A night in one of the most haunted hotels in the world is an adventure for only the hardiest of (living) souls. Many such properties have welcomed guests for centuries – and some have refused to leave. Whether it’s creaky floorboards that moan of their own accord during the witching hour, an uneasy feeling that creeps through the lobby, or a fully fledged paranormal apparition in the already eerie rocking chair beside the four-poster, countless travellers around the world have packed their bags in the early hours and made haste.
In Scotland, guests at Dalhousie Castle report sightings of the Grey Lady, with whom a past owner had an affair; listen out for the swishing of skirts as you pass through the corridors after dark. While celebrities reside in Californian new-build residences, there are guests of a different kind in Long Beach, where the ex-Cunard cruise ship The Queen Mary is said to harbour lost souls. In Asia, too, the living among us have created lore around hotels, from Mumbai’s palace hotels to some surprisingly modern sights in Taiwan – nowhere, it seems, is safe. Here, we highlight some of the world’s spookiest stays, from Welsh castles to far-flung glittering hideouts.
Seeking a haunted stay closer to home? See our guide to the most haunted hotels in the UK
Dalhousie Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland
If Dalhousie Castle’s 29 bedrooms, reached via intricate webs of corridors, passageways and staircases, weren’t enough of a draw, there’s a chance you’ll bump into something – or someone – as you explore. Dating back to the 13th century, it’s impossible to say how many souls have passed through the castle’s thick stone walls over the years. The ancestral home of the Ramsay family is a breathtaking tumble of battlements and turrets, where windows look out towards stunning views and the surrounding manicured gardens. As the story goes, the castle’s most famous spectral resident is Lady Catherine, who was reportedly locked away and starved to death once the laird’s wife uncovered their affair. Tiptoe around in the wee hours and you may just see her roaming the halls.
