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 places 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.
During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
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.
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.
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 here… and some emerge with chilling tales.
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.
Check out the video below and see if you can make it out through the voice-altering software (be advised, there js a bit of coarse language in the video).
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.
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 here.
Cleveland's history comes to life in this historic hotel... and, according to some, it comes to life in an incredible way.
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 here? We’d love to hear about them!
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is - she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
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