those of you who saw Stanley Kubrick’s movie “The Shining” based on the novel by Stephen King, featuring Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrence, will remember room 217, which is rumored to be the most haunted, (with over 100 ghost sightings). The hotel, built in 1909 by F.O. Stanley now conducts over 600 ghost tours annually. Talk about discovering a ‘niche’ market!
If one is planning a short stay in London then the Langham Hotel (home to 7 resident spirits), is your best bet. The spirits are so active at this hotel built around 1868, they drove out several English national team cricket players back in 2014, many of whom who cited sudden heat and lights and an unexplained presence during the night. Ask for room 333 when booking because it is available to any traveler, It has earned a terrific reputation as the best room with a view- a chilling one at that.
Home to many celebrity guests, including Katharine Hepburn and Lindsay Lohan, West Hollywood's Chateau Marmont is no stranger to A-list clientele. However, one Saturday Night Live star who is said to have checked in and never left is comedian John Belushi, who died at the hotel from a drug overdose in 1982. He was discovered dead in Bungalow 3, which remains the site of many strange occurrences. The most notorious incident occurred in 1999, when a family was staying in the bungalow with their 2-year old son. The boy was often found laughing and giggling by himself—and when asked what he was laughing at, he would respond, “The funny man.” When his mother was leafing through a book of celebrity guests of Chateau Marmont, the boy pointed to a photo of John Belushi and exclaimed, “The funny man!”
Thankfully, all haunted hotels that one knows of or unknowingly checks into, are unlike the mysterious hotel called the "Hotel California", where leaving becomes impossible.
Ilzaf Keefahs is a free lance writer who enjoys focusing on hospitality related matters that he is passionate about, and likes to share his views with hoteliers and customers alike. He delves into the heart of hospitality to figure out both customer service and consumer trends that impact the industry
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