Haunted hotels around the world

Would you every choose to stay in a haunted hotel?

If they answer is yes, then you've come to the right place: we've got the ultimate list of hotels new and old around the world where guests have claimed to have 'other-worldly' experiences during their stay.

See also: Britain's haunted castles

From one of London's most famous hotels to a terrifying haunted castle in Ireland as well as an Australian hotel with a bizarre history, here are the top places to check in to if you're after a spooky experience (and you're just in time for Halloween!).

See also: The creepiest places in the world​

1. Ross Castle, County Meath, Ireland

This place proudly calls itself a 'haunted hotel' - and it's not just the ghostly goings-on which will have you shaking in your boots: the spooky atmosphere here will have you clinging to your fellow guests. Legend has it that a father-daughter ghostly pair haunts the castle walls to this day. Richard Nugent, known as the Black Baron, and his daughter Sabina are said to have once lived in the confines of the castle and it's believed their ghosts remain there to this day...

See also: Inside the bizarre Crazy House hotel in Vietnam​

The Stanley Hotel, Colorado

The Stanley Hotel is perhaps best known for being the inspiration for Stephen King's 1977 horror novel, The Shining. King and his wife spent a night in room 217 as it was closing for the winter season and soon found that they were the only guests staying in the hotel that evening. The room is said to be haunted by the ghost of a chambermaid who was injured in a gas explosion in the hotel in 1911. These days the hotel isn't ashamed to highlight its ghostly reputation and they even offer a 'Ghost Adventure Package' to visitors.

The Langham Hotel, London, England

The Langham may be one of the best known and most traditional upmarket hotels in London but that doesn't seem to put off ghosts. Room 333 has been described as the 'most haunted hotel room in London' and it may be for good reason. According to the Huffington Post, a number of ghosts reside in room 333, including a doctor who murdered his wife, a German prince who committed suicide and a butler who stalks the corridors.

Fairmont Banff Springs, Canada

It's said that the ghost of a woman in her wedding dress, as well as the ghost of a man in a bell hop's uniform, roam the halls of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Legend says that the young woman fell to an untimely death on the marble staircase in the hotel on her wedding day, while the bell hop is thought to have died shortly after announcing his retirement. Some guests claim to feel sharp, cold chills as they descend the staircase - perhaps the young bride reminding them of her unfortunate ending.

Hotel Roosevelt, California

Not only was the Roosevelt home to the first Academy Awards in 1929 but the iconic actress Marilyn Monroe lived there too. A number of ghosts have apparently been spotted in the hotel, including the ghost of Monroe and actor Montgomery Cliff is another famous name reported to have shown his ghostly face.

Toftaholm Herrgård, Sweden

The story goes that this hotel was once owned by a wealthy Baron with a beautiful daughter. His daughter fell in love with a local boy but her father refused to let them marry as the boy was a 'commoner'. He arranged a more suitable husband for his daughter and on the morning of the wedding her true love was found hanged in the hotel's room 324. It's believed his ghost still haunts the room to this day.

Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, India

Rumour has it that the grand hotel's architect jumped to his death from the fifth floor balcony, but the reason for his drastic actions is slightly bizarre. It's said that he approved the blue prints for the hotel while on holiday, and when he returned to India he was horrified to find the hotel had been built back to front, with the courtyard facing inwards and not looking out over the sea as planned. The stress and disappointment was too much for him to take and he threw himself from the building. Guests have reported seeing his ghost stalking the halls of the hotel and he's even been spotted on the roof.

Russell Hotel, Sydney, Australia

The Russell Hotel is one of Sydney's oldest buildings and can be found in The Rocks area of the city. When it first opened in the late 1700s the hotel was a popular place for sailors docking in the city as well as a number of criminal gangs. The winding corridors and maze-like structure of the old building makes it the perfect site for spooky creaking noises and strange goings on and several guests have reported seeing a sailor standing at the end of their beds while others claim some rooms have unexplained cold spots. The hotel was renovated a few years ago and the hotel's employees claim the ghostly activities have only become more active since then.

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