5 Haunted Hotels That Have Hosted Ghost Hunters
For the serious paranormal enthusiast, there's a unique thrill in visiting a location not just known for its resident spirits, but one that has stood up to the scrutiny of professional ghost hunters. When renowned investigators, often equipped with advanced technology and years of experience, descend upon a historic hotel, their findings can either confirm local legends or uncover chilling new evidence of the afterlife.
There are numerous paranormal or ghost hunter groups on facebook throughout the country with varying levels of professionalism, TV shows such as ‘Ghosthunters’ and ‘Most Haunted’, organised ghost hunt companies and You Tubers dedicated to the paranormal. Many of these groups regularly visit hotels and document their findings.
We've curated a list of five haunted hotels that have opened their doors to paranormal investigation teams, revealing fascinating insights into their spectral residents. If you're looking to walk in the footsteps of seasoned experts and perhaps even experience their findings firsthand, these destinations are a must-add to your haunted hotel itinerary.
The Jamaica Inn, Cornwall, England
Perched starkly on the desolate Bodmin Moor, this 18th-century coaching inn is steeped in tales of smugglers and highwaymen, famously immortalised by Daphne du Maurier. Its rugged charm and isolated location make it a classic setting for the supernatural.
Famous Ghost Hunters:
The Jamaica Inn is arguably most famous for its investigations by the hugely popular TV series 'Most Haunted' with Yvette Fielding, (Episode aired Apr 6, 2004). Other independent teams and seasoned solo investigators have also explored its mysteries, including numerous You Tube videos document influencers experiences.
Chilling Findings:
During their televised investigations, the 'Most Haunted' team experienced significant poltergeist activity, including objects moving on their own, unexplained bangs, and drastic temperature fluctuations. Investigators reported direct interactions with spirits, particularly in the bar area and Room 4. Consistent findings include the presence of a phantom highwayman, disembodied voices, and the distinct sense of a child's spirit. Many guest reviews continue to echo these findings, describing mysterious cold drafts, whispers, and inexplicable movements of personal items.
The Langham Hotel, London, England
As one of London's most luxurious and historic five-star hotels, The Langham boasts an opulent exterior that belies its intensely active spiritual core. Its grand architecture has witnessed countless stories, including several untimely deaths within its walls.
Ghost Hunters:
The hotel's hauntings have been reported by numerous reputable sources, including BBC journalists and high-profile guests. It was a key location for early BBC paranormal investigations due to its well-documented activity.
In 1973, James Alexander Gordon, a BBC journalist staying in the room (the hotel was once owned by the BBC), woke one night in to see a fluorescent ball of light turning into the shape of man.
England bowler Stuart Broad also recounted one experience during his stay at the hotel.
“It was so hot in the room, I just couldn’t sleep. All of a sudden the taps in the bathroom came on for no reason. I turned the lights on and the taps turned themselves off. Then when I turned the lights off again the taps came on.
It was very weird. It really freaked me out. I ended up asking to move rooms.”
More recently in 2019 YouTubers Sam and Colby who have a large YouTube following of over 15 million subscribers, investigated and recorded a visit at the hotel. There are numerous other YouTubers who have done the same with mixed responses.
Chilling Findings:
Over decades, encounters in Room 333 have been consistently reported. Investigators and witnesses have described the terrifying phenomenon of beds violently shaking in the dead of night. Apparitions, specifically of a German Prince (who took his own life there) and a Victorian doctor (who murdered his wife before committing suicide), have been sighted.
Sam and Colby felt movement on the bed, noted strange readings, heard bizarre noises and promply left early that morning!
The sheer volume and consistency of reports from credible witnesses over many years make The Langham's hauntings particularly compelling to paranormal experts.
Ruthin Castle Hotel, Ruthin, North Wales
This magnificent 13th-century fortress, transformed into a luxurious hotel, offers a regal escape amidst stunning Welsh scenery. Its ancient stones and battle-scarred history provide a perfect backdrop for enduring spectral presences.
Ghost Hunters:
Ruthin Castle has been a prime location for numerous paranormal investigation teams, both local and national, drawn to its profound historical significance and consistent reports of activity.
Paranormal investigators from the TV show "Most Haunted" conducted an investigation at the castle, experiencing phenomena like a draft with no apparent source and hearing sounds like footsteps.
A group of junior paranormal enthusiast visited the castle and reported seeing the ghost of a child and also staying in room 222 and recording voices and hearing footsteps and knocking on walls. Vist the article here.
Chilling Findings:
Investigators have focused heavily on the tragic tale of Lady Grey, whose spirit is said to walk the battlements after being executed for murdering her husband's mistress. Paranormal teams have reported capturing EVPs (Electronic Voice Phenomena) of disembodied moans and whispers. Cold spots, shadowy figures, and the feeling of being watched are frequent occurrences, often linked to the castle's violent past and its various resident spirits, including the spectral soldier.
Cabra Castle Hotel, Kingscourt, County Cavan, Ireland
A picturesque 19th-century castle nestled in sprawling parkland, Cabra Castle provides a fairytale setting, yet its beauty conceals a deep and often tragic history.
Ghost Hunters:
Cabra Castle is a popular destination for Irish paranormal investigation groups and international ghost hunting teams due to its well-known legends and active reports. There have been numerous You Tube recordings of visits and the hotel is included in Irish Ghost tours. In a Tripadviser list of the 10 most haunted, the hotel was listed in 2nd place.
Chilling Findings:
Investigations often center around the ghost of the "Black Soldier," though to be a stable boy tragically hanged on the castle grounds for a forbidden love affair or a man in military uniform. Other claims refer to a ghostly horse and carriage screeching to a halt at the building, then fading away. Paranormal teams have reported capturing his distinct footsteps and even full-body apparitions, particularly near the bridge where he met his end. Other findings include unexplained disembodied voices, dramatic temperature fluctuations, and the sensation of being touched by unseen hands, particularly around the areas linked to the castle's various historical dramas.
The Schooner Hotel, Alnmouth, Northumberland, England
A 17th-century coaching inn on England's rugged Northumberland coast, The Schooner Hotel holds the astonishing distinction of being officially recognized as Britain's most haunted hotel by numerous sources. Its unassuming exterior hides a whirlwind of supernatural activity.
Ghost Hunters:
The Schooner Hotel has been featured on numerous TV shows and in countless publications focusing on the paranormal. The hotel has been reported in the media from local (northumberlandgazette.co.uk) to national press. It has been a magnet for both amateur and professional ghost hunters.
Chilling Findings:
Visits to the hotel have yielded significant results across its staggering 60 reported spirits. Teams have documented extensive poltergeist activity, including objects being thrown across rooms, doors slamming shut violently, and beds shaking. Strong EVPs (Electronic Voice Phenomena) have been captured, alongside visual sightings of various apparitions, including children, soldiers, and a 'Lady in White.' The sheer volume and intensity of unexplained phenomena make it a favourite for those seeking proof of the afterlife.
In Summary
These hotels offer more than just a comfortable night's rest; they provide a rare opportunity to step into a documented realm of the unknown. For those intrigued by the findings of expert ghost hunters and eager to experience a piece of authentic paranormal history, these locations promise a stay that will linger in your memory long after you've checked out.