How to Book a Haunted Hotel Stay for Halloween

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Spending Halloween night in a haunted hotel is a bucket-list trip for many ghost-story fans. You get a historic building, a good dinner, a comfortable bed and, if the stories are true, a little company in the night. But the best haunted rooms book up early, and a little planning goes a long way. Here is how to plan a haunted hotel stay this Halloween.

Pick the right haunted hotel

Decide what kind of scare you want

Some haunted hotels lean into their ghosts with tours, themed rooms and Halloween events. Others are elegant historic hotels where the stories are told quietly, if at all. Decide whether you want a party or a peaceful night with an eerie edge.

Look for a good story and real history

The most rewarding stays combine a building with a real past and a ghost story people have told for years. On this site you’ll find plenty: the phantom bellboy at Hotel Monte Vista in Flagstaff, the much-told legend at the Hotel del Coronado, and the colonial ghosts of Concord’s Colonial Inn.

Think about the trip

Remember that a haunted hotel is still a hotel. Look at the location, parking, dining and what else there is to do nearby, so the trip is fun even if the ghosts stay quiet.

A haunted hotel within driving distance makes a great one-night getaway. A famous one farther away might be worth a long weekend, with a town ghost walk and a historic site or two.

Booking tips

Book as early as you can

Halloween weekend is the busiest time of year for haunted hotels. If you can’t get the weekend, a weeknight close to Halloween is often easier and just as atmospheric.

Ask about the haunted rooms

Many hotels know exactly which rooms have the most stories, and some will let you request one. Ask politely when you book, and have a second choice ready. If the hotel prefers not to talk about ghosts, respect that.

Check the events

Some hotels run ghost tours, history talks or Halloween dinners. Ask what’s on and whether you need to reserve a spot.

Read the policies

Check the cancellation policy, parking and any rules about candles, recording equipment or late-night wandering in public areas.

What to pack

• A small flashlight for dark hallways and old staircases.
• A notebook to record anything odd: the time, the room and what you noticed.
• Comfortable layers. Old buildings can be drafty.
• A good ghost book for the night. Haunted Hotels in America is perfect bedtime reading for a haunted stay.

Making the most of the night

Learn the story first

Read the hotel’s history before you arrive so you know what to listen for. Is it a woman in a rocking chair? A knock at the door? Footsteps upstairs? Our posts on hotels like the Golden North in Skagway and the Clawson House in Bisbee are a good place to start.

Talk to the staff

Night staff and long-time employees often have the best stories. Ask kindly, and don’t be surprised if some would rather not say.

Be a good guest

Keep investigations to your own room, keep the noise down in hallways and never knock on other guests’ doors. Other people may be there to sleep, not to hunt ghosts.

Planning by region

If you’re heading to New England, 13 Most Haunted Hotels & Inns of New England will help you pick an inn. For the Southwest, Haunted Hotels in Arizona and Colorado covers mountain and desert towns with plenty of mining-era stories. And our posts cover hotels from Alaska to Florida.

FAQ

Do haunted hotels charge more on Halloween?

Rates often go up on busy weekends, and Halloween is one of the busiest. Booking early or choosing a weeknight usually helps.

Can I request a haunted room?

Often, yes. Ask when you book. Some hotels can’t promise a specific room, so have a backup plan.

Are haunted hotels safe?

Yes. They are working hotels with staff on duty. The ghost stories are part of the charm.

What if I get scared in the night?

Turn on the lights, call the front desk, or just enjoy the story you’ll be telling at breakfast.