6 Hotels for a Spooky Valentine’s Day Getaway
6 Haunted Hotels with Love Stories
1. RMS Queen Mary, Long Beach, California, USA
The Love Story: The Queen Mary’s maiden voyage took place on May 27, 1936. She was quite luxurious with five dining areas, multiple lounges and cocktail bars, several ballrooms, swimming pools, and even a hospital. This legendary ocean liner has many love stories within its hull. She is said to be haunted by multiple spirits who frequent the swimming pool, the Mayfair Room, the Mauritania Room, and room B340. Now functioning as a floating hotel, its many spirits, include a woman in white who is believed to be heartbroken and searching for her lover who went missing during one of the ship's early voyages.
Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA
2. Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Alberta, Canada
The Love Story: Built in 1888 by the Canadian Pacific Railway, it suffered a fire in 1926, but then was rebuilt in 1928. Many celebrities have stayed there over the years but you may hear more about the spirits who reside there. A ghost bride is seen ascending and descending the grand staircase and a bellman is observed in various parts of the hotel. It is believe the bride fell down the stairs never marrying her true love. Paranormal activity reported throughout the hotel includes shadows and apparitions, disembodied voices, pillows and blankets being yanked from guests, and phantom scents of perfume and tobacco.
Mermaid Street, Rye, England
3. The Mermaid Inn, Rye, England
The Love Story: It is believed the Mermaid Inn was built in 1156 but there is some uncertainty about that. It was built as an inn and has a reputation for being haunted by a smuggler from the Hawkhurst Gang and his unfortunate mistress. The mistress, a chambermaid of the hotel is said to have been murdered when she became too knowledgeable of the gang’s illegal activities. She is often seen in room 16 however many of the rooms are allegedly haunted so you won’t miss out on anything if you don’t stay in room 16.
4. The Queen Anne Hotel, San Francisco, California, USA
The Love Story: A historic 1890 Victorian mansion, this hotel was once a boarding school for girls. It is alleged to be haunted by the ghost of Mary Lake, a former headmistress of the school. Guests and staff report seeing her wandering the halls but she is seen frequently in room 410 which was once the location of her office. There were rumors that Ms. Lake was romantically involved with James Fair, a known philanderer. After he divorced, he was helping Ms. Lake with the development of her school and there were rumors that they secretly married. Paranormal activity includes the feeling of being watched, brief glimpses of her apparition at the piano as well as in the halls, and feeling her pull the blankets up and tucking in guests.
Hotel Del Coronado, Coronado, CA
5. Hotel del Coronado, California, USA
The Love Story: Built in 1888, the hotel boasted luxurious guestrooms, an interior court with a fountain, private parlors, a billiards room, reception rooms, and a small grove of fruit trees. A young woman by the name of Kate Morgan arrived at the hotel in 1892, checked in under an alias, and was found dead five days later on a staircase leading to the beach. The coroner determined her death was self inflicted (gunshot to the head) but the mysterious conditions of her death led to rumors of foul play at the hands of her lover. Guests report seeing her ghost roaming the hotel and grounds still looking for her lost love.
6. The Marshall House, Savannah, Georgia, USA
The Love Story: Built in 1851, the hotel was once a hospital for Civil War soldiers. The hotel is alleged to have multiple spirits but there is one believed to be that of a soldier who died during the Civil War. He haunts the building searching for a lost love and is most often reported roaming the halls. Activity you might experience includes disembodied voices, water faucets that turn on and off, flickering lights, footsteps, jiggling doorknobs, and seeing shadow figures.
These haunted hotels offer both unique stays and spooky experiences but they also offer stories of love and heartbreak that continue on from the other side. If you decide to stay at one of the hotels, or if you already have, please leave a comment and tell me about your experiences. I would love to hear about it!
Make this beautiful day count!
Annette