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The Most Haunted Hotels in Los Angeles: Where Ghosts Check In but Never Check Out

  • Writer: Jessica Hall
    Jessica Hall
  • Mar 14
  • 2 min read

Updated: Mar 23



Los Angeles is known for its glitz and glamour, but beneath the surface lies a darker side—one filled with ghostly encounters and eerie legends. Many of the city’s most historic hotels have become famous not only for their luxurious accommodations but also for their haunted pasts. If you’re fascinated by the paranormal, these haunted hotels in Los Angeles might just send chills down your spine.


1. The Cecil Hotel


Arguably the most infamous haunted hotel in Los Angeles, the Cecil Hotel has a dark history

that includes murders, suicides, and eerie disappearances. Opened in 1924, the hotel became a

hotspot for crime and was even linked to serial killers Richard Ramirez and Jack Unterweger.

One of its most chilling mysteries is the 2013 case of Elisa Lam, whose disturbing final moments

were captured on the hotel’s elevator security footage before she was found dead in the water

tank on the roof. Many guests have reported ghostly sightings, disembodied voices, and an

overwhelming sense of dread in the hallways.


2. The Hollywood Roosevelt


A glamorous haunt with a ghostly past, The Hollywood Roosevelt has been home to countless

celebrities—and some may have never left. Built in 1927, this historic hotel is said to be haunted

by Marilyn Monroe, whose reflection has reportedly been seen in a mirror that once belonged to

her. Another well-known spirit is Montgomery Clift, who stayed in Room 928 while filming From

Here to Eternity. Guests have reported hearing his trumpet playing and feeling an unseen

presence in the room.


3. The Biltmore Hotel


The Millennium Biltmore Hotel, known for its opulent decor and Hollywood history, is also

famous for its hauntings. It was the last place Elizabeth Short, also known as the Black Dahlia,

was seen before her gruesome murder in 1947. Some guests have claimed to see a ghostly

woman in black roaming the hallways, believed to be her restless spirit. Other paranormal

activity includes unexplained cold spots, whispers, and shadowy figures appearing in

photographs.


4. Chateau Marmont


A favorite hideaway for Hollywood’s elite, Chateau Marmont has also earned a reputation for

being one of L.A.’s most haunted hotels. The most well-known ghost is that of comedian John

Belushi died of an overdose in Bungalow 3 in 1982. Guests have reported seeing his

ghostly figure, strange noises, and objects moving on their own. Some have even claimed to

wake up feeling an invisible presence sitting on their bed.


5. The Alexandria Hotel


Once the heart of L.A.’s social scene, the Alexandria Hotel is now known for its eerie energy

and ghostly sightings. Opened in 1906, this hotel was a hotspot for the early Hollywood elite, but

it’s said that some guests never checked out. The most haunted area is the Palm Court

Ballroom, where ghostly figures in early 20th-century attire have been seen. Some have

reported cold drafts, whispers, and even the feeling of invisible hands touching them.


Would You Dare to Stay?


Los Angeles may be known for its bright lights and movie magic, but it also harbors a chilling

side that lingers in its historic hotels. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, these haunted

locations have enough eerie encounters and ghostly legends to make even the bravest guests

think twice before turning out the lights. Would you spend the night?


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