Haunted hotels are a common trope in horror movies and it’s not hard to see why. There is something so naturally creepy about confined spaces, especially when they are where the heroes need to survive. The best film to utilize this trope is definitely Kubrick’s The Shining.
However, the hotels mentioned in this article are not part of the movie world. They exist among us and are still open today.
So, if anyone is interested in the macabre, then they should look no further than Oregon. These places have a long history of unexplained hauntings and ghostly figures who are roaming the hallways.
The Benson Hotel
Open since March 5, 1913, The Benson Hotel is considered the seventh largest hotel in Portland by the number of rooms it has. It is named after Simon Benson, a famous businessman, philanthropist and original owner of the hotel.
The Doyle & Patterson architectural firm created the design for the main building, which was inspired by the look of Chicago’s Blackstone Hotel and the French Second Empire architecture. In the first 16 months, the hotel was known as the New Oregon Hotel, because it served as an extension to the neighboring Oregon Hotel.
When Simon Benson took over the management, it was renamed The Benson Hotel. Today, it is commonly referred to as ” The Benson” and still holds a reputation as one of Portland’s finest hotels.
However, it is also notorious for its alleged hauntings. Some people who have stayed at the hotel said that they saw a ghostly male figure descending the staircase and some even believe that this is the ghost of Simon Benson himself. What’s more, on November 12, 2008, Mitch Mitchell, the famous drummer of the Jimi Hendrix Experience died at The Benson in his hotel room.
Oregon Caves Chateau
Considered architecturally significant because of its construction and design, The Oregon Caves Chateau has been declared a National Historic Landmark. It is due to its historic importance, that the hotel is still kept in its original condition, as it was when it first opened in 1934.
It was designed and built by a local contractor and self-taught architect called Gust Lium. The exterior and interior of the chateau are entirely rustic and it has a huge vintage collection of original Mason Monterey Furniture. There are no phones or televisions there, which makes it even more authentic for the guests so that they can feel like they have traveled back in time.
It is six stories high and is located near the Oregon Caves. Altogether, the lodge has 23 rooms, including a dining room and a 1930s era coffee shop, with each room being completely unique.
What it most interesting is the urban legend that surrounds the lodge. It has a reputation for being haunted by a poltergeist named Elizabeth, who committed suicide in the resort in 1937. Nobody knows if this is true, however, the story has existed for so long, that it is now a part of the Oregon Chateau lore.
Heathman Hotel
Included in the ‘Historic Hotels of America’ list and a part of the National Register of Historic Places since 1984, the Heathman Hotel is one of the most architecturally and historically important hotels in Oregon. The architectural firm ‘DeYoung and Roald’ was behind the designs for the building, using Jacobean Revival decorative details.
Heathman was officially opened on December 17, 1927, after a full seven months of work, which at the time was the largest construction project in Portland. Over the years, the hotel has been subjected to much remodeling and changes.
However, the one thing that has remained consistent over the years with the hotel are the ghost stories. Many guests have reported strange occurrences in the rooms they were staying in and legend has it that the place is haunted by a vengeful ghost who committed suicide by jumping to his death.
It has been reported that a psychic who visited Heathman claimed that he saw an apparition standing on the bed in his room.
Wolf Creek Inn
Wolf Creek Inn is the oldest operating inn in the Pacific Northwest. Built in 1883, this place has been a favorite for Hollywood actors from the Golden Age. Some of those who stayed here include Clark Gable, Orson Welles, and Carole Lombard. Also, one of the greatest novelists of all time, Jack London, during his stay in the inn, finished his novel Valley of the Moon.
Nevertheless, Wolf Creek is most famous for its alleged hauntings over the years. Many guests, including the owner and employees, have reported strange occurrences happening in the inn, to the point where now, legend has it that a vampire haunts the premises, attacking travelers during the night.