Hotels

Downtown Eureka Springs, Arkansas

If you don’t mind having some extra guests in your room, and by guests I mean GHOSTS, then check in to the 1886 Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas this year! Right around Halloween would be very fun. This sprawling Victorian was constructed in (you guessed it) 1886, and it’s beautiful, spooky and charming all at once. The grounds are gorgeous, and the hotel is chock full of history (don’t forget to sign up for one of the walking tours!)

Rooms here are romantic but not overly frilly. You might want to check out the brand-new cottages which were finished in 2008, they’re supposed to be lovely. If it were me, though, I’d go for the Jacuzzi Suites. They used to be servant’s quarters, but now they’re much nicer. If you’re really going for a splurge,the Penthouse or the Governor’s Suite could fit the bill.

And don’t forget – this hotel also offers amazing, highly recommended spa services! It’s called the New Moon Spa. 7200 square feet of massages, body wraps scrubs and more. That way, if you’re tense and scared by ghostly activity, you can go back up to your room nice and relaxed.

A group of friends and I have decided to meet up once a year at an amazing supposedly haunted hotel in a pretty location…the 1886 Crescent Hotel is now at the top of my list!

Photo: Clinton Steeds

Ghost

Drafty corridors. Flashes of movement in mirrors. Billowing drapes and creaky floorboards. Scare yet? You should be! Halloween isn’t far away, and staying in a haunted hotel with friends is one of the most fun things you can do on Halloween night. Have fun, and prepared to be afraid, very afraid…

The Admiral Fell Inn – Baltimore, Maryland

This hotel has served a number of different uses, and some of its buildings have been around since the 1770s. There are many rumors of ghostly happenings in and around the hotel.

The Driskill Hotel – Austin, Texas

Stunning hotel and one of Austin’s most famous landmarks. Listen for the sounds of a little girl laughing and bouncing a ball in the hallways and other haunted happenings…

The Hawthorne Hotel – Salem, Massachusetts

Considering Salem’s history, it’s not surprise that there are some hotels rumored to be haunted in the town. This hotel has actually only around since 1925, so its ghosts are younger than some of the rest of the town’s.

The Roosevelt Hotel - Hollywood, California

Some say you’ll see more than celebrities as this swanky Hollywood Hotel. Hotel workers says they’re frequently spooked by spirits.

The Marshall House – Savannah, Georgia

This hotel dates to 1851, and at one point was used as a clinic for injured Union soldiers during the Civil War.

The Stanley Hotel – Estes Park, Colorado

Had to include this sprawling Colorado hotel – it was the hotel that inspired Stephen King to write The Shining. He stayed in room 217. Room 418 is rumored to be very haunted.

Photo Credit: Piccadilly Wilson

by Barbara Weibel at Hole In The Donut Travels

The Lowe Hotel, Point Pleasant, West Virginia

On a recent road trip I pulled into the little town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, conveniently located midway between Illinois and my North Carolina destination. In the center of Main Street, amidst scores of meticulously restored older buildings filled with cute shops, I discovered the Lowe Hotel, the only hotel in town.

I hauled my suitcase up the long marble staircase to the second floor, opened the door with an enormous skeleton key, and was delighted to discover a room decorated in antiques and outfitted with a queen-size poster bed. It didn’t take me long to climb beneath the fluffy quilt, prop myself up with two down pillows, and boot up my laptop. I was happily answering emails when the noises began. At first they were small creaking sounds and I paid them little mind – all old buildings make noises. Then just before turning off the light a very loud noise startled me. It sounded like a large, dry tree branch snapping in two and seemed to come from the television, which I hadn’t turned on. Puzzled, I dismissed it and went to sleep. Read More »

Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood

The Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, California is a lovely, historic hotel on Hollywood Blvd where all the sidewalk stars are. It’s a great place to people watch from – I’ve seen two celebrities in this hotel since I’ve been here!

My room is definitely on the smaller side, bu the bed is comfy. However, the bed does have a nasty, sharp wooden corner to it which is very annoying! I’ve managed to walk into that corner about four times since being here, and my shins now look like someone took a baseball bat to them. Other than that, the room is fine. The bathroom is small, and the toilet paper roll is hidden behind the door, so you have to close the door when using the bathroom, which I found amusing. Nice amenities are included in the bathroom.
They do hit you with a lot of charges here. You even have to pay for the coffee in the room. There’s a very funny “Shag Bag” which made me laugh out loud. You can guess what’s in there.

This hotel is a little bit spooky though. It’s older, built in 1927 I believe, and the hallways feel dark and, well – haunted. I’m not kidding. I’m on the twelfth floor, and I get weird chills when I walk from my hotel room to the elevator.

Moving on! If you stay here, you have to check out the historic lobby – it’s absolutely gorgeous. Very high ceilings, dark wood, soft, yellow lighting. Large, very comfortable leather chairs…just lovely.

The pool is open till 11pm, score!

I highly recommend Shelly Cafe, right across the street. Pretty cheap food – basic burgers, sandwiches and salads. But good! And, Million Dollar Baby was filmed there, if you’re into that stuff.

Photo Credit: P Keigan