There’s something undeniably eerie about staying at a haunted hotel, and the Lone Star State has its fair share of spine-tingling accommodations.
In this article, we’ll take you on a journey through fifteen of the most haunted hotels in Texas that are steeped in history, paranormal activity, and chilling stories.
From the ghosts of fallen heroes at the Alamo to the whispers of gamblers in Galveston, these hotels promise more than just a good night’s sleep. So, pack your bags and get ready to explore the thrilling and mysterious side of the Texas hospitality scene!
1. Emily Morgan Hotel, San Antonio
San Antonio’s Emily Morgan Hotel is the place to be if you’re in search of luxurious accommodations with a side of supernatural chills. This former medical facility has exchanged hospital gowns and stethoscopes for plush linens and room service, but some say the ghostly echoes of its past still linger, with it being considered the most haunted hotel in Texas.
If you’re lucky enough (or perhaps unlucky, depending on your perspective), you might just catch a glimpse of a spectral nurse or two. These hardworking apparitions are said to make their rounds, tending to patients long since departed. It’s comforting to know that even in the afterlife, you might still receive top-notch care.
The hotel’s mischievous ghosts are also known for their love of the phone. Guests have reported mysterious calls from empty rooms and disconnected lines. The Emily Morgan ghosts are clearly making their presence known – one ring at a time.
But it’s not all spooks and scares at the Emily Morgan. If you fancy a dip in the pool, just be prepared for the possibility of an unexpected, icy cold spot – it’s likely one of the hotel’s ghostly residents taking a quick swim. Book the Emily Morgan
2. The Excelsior Hotel, Jefferson
The Haunted Excelsior Hotel is the oldest hotel in East Texas opening its doors in the 1850s. This hotel has had some famous guests including Oscar Wilde and Steven Spielberg. The hotel is said to be haunted by the phantom of a woman who has scared some guests enough that they leave the hotel.
Steven Spielberg is one of those guests who had an encounter with this ghostly woman and was so frightened by the experience he would not stay in the hotel any longer.
3. Baker Hotel, Mineral Wells
The Baker Hotel originally opened in 1929 and served guests for many decades before shutting its doors. When it was open the Baker Hotel was home a nude female ghost covered in the blood known to haunt the 7th floor.
The other ghost seen in this hotel was a person supposedly killed in an elevator accident. Luckily for people, the hotel is closed, but if you want to meet these ghosts then don’t worry as the hotel will be reopening soon once again.
[Currently undergoing remodeling with reopening date set for Spring 2026]4. Menger Hotel, San Antonio
The Menger Hotel in San Antonio has hosted more than its fair share of celebrities, presidents, and even a few ghostly figures. For those who appreciate the finer things in life – like ghastly apparitions – this is the perfect accommodation.
Its haunted history includes encounters with a spectral chambermaid who doesn’t mind making her presence known. Sallie, as she’s known, apparently enjoys pranking hotel guests and staff, proving that the afterlife doesn’t have to be boring!
The ghosts of Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders are also rumored to frequent the hotel bar. It’s not every day you can say you’ve shared a drink with a former president, even if he’s of the transparent kind. So, grab a cocktail and toast to the Menger Hotel’s paranormal inhabitants. Check Availability
5. Stockyards Hotel, Fort Worth
The famous outlaw duo of Bonnie & Clyde frequented this hotel and even have room 305 named after them with people like that staying at this hotel it is no surprise that it is haunted.
The ghosts in the Stockyards Hotel like to play with the water in the bathrooms and one of them enjoys getting on the lift and taking it up and down the hotel. Some guests have also reported feeling someone crawling into bed with them only for no one to be there when they look. Check Availability
6. Hotel Galvez, Galveston
The Hotel Galvez opened in 1911 and was added the national register of historic place in April 1979. The hotel is said to be haunted by the spirit of a woman. This female ghost haunts the 5th floor of the hotel and is forever stuck after hanging herself in the hotel. The woman apparently hung herself after hearing that her husband had died while at sea. Check Availability
7. The Driskill Hotel, Austin
Built in 1886, The Driskill is the oldest and most well-known hotel in Austin. The hotel was built by Jesse Driskill who was a cattleman and used his fortune to build hotels. Old buildings like this are always haunted and this one is no different.
It is said to be haunted by the spirit of a little girl this little girl resides in a portrait on the 3rd floor and people that have looked at the picture have reported feeling like they are being lifted into the air.
People have also heard noises from empty rooms seen ghosts in windows or chairs and some have even reported strange feelings on their arms. Check Availability
8. Sheraton Gunter Hotel, San Antonio
The reportedly haunted Sheraton Gunter Hotel was built in 1909 and was designed by Architect John Mauran. The Sheraton Gunter Hotel has also been added to the national register of historic places.
The hotel was the venue of a grisly murder that took place in 1965. The murder took place in room 636 and guests have reported hearing noises coming from this room when it is empty.
Guests and staff have also reported seeing the apparition of a woman roaming the hallways with her arms outstretched possibly that of the murder victim looking for someone to help her. Check Availability
See more haunted hotels in San Antonio
9. The Adolphus, Dallas
The Adolphus Hotel opened in October of 1912 and was the brainchild of the owner of the Anheuser-Busch company. The hotel spanned over 22 floors and was the biggest thing in the Dallas skyline for a while. The hotel played host to some prominent big band musicians of the era including Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, and Glenn Miller.
Related: Haunted Hotels in Dallas-Fort-Worth
The hotel is said to be haunted by a jilted bride. The Brides fiance never showed up at the wedding ceremony. The Bride did not take this too well and hung herself just a few feet from where the wedding vows would have taken place. People have reported seeing the bride wandering the hotel possibly still looking for her fiance. [Check Availability]
10. The Historic Jefferson Hotel, Jefferson
The Historic Jefferson Hotel in Jefferson, TX, was built in 1851 but not for the hospitality we know it for today, it was originally a warehouse to support the exploding cotton industry. It’s unclear when the Jefferson opened its doors as a hotel, though it’s understood to have been between 1870 and 1900.
Ghosts here have a bit of a mean, or maybe just mischievous streak, as they are known to throw things at the guests and even lock them in their rooms! However, that is only the beginning!
Other reports of paranormal activity include knocking on the walls in the middle of the night, footsteps running down the hall, children laughing, disembodied voices, and strange shadows.
11. Gage Hotel, Marathon
The Gage Hotel was commissioned by Alfred Gage and he entrusted Henry Trost to design and build his hotel. The Gage hotel officially opened in April 1927 sadly just a year after the hotel opened Alfred Gage passed away.
The Hotel has had reports of few things that go bump in the night and guests have seen a spirit in antique clothing wandering the hotel, some people say that this is the spirit of Alfred Gage himself. Room 10 in the hotel is said to be haunted by a frightening spirit with people trying to avoid staying in that room. Check Availability
12. The Tremont House, Galveston
The Tremont House in Galveston may have had a tempestuous past, but it remains a classy, elegant hotel experience. And what elegant hotel would be complete without a few permanent ghostly residents?
Sam, “the Lucky Man,” is one such spirit. Known for his distinctive limp, this former gambler might not have been so lucky in life, but he’s now a permanent fixture in the hotel’s supernatural lore. If you hear a pounding on your door followed by uneven footsteps, don’t worry – it’s just Sam, looking for a late-night game of poker.
For those who prefer their spirits a little younger, there’s Jimmy, the playful ghost child. This mischievous little phantom enjoys sliding glasses off the bar and laughing as he watches guests scramble to catch them. Just remember, if you’re staying at The Tremont House, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your drink – Jimmy might just decide to play a prank on you! Check Availbility
13. The Crockett Hotel, San Antonio
The Crockett Hotel, built on the Alamo battlefield, may be haunted by long-dead soldiers who fought there in 1836. If you’re a history buff who’s also a fan of things that go bump in the night, this hotel should be on your must-visit list.
Frequent ghostly sightings include a man in a dark blue jacket reminiscent of Alamo-era uniforms. So, if you bump into a well-dressed ghost, you’ll know who he is.
Related: Haunted Hotels in San Antonio
This spirited hotel boasts disembodied footsteps, curtains moving on their own, and elevators with a mind of their own. It’s not just the guests who are left scratching their heads – even the afterlife seems to be a bit confused about which floor to stop at! Check Availability
14. Hotel Paisano, Marfa
At the Hotel Paisano in Marfa, Texas, where the motto is “Tough to get to. Tougher to explain,” you’ll find a rich history, unexplained phenomena, and ghostly encounters all wrapped up in a charming package.
Built in 1929, just days before the stock market crash, this historic hotel has catered to cattle ranchers, Hollywood stars, and now, curious ghost hunters.
With its fair share of paranormal activity, the Hotel Paisano has been featured on the Travel Channel, where even celebrities like Jack Osbourne have reported eerie experiences.
But it’s not just famous faces who have felt the chill of the supernatural here; guests frequently report inexplicable physical contact and sightings of ghostly figures, such as a woman in a white dress or an old man. We can’t help but wonder if they’re just looking for a good night’s sleep or maybe seeking company at the hotel’s inviting kidney-shaped pool.
While James Dean and Elizabeth Taylor may not be among the hotel’s spectral residents, their presence is still felt from their time filming “Giant” in the mid-1950s. Who knows, maybe they’ve found other spots to haunt, leaving room for the Hotel Paisano’s more permanent guests to take center stage. BOOK A ROOM
Learn more about the haunted Hotel Paisano.
15. The Kendall, Boerne
Nestled in the heart of Boerne, Texas, The Kendall Inn has been a fixture since its opening in 1859. This historic hotel, originally known as the “Reed House,” is one of the few remaining 19th-century resort hotels in the state.
Over its long history, it has undergone numerous renovations and name changes, reflecting its varied ownership, including a stint as “Ye Kendall Inn” in the early 20th century.
Now known simply as The Kendall, the hotel boasts 36 beautifully updated rooms, cabins, and cottages, combining modern luxury with the charm of Texas Hill Country.
Among its notable guests were Jefferson Davis, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Robert E. Lee, leaving behind a rich legacy that adds to the inn’s storied past.
However, the most intriguing aspect of The Kendall is its reputation for hauntings. Hotel staff and guests alike have reported encounters with spirits, believed to be the original owners, Erastus and Sarah Reed.
The lobby is said to be a hotspot for paranormal activity, with flickering lights, mysterious touches, and objects flying across the room. Some guests have even heard the distinct sounds of a horse and carriage trotting through the lobby.
The Victoria Room has its own eerie tale: a claw-foot tub that fills with water overnight without a sound. The Marcella Room is no less mysterious, with reports of freshly made beds being found rumpled as if an unseen visitor had lain on them.
There are even sightings of the third owner, Harry King, who tragically died in a hunting accident and is often seen walking the courtyard or sitting at his favorite table in the restaurant. BOOK A ROOM
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