Dare to Check In? Uncovering the Spirits of San Antonio's 5 Most Haunted Hotels

San Antonio. A city steeped in the echoes of revolution, resilience, and romance. Its cobblestone streets and historic missions whisper tales of heroes and heartaches. But when the sun sets over the Alamo, a different kind of story comes to life—one that lingers in the shadowed hallways of its most venerable hotels.

Now, it's time to pull back the velvet curtain and delve deeper into the chilling legends that await you. These aren't just places to sleep; they are portals to the past where the guests have never truly checked out.

Here are five of the most haunted hotels in San Antonio you can actually stay in... if you're brave enough.

🎬 Quick watch: 5 Most Haunted Hotels in San Antonio

The St. Anthony Hotel: Luxury and a Lady in Red

From the moment you step into the opulent lobby of The St. Anthony, you're transported to an era of gilded glamour. But beneath the crystal chandeliers and polished marble lies a history with a few spectral residents. For decades, guests and staff have spoken of phantom footsteps that echo down empty corridors, the unnerving feeling of being watched in an empty room, and elevators that seem to operate with a mind of their own.

The most famous phantom is the enigmatic Lady in Red. Often seen drifting along the 10th floor or making a fleeting appearance in the ladies' restroom near the bar, her identity remains a mystery. Is she a jilted lover from a bygone era? A socialite who met a tragic end? No one knows for sure, but her stunning, spectral presence is an unforgettable sight for the unfortunate few who cross her path.

The Crockett Hotel: Echoes of the Alamo

Location is everything, especially when your hotel stands on grounds consecrated by battle. The Crockett Hotel was built just steps from the Alamo, a site of one of America's most famous last stands. It's said that the very land itself is imbued with the spiritual energy of the brave soldiers who fought and died there.

Guests at The Crockett have reported phenomena that seem torn from the pages of a history book. After midnight, when the city is quiet, some hear the faint, rhythmic sound of soldiers marching through the hallways. Others have heard disembodied whispers in English and Spanish, as if the final, desperate conversations of the battle are replaying themselves. For the truly sensitive, the scent of campfire smoke or the metallic tang of gunpowder can momentarily fill the air. A stay here isn't just a visit to a hotel; it's bearing witness to the lingering echoes of Texas history.

Holiday Inn Express Riverwalk: The Old Jailhouse Blues

Don't let the modern name fool you. The foundations of this particular Holiday Inn Express hold a dark and somber past. The building was once the Old Bexar County Jail, a place that housed inmates from 1879 until 1962. The walls have absorbed over 80 years of human misery, anger, and despair—emotions that are notoriously difficult to exorcise.

Paranormal activity here is raw and unpredictable. Guests have reported the distinct clang of a cell door slamming shut, only to remember there are no cells. Shadowy figures dart in the periphery of vision, and sudden, inexplicable cold spots chill guests to the bone. If you're staying in one of the historic rooms, don't be surprised if you hear unexplained noises or feel a heavy presence in the room with you. The prisoners may be long gone, but their spirits seem to be serving a life sentence.

The Emily Morgan Hotel: A Prescription for Fear

Known as the "Official Hotel of the Alamo," The Emily Morgan has a history that's even more chilling than its famous neighbor. Before it was a hotel, this iconic Gothic revival building was a state-of-the-art Medical Arts building, complete with a hospital, a psychiatric ward, operating rooms, and a morgue in the basement.

The 14th, 12th, and 7th floors are paranormal hotspots. The 14th floor once housed the surgery unit, and guests report the unnerving smell of antiseptic and the sight of ghostly nurses pushing unseen gurneys down the hall. The 12th floor, formerly the site of the operating rooms, is known for its flickering lights and phone calls from empty rooms. Perhaps most famous is the Woman in White, a spectral figure seen roaming these floors, her purpose and identity lost to time. For those brave enough to stay, The Emily Morgan offers a truly clinical-grade haunting.

The Menger Hotel: The Crown Jewel of Haunted San Antonio

Welcome to the grand dame of San Antonio's haunted hotels. Opened in 1859, The Menger is not just haunted; it's a veritable crossroads for spirits. With over 32 documented apparitions, it's considered by paranormal experts to be one of the most haunted hotels in the entire country.

Its most prominent ghost is Sallie White, a chambermaid who was brutally murdered by her jealous husband in the hotel in 1876. Her sorrowful spirit is often seen in her old uniform, wandering the halls she once worked, carrying a spectral load of clean towels for guests who will never arrive.

But she's not alone. The historic Menger Bar was a favorite spot of Theodore Roosevelt, who recruited his famous Rough Riders here. His boisterous spirit is still seen enjoying a drink at the bar, sometimes even attempting to rally the modern-day patrons. And in the lavish King Ranch Suite, the ghost of its namesake, Captain Richard King, has been seen by guests and staff, still keeping an eye on the cattle empire he built.

From phantom cattle barons to murdered maids, a stay at The Menger is a fully-booked ghostly affair.

San Antonio's history is alive and well—and in some cases, it's walking the halls right next to you. Are you ready to trade a peaceful night's sleep for a chance to connect with the other side? Discover more Haunted Hotels in San Antonio.