Posted in Cleveland Accommodation August 16, 2022 by

Renaissance Hotel Is One Of The Oldest And Most Haunted Hotels In Cleveland

Cleveland is a lovely place to call home. It’s so lovely, in fact, that some people never want to leave… not even after their time on this physical plane has expired. There are many places in Cleveland that are said to have spectral residents lingering around, and some are startlingly mundane. One of the most unexpectedly haunted hotels in Cleveland Ohio is the Renaissance Hotel – it’s charming, luxurious, and bright… perhaps these features are just as attractive in the afterlife as they are now. Let’s take a look at the history of this haunted Cleveland hotel to get to the bottom of just who these ghosts are.

The Renaissance opened its doors to visitors in 1918 as the Hotel Cleveland, but the site on which it is built has a further-reaching history.
Tim Evanson/Wikimedia Commons
Sources say that this plot of land has been occupied since the early 1800s. Mowrey's Tavern opened here in 1814, and it passed through a few hands before being destroyed in a fire. Another building, the Forest City House, replaced the tiny tavern. This "house" was actually an impressive hotel, but it was demolished in 1916 in anticipation of the Hotel Cleveland’s construction.
Over the years, a few interesting events took place here.
Drew Fellers/TripAdvisor
Ever heard of the Torso Murders? Eliot Ness questioned one of the suspects, Francis Sweeney, in one of the hotel rooms here in the 1930s. Ness was a frequent guest here, often staying in the Bronze Room. Purportedly, he also entertained factory owners here, hoping to gain the trust of would-be informants… of course, this move frustrated J. Edgar Hoover and left him at odds with Ness for his entire lifetime. Martin Luther King Jr. was honored here with a dinner, and Duke Ellington performed a show in this historic structure.
Presidents have stayed here, celebrities have stayed here, and everyday people have stayed at this haunted hotel in Cleveland Ohio… and some emerge with chilling tales.
Stacey S/TripAdvisor
Most of the reported activity centers around the fourth floor. Doors slam, toilets flush, and faucets turn on and off seemingly of their own accord. Some even say people are spotted entering rooms that turn out to be vacant.

In recent years, a spooky video surfaced of what seems to be a strange Snapchat glitch on the fourth floor… but the person that captures it explains that she heard the sound of movement and felt someone breathing down her neck.
So who could be causing the hauntings? Some insist they date back to the era in which Mowry’s Tavern, Cleveland’s first hotel, occupied the site.
Leonardo/TripAdvisor
Could early visitors to The Land be stopping by the old hotel to this day for some afterlife-edition vacation? Some theorists have also proposed that early construction workers could have died building this hotel… could they be the spirits hanging around?

Whether or not you believe in the purported hauntings (after all, it is just local lore... right?), The Renaissance remains a breathtaking place to stay. Vibrant and lovely, this hotel is a charming place to stay during your time in Cleveland. Additionally, its location ensures easy access to all of Cleveland's finest attractions.You can find rates and book your stay via the hotel's website.
Cleveland's history comes to life in this historic hotel... and, according to some, it comes to life in an incredible way.
Drew Fellers/TripAdvisor
Could this incredible hotel be haunted? The answer doubtlessly lies in its lovely halls... but are you brave enough to book a stay?

Address: 24 Public Square, Cleveland, OH, 44113

Cleveland has a lot of charm, and it comes to life in an unforgettable way in places like this striking hotel. Have you ever had any spooky experiences at this notoriously haunted hotel in Cleveland Ohio? We’d love to hear about them!

If you enjoyed this story, you might enjoy a stay in this haunted yet darling inn just south of Cleveland in Cuyahoga’s neighboring county.

Address: Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, 24 Public Square, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Haunted hotels in Cleveland Ohio

August 21, 2022
Sarah M.

What are some other haunted places near Cleveland, Ohio?

In addition to the Renaissance, a notoriously haunted hotel in Cleveland Ohio, Myrtle Hill Cemetery is definitely one of the creepiest and most unnerving places in the northeast region of the Buckeye State. Established in 1822, this nearly six-acre cemetery is the final resting place of some of the area’s earliest settlers. The cemetery is also home, however, to an enduring mystery engulfed in an incredible piece of local lore. Beneath a three-foot granite ball is a small marker that bears a single name, “Stoskopf.” Legend maintains that a witch is buried here, and the massive granite structure was designed to keep her spirit from wandering. Local legends explain that Old Lady Stoskopf murdered her family and tossed them in a well. When the townsfolk discovered the grisly truth, they sentenced her to death. When she was buried, she was buried standing up, and a massive gravestone was placed above her to weigh her spirit down. Today, it’s known simply as the “witch’s ball,” and it’s one of the creepiest spots in all of Ohio. Locals insist that the stone itself alludes to the horror lying underneath. It’s cold to the touch in the daytime and warm by night, and even leaves won’t dare to settle on the cursed structure. The legend has existed in the area for decades, but it is very likely that there isn’t even anyone buried under the massive stone – called the Witch’s Ball – at all. Have you visited it before? We’re not sure we’d be brave enough to visit the Ohio witch’s ball in person!

Address: Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, 24 Public Square, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA

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