September is the unofficial start of the fall season. And besides the fact that leaves are starting to change colors, and that pumpkin spice is making its way back onto the beverage scene, this is the time of year when everyone gathers up their courage and visits locations that are infamous for horror- and haunted-related associations. If you’re willing to take things one step further and truly test the limits of your bravery, staying in a haunted Airbnb is a surefire way to have a spooky experience. From a Victorian home in Canada to a manor in Germany, here are eight haunted Airbnbs you can rent this fall.
We hope you love the haunted Airbnbs we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
This impressive Victorian home was once the home of Canadian lumber magnate Charles Beck, who in addition to effectively creating the town of Penetanguishene, also opened the first box factory in Toronto. Beck’s wife died leaving him with nine children, the oldest of whom, Mary, did most of the child-rearing. When Beck died, he only left poor Mary a dollar, and guests and residents of these apartments have reported seeing a tall man in a suit and an angry woman in a blouse standing in the hallways. Perhaps they will join you for the weekend when you rent Brenda’s meticulously furnished two-bedroom apartment, complete with period pieces, ornate rugs, and a warning about wandering spirits.
The Inspiration House has an almost tangible sense of the paranormal, with an entire display room on the first floor devoted to ghosts and the afterlife. You are welcome to tour it by request, though it’s usually closed because many guests found it “creepy.” Equally creepy are the heavy boots and floor scratching people have reported hearing upstairs, as well as the musical instruments in the living room that often decide to play themselves. Typically, this three-bedroom house near the center of Oberlin is used for meditation and spiritual retreats. But here, they mean your retreat might also involve actual spirits.
If you’re staying in a remote castle somewhere in northern Germany, owned by a Danish Countess and lit mostly by candlelight, you’d be pretty disappointed if the place wasn’t haunted. The foundations of this manor date back nearly 1,200 years, and you’ll be staying in a niche apartment within the manor’s walls. Christina — your host — lives in the manor as well, and will gleefully explain how the house is believed to be haunted by the Slavic gods that the people of the area used to worship. The common areas also include vast libraries filled with centuries-old books and large green lawns filled with sheep.
Photographed from the right angle, this 1883 stone home looks like it could be a poster for a haunted house anywhere. So it reasons the ghost of Rosalia Finh, who died here as a child of typhoid fever, would be hanging around the hallways over a century after she passed away. Sean, who runs the place, claims to have found an old hair beret on the ground when he first moved in, and got an intense vision of a young girl in a white dress when he picked it up. Other guests have reported feeling a strange energy when standing outside the closet in Rosalia’s bedroom. Perhaps the best authority on the home’s spirits, however, is Scorch, Sean’s 9-year-old Doberman and head of security who may seem to be barking at nothing, but may just see a vision that you don’t.
At this Airbnb in Talliston, you’ll have a private room in a house that just radiates ominous vibes. The home itself was featured on the documentary Britain’s Most Extraordinary Homes and we can see why. The master bedroom you’ll be staying in recreates that of an Edwardian child, with children’s toys and books lying around, and it’s the stuff of nightmares. Dark, imposing, and close quarters, staying here will require nerves of steel. And that’s not to mention the unexplained smells and sounds coming from the walls, as well as the ocean sounds coming from just outside the bedroom window.
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and get haunted in this third-floor hideout in the heart of the Garden District. This spacious bedroom features a queen-size bed, private bathroom, mini-fridge, cable TV, and a private balcony with sweeping views of New Orleans. The balcony is shaded by a stately live oak tree, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine in the morning or evening.
The bedroom is located in the Parks-Bowman Mansion, a historic landmark that has been voted among the “Top Ten Haunted Airbnb Locations” by Buzzfeed. The mansion is said to be haunted by the ghosts of its former owners, who died in mysterious circumstances. If you’re looking for a unique and unforgettable New Orleans experience, the Haunted Bedroom is the perfect place for you.
St Catherine’s Lighthouse Cottage is a haunted — though charming — five-bedroom cottage located in Niton, on the Isle of Wight. The cottage is situated on the site of the former lighthouse keepers’ cottages, and offers stunning views of the English Channel — and because it’s a former lighthouse, you know there are some ole’ sea spirits hanging around. The cottage is fully equipped and features an entrance hall, sitting room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, double bedroom, twin bedroom, and single bedroom. There is also a private courtyard and a shared open grassed area. St Catherine’s Lighthouse is just a short drive from the popular coastal resort of Ventnor, and is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Isle of Wight.
