7 Haunted Hotels To Stay at in the South

By: Emilee Calametti

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The South is known for a few things, and this time, we aren’t referring to the delicious food found in each state. A rich history of folklore and reports of supernatural sightings are commonly heard throughout several Southern cities, extending to the hotels people consider for their travel. Some are nestled in quaint towns like St. Francisville, Louisiana, while others sit proudly in the heart of downtown Louisville, Kentucky. If you’re looking for a getaway that might leave a tiny shiver in your spine or keep you up at night, it’s time for a road trip to one of these Southern locations. Whether you want to book a luxurious hotel, a Southern-style plantation home, or a historic inn, the South has no shortage of options. We gathered seven haunted hotels in the South to consider for your next spooky getaway.

The Myrtles | St. Francisville, Louisiana

The Myrtles is considered one of the most haunted homes in the South. While once a cotton and indigo plantation, it is now a beautifully preserved historic home packed with history. The property dates back to 1796, the year the on-site restaurant, Restaurant 1796, is named after. According to the property’s history, several ghosts haunt the grounds and have been seen or heard by guests during their stay.

The Olivier House Hotel | New Orleans

This historic boutique hotel was originally built in 1839 as Madame Marianne Bienvenu Olivier de Vezin’s personal home. Guests can now choose from 42 rooms to enjoy a unique stay in the heart of the Crescent City. Some say rooms 104, 106, and 216 are the most haunted. Guests have reported several ghost sightings of the previous owners, Confederate soldiers, and a young girl playing under the staircase during their stay. Some even say a phantom cat jumps on their bed during the night.

Crescent Hotel & Spa | Eureka Springs, Arkansas

The Crescent Hotel is considered America’s most haunted hotel. The structure was built in 1886 and now leans into its paranormal past by offering ghost tours, a night ghost hunt, and a private ghost-hunting investigation. While the hotel has been many things — a resort, a conservatory, a junior college—it was also a cancer hospital between 1937 and 1939, owned by a man named Norman Baker, an alleged con artist who posed as a doctor. Guests have reported seeing Baker in the Lobby and Morgue. Room 218, Room 419, and Room 212 have also had ghost sightings.

The Partridge Inn | Augusta, Georgia

Guests staying at the Partridge Inn will find there is more to this historic hotel than the elegant dining experience at 8595 and the panoramic views while enjoying a drink at the rooftop bar, Six South. A ghost named Emily has been seen by both guests and staff wandering the halls and rooms in her wedding dress. The hotel was built back in 1836 as a private residence. It was then purchased in 1892, converted to a hotel, and is now considered one of the most haunted places in Augusta, Georgia.

Tutwiler Hotel | Birmingham, Alabama

Now a DoubleTree by Hilton, the Tutwiler began as a luxury hotel built by Robert Jemmison and Colonel Tutwiler in 1914 before eventually being torn down in 1974. The hotel was later rebuilt using some original pieces from the first building, which is believed to have brought Tutwiler’s ghost. Knocks on doors, mysterious meals appearing, and lights turning on have been reported by guests during their stay. The hotel underwent a nearly $7 million renovation in 2025, but is still a regular stop on several ghost tours given in Birmingham.

The Seelbach Hilton | Louisville, Kentucky

Located in the heart of downtown is The Seelbach. The hotel holds a rich history, from inspiring settings in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby to being home to the “Lady in Blue,” the hotel’s rumored supernatural guest. Several presidents, musicians, and even mobsters have occupied a room at the Seelbach. Its ghost stories date back to 1905, when the hotel was built. Apart from the “Lady in Blue,” the ghost of an older woman and a mysterious man have both been seen in the hotel, along with voices and unexplained footsteps.

20 South Battery | Charleston

South Battery | Charleston South Carolina — 20 South Battery, Image courtesy of 20 South Battery

This historic mansion in Charleston dates back to the 1800s and has two very different ghost stories with two haunted rooms. Room 10 is said to be haunted by the Gentleman Ghost, who has appeared to guests dressed in Victorian clothing. Guests and the hotel believe Room 8 is haunted by a Confederate soldier who appears as a headless torso at the foot of the bed. The paranormal activity at 20 South Battery is just a piece of the landmark’s rich history available for visitors to explore while in Charleston.