Are you seeking a more memorable experience than the typical hotel room and check-in? What if your next stay came with blood-curdling legends, creaky floorboards, and a possible visit from a Victorian ghost? These aren’t your average getaways—they’re haunted hideouts, twisted towers, and freaky fortresses you can actually book. Don’t forget to pack your bags, bring a flashlight, and consider leaving the Ouija board at home, as these eerie escapes are not for the timid.
1. The Stanley Hotel – Estes Park, Colorado, USA
Price: From €200/night
Vibe: Grand, remote, chilling… like being dropped into a psychological thriller.
Backstory:
Stephen King stayed here in Room 217—and The Shining was born. Ever since, guests have whispered about piano music coming from the empty ballroom, ghostly children running through the halls, and Mr Stanley himself (the original owner) checking in on guests late at night.
What to expect:
Staying at the Stanley Hotel, expect grand staircases, snowy mountain views, and a heavy paranormal presence. The hotel even offers a spirited night tour that dives into its haunted history. Stay in the infamous Room 217 if you dare—or choose one of the “spirited rooms” known for their active energy.
Would we stay?
With a flask of bourbon and someone to hold your hand? Hell yes.
2. Château de Brissac – Maine-et-Loire, France
Price: From €300/night for a guest suite
Vibe: Regal on the outside, straight-up Gothic horror inside.
Backstory:
Nicknamed the “Giant of the Loire Valley”, this seven-storey château is home to the “Green Lady”—believed to be the ghost of Charlotte de Brézé, murdered in a fit of jealousy centuries ago. She’s often seen wandering the tower with hollow eye sockets and a moan that chills the bones.
What to expect:
You’ll sleep in richly furnished suites, dine like French royalty, and—if you’re lucky—wake to the ghostly sighs of Charlotte in the hall. The current owners actually live there, so you’ll get a taste of haunted nobility.
Would we stay?
Absolutely. Just don’t look in any antique mirrors.
3. Ancient Ram Inn – Gloucestershire, England
Price: From €90/night
Vibe: Straight out of a horror film. Dark beams, dusty relics, and decades of ghost hunting history.
Backstory:
The Ancient Ram Inn was built in 1145. This inn has it all: child sacrifices, pagan burial grounds, witches burning at the stake, and a room literally called “The Witches Room.” On his first night, the owner himself claimed a spirit dragged him out of bed.
What to expect:
Expect cold spots, flickering candles, and seriously spooky energy. There’s no electricity or plumbing in some rooms, and ghost hunters from all over the world come here to investigate the activity. You’re not just staying the night—you’re signing up for a live-action haunting.
Would we stay?
Sure, as long as we sleep with the light on… oh wait, there are no lights.
4. Karosta Prison – Liepāja, Latvia
Price: From €30/night (yes, really!)
Vibe: Soviet prison. Locked cell. Concrete. Chains. No joke.
Backstory:
This former military prison has a dark past. Used by both the Nazis and Soviets, thousands were imprisoned and many executed here. It’s said the spirits of tortured souls still roam the iron corridors. Some guests have fled in the middle of the night—others claim to have seen shadowy figures pacing their cells.
What to expect:
They’ll treat you like a prisoner—literally. The guards will yell commands, you will sleep on an iron bed, and the lights will remain off. They stay off. There’s even an option to participate in a full prisoner experience if you’re feeling brave (or slightly unhinged).
Would we stay?
For €30? It’s the cheapest scare of your life. Just don’t lose the key.
5. Poveglia Island (Venice, Italy) – Unofficial stay via private tours/camping
Price: From €200+ via private boat & gear rental
Vibe: Isolated. Foggy. Cursed. It feels as though you’ve ventured into a terrifying world.
Backstory:
In the 1700s, this island in Venice served as a quarantine for plague, resulting in the deaths of over 160,000 people. Later, it became a psychiatric hospital with whispers of strange experiments. Today, locals call it “the island of ghosts.” Even fishermen avoid it.
What to expect:
It’s technically off-limits, but some thrill-seekers have camped overnight through private arrangements. Expect silence, rustling trees, and the distinct feeling of being watched. Bring a torch, a brave heart, and a full phone battery—you won’t get help easily.
Would we stay?
If we wanted to test our sanity, then yes.
6. The Queen Mary – Long Beach, California, USA
Price: From €160/night
Vibe: Art Deco luxury meets haunted cruise ship.
Backstory:
This retired ocean liner served in WWII and later became a glamorous transatlantic cruise ship. But it’s been dubbed one of the most haunted places in the world—thanks to 49 recorded deaths, a crew member crushed in Door 13, and a haunted swimming pool where ghostly girls have been spotted.
What to expect:
You can book original staterooms, dine in elegant restaurants, and take haunted encounters tours that lead you to the engine room and beyond. Be cautious of sudden temperature drops, slamming doors, and disembodied voices near the pool.
Would we stay?
Oh yes. It’s Titanic-level glam with The Conjuring vibes.
7. The Skirrid Mountain Inn – Wales, UK
Price: From €120/night
Vibe: Cosy pub meets mediaeval execution ground.
Backstory:
This inn dates back over 900 years and was once used as a courtroom where more than 180 people were hanged—right in the stairwell. Some say you can still see the noose marks on the beams. Paranormal experts regularly report activity.
What to expect:
During the day, you can enjoy a classic countryside pub. At night, the pub is filled with spectral whispers and cold spots. One guest said she woke up to see a ghost staring at her. You’ve got all the haunted charm and pints of lager to calm your nerves.
Would we stay?
Book us a pint and a ghost tour, please.
8. The Mermaid Inn – Rye, East Sussex, England
Price: From €180/night
Vibe: Tudor elegance and low-key terror.
Backstory:
Dating back to 1156, this inn was once home to the notorious Hawkhurst Gang—smugglers who killed traitors in their bedrooms. Many guests claim to have seen their spirits. Even the staff report ghostly sightings in Room 17.
What to expect:
Expect to encounter creaking floorboards, hidden passages, antique furnishings, and the possibility of a smuggler’s ghost rearranging your suitcase. This place is seriously charming—with a deadly edge.
Would we stay?
I would definitely stay. Please refrain from doing so in Room 17.
9. Ballygally Castle – Northern Ireland
Price: From €210/night
Vibe: sea views, castle luxury, and one seriously sad ghost.
Backstory:
After giving birth to their child in 1625, her husband reportedly threw Lady Isabella Shaw from the tower. Her spirit now wanders the castle looking for her baby. She’s not angry—just heartbroken.
What to expect:
Modern hotel comfort meets mediaeval architecture. Stay in the “Ghost Room”, take afternoon tea, and maybe spot Lady Isabella by your window. Hotel staff say she’s more sweet than scary.
Would we stay?
It’s the kind of spooky we’d actually sleep through. Ideal for ghost-curious couples.
10. The Lizzie Borden House – Fall River, Massachusetts, USA
Price: From €250/night (includes breakfast and ghost tour)
Vibe: Victorian murder scene turned B&B.
Backstory:
“Lizzie Borden took an axe…” You know the rhyme. In 1892, Lizzie was accused (but acquitted) of brutally murdering her father and stepmother with an axe. The house is now a museum and inn. And it’s said the victims never left.
What to expect:
Stay in the actual room where Abby Borden was found dead. Tour the crime scene. Talk to other brave guests over breakfast. And yes, the staff are more than happy to share creepy stories.
Would we stay?
Only if someone’s brave enough to take the bed near the axe-shadowed wall.
Final thoughts:
Whether you’re into real haunted history or just want a weird story to tell at parties, these 10 terrifying stays offer something unique. Who needs sleep anyway?
