10 Hotels With Spooky Halloween-Themed Events
Join lively fetes and spine-tingling tours at these decked-out hotels.
While they may not be as scary as a scene out of "American Horror Story: Hotel," these properties are still giving guests a thrill this Halloween with some incredibly fun events. With scary surroundings, some with reputed real spooks to boot, frightening activities and masquerade balls, these haunted retreats offer elaborate holiday-themed traditions. So, if you're ready to celebrate Halloween with ornate costumes and freaky festivities, head to these spots this All Hallows' Eve.
The Stanley Hotel
Estes Park, Colorado
If you want a spine-chilling scare, you'll likely find it at The Stanley Hotel, known as one of the most haunted hotels in the nation and the inspiration behind Stephen King's "The Shining." Close to Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, Colorado, The Stanley opened in 1909 and boasts haunted activities, along with its own resident psychic, Madame Vera. The hotel hosts a variety of events throughout October, including the Boo Bash, Masquerade Party and The Shining Ball -- all with live music and costumes. Don't miss the RedRum Mystery Dinner theatrical presentation of a murder mystery accompanied by a four-course gourmet meal.
Great Wolf Lodge Resorts
Halloween doesn't get much more fun than the festivities at Great Wolf Lodge Resort properties around the U.S. The resort chain goes all out for this fall holiday, hosting its annual Howl-O-Ween celebration throughout October. Kids can join in a costume parade with Great Wolf Lodge mascots Wiley and Violet, paint pumpkins, participate in other crafts and attend a monster-themed dance party at the end of the night followed by some spooky bedtime stories. The Halloween decor includes giant balloon creations of spiders, dragons, skeletons and more inside the grand lobby, as well as festively decorated Howl-O-Ween houses for trick-or-treaters to collect gobs of goodies.
Hotel del Coronado
Coronado, California
This classic property on Coronado Island, just across the bay from San Diego, lays claim to a resident ghost for some real-life spooks and puts on a grand party for guests. The 128-year-old hotel, which is known for its iconic red roof, is haunted by a 24-year-old woman named Kate Morgan who in 1892 took her own life inside the property after a gentlemen never arrived to meet her. Even if you don't encounter some "spirited" activity, you can enjoy the annual Hallo-wine & Spirits Party, a lively fete with adult trick-or-treating at food and wine stations. The costume contest champion wins a stay in Kate's room.
The Hay-Adams
Washington, District of Columbia
The Hay-Adams will let guests spend Halloween night in a ghoulishly decorated room they have renamed the Transylvania Suite, overlooking Lafayette Park. A spooky butler will escort guests to the room, where inside they will find cobwebs, skulls, spiders and skeletons, along with a gift collection of horror movies to watch late into the evening. The package also includes cocktails for two and a three-course dinner paired with wines followed by a spidery-inspired dessert served in the suite's dining room. In the morning, enjoy breakfast in bed with a flavorful "Bloody Scary" to wash it all down.
Sandos Caracol Eco Resort
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
After Halloween, Mexico rings in its own 48-hour celebration of the deceased with a festive Day of the Dead celebration. Sandos Caracol Eco Resort shows guests how this traditional holiday to honor the dead is celebrated by hosting a variety of activities. Lavishly decorated ceremonial altars are placed throughout the resort, along with a recreation of a Mexican cemetery with candles burning to light the way for the dead. At nightfall, guests can gather for a candle tribute before setting their candles in the water while making a wish or remembering loved ones who have passed. Parades, bright costumes, poetry readings and traditional mock obituaries round out the festivities.
Tropicana Casino & Resort Atlantic City
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Michael Jackson fans will want to gather along the Atlantic City boardwalk for a "Thriller"-themed Halloween at Tropicana Casino & Resort Atlantic City. On the evening of Oct. 29, the "Boogie Nights" cast will take to the boardwalk to reenact the famous dance from Jackson's video for "Thriller," complete with zombies and all. Join in if you dare, as the first 100 dancers to register will receive a trick-or-treat bag from Tropicana. Afterward, the party will continue with a Halloween-themed light and sound show, giveaways, costume contests, drink specials and more mysterious surprises.
Mohonk Mountain House
New Paltz, New York
Mohonk Mountain House, set in the heart of New York's Hudson Valley, has something for everyone this Halloween, whether you like a good thrill or collecting candy. Take a stroll through the on-site haunted house, which is themed around childhood memories such as "Things that go bump in the night," or see if you can solve the puzzle to work your way out of Escape Room: "The Missing Blueprints." On the lighter side, kids are welcome to trick-or-treat around the Mountain House and check out some creepy creatures such as a tarantula, snake and scorpion, while adults can dress up for the Gala Halloween Costume Ball with a costume contest.
Woodloch Resort
Hawley, Pennsylvania
For some thrills and chills, Woodloch Resort in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains has plenty of scares in store. The Haunted Hayride is sure to spook guests riding on a truck-pulled wagon along the resort's nature trail, which weaves past spectacular fall foliage and elaborate sets with live actors, special effects and music. There's also some less horrifying Halloween fun with the spirited Family Olympics, a seasonal take on the Olympics, along with pumpkin painting and trick-or-treating, as well as the party in the resort's nightclub to entertain adults.
Seaport Boston Hotel
Boston
The Seaport Boston Hotel puts an adult twist on trick-or-treating, letting Halloween enthusiasts collect treats by Duck boat at bars and restaurants along the waterfront as part of Halloween on the Harbor event on Oct. 31. The night kicks off at the hotel's TAMO Bistro & Bar, where trick-or-treaters ages 21 and up can participate in costume competitions. Throughout the night, local establishments will offer cocktails, appetizers and goodies, stamping everyone's passport as they make the rounds.
The High Line Hotel
New York City
Want to see a parade of pooches dressed in decked-out costumes? Sure, there's nothing scary about this hotel, but for Halloween enthusiasts more interested in elaborate costumes than thrills, the High Line Hotel's annual Pup Costume Parade celebrates in style with pet lovers along with furry friends and neighbors. Four-legged friends don their best costumes and strut their stuff through New York City's trendy Chelsea neighborhood. Each pooch gets to show off his costume on an elevated platform for the judges, with one pup named as the top dog. Last year's prize went to a dog dressed as Frida Kahlo. After the parade, kids can enjoy face-painting and other festivities.
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