Of all the eerie places around the world, haunted hotels stand out as hubs of paranormal activity. From restless spirits to inexplicable phenomena, these hotels carry spine-chilling histories that have fascinated and frightened guests for generations. Here's a curated list of haunted hotels around the world that you can book using your Avios points for travellers interested in intrigued by ghost stories as well as an overseas adventure travel experience.
These destinations promise more than just a place to sleep—they offer a brush with the supernatural.
1. Hotel Saranac – Saranac Lake, New York
Nestled in the Adirondacks, the historic Hotel Saranac has been a centre of ghostly tales since its opening in 1927. Built on the grounds of a former high school, it’s said that the superintendent’s spirit still wanders the halls, particularly in the basement and ballroom. Guests have reported phantom singing and other eerie occurrences.
How to get there: Fly from London Heathrow to New York using off-peak Business Class reward seats from 85,000 Avios plus £305 one-way.
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2. Toftaholm Herrgård Hotel – Lagan, Sweden
Located in picturesque Sweden, this 14th-century manor turned hotel is a hotspot for paranormal activity. According to legend, a heartbroken young man hanged himself in what is now Room 324. Today, guests frequently report strange noises, ghostly apparitions, and an inexplicable chill in the air.
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How to get there: Fly from London Heathrow to Copenhagen in off-peak Economy reward seats from 18,500 Avios plus £1 return, followed by a two-hour drive to Lagan.
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3. The Queen Mary – Long Beach, California
Once a luxurious ocean liner, the Queen Mary has transformed into a floating hotel renowned for its paranormal phenomena. With 49 recorded deaths aboard, Stateroom B340 is especially notorious for ghostly encounters, including flickering lights and blankets being yanked off guests in the middle of the night.
How to get there: Fly from London Heathrow to Los Angeles (LAX) using off-peak Business Class reward seats from 90,000 Avios plus £355 one-way.
British Airways
4. Parador de Jaén – Jaén, Spain
Located in an 18th-century Arab fortress overlooking the Andalusian landscape, Parador de Jaén is steeped in history and haunted tales. Guests in Room 22 have reported eerie occurrences, including the sound of a woman crying and persistent knocking on the door.
In the 1980s, a team of paranormal investigators determined that the room was haunted by the spirit of a young woman who had died of heartbreak in the fortress centuries ago. While Room 22 has been quiet since then, the hotel is also said to be haunted by the ghost of “Terrible Lizard,” a prisoner who starved to death while locked in the fortress.
How to get there: Fly from London Heathrow to Madrid using off-peak Economy reward seats from 23,500 Avios plus £1 return, followed by a three-hour drive to Jaén.
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5. The Hollywood Roosevelt – Los Angeles, California
This glamorous Los Angeles hotel has hosted numerous Hollywood stars—alive and otherwise. The ghost of Marilyn Monroe is said to linger near a specific mirror, while Montgomery Clift’s spirit has been known to haunt his old suite.
How to get there: Fly from London Heathrow to Los Angeles (LAX) using off-peak Business Class reward seats from 90,000 Avios plus £355 one-way.
British Airways
6. Bourbon Orleans Hotel – New Orleans, Louisiana
The Bourbon Orleans Hotel combines French elegance with a chilling history. Once a convent and orphanage, its past has left behind spirits that roam its ballroom and hallways. A ghostly dancer is often seen twirling beneath the grand chandelier.
How to get there: Fly from London Heathrow to New Orleans in off-peak Business Class reward seats from 90,000 Avios plus £355 one-way.
British Airways
7. Chateau de Marcay – Marcay, France
Set amidst the scenic beauty of France’s Loire Valley, Chateau de Marcay is a 15th-century castle converted into a hotel in 1973. The turreted chateau looks like something out of a fairy tale—but as we all know, fairy tales often have a dark side. According to legend, one of the castle’s ladies was a werewolf.
A farmer, mistaking her transformed figure for a threat, accidentally killed her. The ghost of the lady, dressed in white, is said to roam the halls, with sightings reported by both guests and staff. This picturesque chateau offers an intriguing mix of elegance and eerie legend.
How to get there: Fly from London Heathrow to Paris using off-peak Economy reward seats from 18,500 Avios plus £1 return, followed by a three-hour drive to Marcay.
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8. The Taj Mahal Palace – Mumbai, India
This opulent Indian hotel is shrouded in tragedy and mystery. Legend has it that the building’s architect committed suicide after realizing the hotel faced the wrong direction. His benign spirit now wanders the halls, occasionally seen by startled guests.
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How to get there: Fly from London Heathrow to Mumbai in off-peak Business Class reward seats from 90,000 Avios plus £355 one-way.
British Airways
9. Ballygally Castle – County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Dating back to the 17th century, Ballygally Castle is famously haunted by Lady Isobel Shaw, who reportedly fell to her death. Her ghost is known to knock on doors and roam the halls. The hotel even features a dedicated “Ghost Room” for the bravest visitors.
How to get there: Fly from London Heathrow or London City to Belfast in off-peak Economy reward seats from 18,500 Avios plus £1 return.
British Airways
10. Hotel Del Coronado – San Diego, California
The tragic story of Kate Morgan, a young woman who took her own life in 1892, looms large over the iconic Hotel Del Coronado. Her spirit is said to inhabit her third-floor room, with flickering lights and mysterious footsteps adding to the chilling atmosphere.
How to get there: Fly from London Heathrow to San Diego in off-peak Business Class reward seats from 90,000 Avios plus £355 one-way.
Beyond Hotels: Haunted Castles and Paranormal Experiences
If haunted hotels aren’t enough, consider exploring haunted castles like Ballygally in Northern Ireland or Sweden’s Toftaholm Herrgård. From ghost stories rooted in centuries of history to eerie encounters in atmospheric settings, these castles offer a unique blend of history and horror.
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Book Your Paranormal Adventure with Avios
Each of these haunted hotels is more than just a travel destination—they’re an experience. Use your Avios points to book flights to these spooky locales and immerse yourself in the world of ghost stories and haunted places. From haunted hotels in America to eerie castles in Europe, there’s a paranormal adventure waiting for you.
So pack your bags, steel your nerves, and prepare for an unforgettable journey into the supernatural. After all, what’s a little ghostly encounter compared to the allure of a world-class travel experience?
