The 7 Most Haunted Hotels in America to Book This Halloween - AFAR
"The Elms Hotel and Spa, in Excelsior Springs, which is about a half-an-hour drive northeast from Kansas City. The town is known for its ferro-manganese mineral water hot springs, Siloam Spring, the only one of its kind in the country. During the late 1800s, Excelsior Springs became a wellness destination, with people traveling to soak in its therapeutic waters, which were said to have curative properties and even the power to heal tuberculosis. The original Elms Hotel and Spa was built in 1888, just down the road from its present location, to accommodate travelers from far and wide and visitors like President Harry S. Truman coming to Excelsior Springs. The original hotel burnt down in a fire in 1898 but was rebuilt at its current location in 1909. Ironically, the Elms burned down yet again in 1910, but was restored three months later using salvaged limestone and building materials from its second incarnation. The third rebuild, which underwent a $20 million renovation in 2012, is what stands today; it was purchased by Hyatt Hotels & Resorts in 2019. The hotel hit its stride during the 1920s, where it gained a reputation as an illicit speakeasy during Prohibition and became a playground for the rich and famous. Gangsters Al Capone and Bugsy Moran frequented the resort, as well as bank robber “Pretty Boy” Floyd—they’re said to have held illegal gambling and gin parties on the premises. There’s even a Capone Suite on the second floor of the Elms, his preferred hangout; the legendary mob boss liked being able to easily see who was arriving at the property and quickly duck out the back door if he needed to. Said to be haunted by several different ghosts, the Elms Hotel has such a spooky reputation that it was featured on the Syfy show Ghost Hunters in 2013. All of the spirits on the property, however, are friendly—for the most part. Rumor has it that one ghost started the fires that destroyed the Elms in 1898 and 1910. Some of the most frequently spotted apparitions include a gambler dressed in Prohibition era–style clothing (he hangs out near the lap pool) and a housekeeper wearing an old-fashioned uniform. The hotel offers a Paranormal Package, which includes a stay and two tickets to its nightly ghost tour—prices start at $250 per night. Tickets to the ghost tour start at $20 per person." - Mae Hamilton
