Haunted Hotels: 3 out of 9

Happy Halloween Dear Readers! One of my favorite sites to read is Curbed; recently they did an article on the 9 Most Haunted Hotels in America; surprisingly, I have stayed at three of them!

The Driskill in Austin, Texas. From Curbed: The Driskill...is infested by so many ghostly presences that staff has a handout on them for guests. They include its namesake, Civil War Colonel Jesse Driskill, who had the place built and then promptly lost it in a card game; he makes his presence known with the scent of his cigar smoke, especially in rooms occupied by women. A spirit that might or might not be Driskill has been reported to operate the elevators, move furniture, push guests out of their beds, and hide their belongings. Then there are the creepy "suicide brides" and the painting haunted by a four-year-old girl who fell to her death at the hotel.



Why was I not aware of this handout when I stayed there? I feel cheated!



The Hollywood Roosevelt. From Curbed: The Roosevelt competes with the Knickerbocker for most celebrity hauntings--Marilyn Monroe supposedly appears in a full-length mirror from Suite 1200, where she stayed when she first started becoming famous; Montgomery Clift is said to hang out in and around room 928, where he lived while shooting From Here to Eternity. One psychic says he's also detected Humphrey Bogart, Carmen Miranda, and Betty Grable. There's also a cold spot in the Blossom Room (the first home of the Oscars) near where a dapperly-dressed thirties-era man is said to hang around.

I never felt much going on at the Roosevelt. The staff is too snooty for my tastes and the clientele is a bit more Kardashian than I care for. I can't imagine Humphrey and Marilyn would want to hang here anymore.





Omni Royal Orleans. From Curbed: On the site of a former slave market, the hotel is rumored to be haunted (as is just about every place in the Quarter). More creepiness: Zack Bowen strangled his girlfriend, Addie Hall, dismembered her body, cooked some of her body parts, went on a wild bender, then jumped off the rooftop deck of the Omni Royal Hotel. His suicide note led police back to their apartment, the scene of the grisly murder.

The view from the roof when I stayed here back in 2002:



Curbed also did an LA version of this article, and of course it featured my favorite hotel, The Chateau Marmont.



From Curbed: John Belushi liked to party here so much, it would make sense he'd stop by in the afterlife. People say Bungalow 3, where he fatally overdosed in 1982, is the site of strange occurrences. The most disturbing story involves a toddler whose family stayed there for a stint in 1999. As the Travel Channel tells it, his parents would hear him laughing alone. They got up the nerve to ask him why, and he responded, "The funny man." Then, "when his mother was leafing through a book of celebrity guests of Chateau Marmont, the boy pointed to John Belushi and exclaimed, ‘The funny man!’"

The way to Bungalow 3:



When Willis and I stay at the Chateau, he does his business outside Bungalow 3. EVERY time in the same spot. Guaranteed.

See more haunted (and not haunted) hotel photos at my main website.

Haunted Hotel

So many hotels across this country claim to be haunted; the Menger in San Antonio is one of the most famous. When I first arrived in town, locals told me about this spirit-filled destination that opened in 1859.



There are supposedly 32 spirits that haunt this little jewel just steps away from the Alamo.



A woman is often spotted sitting in the original lobby wearing an old fashioned blue dress, small wire-framed glasses, and a beret. And she knits. On one occasion a staff member stopped to ask her, "Are you comfortable...may I get you something?", only to be answered with an unfriendly "No” before the woman disappeared. Queue the spooky music.



I wonder if the ghosts pay attention to this sign on the vintage Steinway piano?



Sallie White is the most famous resident ghost. She was a chambermaid who worked at The Menger and one night after an argument with her hubby, she stayed overnight. The next day her husband threatened to kill her, and eventually made good on his claim. The hotel paid for her funeral. Today, Sallie continues to perform her duties within the Victorian wing of the hotel, mainly appearing at night, carrying a load of clean towels. Now that's service!



Many of the ghosts here are attributed to the bloody battle that occurred at the Alamo; others just former guests who don't want to depart this beautiful place. Hey, I think I see the apparition of a photographer's arm in the mirror!



They probably feel at home with these vintage phone booths that still remain. Operator...operator...



The beautiful interior courtyard:



You can definitely find spirits here...just of another sort. Legend has it that Teddy Roosevelt recruited his famous Rough Riders cavalry brigade here in 1898.



According to some, Roosevelt can still be seen having a drink at the bar.

More Menger at my main website.

Willis Goes To Breakfast

Have you ever noticed that when you live in a city, you often put off exploring it? Instead, you go on vacation, explore a different city, and then bemoan what you think your own city is missing? In an attempt to do something different, Willis went to the Gaslamp Quarter District for breakfast. HE loves to explore, even if I get a bit settled into a routine. We tried Cafe 222, known for its waffles (as you can see in the creative photography used on this A-Frame).



To get the name, it took two photos:



I'm sure the "222" looks more effective lit at night.



The servers are extra friendly, and brought out a water bowl and biscuit for Willis. He was in hog heaven. Here we have patience:



And no patience:



The blueberry cornbread waffle was delicious (Willis didn't get any):



Nearby is the historic (and supposedly haunted) Horton Grand Hotel:



Roger Whitaker is the man whose ghost reportedly occupies Room 309 and the hallway on that floor. There are conflicting stories about how Roger died; regardless, according to those who have "seen him," he is friendly and only plays mild pranks on them.



Onto another hotel, "The Grand Budapest Hotel," which I just returned from seeing. If you've seen the previews, you might mistake this for a Benny Hill comedy that stars Bill Murray. Not at all.



It is a magically humorous yet also dramatic tale of the unlikely friendship that develops between the Concierge of the hotel and the Lobby Boy that he takes under his wing. The fanciful films and costumes recall a bygone era, while some of the situations and spicy language jar you back to the present. There are so many fantastic cameos that you will need to pay attention; don't leave the movie for a second bucket of popcorn!



See more vintage & current Daveland San Diego photos on my main website.