If you’re looking for something unusual or out of the ordinary, rest assured that you’ll find it in Florida! With its unique blend of paranormal stories and beautiful historic hotels, it’s certainly the right place to find the scariest and haunted places to stay.
Spending a night in one of these haunted bed and breakfasts in Florida means to kind of ‘live‘ the stories from past guests and their insanely amount of strange experiences with haunted hotel rooms.
In Florida’s haunted bed and breakfasts—including a couple of haunted hotels I’m adding to this list, people have reported everything from mysterious sounds, flickering lights, and ghostly apparitions to eerie feelings of being watched.
Nonetheless, it goes without saying that staying at a historic B&B or hotel, is more than just the ghost stories. These places are filled with charm and quaintiness and their history is quite intriguing.
For instance, this one historic house in Ocala, now one of the bed and breakfasts in Florida named on this list, was allegedly the former site of a military hospital.
One of the other historic houses in Florida that I recently visited is The Lesesne House in Fernandina Beach, circa 1860. I didn’t include it here because it’s more of a wedding venue.
According to the history marker, it’s a Classic Revival-style home constructed from hand-hewn lumber fastened with wooden pegs and it’s one of the oldest houses in Fernandina Beach.
So yes…there’s plenty of rich history in these unique B&Bs in Florida and regardless of these haunting legends, some of these remain the best places to stay for a historic hotel experience.
Here are some of the most haunted places to stay in Florida that are full of history and…their chilling stories!
1. Casablanca Inn, St Augustine
Located in one of the most haunted cities in America, The Casablanca Inn, formerly named the Matanzas Hotel, is one of the most famous haunted bed and breakfasts in St Augustine.
From across Lion’s Bridge, visitors have seen the ghost of the ‘Lady with a Lantern’ with the swinging of a light on the inn’s roof.
This ghost is believed to be that of the previous innkeeper who used to help rum runners during the Prohibition Era by signaling them from the rooftop when it was time to dock.
Mr. Butler is another famous ghost sighting at the Casablanca. Guests have reported having face-to-face eerie encounters with this ghostly apparition, mostly in Room 11.
Sudden cold spots, whispers, knocks, and even the sound of furniture moving have also been reported, adding to the eerie atmosphere of Casablanca Inn.
👻 Explore this and other haunted bed and breakfasts in Florida with this St Augustine Ghost Tour!
Addditional Sources: https://www.casablancainn.com/the-lady-with-the-lantern
2. Hotel Cassadaga, Cassadaga
Located at the center of the spiritualist community of Cassadaga, Florida, is the historic Hotel Cassadaga—a 1920s haven for ghost hunters and curious travelers.
An uncommon past full of all things supernatural—things like psychic readings and spiritual encounters, pretty much sums up what Cassadaga is known for.
But out of all the paranormal, this small quaint hotel holds some of the most intriguing ghost stories. The ghost of Arthur, the one that’s talked about the most; allegedly lived in Room 22 in the 1930s and also died at Hotel Cassadaga.
Most guests who occupy Room 22 in Hotel Cassadaga mention things being moved around in the room on their own along with flickering lights, disembodied voices, and a feeling of an unseen presence observing them.
Apart from this, the Ghost of Arthur is also seen wandering down the halls and in the hotel lobby, and the séance room is known to have an eerie and somewhat electrifying atmosphere.
Additional Sources: https://www.haunted-places-to-go.com/cassadaga-hotel.html
3. Herlong Mansion Bed & Breakfast, Micanopy
This is one of those historic houses that you instantly fall in love with; from the outside, that is. The Herlong Mansion Bed and Breakfast is known as the epitome of Southern charm, beauty and hospitality in Florida.
Nonetheless, it has several otherworldly residents, leading to believe that spirits are the reasons why this haunted house in Florida had been abandoned for years.
Built in 1845 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places, this bed and breakfast is said to be haunted by several spirits—most notably the ‘Woman in White‘, believed to be the ghost of the original owner, Inez Herlong-Miller.
She’s been ‘seen’ walking down the grand staircase where some have even reported that the temperature suddenly drops, making this one of the common hot spots for paranormal activity in this haunted b&b.
But the creepiest and chilling of ghost stories in the Herlong Mansion seems to always come from one of the bedrooms upstairs.
According to previous guests and former caretakers of the house, you can hear a loud and clear rattling sound coming from the door of this one bedroom every time it is locked.
At the moment of this writing, It is still unclear to me if this said bedroom is Inez’s room, since her room is also available for bookings, just like the rest of the rooms, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it were.
I’ll be doing some more digging later on and will be posting the update here.
Footsteps, ghostly apparitions on mirrors, disembodied voices, the smell of perfume and even the eyes from portraits on the wall following the guests across the room, are some of the chilling experiences that many have reported from this haunted hotel in Florida.
Regardless, there’s no denying that this mansion in Micanopy is quite a stunning beauty!
Additional Sources: https://realhaunts.com/united-states/haunted-places-in-florida/herlong-mansion-florida/
4. Casa Monica, St. Augustine
This designated Historic Hotel of America is not only famous for its history and luxury but also for the unseen!
Constructed in 1888 the luxurious Casa Monica Hotel in St Augustine is one of the most haunted hotels in Florida and said to be haunted by different spirits who never left.
One of the most popular ghost sightings is that of a woman wandering the hallways and appearing standing at the foot of their bed at the Ponce de Leon Suite before disappearing into thin air, which has even been supposedly photographed.
The fourth floor, referred to as the most active hotspot for paranormal activity in the hotel is where a former guest in room 411 woke up at night and saw various figures standing quietly in his room.
And make no mistake, there are not one, but two haunted hotel rooms in Casa Monica, with the other being room 511 where creepy footsteps can be heard.
Another popular spirit is a bellman with his old-style uniform on. He is said to be active near the elevators and in the lobby.
Many have seen him out of the corner of their eyes, only for him to vanish when they try to look directly at him, and mysterious child handprints sometimes appear in the bathroom mirror of The Flagler Suite.
In this historic St Augustine haunted hotel, whispers, laughter, cold spots, lights flickering and the TV turning on and off by itself, are the least of the things you will experience when you spend a night at Casa Monica Hotel.
You can hear more of the hauntings of this St Augustine hotel by booking one of St Augustine’s ghost tours.
Additional Sources: 1. https://www.hauntedrooms.com/florida/haunted-places/haunted-hotels/casa-monica-hotel-st-augustine, 2. https://frightfind.com/casa-monica-hotel/, 3. https://www.hauntedrooms.com/florida/haunted-places/haunted-hotels/casa-monica-hotel-st-augustine
5. Seven Sisters Inn, Ocala
Right in the heart of downtown Ocala lies the beautiful Rheinauer House, most commonly known as the Seven Sisters Inn.
Placed on the National Register of Historic Places and with a reputation that may be more ghostly than not, this is said to be the Most Haunted Inn in Florida.
Built in 1895, it’s a historic house with all the beauty, Gothic Victorian charm and eerie ghost stories to tell.
This bed and breakfast is often referred to as the most haunted in Florida, believed to have seven ghostly spirits including its previous owners Emma and Ben Rheinauer and a spirit named George.
But the spirits that intrigue me the most are those of the three children that have often been seen playing around the property since the Rheinauers supposedly never had children.
According to a local legend, others believe that the land where The Rheinauers House was built was the former site of a military hospital and that it’s the possible reason why this inn is so haunted.
I could go on and on about this one because it’s just so interesting!
In its haunting atmosphere, guests and staff of this historic bed and breakfast in Florida have heard strange noises at night, a ghostly apparition of a woman that can pass through the doors and walls, and other unexplained phenomena throughout the property.
Seven Sisters Inn has been featured in Season 4, Ep. 18 of the Ghost Hunters,—the hit paranormal series from SciFi Channel.
👻 Check out the paranormal investigations from Paranormal Bad Boys featured on Univision TV, where they investigate Seven Sisters Inn and Cassadaga Hotel. The videos are in Spanish but the visual footage is universal!
Additional Sources: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/intense-paranormal-activity-victorian-romance-floridas-sherri-granato
6. Florida House Inn, Fernandina Beach
Reputed to also be one of most haunted bed and breakfasts in Florida, the Florida House Inn in Fernandina Beach is said to host several spectral guests.
Built in 1857, the Florida House Inn is known as the oldest continuously operating hotel in the state of Florida and it is widely spread to be haunted by both former guests and employees.
The ghostly apparitions in this charming hotel include a provocatively dressed woman who jumps into bed with the male guest in the room and then screams at their female partner.
However, a far more common ghost is the spirit of a man with a mustache dressed in a military coat; he’s been said to be seen in the company of a little boy who had drowned in the waters when he was touring the island.
The ghost of this little boy is said to roam the entryway and the inn’s staircase.
There’s also a maid whose spirit has been seen cleaning and keeping everything neat, but from time to time, she will throw plates around and even the silverware.
These uncanny experiences only add to the charmingly haunted nature of this inn, which is also ironically considered one of the best places to stay in Fernandina Beach.
Additional Sources: 1. https://eccurrent.com/2020/10/22/hunting-for-a-haunting-a-diy-ghost-tour-of-amelia-island/, 2. https://ameliamuseum.org/florida-house-inn-20-22-south-3rd-street/, 3. https://www.floridahouse.com/history
7. Lakeside Inn, Mount Dora
This charming small town near Orlando is known not only for its beautiful lakeside setting but also for its haunted history.
In Mount Dora, you’ll find the historic Lakeside Inn—a quaint hotel that many spirits call home.
The ghost of Amy, a six-year-old little girl who followed her father to Lake Dora one day in the late 1800s and disappeared, is regularly seen by guests and staff and has been captured in photos.
In fact, you can take a look at the famous 1884 photograph that I saw while on a ghost tour in Mount Dora. In the photo, you can see the ghostly apparition of Amy in the dining room of the hotel and it’s one of the most seen spirits of the Lakeside Inn.
Staff members often report pictures falling off the walls, a woman in 19th-century attire seen wandering around in the lobby, the smell of cigar smoke or perfume when nobody is around and receiving silent calls from empty rooms.
Some of the other paranormal experiences in this hotel are hearing whispers in the ear in the back stairwell, singing and laughing when no one is around and other strange noises that guests hear during their stay at the Lakeside Inn.
Additional Sources: https://www.mountdorabuzz.com/who-knew/the-real-ghostly-residents-of-mount-dora-part-1
8. 1872 Denham Inn, Monticello
Located in Monticello, FL—known to be the South’s Most Haunted Small Town, the John Denham House, now 1872 Denham Inn, has its share of being known for something more than just a National Register Register of Historic Places site.
At least one friendly ghost, the sweet Sarah Denham is said to reside at the Denham Inn with guests reporting most of the sightings inside Sarah’s room, commonly referred to as the “Blue Room”.
Guests who have spent the night at the inn’s most haunted room, have reported being mysteriously tucked in by someone or ‘something’.
Pat, the inn’s owner is known as an amazing hostess and is the perfect person to start a conversation with about the history of this charming and historic house in northern Florida.
Apart from the local ghost stories, the Denham Inn in Monticello is a highly recommended bed and breakfast with plenty of Southern hospitality.
🎥 In 2003, ABC News, based on the research, investigations, and documentation of working professional paranormal investigators, designated Monticello as the “South’s Most Haunted Small Town.”
A plaque in the Monticello–Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce is awarded with that designation. One-third of the businesses or houses in Monticello are haunted or have been at a time.
Additional Sources: https://www.wtxl.com/news/wtxl-road-trip-exploring-monticello-s-haunted-history/article_5aa285ca-54f7-11e7-bf3c-6b83ad0c5b6a.html
9. Magnolia Plantation B&B, Gainesville
Set on the grounds of the Historic Bed & Breakfast District in Gainesville and steeped with southern charm and haunted history, is the Dudley Williams House, known as the Magnolia Plantation Bed & Breakfast.
🏠 Some of the most beautiful bed and breakfasts in Florida can be found at the Historic Bed & Breakfast District in Gainesville.
Built in 1885, this gorgeous French Second Empire-style historic home is Gainesville’s very first bed and breakfast.
As I stood there on the sidewalk, I fell utterly in love with all the stunning architectural details, beautiful gardens, overall indescribable beauty and uniquely haunted look of the Magnolia Plantation.
This is the most beautiful old house in Florida that I have seen and I’m so happy that it’s well taken care of!
I’ve heard from others that this house could easily be like a renovated version of ‘The Muensters’ or ‘Addams Family‘ house. But I don’t see it…or maybe just a bit.
What do you think? 🤔
Anyways, this historic house in Gainesville is also locally known as the Baird Mansion named after the Baird Family who bought the house in 1900 and lived there for almost 70 years.
The history of this haunted bed and breakfast is quite like the best suspense novel you’ve ever read.
But even more so, I’ve found that reading the stories from the current owner Cindy, was more like my cup of tea!
In one of the entries of her blog titled “Is the House Haunted”, she shares about hearing voices in the attic and how her dreams are linked to a former owner, and to ghostly apparitions that others have experienced.
Former residents of the house claimed to have seen the body of a woman in a black dress going up the stairs and hearing disembodied voices late at night.
👩💻 Check out Cindy’s old blog about the Magnolia Plantation for more stories of this enchanting historic home that also happens to be one of the most beautiful bed and breakfasts in Florida.
Legend has it that the prominent former owner, Emmett Baird, allegedly found a treasure chest at the Suwannee River back in the 1800s, and supposedly buried the remains of the treasure in this house.
However, the current owners of the Magnolia Plantation have clarified that no treasure was found during the renovation process.
Additional Sources: 1. https://www.dmarlin.com/pastprologue/blog/baird/, 2. https://www.magnoliabnb.com/about, 3. https://magnoliabnb.wordpress.com
10. Sweetwater Branch Inn, Gainesville
Sweetwater Branch Inn is another beautiful and haunted B&B in the Historic District of Gainesville, composed of two Queen Anne-style bed and breakfasts: the McKenzie and the Cushman-Colson, that bleeds down to an old, haunted history, or so they say.
Built in 1895 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Mary Phifer McKenzie House is a beautiful place to stay that’s also located within the Historic Bed & Breakfast District in Gainesville.
The McKenzie or blue house, is supposedly haunted by the spirits of those who resided in the house in the past.
Guests staying at the McKenzie House have reported ominous sightings on a third-floor window as well as strange noises throughout the night.
Others have said to have felt an eerie heavy feeling on their chests while trying to sleep in their rooms, most noticeably in the attic room, which seems to be the most haunted.
In the peach building—the Cushman-Colson house, guests have experienced the shutting and opening of doors, a feeling that someone is watching and a ghostly apparition of a lady in the pink room.
I do have to say, setting aside these alleged stories about its haunted rooms, the Sweetwater Branch Inn proves to be a genuinely compelling destination for those looking for a unique location for their wedding and it’s the perfect place for lovers of historical charm.
Additional Sources: https://www.hauntedplaces.org/item/sweetwater-branch-inn/
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a true believer or a skeptic, spending a night at one of these haunted hotels would be thrilling!
Regardless, I feel safe to say that these reported paranormal experiences in these bed and breakfasts in Florida do not take away from their historical and charming appeal.
Each of these historic houses that are now successful bed & breakfasts in Florida, or small hotels, offers a one-of-kind, memorable and unique experience that guests love to return to.
These inns are top-rated places to stay in Florida, and their owners and staff make sure you get the most welcoming experience, service and personalized attention.
Furthermore, these B&Bs are a perfect match for the history buff, the lover of haunted places, or anyone just looking for a relaxing weekend getaway.
The best thing, though?
By choosing one of these bed and breakfasts, you’ll be supporting local businesses and staying in some of the most beautiful and intriguing places in Florida!
💬Let’s hang out in the comments! Which story intrigued you the most?
Yanitza Ninett
Yanitza is an avid adventurer with 15+ years of hiking experience and outdoor travel. As a PADI-certified scuba diver, she's also passionate about ocean conservation. When she's not exploring the great outdoors, Yanitza obsesses over The Vampire Diaries and dreams of traveling to Mallorca, Spain.
Some of these haunted places are stunning, especially the Herlong Mansion. I would be happy to stay here.
I’d probably be more of a skeptic, but I bet it was fun doing all of the research!
Hello!
Thank you for sharing this list! It looks fantastic!