Haunted Hotels in New York You Can Stay In
Discover the most haunted hotels in New York with real ghost stories and paranormal activity
Cities in New York with haunted hotels
34 Haunted Hotels Found in New York
Claire House
709 Franklin St, Ogdensburg, NY 13669
Formerly a church rectory built in 1884, its haunting is linked to its religious past and rumored stored relics after a cathedral fire destroyed its neighboring church in 1947. Declining into disrepair over subsequent owners, paranormal sightings began. Guests and staff report encounters with the ghost of Bishop Conroy (original rector), a 'Skeleton-Faced Lady,' a 'Little Girl,' and a 'Mystery Ghost,' along with unexplained footsteps, rattling doorknobs, and ghostly visions, contributing to its feature on 'Ghost Hunters' as 'Diocese of the Dead'.
The Beekman House
116 Middlefort Rd, Middleburgh, NY 12122
The dominant spirit is believed to be Duryea Beekman (1840-1924), son of the original owner Nicholas Beekman. Duryea loved his home immensely and seems tied to it in death. According to local lore passed through generations of owners since the Beekman clan departed in the 1950s, Duryea makes a singular appearance to each new family. Typically, on moving day, he manifests to one family member in an upstairs back bedroom, dressed sharply in early 20th-century banker attire. He then silently proceeds downstairs to the dining room, opens a closet under the main staircase (which once led to the basement), enters, and vanishes permanently for that individual.
Allegiance Bed & Breakfast
145 Main St, Mount Morris, NY 14510
The Allegiance Bed & Breakfast, built in 1838, is said to be haunted by Karen, a former nanny or resident from the 19th century. Guests report seeing her apparition, especially in or near 'Karen's Room'. Activity includes doors opening/closing on their own, lights flickering, and objects moving. She is generally considered a benign presence watching over the house.
Fainting Goat Island Inn
1311 W River Rd, Nichols, NY 13812, United States
Originally built around 1850, the Fainting Goat Island Inn has a rich history, having served as an ice house, post office, railroad hotel, foundry, and even reportedly a brothel. Its long and varied past seems to have left spiritual imprints, as guests and owners frequently report paranormal phenomena. Experiences range from disembodied voices and visions, such as two women having tea, to objects moving inexplicably, like a child's chair or gumballs spilling in empty halls. Footsteps are heard on non-existent staircases, and apparitions glance back from mirrors. A prominent spirit is said to be that of a little boy, and adding to the eerie atmosphere, a doll and knife were once discovered concealed within a ceiling. Some encounters are more direct and physical, including guests feeling the presence of someone sitting on their bed, bedsheets being tugged away, or even a sensation of being held down. Its reputation is widespread, earning it the title of #1 Best Haunted Hotel in the US by USA Today readers multiple times.
Graestone Manor Bed and Breakfast
4049 Root Rd, Gasport, NY 14067
Graestone Manor Bed & Breakfast reports include hearing horse hooves, carriages, a man's whistling, and seeing a female apparition. Guests feel uneasy presences, and activity might stem from 19th-century seances creating vortexes in the basement and an upstairs children's room. Former owner Curtis Root tragically died in the Green Room after suffering for two weeks following a horse accident; his spirit is believed to be attached to this room. Dark shadow masses, the smell of cigar smoke, perfume, and disembodied voices are also frequently reported.
The Historic Old Bermuda Inn
301 Veterans Road W, Staten Island, NY 10309
Originally built in the 1830s, the inn is believed to be haunted by Martha Mersereau, who died of grief after her husband perished in the Civil War. Her spirit is reportedly seen roaming the dining room and stairs. Staff and guests report feeling watched, hearing unexplained noises, and witnessing unusual events like a portrait of Martha catching fire, malfunctioning lights, and disembodied whispers.
Hart House Hotel
113 W Center St, Medina, NY 14103
Opened in 1876, the Hart House Hotel later became a shirt factory for 85 years. During its time as a factory, workers reported seeing 'auras of women in white' and hearing 'inexplicable yet purposeful footsteps bounding down stairs.' More recently, following its restoration back into a hotel, people have reported hearing names called aloud even when no one else is around, suggesting a continued spiritual presence within its historic walls.
Hotel Chelsea
222 W 23 St, New York, NY 10011, United States
Hotel Chelsea, a legendary haunt for creatives since the late 19th century, carries echoes of its storied past. Many famous figures have resided here, some meeting tragic ends contributing to its spectral lore. One prominent ghost is "Mary," believed to be a heartbroken survivor of the Titanic disaster who took her own life on the fifth floor. She is often spotted in the western part of the building, particularly under a hallway arch, sometimes seen gazing into mirrors earning her the nickname the "Vain Ghost." The hotel's long history includes various other unsettling events, such as the widely reported suicide of Etelka Graf in 1938, adding to its reputation as a site of lingering energies and paranormal encounters.
Miles Wine Cellars
168 Randall Rd, Himrod, NY 14842
Miles Wine Cellars, situated in a Greek Revival mansion dating back to the 1850s, is reputed to be haunted by several spirits. Legend says a couple associated with the house met tragic ends related to illness or accidents. Guests and staff report unexplained noises, moving objects, ghostly apparitions, particularly a woman in period clothing, and feelings of being watched, especially in the 'Inn at Miles Wine Cellars'.
Burn Brae Mansion
573 High Rd, Glen Spey, NY 12737, United States
Built in 1908 by Margaret MacKenzie Elkin, linked to the Singer Sewing Machine fortune via George Ross MacKenzie. After significant renovations restored its historic charm, areas such as the original servants' quarters (renamed Singer Suite, Elkin Room, MacKenzie Suite) were made accessible to the public. Shortly after reopening, overnight visitors began reporting unexplained sights and sounds. Intrigued, further research uncovered a history of similar paranormal reports connected to former occupants. Consequently, Burn Brae Mansion has become a site for numerous paranormal investigations and can be reserved by ghost hunting groups seeking to explore its spiritual activity.
Timeless Tavern Restaurant & Inn
162 S Main St, Northville, NY 12134
Staff and visitors at Timeless Tavern report numerous paranormal experiences including shadowy figures in dining/office areas, unexplained footsteps, flickering lights, and showers turning on/off independently. A cable repairman reported encountering a woman in the basement claiming to be 'the boss'. Activity is noted throughout the building. A 2013 investigation by Albany Paranormal confirmed significant activity, influencing a team member to choose it as their wedding venue due to its haunted reputation.
Wings Castle
717 Bangall Rd, Millbrook, NY 12545
Wings Castle is considered haunted primarily due to local legends surrounding its construction and the unique, personal energy infused into it by its creator, Peter Wing. While specific ghost stories are less documented publicly, its eccentric design and collection of artifacts contribute to a feeling of unseen presence. Some stories mention spirits connected to the land or the materials used in building.
1867 Parkview Inn
145 Front St, Owego, NY 13827, United States
Operating as a hotel and/or restaurant for over 150 years, the 1867 Parkview Inn holds many stories within its walls. The owner, Beth Johnson, confirms that paranormal activity isn't uncommon, with reports of bells ringing unexpectedly and objects moving on their own within empty rooms, particularly in the restaurant area. A persistent legend involves a young girl believed to have tragically died in a fire at the location. Evidence suggesting a past fire was discovered in a previously sealed room during extensive renovations in 2019, lending credibility to the tale. Paranormal investigators and ghost hunting groups who have explored the inn frequently report detecting spiritual presences throughout the building.
Batcheller Mansion Inn
20 Circular St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
The Batcheller Mansion Inn, with its striking High Victorian Gothic architecture, is rumored to host spirits from its past, possibly George Batcheller himself or family members. Guests have reported hearing disembodied footsteps, voices, and music, seeing shadowy figures, and experiencing cold spots, especially within the grand ballroom and upper floors. The history of lavish parties and significant events held within its walls contributes to its haunted reputation.
The Naples Hotel
111 South Main Street, Naples, NY 14512
Originally built as Lyon Tavern in 1818 and reconstructed in 1895, The Naples Hotel is reputed to host several spirits, including 'Topper,' 'Alice' and her two children, two spectral men, a woman associated with a lilac scent, and a Civil War soldier. Reported paranormal activities include whispers, objects moving, lights/TVs turning on/off spontaneously, and doors locking themselves. The hotel's haunted reputation led to its feature on the 'Ghost Hunters' TV show.
The Stewart House Hotel & 1883 Tavern
2 N Water St, Athens, NY 12015, United States
The Stewart House is not documented as being persistently haunted by spirits or having paranormal phenomena as part of its daily reputation. However, the venue leverages "haunted" themes for special occasions, such as a "Haunted Stewart House" event held in October 2023, which featured activities like Tarot readings and costume contests rather than actual ghost encounters. There is no readily available information suggesting ongoing ghostly activity or resident spirits.
Historic Hotel Broadalbin
59 W Main St, Broadalbin, NY 12025
Originally a glove factory in 1854, then transformed into a Keeley Cure hospital/sanatorium in 1895. Dr. H. C. Finch's subsequent 'gold cure' involved injecting patients with dangerous substances like strychnine, leading to severe illness and death among over 200 operations. It's believed these past sufferings contribute to current hauntings. Visitors report seeing apparitions of soldiers at staircase tops, figures in windows, being physically poked at night, and objects moving inexplicably, like a lamp falling over.
The Borland House Bed & Breakfast
130 Clinton St, Montgomery, NY 12549
Built in the 1780s and expanded in the early 1800s, The Borland House has a history connected to prominent local figures like Charles Borland Jr. While the current owner feels warmth, the manager and guests have reported paranormal activity. Experiences include hearing footsteps in the dining area late at night, observing shadowy figures, and encountering psychics drawn to the house. Guests specifically note footsteps and shadows outside their doors, and televisions turning on and off autonomously. Despite these events, the feeling is not malevolent; spirits seem content.
The Bowery Hotel
335 Bowery, New York, NY 10003, United States
The Bowery Hotel was built in 2002 as part of the Lower East Side's revitalization, but the land it was built on holds a dark past. The hotel was built on the site of the historic Dry Dock Savings Bank, built in 1875. During the bank's lifetime, the Lower East Side was booming with criminal activity. So much so that the Martin Scorsese film *Gangs of New York* is based on the area. With all the mysterious and violent deaths that occurred in the area, it's no wonder that a few spirits have chosen refuge at the Bowery. The most famous ghost seen at the Bowery Hotel is the Woman in White. This entity has been seen by hundreds of staff and guests during the hotel's short history. She typically stops to ask guests for directions before evaporating into thin air. Other guests have been scared out of their wits when they awake to see her sitting at the foot of their bed.
The Brae Loch Inn
5 Albany Street, Cazenovia, NY 13035
The Brae Loch Inn, a cozy Scottish establishment by Cazenovia Lake, seems to retain some permanent guests. Visitors and staff report encounters with a ghostly girl in a blue dress who politely offers to escort people to their rooms. Further spectral activity includes sightings of an ethereal man and woman traversing through closets and unexplained light orbs seen drifting amongst the canopy beds.
The Haunted Shanley Hotel
56 Main St, Napanoch, NY 12458, United States
Originally built in 1845 and reconstructed in 1895 after a fire, The Shanley Hotel gained notoriety under owner James Shanley from 1906. Its history is marked by profound tragedy: James and Beatrice Shanley mourned three children who died in infancy. Beatrice's sister, Esther, died within the hotel. Further sorrow includes the drowning of the hotel barber's daughter, Rosie, in a nearby well, and unsolved deaths and rumored murders associated with its periods as a bordello and speakeasy. Current proprietors claim contact with over 30 distinct spirits, including Beatrice Shanley, children, and others linked to its layered past. Paranormal activity reported includes full-bodied apparitions, disembodied voices, phantom footsteps, children's laughter, unexplained smells (like perfume or food), physical touch, objects moving, and even a ghostly feline known as 'Sweet Thing'. The intensity of these events makes it a prime location for paranormal investigations.
The Otesaga Resort Hotel
60 Lake St, Cooperstown, NY 13326
The Otesaga Resort Hotel, opened in 1909, has long been subject of ghostly folklore. The most common tales speak of activity on the third floor, where guests and staff report hearing children running and playing in empty hallways, possibly linked to a time when it might have housed families or staff children. Other unexplained phenomena include phantom voices, flickering lights, and doors moving independently. Some believe these are spirits of former guests who cherished their time at the resort.
The Plaza
768 Fifth Avenue, New York City, NY 10019
The Plaza Hotel's haunted lore includes tales stemming from its construction, like the accidental death of ironworker Michael Butler. More famously, it involves 'The 39 Widows,' wealthy elderly women who were long-term residents and often passed away within the hotel; the spirit of one such resident, Fannie Lowenstein, is sometimes blamed for strange occurrences. The hotel's co-founder, Harry S. Black, also adds to the mystique, having attempted suicide within its walls before later taking his life elsewhere, contributing to the hotel's long and sometimes dark history interwoven with New York's elite.
The Sagamore Resort
110 Sagamore Rd, Bolton Landing, NY 12814
The Sagamore Resort has numerous reported paranormal incidents. Ghostly children are frequently sighted giggling in hallways and on the golf course, where one young boy's spirit is known for playfully stealing golf balls and throwing them at golfers. Guests have also reported unnerving experiences with an 'eerie woman in white' appearing in their rooms during the night, causing fright. Adding to the resort's ghostly lore, a former hotel chef reportedly resigned after an encounter where a spirit spoke to him before passing directly through him.
DoubleTree by Hilton Utica
102 Lafayette Street, Utica, NY 13502
The hotel, formerly Hotel Utica, is reported to harbor spirits. Staff have experienced numerous phantom phone calls with static from unoccupied rooms. Objects like plates and condiment shakers allegedly move independently in the kitchen. An apparition of an elderly housekeeper has been seen late at night. Paranormal investigators from 'Ghost Hunters' and 'School Spirits' visited in 2015, capturing strange noises and reportedly filming a mysterious face on the 13th floor.
Genesee Falls Inn
6901 Hamilton St, Portageville, NY 14536, United States
Built in 1870, the Genesee Falls Inn has a layered history, having previously served as an inn with a restaurant and a third-floor ballroom known for hosting bare-knuckle fighting. Guests frequently report unsettling feelings upon entering, along with paranormal phenomena such as hearing footsteps in hallways and doors opening or closing independently. The current owners have personally witnessed apparitions, including a young child in period dress walking through the kitchen and a man seated in a bedroom chair. Objects are known to go missing only to reappear after requests are made for their return. Paranormal investigators consider the site highly active, noting instances like flashlights turning on and off when prompted. Suggested sources for the activity include past fires on the property where prior buildings burned down, potential suicides or drownings linked to the nearby Genesee River waterfalls, and the spirit of a former caretaker who passed away but is believed to remain protective, sometimes closing and locking doors. Adding to the atmosphere, the property sits adjacent to a colonial cemetery holding remains of Civil War soldiers and a young child.
Hotel Saranac, Curio Collection by Hilton
100 Main Street, Saranac Lake, New York, 12983, USA
Nestled in the Adirondacks... historic hotel, which dates back to the roaring twenties... reopened... in early 2018, but tales of paranormal activity persist. According to Historic Hotels of America, Lake Saranac's local high school once stood on the property grounds... moved to another location in 1926 and the hotel was built the following year. Nevertheless, the spirit of the school's superintendent, Howard Littell, is said to have stayed behind and now roams the basement. In fact, nearly every floor is believed to house a different ghost. The scratching of a former guest's cat can be heard on the third floor, a ghostly girl supposedly wanders the fourth floor and singing has been heard on the sixth floor.
Red Coach Inn
2 Buffalo Ave, Niagara Falls, NY 14303
Opened in 1923, the Red Coach Inn is said to be haunted by multiple spirits. Most prominent among them are believed to be a bride and groom who took their own lives within the inn on their wedding day. Guests frequently report paranormal experiences such as witnessing jewelry moving on its own across dressers, hearing unexplained music playing in the middle of the night, and distinct sounds of people walking and even dancing coming from above them, despite being located on the building's highest floor.
The Knox Mansion
104 W 2nd Ave, Johnstown, NY 12095, United States
Built in 1889 by gelatin magnate Charles Knox, the 42-room Knox Mansion features an elevator, grand staircase, and an imported Italian lava ash fireplace. It's widely believed to be haunted, with guests reporting flickering lights, dropped lamps, disembodied footsteps and voices, sightings of ghosts, sudden cold spots, sheets being pulled off beds, and phantom piano music. Notably, children have reported interactions with the spirit of a long-deceased gardener known to be fond of children. A persistent rumor suggests a still-born baby might have been buried within the house's foundation, potentially adding to the site's spiritual activity.
Hotel Skyler
601 S Crouse Ave, Syracuse, NY 13210
Hotel Skyler occupies a building originally constructed in 1921 as Temple Adath Yeshurun. Before becoming a temple, the site housed a medical facility. Paranormal claims involve ghostly figures, disembodied voices, and unexplained activities attributed possibly to former congregants or patients. Some stories link sightings to figures seen in old temple photographs.
The Algonquin Hotel Times Square, Autograph Collection
59 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036, United States
The Algonquin Hotel resonates with the spirits of its vibrant intellectual past, most famously connected to the "Algonquin Round Table" literary group. Among the spectral residents, the most frequently reported is writer Dorothy Parker. Staff and guests have mentioned encounters suggesting her presence, sometimes feeling as if being observed or even gently 'scolded' for perceived misbehavior or noise, particularly around children. Other spectral activities include alleged sightings related to members of the "Round Table" in dining areas or near their old meeting spots, and unexplained footsteps or voices, maintaining the hotel's charm as a place where history feels very much alive.
King House Mansion at the Tarrytown House Estate
49 E Sunnyside Ln, Tarrytown, NY 10591
The King House Mansion is believed to be haunted by Sybil Harris King, daughter of American Tobacco Company co-founder Benjamin Newtown Duke. Sybil died in the mansion in 1955 on the second floor. Her spirit is frequently reported pacing the second-floor corridors, with a particular affinity for the area around Room 293, where she is said to have passed. Guests report encountering her as a white apparition, unexplained sounds, light orbs, or faint shadows within her former home.
Belhurst Castle
4069 W Lake Rd, Geneva, NY 14456
Belhurst Castle boasts a colorful past involving love affairs and even death. Its most famous spirit is Isabella, an opera singer said to have perished in a collapsed underground tunnel while eloping. Dressed in white, she reportedly walks the shores grieving her lost lover. Staff have witnessed paranormal activity such as showers turning on and off independently, objects flying through the air in the bar, and tablecloths knotted to chandeliers. Guests frequently report hearing soft lullabies, children's laughter or screams (especially reported by expectant mothers), and sounds of furniture being moved in rooms above, harking back to its time as a speakeasy and casino. The ghost of a former caretaker, Dick O'Brien, has also been reportedly seen.
The Glen Haven Hotel
7434 Fair Haven Rd, Homer, NY 13077
The Glen Haven Hotel site is believed to be haunted by spirits from a past fire and lake incidents. Guests and staff report hearing children running in empty rooms, unexplained screams from the basement (the 'Glen Haven Screamer'), music playing from the jukebox seemingly by itself, and sensations of being touched or sat upon by unseen entities.
Haunted History of New York
New York's haunted history is as diverse and layered as the state itself, from the towering skyscrapers of Manhattan to the misty hollows of the Hudson Valley. The state is the cradle of American ghost stories, immortalized by Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." The terrifying tale of the Headless Horseman set the stage for a national fascination with the paranormal, and his phantom hoofbeats are said to echo through the region to this day. This literary legacy is matched by a bloody history, with the spirits of Revolutionary War soldiers still lingering on battlefields from Saratoga to Long Island.
In New York City, centuries of life and death are packed into one dense metropolis. The ghosts of Gilded Age socialites, tormented immigrants, and tragic artists wander the brownstones and alleys of the five boroughs. Further upstate, the spiritual landscape changes. This is the region where the Spiritualist movement was born, a place dotted with abandoned asylums like Rolling Hills and Letchworth Village, whose walls still reverberate with the suffering of former patients. Whether it's a sophisticated spirit in a Manhattan hotel or a vengeful legend in the Catskill Mountains, New York is a state teeming with tales of the dead.
Other Haunted Attractions in New York
- Sleepy Hollow Cemetery (Sleepy Hollow): This is the legendary ground zero for American ghost stories. You can visit the final resting place of Washington Irving, Andrew Carnegie, and the real-life locals who inspired his characters. Take a lantern tour of the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery at night to walk the path of the Headless Horseman and feel the chilling atmosphere that started it all.
- Rolling Hills Asylum (East Bethany): Once a county poorhouse, this sprawling and famously haunted location is now a paradise for paranormal investigators. Featured on numerous ghost-hunting shows, Rolling Hills Asylum is known for disembodied screams, shadow figures, and the spirits of its many former residents, including a seven-foot-tall entity named Roy. It is considered one of the most active paranormal hotspots in the country.
- Merchant's House Museum (New York City): Known as "Manhattan's most haunted house," this 19th-century home is perfectly preserved in time. The Tredwell family lived here for nearly 100 years, and it is believed the spirit of their youngest daughter, Gertrude, never left after her death in 1933. Visitors to the Merchant's House Museum report hearing phantom piano music, seeing apparitions, and smelling mysterious perfumes.
- Fort William Henry Museum (Lake George): This historic fort, the site of a brutal massacre during the French and Indian War, is a hotbed of paranormal activity. Built upon the original grounds, the Fort William Henry Museum is haunted by the spirits of soldiers who perished here. Visitors and staff report seeing uniformed apparitions, hearing cannon fire, and smelling gunpowder in the air.
Travel Tips for Haunted Hotel Stays in New York
- Choose Your Fright: New York offers a ghost for every taste. Decide if you want the urban thrill of hunting Gilded Age spirits in a historic New York City hotel or the rustic terror of seeking out a legendary creature in the secluded Catskill Mountains.
- Read the Legends: To truly appreciate the Hudson Valley, re-read "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" before you go. Knowing the story of Ichabod Crane and the Horseman will make your visit to the real locations infinitely more spooky.
- Take the Train: If you're ghost hunting in New York City, ditch the car and use the subway or commuter rail. It's the easiest way to get around, and many train lines and stations, like Grand Central Terminal, have their own ghostly tales.
- Embrace the Atmosphere: New York's dramatic four seasons can elevate any haunted stay. Imagine a ghost tour in a thick autumn fog, a silent, snowy night in a haunted inn, or a summer thunderstorm rattling the windows of a historic mansion.
FAQ about Haunted Hotels in New York
Are haunted hotels in New York safe to stay in? Yes, completely. Haunted hotels in New York are professional establishments that prioritize the safety and comfort of their living guests. The paranormal activity is part of the historic charm, but you can expect all the modern amenities and security you'd find anywhere else.
Where are the most haunted places in New York? The Hudson Valley, especially Sleepy Hollow, is world-famous for its literary ghosts. New York City is packed with centuries of history and spirits, while Upstate New York is notorious for its intensely haunted asylums, prisons, and battlefields.
Are all New York ghosts in New York City? Not by a long shot. Upstate New York has a powerful paranormal identity all its own, from the birthplace of the Spiritualist movement in Hydesville to the countless Revolutionary War spirits that haunt the northern forts and battlegrounds.
What's the best time of year for a haunted trip to New York? Autumn is the iconic season, especially in the Hudson Valley, with Halloween events and stunning fall foliage creating the perfect spooky backdrop. However, a winter stay in a historic hotel can be uniquely atmospheric, with snow-muffled streets and cozy (but creepy) interiors.