Haunted Hotels in San Antonio, Texas You Can Stay In
Discover the most haunted hotels in San Antonio with real ghost stories and paranormal activity
10 Haunted Hotels Found in San Antonio
Hotel Emma
136 E Grayson St, San Antonio, TX 78215, United States
Hotel Emma, formerly the Pearl Brewery, is named after Emma Koehler, who ran the brewery after her husband Otto was murdered in 1914, allegedly by one of his two mistresses, both also named Emma. The circumstances were scandalous, involving a love triangle (or quadrangle) where Otto Koehler was reportedly shot by either Emma Dumpke or Emma Burgermeister at a house he had set up for them, after he went to break things off following his wife's discovery of the affair and/or his own desire to end it. Emma Koehler, the wife, however, was a strong leader who kept the brewery going through Prohibition by diversifying into other businesses like auto repair, soft drinks, and ice cream, saving many jobs. It's said that the spirit of Emma Koehler (the wife) haunts the hotel. During its conversion from brewery to hotel, construction workers reported seeing a woman in the halls of the still-being-built structure, with some refusing to work further. Hotel employees today still report sightings of a full-body apparition believed to be Emma, who disappears around corners. Night employees also allegedly hear stirrings and soft footsteps, attributed to her presence. The nearby Boiler House's upstairs bathroom is also mentioned as haunted in connection with the Pearl complex, possibly linked to the dramatic events of the Koehler family.
The Crockett Hotel
320 Bonham St, San Antonio, TX 78205
The Crockett Hotel sits on land that was part of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo, specifically near where Davy Crockett and other defenders are believed to have fallen. The hotel, built in 1909 by the Odd Fellows, is considered one of San Antonio's most haunted due to its proximity to the tragic events. Guests and staff report paranormal activity attributed to the spirits of the Alamo defenders. Whispers are often heard, and some believe the ghosts are not of the living but of those who died during the battle. Davy Crockett himself is thought to be one of the spirits roaming the halls. The spirits of other Alamo defenders are also believed to linger, with unusual sounds of chanting in the hallways, disembodied footsteps, and the distinct *clip-clop* of horses' hooves being reported. Doors, including the sensor-operated front entrance, have been known to open and shut on their own, further adding to the hotel's haunted reputation. The pool area is also noted as being near the battle site.
Emily Morgan Hotel
705 E Houston St, San Antonio, TX 78205, United States
Originally built in 1924 as a Medical Arts Building, The Emily Morgan housed doctor's offices, surgical facilities, a hospital, and even a morgue in the basement. Many believe the spirits of former patients linger within its walls. Recognized by USA Today as one of the world's most haunted hotels, guests frequently report unexplained phenomena. Common paranormal experiences include the distinct smell of antiseptic in hallways and rooms, sudden and dramatic drops in temperature, an unsettling feeling of being watched, and disembodied sounds such as phantom footsteps or voices. The building's past as a medical facility with surgeries and likely many deaths contributes heavily to its haunted reputation.
Hotel Gibbs Downtown Riverwalk
105 N Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205, United States
The Hotel Gibbs stands on the grounds of the original Alamo compound, near where Colonel William Travis, one of the Alamo's key defenders, is said to have died. The land was later owned by Samuel Maverick. During the 1909 construction of the Gibbs building, two cannons used during the Battle of the Alamo were found in the basement; it's believed their removal stirred ghostly encounters. Security guards reported seeing shadowy figures moving a cannon back towards the Alamo. Guests and staff report seeing people in period dress strolling hallways or disappearing through doors, hearing disembodied voices, and feeling the presence of spirits, possibly residual energy from the fallen Texas soldiers or others connected to the site's long history, including Colonel Gibbs himself, who was known to be quite a character. Even the old elevators, no longer in use by the living, are said to be ridden by the dead. The proximity to the Alamo, a site of intense battle and loss of life, contributes significantly to the hotel's haunted reputation.
Omni La Mansión del Rio
112 College St, San Antonio, TX 78205
The Omni La Mansión del Rio is believed to be haunted due to its historical roots as a Catholic boarding school established on the site in 1852. The primary ghostly activity is attributed to the spirits of former students who once attended the school. These lingering spirits are said to roam the property, their presence a reminder of the building's past life before it became a hotel. The hotel's grand architecture and its atmospheric location along the San Antonio Riverwalk further enhance its reputation as a place with a spooky ambiance, where guests and staff have reported unexplained occurrences possibly linked to its former occupants.
Menger Hotel
204 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205, United States
The Menger Hotel, built on grounds adjacent to the Alamo where many died, is considered one of San Antonio's most haunted places, reportedly home to over 30 spirits. Frequent apparitions include Teddy Roosevelt, often seen at the bar where he recruited his Rough Riders; Sallie White, a chambermaid murdered by her husband in 1876, who is seen carrying towels; Captain Richard King, founder of King Ranch, who died in his suite and whose presence is still felt, sometimes seen passing through walls where doors once existed. Other phenomena include mysterious footsteps, disembodied voices having conversations, kitchen utensils moving on their own, and unexplained cold spots. The hotel's proximity to the Alamo battle site contributes to theories that many spirits are residual from that historic conflict. The Menger Bar itself is a hotspot, with stories of shootings and suicides in its past contributing to its haunted lore.
The St. Anthony, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Antonio
300 E Travis St, San Antonio, TX 78205, United States
The St. Anthony Hotel, opened in 1909, is steeped in history and, it seems, ghosts. One prominent spirit is the 'Lady in Red,' an apparition in a red dress seen wandering the halls and sometimes entering the women's restroom, only to vanish, leaving witnesses questioning their sanity. Her appearance is often accompanied by the sound of heels clicking on marble. The tenth floor is reputedly the most haunted, an addition from the Great Depression era. Bellmen and guests have reported footsteps trailing them, shuffling sounds, and a ghostly tall man in a dark suit who vanishes near the elevator. One guest on the tenth floor was awakened by loud 'whacking' sounds against their door, like a leather strap, only to find no one there when they opened it, though the sound continued down the hall and other guests heard it too. Downstairs, the men's locker room is another active area, with doors opening and closing by themselves, distinct footsteps when no one is there, and shadowy figures or disembodied footsteps near empty stalls. The grand Anacacho Ballroom is also said to be haunted by a playful ghost, with one security guard hearing someone kicking the door and the deadbolt engaging, only to find no one there when he opened it, followed by a cold chill.
The Gunter Hotel
205 E Houston St, San Antonio, TX 78205, United States
The Gunter Hotel holds a dark story from 1965 involving the murder of Walter Emerick in Room 636. It is said his spirit, and potentially that of the woman involved, haunts the room and floor. Reports include cold spots, spectral figures, and poltergeist activity primarily focused around Room 636. Blues musician Robert Johnson also famously recorded in Room 414, though associated hauntings are less defined.
Holiday Inn Express San Antonio N-Riverwalk Area by IHG
120 Camaron St, San Antonio, TX 78205, United States
The Holiday Inn Express Riverwalk is built on the site of the Old Bexar County Jail (1911-1962), which also hosted the last public hanging in Texas, that of Clemente Apolinar in 1921 for the murder of Theodore Bernhard. Clemente was a troubled man, and his execution was gruesome, with the rope nearly decapitating him. The jail also housed Jack Steese, its last inmate, who escaped in 1962 before it closed. The building was converted to a Comfort Inn in 1982 and then the Holiday Inn Express in 2009. Guests and employees report paranormal activity, including dramatic temperature drops, feelings of being watched, and even being physically grabbed or having objects thrown, particularly on the upper floors where the gallows were located. The ghosts are thought to be those of former inmates, including Clemente, and the building's past as a jail with a history of death and despair is the primary source of the hauntings.
The Bullis House Inn
621 Pierce Ave, San Antonio, TX 78208
The Bullis House Inn, built between 1906-1909 for General John Lapham Bullis, carries a legend of being haunted by the spirit of the Apache Chief Geronimo. General Bullis was significantly involved in Geronimo's capture in 1886. Although Geronimo and his warriors were held at the nearby Quadrangle (originally a supply depot, then prison grounds) before the Bullis House was constructed, local lore claims that the chief's spirit roams within the mansion itself, possibly due to Bullis's connection to his capture and later life. The mansion's historic nature and this legendary link contribute to its haunted reputation.
Haunted History of San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio's history is steeped in bloodshed, revolution, and passionate tales, creating a perfect storm for paranormal activity. The city’s soul is forever marked by the legendary 1836 Battle of the Alamo, where hundreds of soldiers lost their lives. It's said their spirits have never left, with ghostly sentries still seen patrolling the historic mission's grounds, their battle cries echoing on quiet nights.
Beyond the Alamo, the city's folklore is rich with ghostly figures. The sorrowful wail of La Llorona, the Weeping Woman, is sometimes heard along the San Antonio River as she eternally searches for her drowned children. From the spectral monks who wander the old Spanish missions to the shadowy figures seen in the windows of historic downtown buildings, San Antonio is a city where the past is not just remembered—it's actively felt. Every cobblestone street and limestone wall seems to hold a story, and many of them are whispered by those who have never truly left.
Other Haunted Attractions in San Antonio, Texas
- The Alamo: The most iconic landmark in San Antonio, Texas is also its most haunted. Visitors and staff report seeing spectral soldiers, hearing disembodied voices, and feeling an overwhelming sense of sadness on the grounds where so many perished defending the fort.
- San Fernando Cathedral: As one of the oldest cathedrals in the United States, San Fernando Cathedral is a paranormal hotspot. During a 1936 renovation, workers uncovered the bones of what many believe were Alamo defenders. Shadowy figures of monks are often seen, and a ghostly white horse is sometimes spotted galloping near the entrance.
- The Spanish Governor's Palace: This historic adobe building is said to be haunted by the spirits of its former residents. Visitors claim to see the ghost of a Spanish aristocrat, hear the laughter of spectral children playing in the courtyard, and witness objects moving on their own. Learn more on the official city website.
- Sisters Grimm Ghost Tours: For those who want a guided tour of the city's dark side, Sisters Grimm Ghost Tours offers lantern-lit walking tours that explore San Antonio's most chilling tales. They even offer a "Ghost Bus" tour that takes you to several haunted locations, sharing stories of murder, suicide, and tragic accidents.
Travel Tips for Haunted Hotel Stays in San Antonio, Texas
- Charge Your Gear: Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, bring a fully charged phone or camera. You never know when you'll capture a strange orb, an unexplained shadow, or a mysterious voice on video.
- Ask the Staff: Bartenders, concierges, and bellhops often have the best firsthand ghost stories that you won't find in any brochure. Don't be shy—ask them what they've seen or heard!
- Book Around Halloween or Día de los Muertos: To truly immerse yourself in the city's spiritual energy, plan your trip for late October. The Day of the Dead celebrations in San Antonio are a vibrant, beautiful, and spooky experience.
- Explore Beyond the Hotel: The haunted history of San Antonio, Texas isn't confined to four walls. Take a late-night stroll along the River Walk or through La Villita Historic Arts Village to see if you encounter any lingering spirits.
FAQ about Haunted Hotels in San Antonio, Texas
Are haunted hotels in San Antonio, Texas safe to stay in?
Absolutely! Haunted hotels are operating businesses that must meet modern safety and hospitality standards. Any paranormal activity is part of the "spirited" fun, not a physical threat. Your biggest scare might just be a flickering light or a door that closes on its own.
What is the most haunted hotel in San Antonio, Texas?
While that title is hotly debated, many paranormal experts point to The Menger Hotel or The Emily Morgan Hotel. Each has a deep history and countless reports of ghostly encounters, from phantom soldiers to spectral nurses. The "most haunted" often depends on which ghost you're hoping to meet!
Do haunted hotels offer ghost tours?
Some of the more famous haunted hotels in San Antonio, Texas have their own historical or ghost tours, or they partner with local companies. It's always a good idea to check the hotel's website or call the front desk to see what spooky activities they offer.
Can kids stay in haunted hotels?
Most hotels welcome guests of all ages. However, a haunted stay is best for older children or teens who enjoy a good ghost story. It’s up to parents to decide if the spooky atmosphere is right for their family.
What time of year is best for a haunted hotel stay in San Antonio, Texas?
The fall season, particularly October, is the most popular time for ghost hunters due to the Halloween atmosphere. However, visiting in early November allows you to experience the city's unique Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations, adding a rich cultural layer to your supernatural journey.