Top 10 Haunted Hotels in India (2026) | Ghost Experiences

Updated on 13 November 2026

You check into an old hotel, switch off the light, and just as you start to doze off, you hear footsteps in the corridor. You open the door and there is nobody there. Be honest, what would you do? Most of us would at least think about ghosts for a second.

In short: the Savoy (Mussoorie), Brij Raj Bhawan Palace (Kota), Fernhills Palace (Ooty), Morgan House (Kalimpong) and the Sitara Hotel (Ramoji Film City) (Hyderabad) are India’s best-known haunted hotels.

Now imagine hearing that kind of story about a famous hotel, not once but for decades. A woman found dead in a locked room. A film crew told that the floor above them does not exist. A lift that reportedly jumps from the 12th floor straight to the 14th. India has quite a few hotels with stories like these, from old palaces to quiet hill-station lodges.

In this list we have 10 of them. For each one you will get the story people tell, history behind it, and a simple look at how much of it is likely to be true. Read on, and maybe keep the lights on.
 

The Savoy

Where: Kalimpong

Located in the tiny hill station of Kalimpong, Morgan House Tourist Lodge is one of the spookiest hotel properties in India. It was built in the year 1930 by George Morgan who lived here till the death of his lady love. The house consists of a raw bricks wall covered with a green moss that takes you back to the British Era and is claimed to be the home of several paranormal events. So, if you are a thrill-seeker or adventurer, then you can add this hotel in your hotel booking list. If stories like this fascinate you, explore more haunted hotels in India that are known for their spine-chilling legends.

The Savoy’s ghost story starts with a real death. In September 1911, Frances Garnett-Orme, a British woman interested in spiritualism, was found dead in her room at the hotel. She had been travelling with a friend, Eva Mountstephen, who had left for Lucknow shortly before. Mountstephen was arrested and tried at the Allahabad High Court in 1912, but she was found not guilty. The judge remarked that the truth about the death would probably never be known. Sources differ on the poison: most mention prussic acid (cyanide), a few say strychnine.

Story & Incidents: It is believed that the ghost of Lady Morgan still haunts the place. There are stories where people have heard voices of somebody walking in high-heels in the wooden corridors along with some weird noises. Though it is usually told as a ghost story, it began with a genuine death and a court case.

Brij Raj Bhawan Palace

Where: Kota

Constructed in the 19th century, Hotel Brij Raj was a palace that later converted into the hotel. With a friendly ghost of Major Burton, It is considered to be one of the haunted hotels in India. The property is approximately 178 years old and has been the site of various kinds of paranormal activity.

The palace’s own history says it was built around 1830 by the East India Company, partly paid for by the Kota state, as a residence for the British Political Agent. In later years it served as a state guest house for important visitors.

Story & Incidents:: It is believed that the family of Major Charles lived in the hotel for almost 13 years until he was abandoned by his own man in the Sepoy Mutiny in 1857. He along with his family was brutally killed in the central hall of the palace, and this is exactly where one can feel the spirits of the man around you. Visitors claim to have seen the Major walking the corridors in a red coat with a sword, and he is said to be a gentle ghost. One often repeated detail is that he wakes guards who doze off on night duty, though people disagree on whether he taps them on the shoulder or slaps them. Some sources add that his two sons were killed with him. These are local stories and none has been verified. Kota is well connected by rail, so if you are travelling there by train, you may also like reading about the most haunted railway stations in India.

Fernhills Palace

Where: Ooty

The property made it onto the list of most eerie hotels in India only during the shooting of the Bollywood horror movie Raaz. The crew of the movie reportedly experienced some of the most frightening happenings around them. Fernhills Palace dates to 1844, and the Raaz shoot took place in 2002.

Story & Incidents: Choreographer Saroj Khan and her team members woke up one night after hearing the sound of furniture being moved on the floor above. They tried to speak to the reception, but the line was dead. The next morning, the receptionist told them there was no floor above theirs. You can even experience similar eerie incidents at several other locations in India if you enjoy paranormal explorations. Versions of this tale appear on many lists, but nobody has been able to confirm it, so it is safer to treat it as a film-set story than as a recorded event. 

The palace was the Mysore royal family's summer residence before becoming a heritage hotel, and that royal history is part of why so many stories have built up around the place over the years. With its old stone walls and long, dim hallways, it's easy to see why guests come away with more than just holiday photos.

Staff have long talked about a former member of the royal household who's said to still walk the upper floors of the palace at night. Guests staying in the rooms closest to the old family quarters have reported hearing hushed conversations in a language they couldn't place, even though the rooms next to them were empty. Some visitors say the temperature in certain hallways drops suddenly for no reason, especially near the old staircase leading to the private wing. A few staff members admit they don't like locking up that part of the building alone once it gets dark.

Morgan House

Where: Kalimpong

Located in the tiny hill station of Kalimpong, Morgan House Tourist Lodge is one of the spookiest hotel properties in India. It was built in the year 1930 by George Morgan who lived here till the death of his lady love. The house consists of a raw brick wall covered with green moss that takes you back to the British Era and is claimed to be the home of several paranormal events. So, if you are a thrill-seeker or adventurer, then you can add this hotel to your hotel booking list. If stories like this fascinate you, explore more haunted hotels in India that are known for their spine-chilling legends.

George Morgan was a British businessman in the jute trade, and the house was his summer retreat where he also hosted guests. It later passed into government hands and now runs as a tourist lodge.

Story & Incidents: It is believed that the ghost of Lady Morgan still haunts the place. There are stories where people have heard the sound of somebody walking in high heels in the wooden corridors along with some weird noises. Nobody agrees on how Lady Morgan died, and the more sensational versions have very little solid evidence behind them.

Taj Mahal Palace

Where: Mumbai

Yes, that’s true. As weird and scary as it may sound, the Taj Mahal Palace is also said to be haunted. As per the guests and the staff of this hotel, there have been several paranormal activities experienced in the premises of the hotel which terrified people who stayed there. There is no official evidence for this, and most guests have an ordinary stay.

Story & Incidents: Jamshedji Tata got the hotel’s architectural plan designed by W.A. Chambers. When Chambers returned from his England trip, he found that the hotel was nowhere close to what he had planned. Seeing this, the architect committed suicide by jumping from the 5th floor of the hotel. It is believed that Chambers’ ghost still walks in the Old Wing of the Hotel Taj Mahal Palace. This is a popular legend and there is no reliable evidence to confirm it.

Trident

Where: Mumbai

Situated at Nariman Point, Trident Hotel ticks many of the boxes when it comes to being a haunted hotel in India. The lift of this hotel will directly take you to the 14th floor and will skip the 13th floor. (To one’s surprise, the hotel does not even have a 13th floor in the building) Many hotels around the world skip the 13th floor out of superstition, so this alone is not a sign of anything paranormal.

Story & Incidents: Because of the 13th floor’s link with bad luck, the hotel experienced unnatural sounds and paranormal sightings. These remain unverified guest accounts.

Hotel Raj Kiran

Where: Lonavala

Nestled in the hills of Lonavala, Hotel Raj Kiran doesn't get talked about as much as the bigger names, but locals will tell you it's got a reputation of its own. The building used to be an old colonial bungalow before someone turned it into a hotel, and a lot of people say the place never really let go of its past.

Story & Incidents: Guests staying here have complained about hearing furniture being dragged around on the floor above them late at night, but when they check, that floor's been locked up for years with nobody staying there. The old caretaker's room at the back still smells like tobacco every once in a while, even though nobody's smoked there in ages. A few visitors swear they felt something cold brush past them near the garden path once it got dark. These are guest and local accounts and cannot be independently confirmed.

Hotel Lakeview

Where: Ooty

Located in the beautiful surroundings of Ooty, Hotel Lakeview is believed to be one of the most ghostly stays in India. Surrounded by stunning architecture and a peaceful setting, the hotel will supposedly let you experience some of the weirdest things in and around the hotel.

Story & Incidents: You may hear cries when you sleep at night in this hotel. This is a popular report with no documented history behind it, so treat it as a local rumour.

Sitara Hotel (Ramoji Film City)

Where: Hyderabad

Ramoji Film City is said to be located on the battlefield of the Nizams and is strongly said to be haunted by the spirits of those who died in the war. During shoots, several guests and filmmaking staff have experienced strange supernatural activities around the hotels. The film city has a few hotels, and the one a guest has publicly named in a scary experience is Sitara. Sitara is the luxury hotel of the film city, built to host film stars, producers and directors, with around 168 rooms.

Story & Incidents: Leftover food found scattered all over, lights falling from the roof, Urdu words inscribed on the mirrors of hotel rooms and light men being pushed by some unknown force are among the incidents crews have reported. Filmmaker Ravi Babu has said he stayed at Sitara for 56 days while shooting a film and had a scary experience there. Actress Taapsee Pannu has said she heard footsteps echoing in her room while staying at a hotel in the film city, though she did not name which one. Kajol has also spoken of the film city as an extremely haunted place. These are personal claims and none has been verified. Not every spooky stay needs a bed. If ruins and abandoned villages sound more your style, explore these hidden haunted places in India that you can still visit.

The Aures

Where: Aurangabad, Maharashtra

This one is a bit different from the rest. The Aures (earlier known as Keys Select Hotel Aures) is not an old palace or a colonial bungalow with a famous ghost. It is a budget hotel in the middle of the city, so if you like the idea of a spooky stay without spending much, this is the easy one on the pocket.

Story & Incidents: Guests have mentioned strange sounds in the hotel from time to time. Nobody has pinned down where the sounds come from, and that unanswered question is what keeps the mystery alive. No one has confirmed the source, so this is more of a light, mysterious touch than a full ghost story.

Good to know: Rooms start at roughly $36 to $50 a night, depending on the dates and the booking site, so check current prices. It is about 1.7 km from the city centre and 1.5 km from the railway station. It has a restaurant, a bar and lounge, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi and massage services, and a free airport transfer can be arranged. Reviewers like the food and say the rooms are clean, but the bathroom has no separate shower area, so water spreads over the floor after a bath.

Note: The list mentioned above isn’t to defame any of the hotels and is completely based on the supposedly saying and hearing of the people.

What Do Real Guests Say Happened During Their Stay?

Here's what other travellers have shared about their own unexplained nights.

• One family had booked a room in an old colonial building up in the hills. Everyone turned in early, but an aunt in the group suddenly began groaning in her sleep, saying afterward that she'd felt someone gently stroking her forehead. They brushed it off and tried to sleep again. Minutes later, someone spotted what looked like a shadow moving near an open cupboard using a phone torch. Then the power cut out completely, and in the total darkness, the whole group heard the distinct sound of footsteps climbing the stairs, even though no staff were supposed to be in the building at night.
• A guest who stayed at a heritage palace years ago admitted he only found out much later that the property had a reputation for being haunted. Looking back, he tried hard to remember if anything unusual happened during his two nights there. Nothing did, except one moment that stuck with him: a stuffed lion display near the dining hall entrance that gave him an unexplainable chill every time he walked past it.
• A film crew staying overnight in a hill-station hotel woke up to the sound of furniture being dragged around on the floor directly above their rooms. Spooked, they tried calling the front desk for help, but the phone line was completely dead. When morning came and they asked the staff about it, they were told something that made no sense at all: there was no floor above theirs. The building simply didn't have one.
• Some guests at a colonial-era hotel say they've had completely normal, relaxing stays, walking the gardens at night with nothing out of the ordinary. But others, staying in the same place, describe waking up to the sound of someone crying nearby, or lights switching on and off on their own with no explanation.
• A traveller once pointed out something she noticed herself while staying at a big city hotel: the elevator moved straight from one floor to the next, completely skipping past a floor that technically didn't exist in the building at all. She said it was the kind of detail you don't think about until you're standing in the lift, watching the number jump.
• One woman described booking a staycation without knowing anything about where she was headed. When she arrived, the property felt oddly abandoned despite being massive, dozens of rooms, but barely another guest in sight. Later that evening, while lying in bed with her eyes closed, she felt the distinct sensation of someone climbing onto the bed beside her. She called out, thinking it was her partner. No one answered. The bathroom shower was still running; he hadn't left it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1. Which is the most haunted hotel in India?

Ans. There is no official ranking, but The Savoy in Mussoorie is often called the most haunted hotel in India because of the unsolved 1911 death of Frances Garnett-Orme, a real case that went all the way to court. Most ghost tales, including those at Brij Raj Bhawan Palace in Kota and Fernhills Palace in Ooty, are folklore rather than recorded fact, so treat them as part of the hotel's history and charm when you plan a stay.

Q.2. Are haunted hotels in India safe to stay in?

Ans. Yes. Hotels known for ghost stories are open, working hotels that welcome guests like any other. The 'haunted' label usually comes from old legends, heritage buildings and stories from past guests. As with any stay, check recent guest reviews, room facilities and the hotel's location before you book.

Q.3. Can I book a room in a haunted hotel in India?

Ans. Yes, most hotels known for ghost stories take regular bookings, and where they are listed you can compare rooms and prices on EaseMyTrip hotel booking. Some are heritage properties, such as Brij Raj Bhawan Palace in Kota and Fernhills Palace in Ooty, so book early for weekends, festival dates and peak seasons like summer in Mussoorie and Ooty, when demand is higher.

Q.4. Do haunted hotels in India offer ghost tours or special experiences?

Ans. Some do. A few heritage hotels share their legends through guided heritage walks or storytelling evenings, while others prefer not to promote the stories. What's on offer differs by hotel and season, so ask the hotel directly about timings and charges before you plan your trip around it.

Q.5. When is a good time to visit haunted hotels in India?

Ans. October to March is usually the most comfortable time for Kota, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Aurangabad, when the weather is milder. For Mussoorie, Kalimpong and Ooty, March to June and September to November are popular, while heavy monsoon rain can make hill roads tricky. Check room rates for your dates and any festival dates that could push prices up.

Q.6. Are the ghost stories about haunted hotels in India true?

Ans. There is no scientific proof that any hotel in India is haunted. The stories at The Savoy, Taj Mahal Palace, Fernhills Palace and others come from local legends, historical events and accounts from guests, passed down over the years. Many travellers visit for the history, architecture and atmosphere, and most leave with nothing stranger than a good story to tell.