Ghosts, spirits, and unexplained happenings: from San Diego to Boston, America's hotels have them all. The stories abound of vapory presences and odd occurences. Do you dare to stay in one of the hotels below?
Hotel Del Coronado: Haunted San Diego Hotel
Located on Coronado Island, across from downtown San Diego, the beachfront "Hotel Del" has a long and colorful history. Opened in 1888, the Victorian landmark hotel has extended its hospitality to Presidents, heads of state, and lots of movie stars. The Hotel Del was the site of the movie "Some Like it Hot" with Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon, and Tony Curtis.
The hotel is said to be haunted by Kate Morgan, a young girl who died at the hotel in the early 1900s. The room she occupied, number 3502, has registered 37 abnormal readings in a single day by parapsychologists.
Hotel Del Coronado, 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, CO 92118; 619 552-8100
Stanley Hotel - Estes Park CO
The 135-room neo-classical Georgian-style Stanley Hotel opened in 1909 and has been popular ever since. The luxury hotel sits amidst the Rocky Mountains and offers guests spectacular views.
The hotel was also where Stephen King was inspired to write "The Shining" and he wrote a portion of the book in room 217. The hotel is said to be haunted (although by gentler souls than in King's novel). The fourth floor, which was formerly the servants' quarters is particularly active and many guests report hearing the sounds of children, when none are present. The former owners, F.O. and Flora Stanley, are also said to frequent the billiard room and the main dining room.
Stanley Hotel, 333 Wonderview, Estes Park CO 80517; 970 586-3371
Don Cesar: St. Petersburg Florida's Haunted Hotel
The Don Cesar, inspired by Honolulu's Royal Hawaiian Hotel, sits along St. Petersburg Beach, an elegant reminder of a bygone era amidst a sea of modern condos. The resort, built in 1925, was a favorite of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Al Capone, and Clarence Darrow. Today, it is restored to its former glory and is one of the most luxurious accommodations in the Tampa/St. Pete area.
The hotel is said to be haunted by the original owner, Thomas Rowe and his ill-fated love, a European girl named Lucinda who he met while in school overseas. Her parents forbade the relationship, but Rowe never forgot her and even built a replica of the fountain where it met her at his resort in Florida. The fountain is gone, but guests have reported seeing a young early 20th century couple walking hand-in-hand around the grounds.
Don Cesar Hotel, 3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Petersburg Beach, FL; 727 360-1881
Omni Parker House - Boston
Boston's Parker House Hotel was opened in 1855 and has been popular ever since. The venerable hostelry gave America the Parker House roll as well as Boston cream pie. Its lounge was the site of the 19th century "Saturday Club," a regular roundtable for authors Henry David Thoreau, William Longfellow, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and others. A "who's who" of political, theater, and literary stars have stayed at the Parker House.The hotel is said to be haunted by Charlotte Cushman, a noted 19th century stage actress, who died at the hotel in 1876. It is reported that the elevators still spot at the third floor, where she stayed, even though no buttons have been pushed. The original owner, Harvey Parker, has also been seen around the hotel, greeting guests.
Omni Parker House - 60 School St.; Boston MA 02108; 617 227-8600
