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The Shanley hotel is said to be the most haunted hotel in New York and even on the East Coast. There are so many spirits here, it’s hard to keep track of all of them. These historic walls are filled with New York ghost stories and you won’t believe how much tragedy – and life – this hotel has seen. Once abandoned, it was brought back to life by an owner who passed away in 2016. But this haunted hotel in New York is now open and accepting reservations for an overnight stay you won’t soon forget.

The Shanley hotel has a long, tragic history.
Shanley Hotel/Facebook
The hotel was built in 1895, after a previous hotel burned down. Since its completion, many people (including children) have died there. The hotel is said to be the most haunted on the entire East Coast.
James Louis Shanley purchased the hotel in 1906.
Shanley Hotel/Facebook
This photo of him and his family was taken on the front porch of the hotel in the 1920s.
In May of 1911, a tragedy struck...the first of many.
Shanley Hotel/Facebook
The hotel’s barber, Peter Greger, lived with his wife Mary and two daughters, Rosie and Florence, on the second floor of the hotel. Three-year-old Rosie wandered to a nearby farm and fell down a well. She died instantly. Rosie’s happy-go-lucky ghost is said to haunt the Shanley. Visitors hear her playing and giggling.
James Shanley’s sister-in-law Esther lived at the hotel; she died of influenza in 1918. Her spirit is said to haunt the second floor.
nightraven213/TripAdvisor
James' brother Andrew died in 1919. He was only 49 years old.
Robin122/TripAdvisor
Could this be Andrew?
In the 1920s, the hotel was very popular.
Em Suarez/flickr
The second floor was converted into a bordello, and bootleg liquor was sold here during Prohibition.
The Shanley was left abandoned in 1992.
Em Suarez/flickr
The spirits were left to their own devices for many years, until it was purchased again in 2005.
The current owner didn't know that the hotel was haunted until after he bought it.
stickmuzam/Trip Advisor
Luckily, the hauntings didn't bother him.
Ghosts fill this hotel.
Carol M/Trip Advisor
Many appear in full form to guests - they are dressed in clothing from the 1920s to the 1960s.

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The front porch is a wonderful place to sit, but...
Shanley Hotel/Facebook
Many visitors report cold spots here, and a feeling of uneasiness.
Guests often hear footsteps in the halls.
Em Suarez/flickr
Some ghosts even poke or prod guests to get their attention.
Eleanor Roosevelt stayed in this room on several occasions...but now there's some paranormal activity here.
Carol M/Trip Advisor
Supposedly, a man hung himself in this room. Guests report being touched at night.
The sound of children running up and down the stairs is common.
stickmuzam/Trip Advisor
Sometimes heavier footsteps ascend this staircase, too.
This third-floor hallway is also haunted.
Shanley Hotel/Facebook
The photo below shows Anna's room.
Shanley Hotel/Facebook
Anna was a popular girl at the bordello. Her room is said to be haunted by her spirit.
Could this be Anna?
Business Owner/Yelp
The Gentleman's Quarters In The Bordello is now the room shown below and is said to be one of the most haunted rooms in the hotel.
Shanley Hotel/Facebook
For awhile, you could not visit or stay overnight in this haunted New York hotel. But they are now accepting reservations for overnight stays that include a guided ghost hunt.
Would you dare stay here overnight?
Shanley Hotel/Facebook
Though the hotel is full of ghosts and paranormal activity, none have ever been violent. Most seem to be having fun - singing, laughing and playing.

Guests can now stay at the Shanley Hotel, and these stays include a guided ghost hunt. For more information on the most haunted hotel in New York, visit the Shanley Hotel’s Website.

Address: 56 Main Street, Napanoch, NY 12458

For more haunted fun in New York, take this Terrifying New York Road Trip!

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More to Explore

Most Haunted Hotel In New York

Andrea Limke | August 29, 2019

What are the most haunted places in New York?

Of all of the New York ghost stories, the ones that come from the Shanley Hotel are definitely some of the creepiest. And now that you can once again spend the night here, it is surely one of the most haunted places in New York. If you'd like to track down more haunted hotels in New York, check out our previous article here. We've also created a road trip to the state that leads to the most haunted places in New York and you can find that list and map here.

What is the most famous New York ghost story?

New York is definitely in the running for the most haunted state in the country, thanks to its countless ghost stories. With a long, tumultuous history, our state has its fair share of spirits. Many of these New York ghost stories are downright bone-chilling and you can read about 7 of them here. Buffalo is also thought of as the most haunted city in New York and you can learn all about its haunted happenings here.

 

 

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