Do you think you have what it takes to spend a night in one of New York City’s most haunted hotels? Well, get ready to be spooked because we’ve compiled a list of the creepiest hotels in the Big Apple.
These are the places where guests have reported hearing strange noises, seeing apparitions, and feeling an eerie presence.
Prepare to embrace the fear and come with us as we explore the dark side of New York City’s hospitality industry, where the guests never really leave, and the memories linger forever.
1. The Algonquin Hotel
The Algonquin Hotel is one of the most haunted hotels in New York City, with a rich history and many reported paranormal experiences. Built in 1902, the hotel has served as a gathering place for famous writers, artists, and actors for over a century. Guests have reported hearing footsteps in the corridors and seeing spectral beings wandering through the dining room and lobby areas.
The hotel is said to be haunted by several famous figures from the 1920s, including Harpo Marx, George S. Kaufman, and Dorothy Parker. Parker, in particular, is a frequent ghostly presence at the Algonquin. One story tells of her scolding noisy children who were running through the hotel.
In addition to its ghostly inhabitants, the Algonquin offers modern amenities in its guest rooms, including soundproofing, heating, air conditioning, iPod docks, bathtubs, and specialty toiletries. The hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Manhattan, less than a 10-minute walk away from both Grand Central Station and Times Square.
The Algonquin became an official literary landmark of NYC in 1996, and the hotel’s history and paranormal activity continue to draw guests from around the world. So, if you’re feeling brave and want to experience a bit of New York City’s haunted past, book a room at the Algonquin Hotel and step back in time in style – if you dare. [STAY AT THE ALGONQUIN]
2. Hotel Chelsea
Perhaps one of the most iconic haunted hotels on this list, the Hotel Chelsea is a legendary haunt in New York City, known for its association with the 1970s punk rock music scene and several notable ghosts. The hotel has a rich history, having been home to many famous figures from the 1970s, including musicians, artists, and writers.
Known for a number of high-profile deaths, suicides, and tragic instances, it’s also infamous for the murder of Nancy Spungen, the girlfriend of Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious. She was found brutally stabbed to death in the couple’s bathroom in 1978, and many guests have reported seeing her ghost in the hotel since then. Some say they have seen Nancy looking at herself in the mirror as she fixes her makeup.
Despite its ghostly inhabitants, the Hotel Chelsea is a popular choice for visitors to New York City. Located just a few blocks away from Madison Square Garden, the Empire State Building, and Chelsea Piers, the hotel offers spacious rooms at reasonable prices, by New York standards. Guests are also treated to a sumptuous breakfast feast.
If you’re looking for a chance to live in a piece of history and perhaps even catch a glimpse of a famous ghost, the Hotel Chelsea is the place to be. Just be prepared for a few unexpected surprises during your stay. [STAY AT THE HOTEL CHELSEA]
3. The Bowery Hotel
Vanity Fair said it best. “The Bowery was never an ordinary street. It has a past.”
It was the seedy underbelly of New York City, where the poorest residents lived and the shadiest establishments thrived. Gang warfare was rampant, and the streets were ruled by violent thugs and corrupt officials. It was a time that Martin Scorsese captured brilliantly in his blockbuster film “Gangs of New York.”
But even though the neighborhood has changed, some believe that the ghosts of its turbulent past still linger. And one of the places where these ghosts make their presence known is the Bowery Hotel.
The hotel is said to be haunted by a variety of ghosts, including a poltergeist that has made the elevators its permanent residence. Ever the puctual guest, every night at 1 am, the elevators go haywire and stop operating, leaving guests stranded and spooked.
But the ghosts at the Bowery Hotel aren’t content to stay in the elevators or hidden in the shadows. One guest reported checking into their room to find a ghostly woman dressed all in white sitting on the bed, watching them with an otherworldly gaze.
And if you think you’re safe having a conversation with another hotel guest, think again. Guests have reported chatting with individuals who seem to be fellow travelers, only to have them disappear in mid-sentence, leaving the living guests confused and shaken. [STAY AT THE BOWERY]
4. The Historic Bermuda Inn
Once a private residence built by the Mesereau family in 1832, the Historic Old Bermuda Inn is now a hub of activity. This charming building has seen it all, serving as a restaurant, wedding venue, party facility, and bed and breakfast. But it’s not just the living who occupy the inn.
Legend has it that the building is haunted by the ghost of Martha Mesereau, a woman who lost her husband during the Civil War. Martha waited for him patiently, watching from her bedroom window day and night, until she received the heartbreaking news of his death. Heartbroken and alone, Martha retreated to her bed and soon passed away as well.
But it seems that Martha is still waiting for her husband’s return, as guests have reported seeing her silhouette from her old bedroom window.
And it’s not just Martha who lingers at the inn. Visitors have reported seeing a ghostly figure walking around the front of the building, while restaurant workers have heard strange noises and witnessed locked doors opening on their own.
During a recent reconstruction period, workers even reported hearing unusual sounds coming from the original part of the mansion.
Despite the paranormal activity, the Historic Old Bermuda Inn still offers a warm welcome to guests who are looking for a unique experience. So if you’re feeling brave, book a room and see if you can spot Martha or any of the other ghosts who call the inn home. Who knows, you might even get a chance to reunite Martha with her beloved husband – or at least enjoy a good scare!
5. The Plaza
For over a century, The Plaza has been the pinnacle of sophistication and luxury in New York City. Its grand halls have welcomed kings, presidents, and the biggest stars of stage and screen, all drawn to the glamour and prestige that surrounds the hotel.
But The Plaza is more than just a place to see and be seen. It’s also a place with a dark and mysterious past. The hotel has a long history of reported paranormal activity, with many guests and staff members claiming to have had eerie encounters with the supernatural.
One former guest described a terrifying experience where their room door wouldn’t open as if locked from the outside. They were voicing their frustrations only to hear someone on the other side of the door, mocking what they said. How rude! Looking through the peephole the guest saw nobody there.
Another guest witnessed a dark shadow figure eminating from the closet in their room, and linger near their bed.
There are countless other paranormal reports associated with this historic NY hotel, including disembodied voices, and unexplained sounds. [STAY AT THE PLAZA]
6. The Jane Hotel
The Jane Hotel in Greenwich Village has a storied past, dating back to 1908 when it served as the American Seaman’s Friends Society Sailor’s Home and Institute. But perhaps the most haunting chapter in its history is its connection to the Titanic disaster.
In 1912, the survivors and crew members of the ill-fated ship found refuge at The Jane while the American Inquiry into the tragedy was conducted. It was also the site of a special memorial service held by the crew four days after the ship sank, honoring those who lost their lives that tragic night.
But it seems that the spirits of those lost souls may still linger at The Jane. Guests of the hotel have reported seeing transparent figures and hearing the sounds of sobbing and grief. And for those of us who work at The Jane, these reports are especially chilling.
With such a haunting legacy, it’s no wonder that The Jane Hotel is considered one of the most haunted hotels in New York City. So if you’re brave enough to spend a night in this historic building, be prepared for some eerie encounters with the otherworldly – and maybe even a visit from a ghostly Titanic passenger. [Stay at the Jane Hotel]
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