One Texas hotel displays a funeral receipt connected to an employee whose ghost reportedly still walks its hallways. That’s an unusual piece of memorabilia to encounter before you even unpack your suitcase.
Elsewhere, an old hospital turned hotel has guests swapping stories about mysterious sounds and strange experiences on its former medical floors. Another grand hotel has a legend about a young girl near its staircase.
These stories have followed the buildings for decades, passed along by staff, visitors, and curious locals. None of them comes with proof, of course, but the history behind the walls is real.
I’m not sure I believe the sightings, but I’d still read every bit of local lore before checking in. A grand old hotel is interesting enough; add a ghost story, and suddenly even the quiet hallways demand a second look.
1. Menger Hotel, San Antonio, TX
Opening in 1859 gave the Menger a serious head start on collecting ghost stories. It calls itself the oldest continuously operating hotel west of the Mississippi, and it sits just steps from the Alamo.
That long run has filled the guest book with famous names. Theodore Roosevelt, Ulysses S.
Grant, Robert E. Lee, O.
Henry, Oscar Wilde, Babe Ruth, and Mae West all stayed here.
Now for the spooky part. The hotel is widely called the most haunted in Texas, with reports of no fewer than 32 separate spirits.
The most famous is Sallie White, a Victorian-era chambermaid who lost her life after a shooting in 1876. Guests report she still shows up getting a towel cart ready, which is honestly an impressive work ethic.
Teddy Roosevelt supposedly makes appearances too. He famously recruited his Rough Riders here, so maybe he never quite finished the job.
Captain Richard King, owner of the King Ranch, has also been reported. He kept a personal suite at the hotel during his lifetime, and legend says he still likes the place.
Even if you never meet a ghost, the building is a treat. Look for marble wainscoting, mosaic tile floors, original oil paintings, and antiques that make the halls feel like a museum.
The hotel has 316 guest rooms. You can ask for one with a private balcony or views of the Alamo, the pool, or the Spanish courtyard garden.
When you need a break from history, the palm-shaded pool and garden courtyard help. Mengerita Tacos is right there for a hungry ghost hunter.
Address: 204 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205
2. Grand Galvez Resort, Autograph Collection, Galveston, TX
Galveston built this grand beauty in 1911 as a symbol of comeback after the brutal 1900 hurricane. More than a century later, the Queen of the Gulf still faces the water on Seawall Boulevard.
Its story includes a wartime chapter. During World War II, the building housed U.S.
Army Coastal Artillery officers.
The ghost tale people know best is heartbreaking. A young woman, often called the Lovelorn Lady, reportedly checked into Room 500 or 501 in the early 1950s to wait for her sailor fiance.
News came that his ship was lost at sea, and her own life ended in that room soon after. Legend says she is still waiting for him to come home.
Other reports sound almost playful. In a downstairs ladies’ room, guests and staff describe toilets flushing, stall doors shaking, and faucets turning on by themselves.
Some also notice the scent of gardenias with no flowers in sight. During fifth-floor renovations, workers reported slamming doors and an image resembling a nun.
Curious souls can book a 90-minute ghost tour that mixes local history with haunted lore. It’s a smart way to learn the backstory before you turn off the lights.
The building itself deserves a slow look. Original details include mahogany ceilings and decorative stenciling.
Now known as the Grand Galvez Resort, it sits opposite the beach with a spa and a saltwater pool. Upper-floor rooms offer views of the Gulf of Mexico.
Galveston is a Texas island town that treasures its past. This hotel fits right in, with the ghost stories thrown in for free.
Address: 2024 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550
3. The Driskill – The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, Austin, TX
Cattle baron Jesse Driskill wanted to build the finest hotel south of St. Louis, and in 1886 he did. He lost ownership soon after it opened, but legend says he never really left.
Guests report the Colonel in the lobby and on upper floors. Some also catch the smell of cigar smoke, even though the hotel has been smoke-free for years.
He reportedly has a thing for lights, too. So if a lamp flickers, you may want to say good evening.
The Driskill has more ghost stories than one colonel can handle. A ghost girl has been seen playing on the grand staircase, and two ghost brides are linked to room 525.
Want to hear the tales in person? The hotel has a ghost tour, which makes a fun excuse to roam the lobby and halls after dark.
History here goes beyond spooky stuff. Lyndon and Lady Bird Johnson had their first date at the spot now called the 1886 Cafe.
The first long-distance phone call from Austin to New York also happened here. The building joined the National Register of Historic Places in 1969.
Today it’s the oldest operating hotel in Austin, now part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection. You can choose from 189 restored guest rooms and 14 suites.
Hungry? The hotel has a bakery, a renowned grill, and room service, so midnight snacks are covered if ghosts keep you up.
Address: 604 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701
4. The Emily Morgan San Antonio – a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, San Antonio, TX
Gargoyles usually look scary, but these ones look like they need a doctor. The carvings on this gothic-style building show various ailments, a nod to its first job.
Built in 1924, the tower started as the Medical Arts Building. It housed more than 100 doctors, dentists, and other medical pros.
The building once held a morgue and a crematorium too. That history alone explains why this downtown San Antonio stay draws so many ghost hunters.
So what do people report? Phones ring in the middle of the night with nobody on the line, and some guests hear what sounds like hospital carts rolling past.
Housekeepers have found pillows tossed on the floor right after tidying the bathroom. Doors reportedly close on their own, and some staff feel a presence on certain floors.
The seventh, ninth, and fourteenth floors get the most buzz. The fourteenth is known for a smell like antiseptic or bandages, while the seventh has a tale of a ghost bride.
Apparitions of nurses and mysterious orbs have also turned up on video. Staff welcome questions about the hotel’s history and their own odd encounters.
Now a DoubleTree by Hilton, it pairs creepy charm with modern comforts. Rooms come with flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi, in case the ghosts get boring.
If you’d rather focus on the living, the perks help. You get an outdoor pool, a whirlpool, a 24-hour fitness center, and an in-room spa menu.
Some rooms look out over the Alamo next door. ORO Restaurant serves Texas cuisine with those same historic views.
Address: 705 E Houston St, San Antonio, TX 78205
5. Miss Molly’s Hotel – No longer serves Breakfast, 8 guest rooms, Fort Worth, TX
Not many hotels openly admit they used to be a bordello. Miss Molly’s leans right into its colorful past, and that’s half the fun.
The guesthouse sits on West Exchange Avenue in the Fort Worth Stockyards. That’s one of the most famous Old West districts in Texas, and the hotel fits the scene perfectly.
Inside, you’ll find Old West-themed rooms instead of cookie-cutter decor. There are only eight guest rooms, so the stay feels small and personal.
Smaller also means spookier, at least for some guests. Miss Molly’s has a reputation as a place where travelers come hoping for a paranormal experience.
Does the building deliver? That depends on your luck and your nerves, but its history gives the stories plenty of fuel.
Think about it for a second. A building with this many past lives is bound to collect a few legends along the way.
A practical note before you pack. The hotel no longer serves breakfast, so plan your morning meal elsewhere.
Luckily, the Stockyards neighborhood around it has plenty of places to eat and explore. You can step outside and be in the middle of the action in minutes.
The Stockyards proudly celebrate their cattle-drive roots. Staying here lets you soak up that history even after dark.
WiFi is available, which helps if you want to post your spooky selfies. Just don’t blame the ghosts if a photo comes out blurry.
For a trip that mixes cowboy history with a little shiver, this one hits the mark. Pack a flashlight and an open mind.
Address: 109 W Exchange Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76164
6. The Jefferson Palace Hotel, Jefferson, TX
Jefferson might be the spookiest small town in Texas, and this hotel holds its own in that crowd. It has earned a reputation as a standout for paranormal fans, even by local standards.
The building dates to the 19th century. Step inside and you’ll find refined Victorian decor that matches the town’s old-fashioned charm.
Each room is individually decorated, so no two stays feel the same. That makes picking a room part of the adventure.
Would you choose the prettiest room or the one with the best ghost story? That’s a tough call, and only you know how brave you feel tonight.
Jefferson itself adds plenty to the mood. The town is known for its historic downtown, brick streets, and a ghost walk that draws curious visitors.
From the hotel, downtown is just a few minutes away on foot. You can stroll to restaurants and shops without moving your car.
That easy walk makes it simple to plan a full evening. Grab dinner, browse the old storefronts, then head back for a night of listening for odd sounds.
The hotel lists itself as open 24 hours. That’s handy if you roll into town late after a long East Texas drive.
Victorian rooms and a haunted reputation make a fun pairing. It’s a stay that feels like a step back in time, with a few possible surprises.
Bring a journal for any strange moments. You may want proof later when your friends don’t believe you.
Address: 124 W Austin St, Jefferson, TX 75657
7. The Faust Hotel, New Braunfels, TX
Check in at the Faust, and you might get a ghost story along with your room key. Front desk staff are known to share tales of the hotel’s history and spooky happenings.
The building opened in 1929, which makes it almost 100 years old. That’s a long time to collect strange tales in downtown New Braunfels.
The Faust draws travelers hoping for a fright. It also has a reputation as a comfortable stay for a building of its age.
The rooms carry an Art Deco style that fits the hotel’s era. Think of the look as a time capsule from the late 1920s.
Much of the charm comes from careful restoration work. The effort to preserve the old building has made it a point of pride for the town.
New Braunfels has deep German roots and a historic downtown worth exploring. The Faust sits on South Seguin Avenue, right in the middle of it.
Free Wi-Fi keeps you connected while you wait for something strange. Feel free to post updates, though the ghosts may not reply.
Not sure you believe in hauntings? This is a friendly place to find out, with history on display and a staff happy to talk about it.
Ending a ghost tour of Texas here feels right. Few things beat falling asleep in a 1920s room, wondering if someone else is still checked in.
Address: 240 S Seguin Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130
