Hanker to share your hostel with a haunt? Try one of the world's most haunted hostels. Spooky stays in San Diego, Guanajuato, Mexico, Kilkenny, Ireland, St. Augustine, Florida and Ottawa, Canada.
1. USA Hostels, San Diego, California
© Unknown
Expect unexpected breezes and nocturnal noises in this 1700's brothel; a ghost is said to have grabbed (ewww) a guest here one night.
Amenities:
- Breakfast
- Linen
- Towels
- Lockers
- Kitchen
- Common room
- WiFi
Dorms; semi-private baths; no private rooms as of October '08 (check with the hostel). Dorm: $15-20.
USA Hostel San Diego address: 726 5th Avenue, San Diego CA (map).
Note:
- No lockout or curfew
- Women's dorm available -- mixed dorms for couples and siblings traveling together only
2. La Casa de las Brujas, Guanajuato, Mexico
After former "House of the Witches" owner went loco and killed a man in a bar, his daughter was supposedly starved to death in a cellar by evil aunts. Though her body was found a year later, the daughter's ghost evidently hasn't checked out yet...
Amenities:
- Breakfast
- Linen
- Towels
- Common room
Single and doubles; some private baths. Single: $11 and up.
Hostel Casa de las Brujas address: Paseo de la Presa 80, 00185 Guanajuato, Mexico.
Note:
- Check in 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
3. Foulksrath Castle, Kilkenny, Ireland
© Foulksrath Castle Hostel, Kilkenny, Ireland - Leuth
Europe's oldest hostel's oldest resident has been heard roaming the halls by guests and a British TV crew. A former owner's daughter fell for the wrong lad; after Da locked her in the "Cuckoo's Nest," the gent apparently murdered the lass, leaving an unsettled spirit to share castle halls with intrepid guests. And we do mean "castle" halls - this is the real thing.
Dorms; communal baths. Dorm: $11 and up
Foulksrath Castle address: Jenkinstown, Louth Ireland (map).
Note:
- Check in after 5:00 p.m.
- Lockout: 10:00 - 5:00 p.m.
4. The Pirate Haus, St. Augustine, Florida
© Pirate Haus
Pirate Robert Searles' macabre band of merry men is said to have shot one Estefania de Cigarroa in this old city in 1686; today, ghostly lights emanating from room six and unexplained movements may be her haunt's handiwork.
Amenities:
- Breakfast
- Linen
- Towels
- Lockers
- Kitchen
- Common room
Dorms; communal baths. Dorm: $16.50.
Pirate Haus Hostel address: 32 Treasury St., St. Augustine, FL 32084 (map).
Note:
- No lockout or curfew
- Credit cards accepted
- Non smoking
5. HI Ottawa Jail Hostel, Ottawa, Canada
Sleeping near a former gallows at the site of Canada's last public hanging is ghastly enough, but the ghost of a hanged man is also said to share the cells at this old jail, now an HI hostel. Amenities:
- Towels
- Lockers
- Kitchen
- Common room
Dorms; communal baths. Dorm: $20 and up.
Ottawa Jail Hostel address: 75 Nicholas Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (map).
Note:
- No lockout or curfew
- Women's dorm available
- Hosteling International (HI) membership needed for best rate
Tell others what you know about these and other haunted hostels in "Student Lodging" on the forum. Enquiring student travelers want to know if you saw the light(s).
