There are many haunted hotels in New Orleans because it’s one of the most haunted cities in the United States. Citizens of the city embrace death in unique ways, such as through extravagant funeral processions, above-ground cemeteries, and voodoo culture. So, there are a lot of buildings in the city that supposedly have ghosts.
If you’re interested in learning about and potentially witnessing the supernatural, New Orleans should be on your bucket list. Not only are there haunted attractions, but many hotels have had ghost sightings. So, let’s take a look at the most haunted hotels in New Orleans.
Haunted Hotels in New Orleans
You’re never guaranteed to see a ghost at a hotel, but many people have claimed to witness paranormal activity at the following nine hotels. Many of those hotels have spooky stories as well. So, keep reading to learn about New Orleans haunted hotels.
1. Bourbon Orleans Hotel
This elegant hotel has served many purposes over the years. In 1817, it started as a theatre and ballroom, but it changed to the Sisters of the Holy Family convent in 1881. The 400 nuns living in the structure relocated to a larger location in 1964, allowing for a hotel to open in the empty space. However, with so much history at this location, there are bound to be some ghosts sticking around. It may be the most haunted hotel in New Orleans.
Ghost sightings have occurred in almost every area of the hotel. These sightings include ghostly soldiers, nuns from the convent, and ghost dancers. In the lobby, many people have claimed to see an apparition smoking a cigar while reading the newspaper. Some guests have claimed to smell the cigar before spotting him. If you stay at this hotel, you might experience ghost children turning the TVs on and off.
2. Hotel Monteleone
Hotel Monteleone has been around since 1886, so it has several generations of history. It’s best-known for its Carousel Bar & Lounge, but many guests have also described ghost sightings during their stay. So many people have talked about the hotel being haunted that it was even investigated by the International Society of Paranormal Research.
At this hotel, there’s a restaurant door that opens and closes on its own almost every night despite being locked. Stories say that the ghosts of former employees are responsible. The elevators sometimes stop on the wrong floor, and people have witnessed child-like ghosts playing in the halls shortly after. The 14th floor is supposedly the one with the most paranormal activity.
3. Le Pavillon Hotel
Le Pavillon looks too luxurious to be haunted, but paranormal investigators believe over 100 ghosts live on the property. It has been a hotel since 1907, but before that, it was the National Theatre. Many of the ghosts are old actors and visitors from the theatre, and their spirits supposedly became more active when the theatre was burned down and rebuilt as a hotel.
Several guests have claimed to see apparitions standing at the foot of their beds in these hotel rooms. Others have claimed that a ghost pulled their sheets off the bed at night. Some people even reported unusual noises and faucets turning on and off on their own. Upon arriving at this hotel, you can ask for a pamphlet from the front desk about the hotel’s haunted history.
4. Dauphine Orleans Hotel
Dauphine Orleans served many purposes before it became a hotel, so it has a wide variety of ghosts as a result. Many wealthy families owned the property from the late 1700s to the early 1800s. Then, in the mid-1800s, it became the first licensed brothel in the city, known as May Baily’s Place. The structure didn’t become a hotel until 1969.
Many of the ghosts that haunt this hotel are well-dressed women and civil war soldiers. The women likely worked at May Baily’s. Guests often report sightings of ghosts hanging out or dancing in the courtyard. Others have heard footsteps and other bizarre noises at night when no one else was around. One famous ghost at the property is Millie Baily, May Baily’s sister. Millie Baily is a phantom bride whose partner was shot the day of the wedding.
5. Lafitte Guest House
The Lafitte Hotel & Bar opened in 1849. Guests believe that the entire hotel is haunted, but room 21 supposedly has the most paranormal activity. A young girl is the main apparition that haunts room 21. Some claim she’s the daughter of the original hotel owners, and she died falling down the stairs in the 1800s. Others believe the girl was one of the victims of the Yellow Fever epidemic.
Some guests have heard the girl crying or coughing while others have even spotted her in the mirrors. If you’re traveling with children, the girl seems to talk to kids the most. People have reported other ghosts moving objects in the middle of the night, and some have claimed to hear the sound of someone dragging a body at night.
6. Omni Royal Orleans
Despite being a popular chain, this Omni hotel has some paranormal activity. Like many of the other hotels haunted in New Orleans, this destination has a variety of ghostly soldiers. Guests have mentioned hearing their moans of pain at night. A maid is another common ghost at the facility, and she’s known to tuck guests in at night. The maid may also flush the toilet or run a bath.
Some other ghosts include a ghost who “slaps” people if they use foul language. People believe that ghost could be a nun. Some women have claimed to receive “kisses” from a different apparition. When staying at this hotel, you’ll never know what types of ghostly figures you’ll come across.
7. Haunted Hotel New Orleans
The Haunted Hotel New Orleans has a very fitting name. This hotel goes above and beyond to embrace its spooky history. According to the website, many murders occurred at this hotel in its early days, so guests have spotted ghosts as a result. The structure was build in 1829, and The Axeman, a famous serial killer of New Orleans, lived at the hotel during his murders.
During his killing spree, The Axeman targeted Italian citizens, but he would spare the lives of anyone blasting jazz music. The hotel’s owners warn guests that they may get sightings from The Axeman’s ghost while staying at this hotel, and they claim that there have even been unexplained deaths. Yet, if you play jazz music in your room, you’ll likely be safe.
8. Andrew Jackson Hotel
This building’s original purpose was a boarding school and orphanage for boys whose parents died during the Yellow Fever epidemic. Sadly, a fire burned down part of the property, and several boys perished. So, people believe that the spirits of those boys still haunt the structure today, which has been the Andrew Jackson Hotel since 1925.
The young ghosts may wake guests up by laughing or pushing them out of bed. They will also flip through TV channels until they land on a cartoon. Guests who leave cameras sitting out have been shocked to find birds-eye view photos of them sleeping when they wake up. Some guests have also spotted a ghost of a caretaker from the orphanage cleaning the rooms. Room 208 is supposedly the most haunted room.
9. Hotel Villa Convento
This structure was built in 1833, and it went through many owners in its early years. Many people believe it was a popular brothel, but a new owner later converted it into studio apartments. Jimmy Buffet is one of the most famous tenants to live in those apartments. In the 1970s, it turned into a hotel. With so much history, there are bound to be some ghosts.
A spirit who once worked at the brothel often introduces herself to male guests. Guests regularly hear knocking on the doors when no one is on the other side, and it’s believed that it’s the ghosts from the brothel telling guests their time is up. Some other bizarre activities include voices, items going missing, and the feeling that someone is watching. Rooms 209, 301, and 302 are supposedly the most haunted.
Other Haunted Activities in New Orleans
There are several haunted tours in New Orleans, many of which visit the lobbies of these famous hotels. If you want to explore haunted places on your own, here are some spots to check out:
- Sultan’s Palace
- Muriel’s Jackson Square
- Napoleon House
- Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop
- Le Petit Theatre
- Saint Louse Cemetery Number One
- Lafayette Cemetery
This list is just the beginning of haunted places in New Orleans. As you can see, there are tons of places to experience ghost sighting in this city, so consider going on a ghost tour to hit up all the most popular spots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you book a room at one of these haunted hotels New Orleans, here are some commonly asked questions.
Why Is New Orleans Haunted?
New Orleans has so many haunted buildings because there are a lot of historical structures. Many of the hotels served other purposes before opening, so anyone who died in the buildings could potentially be haunting them today.
What is New Orleans Known for?
New Orleans is known for many things, including music events, Mardi Gras festivals, and Creole cuisine. Yet, many people travel there specifically for haunted attractions.
Why Does New Orleans Have Above Ground Cemeteries?
Most of New Orleans is at or below sea level, so building above-ground graves reduces the risk of graves getting waterlogged or water pushing bodies out of the ground.
Plan Your Spooky New Orleans Trip!
If you’re looking for a spooky vacation, visiting haunted New Orleans hotels is the way to go. While you’re at it, check out some of the other haunted locations in the city.
Travelers who love visiting haunted places in the US should also check out the Clown Motel, the Waverly Hills Sanatorium, and the Stanley Hotel.