Haunted Hotels Gen Z Can't Stop Booking in 2025

Ghosts, Vibes, and TikToks: Gen Z's Obsession With Haunted Hotels

So, here’s the thing—Gen Z is done with basic vacations. You know, those standard hotel stays where everything's beige and sanitized. Nah. We want drama. We want vibes. We want... ghosts?

Welcome to the haunted hotel renaissance.

From eerie red-lit hallways to ghost sightings caught on BeReal, Gen Z travelers are embracing haunted spots like they’re collecting cursed Pokémon. And honestly? Same. I stayed in a haunted room last October “for fun” and woke up to my shampoo bottle moved across the sink and a mysterious knocking I still can’t explain. Zero regrets.

Whether you're chasing content or chasing ghosts, here are the haunted motels and hotels that are blowing up in 2025—and why everyone’s dying to stay.

1. The Stanley Hotel – Estes Park, Colorado

Famous for: Inspiring The Shining and giving guests full-on “is that a ghost or just sleep paralysis?” moments.

TikTok can't stop talking about this place—and neither can ghost hunters. The Stanley is straight-up legendary. With ghost tours, creaky floors, and the infamous Room 217 (yeah, the one Stephen King stayed in), it’s the haunted stay Gen Z flocks to every spooky season.

Why Gen Z loves it:

• Aesthetic AF Victorian interiors
• Major pop culture tie-ins
• Staff embraces the haunting—like, they have a ghost concierge

2. The Jerome Grand Hotel – Jerome, Arizona

Famous for: Being a former asylum-turned-hotel with a very persistent elevator ghost.

This one's got that eerie "desert ghost town" aesthetic. It used to be a hospital in a mining town, which... is already a horror movie setup. Guests report hearing coughs from empty hallways, ghost nurses, and doors that open on their own. And the TikTok storytimes from people who’ve stayed here? Unhinged.

Why Gen Z loves it:

• It's giving asylum-core
• Panoramic desert views (great contrast to all the ghost talk)
• Perfect place for a “haunted fit check” reel

3. Crescent Hotel – Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Famous for: Being dubbed “America’s Most Haunted Hotel” by basically everyone who’s ever stayed there.

Originally a luxury resort, it later became a cancer hospital run by a fake doctor. Yes. That’s real. Ghostly figures in Victorian gowns, phantom nurses, and creepy basement vibes are just part of the experience. Plus, the hotel now leans into it with ghost tours, seances, and a whole museum.

Why Gen Z loves it:

• Historic and horrifying (we love duality)
• Tons of paranormal YouTube collabs filmed here
• Surprisingly affordable for a haunted hotel

4. The Hollywood Roosevelt – Los Angeles, California

Famous for: Ghosts of Marilyn Monroe and classic golden-age Hollywood spirits.

Right on Hollywood Blvd, this iconic hotel has legit glam ghost energy. People say they’ve seen Monroe’s reflection in mirrors and heard old-timey music from empty ballrooms. And the pool is haunted too—but you can still swim in it, so it’s like spooky and vibey?

Why Gen Z loves it:

• Retro haunted Hollywood aesthetic
• Potential to run into a ghost... or a TikTok celeb
• That eerie but glamorous feeling of being haunted in style

5. Lizzie Borden House – Fall River, Massachusetts

Famous for: Uh, the double ax murder. And the fact that you can SLEEP IN THE MURDER ROOM.

If you're into true crime, this one's the holy grail. You can book the exact rooms where the Borden family was murdered in 1892 (fun, right?). It's part museum, part B&B, and the energy here is... intense. One night here and you’ll either have the best ghost story ever or the worst sleep of your life.

Why Gen Z loves it:

• True crime meets sleepover challenge
• Aesthetic Victorian creepiness
• Insane storytime potential (“So I slept in a murder house...”)

But Why Is Haunted Travel Such a Vibe?

Gen Z’s relationship with fear is complicated—we grew up during chaos, and horror is kind of our way of coping. Haunted hotels tap into something deeper: thrill-seeking, storytelling, and aesthetic weirdness. Plus, it’s content gold. Who wouldn’t click on a video titled “I slept in a haunted asylum and this happened”?

Reddit’s r/Paranormal is booming again. TikTok’s haunted hotel tags have over 300M views. There are even Airbnb listings with “haunted” as a selling point now. Spooky travel isn’t just a niche anymore—it’s full-on Gen Z core.

Is It Safe?

Look, haunted doesn’t mean dangerous. Most of these hotels are just old, creaky, and filled with lore. The only risk? Bad sleep and an occasional cold spot. Bring sage if that makes you feel better, but also… bring a backup charger because you know you’ll be filming all night.

Thoughts from a Haunted Room Survivor

I booked a haunted motel on a dare and left with the best story of my life. Did I scream at 3AM when the lights flickered for no reason? Yes. Would I do it again? Also yes. Whether you're into ghosts, vibes, or just wanna flex your ghost-hunting TikTok, haunted hotels are the ultimate Gen Z getaway.

Stay bold, stay weird, and keep chasing the haunted high.

Stay connected with more spooky adventures, paranormal travel tips, and vibey escapes at Woke Waves Magazine.

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