A haunted hotel gives its guests a supernatural experience.
Many Victorian-style hotels and bed and breakfasts have haunted bedrooms, halls or other areas. Haunted Victorian hotels are all over the United States, with many in San Francisco, because of its colorful history and its emphasis on Victorian architecture. Most of the spirits lingering in these establishments are benign, but their presence may still give you a chill.
San Francisco
San Francisco is known for its Victorian architecture and has hotels and ghost tours available for curious explorers. The Nob Hill Inn at Pine and Taylor is an early 20th century townhouse with Edwardian and Victorian design elements. Reports indicate that it is also well-haunted, and the owners estimate that about 20 ghosts are in residence at Nob Hill Inn, so if you book a room or visit, expect supernatural activity. The ghosts are supposed to be playful and friendly specters. The Queen Anne Hotel is a pink Victorian building built in 1889. Originally it was a finishing school run by Mary Lake. Over the years it has changed hands, but her spirit remains, looking over guests, unpacking clothes in rooms, and moving or picking up objects. Room 410 is the center of this activity, because this room was once Mary's office. However, she is a cordial and welcoming spirit to all her guests.
Horton Hotel
The Horton Grand Hotel in San Diego is patterned after the Innsbruck Inn in Vienna, Austria. The paranormal activity at this hotel is well-documented, particularly in Room 309, where Roger Whitaker's ghost has made numerous appearances. It is not known why his ghost chose this particular room, but there are two main stories. One says that his body was dumped in a nearby swamp; another that he was shot and died in Room 309. Regardless, guests staying in Room 309 have seen and felt his presence, either through objects moving or the bed shaking. He has also been seen roaming the halls, only to disappear before guests' eyes.
Madrona Manor
The Madrona Manor is in Healdsburg, near Sonoma and in California's wine country. It is a bed and breakfast, and the property still houses a working winery. Guests, owners and employees all report feeling an unseen presence watching them throughout the manor, and guests coffee cups moving in the main dining room. The ghosts of Madrona Manor are calm and mannerly, so if you book a room, expect ghostly activity of a subtle nature.
Lizzie Borden House
The Lizzie Borden House is in Fall River, Massachusetts. It is a Victorian home that was the scene of one of the most infamous murders in American history. The bed and breakfast has a museum, tours and rooms for rent. Guests are treated to a typical New England breakfast in the mornings and paranormal activity at night. The Borden family and a former caretaker are supposed to haunt the home, and guests report feeling a presence, unusual hot and cold spots. Cameras have captured images of moving objects in the bedrooms.
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