To many, the idea of a hotel room surrounded by spirits might seem more like a nightmare than an enjoyable getaway. But paranormal tourism has gained in popularity, fueled by TV shows, conventions and ghost walks, with some hotels offering rooms and experiences that might just make your hair stand on end.
One hotel, the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, is widely known as America’s Most Haunted Hotel. Its owners, who restored the building to its original Victorian splendor and opened it as a destination spa resort, hired two psychic mediums to “read” the structure; their findings became the basis of the hotel’s nightly Ghost Tour. The most notable apparition is Michael, an Irish stonemason who fell to his death on the roof during construction and now makes himself known to guests in Room 218. Other spirits are said to haunt the property, including a nurse who can sometimes be seen pushing a gurney and a spirit named Theodora who fumbles for her keys outside Room 419.
Other hotels with eerie reputations include the Roosevelt in Austin, Texas; the Hotel Bethlehem in Pennsylvania; and the historic La Fonda on the Plaza in Santa Fe, New Mexico. These properties have built their storied histories on a mix of spooky lore, historical events, and deaths that occurred onsite or nearby. Many of these stories are rooted in oral tradition, and some are even concocted by the hotel owners themselves to attract tourists, hiring psychic mediums or ghost hunters to validate (or create) the rumors of supernatural activity.
The Baker Hotel in Mineral Wells, Texas, was once a hot spot for the rich and famous who came here to soak in its healing mineral waters. But the resort also has a darker side, having been home to illegal gambling and bathtub gin parties, as well as to Al Capone and Bugsy Moran. The hotel now hosts ghost tours and has been featured on the SyFy channel’s “Ghost Hunters.” Those who stay here claim to hear the sounds of people laughing or crying, see a young woman in a white dress, and smell cigar smoke or perfume.
In addition to the usual spa amenities such as a self-exfoliation scrub, a full body Afrique Aroma Massage and a soothing facial, the hotel offers a Ghostly Spa Package. The package starts with a rooftop soaking tub and continues with a candlelit self-exfoliation and full body mask steam session. Afterward, guests enjoy a full-body Afrique Aroma Massage and relax in the spa’s relaxation area as the stars begin to come out.
According to the hotel, the Champagne Ghost Spa experience helps guests overcome stress and negative thoughts by focusing on positive, happy feelings instead. It also enhances emotional connection with others and increases a person’s sense of community, which can be especially important during stressful times. Moreover, the spa’s practitioners believe that revitalizing the body with a massage and facial physically releases dopamine in the brain, which boosts self-esteem and promotes a healthy attitude toward relationships.
Champagne Ghost Spa
1149 Hilton Rd #205
Ferndale, MI 48220(313) 400-2705