Every fall, travelers across Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC trade sunny getaways for eerie overnight adventures. The region’s deep history and old architecture make it one of the best places in the country to book a haunted stay. From ghostly Civil War hospitals to elegant hotels with lingering guests who never checked out, here are some of the most haunted hotels near you.
1. The Martha Washington Inn & Spa – Abingdon, Virginia
The Martha Washington Inn & Spa is among the most haunted hotels in Virginia, with tales dating back to the 1830s. Once a private home and later a Civil War hospital, it’s said to host several resident spirits, including a young nurse named Beth who still roams Room 408. Guests report phantom footsteps, faint piano music, and sudden temperature drops throughout the night.
Visitors come for the luxurious spa and leave with spine-tingling stories about flickering lights and ghostly soldiers. Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, the inn’s mix of elegance and eerie atmosphere makes it one of the best haunted places to stay in the state.
Tip: Ask the front desk about the hotel’s unofficial “ghost log” to read firsthand accounts from previous guests.
2. The Cavalier Hotel – Virginia Beach, Virginia
Overlooking the Atlantic, the Cavalier Hotel has entertained presidents and celebrities since 1927, but a few permanent residents may remain. Rumor has it a hotel founder leapt to his death from an upper-floor window, and guests claim his spirit still lingers near the pool.
Staff have also reported the ghost of a friendly bellhop who assists guests before vanishing into thin air. With its grand architecture and ocean views, the Cavalier combines old-world glamour with just enough paranormal activity to keep thrill-seekers coming back each Halloween season.
Tip: Pair your stay with the nearby Virginia Beach Ghost Walk for a full evening of haunted history along the boardwalk.
3. The Historic Inns of Annapolis – Annapolis, Maryland
Comprising three restored 18th-century properties, the Historic Inns of Annapolis blend colonial charm with haunting legend. The Maryland Inn, in particular, is famous for its doomed lovers: a sea captain who died in a carriage accident and the fiancée who took her own life waiting for him to return.
Guests often mention hearing soft sobs in empty hallways or seeing candlelight flicker in darkened rooms. The combination of maritime lore and Revolutionary War-era history makes it one of the best haunted hotels in Maryland for history buffs and ghost hunters alike.
Tip: Visit during the Annapolis Ghost Tour season to explore other paranormal hot spots nearby.
4. The Lord Baltimore Hotel – Baltimore, Maryland
The grand Lord Baltimore Hotel opened in 1928 and soon earned its reputation as one of the most haunted hotels in Baltimore. After the stock-market crash, guests leapt from upper floors in despair, and many say their spirits still roam the Art Deco hallways.
Apparitions of a little girl holding a red ball, swaying chandeliers, and shadowy dancers in the ballroom are all part of its unsettling charm. Even skeptics admit the hotel’s atmospheric beauty and long history lend weight to the ghostly tales.
Tip: Ask for a tour of the mezzanine. Staff often share their own unexplained encounters there.
5. Omni Shoreham Hotel – Washington, DC
The Omni Shoreham Hotel in Northwest DC has hosted presidents, musicians, and one infamous ghost. In the 1930s, several members of the Doherty family and their maid died mysteriously in Suite 870, where lights flicker and doors slam on their own.
Guests who stay nearby describe moving furniture, cold drafts, and televisions turning on by themselves. The hotel embraces its spooky reputation while remaining one of DC’s most elegant properties, perfect for a Halloween getaway that mixes luxury with legend.
Tip: If you’re feeling brave, request a room near Suite 870; many paranormal enthusiasts say that’s where activity peaks.
6. The Hay-Adams Hotel – Washington, DC
Across from the White House, the Hay-Adams Hotel exudes sophistication, and the sorrowful presence of Clover Adams, wife of writer Henry Adams. After her tragic death in 1885, staff began hearing soft sobbing, feeling cold gusts in sealed rooms, and smelling faint almond perfume on the fourth floor.
Known as one of the most historic haunted hotels in DC, the Hay-Adams balances elegance with eerie charm. Guests today can book luxury suites while sharing space with one of Washington’s most famous ghosts.
Tip: Stay on the fourth floor, where most sightings occur, and ask the staff about Clover’s legend.
7. The Mayflower Hotel – Washington, DC
Nicknamed “The Grande Dame of Washington,” the Mayflower Hotel has been linked to political intrigue and paranormal rumors since 1925. Cold spots, flickering lights, and echoing footsteps in empty corridors keep its haunted reputation alive.
The most repeated tale involves the ghost of a wedding guest who never arrived. Every January, staff say, an unseen presence leaves the scent of gardenias in the ballroom on what would have been her anniversary night.
Tip: Visit in late January for the best chance to experience the Mayflower’s mysterious anniversary activity.
Planning your haunted stay
Whether you’re chasing ghost sightings or just love historic hotels, booking early for Halloween travel is key—these properties fill quickly. Check if your destination offers ghost tour packages, and bring a flashlight or camera to document your adventure.
Tip: Combine your stay with nearby attractions like Colonial Williamsburg, Old Town Alexandria, or Annapolis Harbor for a fall weekend getaway near DC.
Stay safe (and spooky) this Halloween
Haunted or not, moving to the DC metro area should never feel frightening. Working with a professional moving partner helps families relocate smoothly across Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC, so the only chills you’ll feel this season come from ghost stories, not moving stress!