Haunted Hotels in Charleston, South Carolina
Discover the most haunted hotels in Charleston you can actually stay in with real ghost stories and paranormal activity
6 Haunted Hotels to Stay in Charleston
Barksdale House Inn
27 George Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Built in 1778, the Barksdale House Inn is home to several reported spiritual residents. One commonly reported entity is an older man, estimated to be in his 60s, who has been seen by guests walking across their rooms only to vanish into a closet. Other, more varied accounts include encounters with a potentially menacing limbless male torso. In contrast, a "Gentleman Ghost" is said to frequent Room 10, known for playfully getting close to sleeping guests. Additionally, the playful spirit of a young girl has been reported near the inn's fountain and within rooms.
20 South Battery
20 S Battery St, Charleston, SC 29401
Previously known as the Battery Carriage House Inn, 20 South Battery is renowned for its ghostly inhabitants. Room 8 is reportedly haunted by a headless male torso, described as menacing. Room 10 hosts the 'Gentleman Ghost,' considered more benign, known to lay beside guests or interact playfully. Other phenomena include disembodied voices, feelings of being watched, and items moving. The intense history, including Civil War associations and possible use as a hospital/morgue, contributes to these legends.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston Historic District
337 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403
This hotel is housed in the original buildings of The Citadel Military College. Paranormal reports often relate to its past as a military academy and potentially a hospital during wartime. Guests and staff report sightings of figures dressed in cadet uniforms, particularly on the upper floors. Disembodied voices, marching sounds, and unexplained footsteps are common. One distinct entity is described as a soldier missing part of his head, contributing to its reputation as one of Charleston's actively haunted locations.
Francis Marion Hotel
387 King St, Charleston, SC 29403, United States
The legend of the Francis Marion Hotel is a classic tale of tragic romance, and its details have remained remarkably consistent as the story has been passed down through the decades. It centers on a young man from New York named Ned Cohen, who visited Charleston in the 1920s or 1930s. He had previously met and fallen deeply in love with a Charleston "Southern belle" and traveled to the city, ostensibly on business for a shoe company, to reunite with her. They spent a blissful, romantic weekend together at the Francis Marion, the city's grandest hotel, a perfect setting for their love story. The idyllic romance shattered in an instant. After their weekend together, Ned awoke one morning to find his beloved gone. In her place on the pillow was a note that delivered a devastating blow: “I’m sorry. My family will never understand us. Good-Bye”. Utterly desolate and with his heart broken, Ned walked to the window of his tenth-floor room. Overcome with grief, he jumped, ending his life on King Street far below. The specific location of this tragedy has been identified in the hotel's lore as Room 1010, marking it as the epicenter of the haunting. Since that day, guests and staff have reported strange and unsettling occurrences, primarily concentrated on the tenth floor. Ned Cohen's spirit is said to remain, forever wandering the halls where he experienced his last moments of happiness and his deepest despair. His presence is felt in various ways. Some have seen the spectral figure of a young man, sometimes described as wearing a dinner or smoking jacket, staring vacantly down the hallway. More common are the physical manifestations of his sorrow. Guests in his former room report windows rattling and then mysteriously sliding open, letting in a sudden, chilling breeze even on the calmest of nights. Drapes are said to sway as if touched by unseen hands, and some have reported the faint sound of a man sobbing. Others feel nothing tangible but are overcome by a profound and inexplicable wave of "immense sadness" that seems to emanate from the very walls.
Meeting Street Inn
173 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401
The Meeting Street Inn's haunted history is tied to its original structure built by Adolph Tiefenthal in the 1870s. Rooms 303 and 107, part of the original family residence, are focal points. Room 303 is allegedly haunted by Adolph Tiefenthal himself, who sometimes locks the door from the inside with considerable force, resisting entry. Room 107 is said to house a female spirit, possibly Adolph's wife, who appears as an apparition. Further paranormal activity includes sightings of Civil War-era Confederate soldiers rushing through halls as if still fighting a past fire. Guests and staff have also reported encountering a ghostly young boy playing, shadowy figures, mysterious noises, and an unsettling feeling of being watched, particularly noted in rooms 105 and 307 as well. One story tells of a housekeeper encountering a solid-looking elderly woman ghost in Room 105.
The Mills House Charleston
115 Meeting Street, Charleston, South Carolina, 29401, USA
The paranormal legacy of the Mills House is forged in fire and war, rooted in the Great Fire of 1861. As the catastrophic fire consumed Charleston, Confederate General Robert E. Lee was a guest, watching the inferno from the hotel's roof while staff valiantly fought the flames with wet blankets, saving the building. This traumatic event is believed to be the source of the hotel's most enduring haunting: the apparitions of Confederate soldiers. For decades, guests and employees have reported seeing these spectral figures frantically running through the corridors, hearing disembodied shouts for water as they seem locked in an eternal mission to extinguish the blaze. This haunting is complicated by a profound historical paradox. The ghosts of 1861 are haunting a building that didn't exist during their lifetime; the original 1853 hotel was demolished in 1968 and replaced by a faithful replica in 1970. Paranormal researchers suggest the haunting is tied not to the building but to the land itself, or perhaps to the original ironwork balcony which was salvaged and reinstalled on the new structure, acting as a 'trigger object' for the residual energy. These frantic soldiers are not the only spirits said to occupy the Mills House. In stark contrast to their panic, guests have also witnessed the serene, sorrowful apparition of a woman in a 19th-century dress quietly holding a baby. A far more terrifying account involves the specter of a young boy who, when approached, allegedly burst into flames before vanishing completely, his origins and connection to the hotel remaining a dark mystery.
Haunted History of Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is not just a historic city; it's a city built on top of its own ghosts. As one of America's oldest and most historically significant ports, its past is a dense tapestry of revolution, war, piracy, slavery, and natural disasters. Every cobblestone street and wrought-iron gate seems to hold a story, and more often than not, that story comes with a spirit. The first shots of the Civil War rang out over its harbor, and the dungeons beneath its grand buildings held Revolutionary War patriots, creating a deep and sorrowful paranormal energy that permeates the entire city.
The Holy City's ghosts are as diverse as its history. They are the spirits of pirates hanged at White Point Garden, the mournful souls from its time as a major hub of the slave trade, the apparitions of Confederate soldiers still defending the Battery, and the heartbroken lovers who wander the city's ancient, moss-draped graveyards. Add to this the rich Gullah Geechee folklore of the Lowcountry, with its tales of "haints" and spirits, and you have a city where the line between the living and the dead feels beautifully, and terrifyingly, blurred.
Other Haunted Attractions in Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston's Original Ghost Walk Tour
Experience the history, hauntings, and untold stories that have shaped Charleston for centuries. Ghostwalk Charleston isn’t just any tour—it’s the original ghost tour of Charleston, with over 40 years of experience telling the real stories behind one of the most haunted cities in America.
- The Old City Jail: One of the most paranormally active and genuinely terrifying locations in the country. From 1802 to 1939, this imposing building housed countless criminals, from pirates to Civil War prisoners, and Lavinia Fisher, often considered America's first female serial killer. The immense suffering and death within its walls have left a dark stain, and tours by companies like Bulldog Tours frequently report disembodied voices, slamming doors, and physical contact from unseen forces.
- Poogan's Porch: A charming and famous Southern restaurant with a resident ghost. The spirit of Zoe St. Amand, a schoolteacher who once lived in the Victorian home, is said to still wander her former property. Staff and diners at Poogan's Porch frequently report seeing her apparition in a black dress, both inside the restaurant and looking out from the second-story windows.
- The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon: A cornerstone of American history, this building's basement has a dark secret. The British used the Provost Dungeon to brutally imprison and torture American patriots during the Revolutionary War. Visitors today report hearing the rattling of chains, moans of agony, and seeing shadowy figures in the dark, oppressive space.
- Unitarian Church Graveyard: Charleston's oldest and most atmospheric graveyard, its overgrown and wild appearance adds to its spooky charm. It is famously said to be the final resting place of Annabel Lee, the subject of Edgar Allan Poe's tragic poem. Her spirit is said to wander the grounds, forever searching for her lost love.
Travel Tips for Haunted Hotel Stays in Charleston, South Carolina
- Take a Candlelight Ghost Tour: Charleston's ghost tour industry is one of the best in the nation. Opt for a late-night walking tour by lantern or candlelight for the ultimate spooky and historical experience.
- Wear Comfortable Walking Shoes: The best way to soak in the haunted atmosphere is by exploring the historic district's cobblestone streets and hidden alleyways on foot.
- Explore the Graveyards by Day: Before you go looking for ghosts at night, visit historic cemeteries like the Unitarian Graveyard or St. Philip's Church during the day. You can appreciate the beautiful, centuries-old headstones and learn the history of the city's eternal residents.
- Mind the Humidity: Charleston can be very hot and humid, especially in the summer. A nighttime ghost tour is often a more comfortable option than exploring during the heat of the day.
FAQ about Haunted Hotels in Charleston, South Carolina
Are haunted hotels in Charleston, South Carolina safe to stay in? Absolutely! Charleston is renowned for its world-class Southern hospitality. All hotels, historic or not, must adhere to the highest standards of safety. The ghosts are just part of the city's unique charm.
What is the most haunted hotel in Charleston, South Carolina? In a city as old and haunted as Charleston, it's a spirited debate with no clear winner. From the Battery Carriage House Inn's famous "Gentleman Ghost" to the Francis Marion Hotel, the city is packed with legendary haunts. Browse our listings to find your perfect paranormal roommate.
Do haunted hotels in Charleston, South Carolina offer ghost tours? Many of the city's historic inns are the main attractions on Charleston's numerous and excellent ghost tours. Your hotel's concierge will be an expert on booking the best local tour for you.
Can kids stay in haunted hotels? Most hotels are family-friendly. However, Charleston's history is very real and often deals with dark themes like war, slavery, and piracy, which may be too intense for some children.
What time of year is best for haunted hotel stays in Charleston, South Carolina? The fall (September-November) offers pleasant weather for walking tours and a perfect spooky atmosphere. Spring (March-May) is also beautiful, but be prepared for larger crowds.
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