The Brass Lantern Inn, built as a private home around the year 1810, has an unusual form of haunting.
Guests sometimes report that the guests in the room across the hall were rather noisy during the night. These guests come in late, chatting loudly and happily about the party they attended, and wasn't it fun? The conversation goes on and on, clearly audible in the other room.
Except that there was no party, and the guests who heard the noise are the only ones in that wing. The room across the hall is empty.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Renvyle House Hotel, Connemara, Republic of Ireland
Renvyle House was converted from a family home into a hotel in 1883. By 1917, when Oliver St. John Gogarty bought the property, it was already known to be haunted. The ghost once pushed a chest against a door in one of the rooms, effectively preventing anyone from entering the room (not that the staff wanted to enter it anyway).
No less a guest than W. B. Yeats stayed at the hotel; the ghosts seemed to have respect for him, as they would leave the room - and shut the door - when he requested it. His wife was a medium, and made contact with one ghost, a teenager who resented the fact that his former home had become a place for strangers to stay.
Despite being burned down in 1923 and rebuilt the following decade, the ghosts remain. Sometimes, they have been spotted peeking at the guests in mirrors.
No less a guest than W. B. Yeats stayed at the hotel; the ghosts seemed to have respect for him, as they would leave the room - and shut the door - when he requested it. His wife was a medium, and made contact with one ghost, a teenager who resented the fact that his former home had become a place for strangers to stay.
Despite being burned down in 1923 and rebuilt the following decade, the ghosts remain. Sometimes, they have been spotted peeking at the guests in mirrors.
Waitomo Caves Hotel, Waitomo Caves, New Zealand
The hotel was built in 1908. Almost one hundred years later, in 2001, a TV presenter turned pale and became very agitated on-camera. He claimed that "something" had walked through him.
The Waitomo Caves are famous for the glowworms that adorn the cave ceiling, giving the impression of a starry sky. The hotel, on the other hand, is famous for its supernatural activity. Visitors often feel that something has passed through them. In the 2001 TV investigation, a female member of the crew felt a tug on her big toe as she tried to sleep. It seems that whatever is still rambling the corridors of the hotel, it has no time to avoid the living.
Other sources claim that the bathtubs drip blood. Why not see for yourself?
The Waitomo Caves are famous for the glowworms that adorn the cave ceiling, giving the impression of a starry sky. The hotel, on the other hand, is famous for its supernatural activity. Visitors often feel that something has passed through them. In the 2001 TV investigation, a female member of the crew felt a tug on her big toe as she tried to sleep. It seems that whatever is still rambling the corridors of the hotel, it has no time to avoid the living.
Other sources claim that the bathtubs drip blood. Why not see for yourself?
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
The Menger Hotel, San Antonio. Texas, USA
The Menger Hotel was built by German immigrant William Menger; its doors opened on February 1, 1859. Menger, who also owned and operated the first brewery in Texas, died in 1871, and his widow and son carried on with the family businesses.
Five years later, a chambermaid named Sallie White was attacked in the hotel by her husband. He beat her so severely that she died two days later - but she continues to perform her hotel duties. She has often been seen at night, carrying a load of towels.
Captain Richard King, a rancher, was very fond of the Menger, spending a great deal of time there. Upon learning that he had a short time to live, King spent all his time at the hotel, making his final farewells and drawing up his will. His funeral was held in the hotel parlor on April 15, 1885. He has been seen entering his former room, now called "The King Ranch Room".
Former President Teddy Roosevelt, who also enjoyed spending time at the Menger, sometimes has a drink in the hotel bar.
The hotel is also said to be haunted by the ghosts of some of the men who died at an adjacent fort - the Alamo.
Five years later, a chambermaid named Sallie White was attacked in the hotel by her husband. He beat her so severely that she died two days later - but she continues to perform her hotel duties. She has often been seen at night, carrying a load of towels.
Captain Richard King, a rancher, was very fond of the Menger, spending a great deal of time there. Upon learning that he had a short time to live, King spent all his time at the hotel, making his final farewells and drawing up his will. His funeral was held in the hotel parlor on April 15, 1885. He has been seen entering his former room, now called "The King Ranch Room".
Former President Teddy Roosevelt, who also enjoyed spending time at the Menger, sometimes has a drink in the hotel bar.
The hotel is also said to be haunted by the ghosts of some of the men who died at an adjacent fort - the Alamo.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Hotel Union Øye, near Geiranger, Norway
The elegant Hotel Union Øye was built in 1891, and has entertained many heads of state since then. In keeping with its Victorian appearance, there are no televisions in the rooms, and no Internet access. The nearby village is also a throwback to calmer days.
A few years after the hotel opened, a maid fell in love with a German military man, a member of Kaiser Wilhelm II's entourage. The man asked his wife in Germany for a divorce, which she refused to grant. In despair, the man committed suicide. Upon learning of his death, the maid, Linda, drowned herself. It seems that the German officer rests in peace, but not Linda; she is heard in the Blue Room, sobbing inconsolably.
The Blue Room is now so popular that reservations must be made at least a year in advance. A plate of onions or garlic is put outside the door of the room to coax Linda into making a visit.
A few years after the hotel opened, a maid fell in love with a German military man, a member of Kaiser Wilhelm II's entourage. The man asked his wife in Germany for a divorce, which she refused to grant. In despair, the man committed suicide. Upon learning of his death, the maid, Linda, drowned herself. It seems that the German officer rests in peace, but not Linda; she is heard in the Blue Room, sobbing inconsolably.
The Blue Room is now so popular that reservations must be made at least a year in advance. A plate of onions or garlic is put outside the door of the room to coax Linda into making a visit.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Hotel Burchianti, Florence, Italy
Florence is home to some of the most beautiful art in the world. Could that be the reason why some former citizens have yet to leave?
The three-star Hotel Burchianti has more than one otherworldly guest. A woman sits in a chair, knitting. A small child skips through the corridors. And guests in the Fresco room experience the most startling phenomena; a feeling of freezing cold, and sometimes, the apparition of a man.
The three-star Hotel Burchianti has more than one otherworldly guest. A woman sits in a chair, knitting. A small child skips through the corridors. And guests in the Fresco room experience the most startling phenomena; a feeling of freezing cold, and sometimes, the apparition of a man.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Gwydir Castle, Llanrwst, Conwy, Wales
Gwydir Castle is a centuries-old building now serving as a bed and breakfast. It claims (see the website) to be one of the most haunted houses in Wales.
One ghost brings an unpleasant sensation with her; the stench of decomposition. This young woman is seen in the north wing of the castle, as well as a corridor linking the Great Chamber and the Hall of Meredith. Sometimes, visitors have actually felt her touch them, and experienced a sudden feeling of intense cold.
And then, of course, there's the unforgettable smell.
The story behind this apparition is just as memorable as her appearances have been. It seems that a previous owner, in his younger days, seduced one of the servants. When she became pregnant, the young man (Sir John Wynn, according to the tale) murdered her and secreted the body in a "priest's hole" near the chimney. This, then, accounts for the strong smell, always most noticeable at the place of her interment.
Whether out of love of his home, sudden remorse for the young woman's murder, or divine punishment, the ghost of Sir John also haunts the house. He has been sighted many a time on a spiral staircase.
And the other ghosts? Well, find out for yourself.
One ghost brings an unpleasant sensation with her; the stench of decomposition. This young woman is seen in the north wing of the castle, as well as a corridor linking the Great Chamber and the Hall of Meredith. Sometimes, visitors have actually felt her touch them, and experienced a sudden feeling of intense cold.
And then, of course, there's the unforgettable smell.
The story behind this apparition is just as memorable as her appearances have been. It seems that a previous owner, in his younger days, seduced one of the servants. When she became pregnant, the young man (Sir John Wynn, according to the tale) murdered her and secreted the body in a "priest's hole" near the chimney. This, then, accounts for the strong smell, always most noticeable at the place of her interment.
Whether out of love of his home, sudden remorse for the young woman's murder, or divine punishment, the ghost of Sir John also haunts the house. He has been sighted many a time on a spiral staircase.
And the other ghosts? Well, find out for yourself.
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