Would you spend a night in luxury knowing you might share your room with a spectral guest? The Brown Palace Hotel stands as a timeless icon in Denver, CO, blending Victorian elegance with ghostly whispers. Opened in 1892 by Henry Cordes Brown, this uniquely triangular hotel has welcomed presidents, celebrities, and perhaps spirits, for over a century. Today, this historic destination invites visitors to enjoy its grand architecture through historical tours and discover its haunted legacy firsthand. Whether captivated by timeless grandeur or curious about paranormal encounters, the Brown Palace Hotel invites you to explore its mysterious halls.
Ghost Stories of the Haunted Brown Palace Hotel
The haunted Brown Palace Hotel is renowned for chilling tales that might send a shiver down your spine. Here’s what guests and staff have shared about their eerie encounters:
- The Socialite’s Spirit: A woman in 1940s attire, believed to be a former socialite, appears in the ballroom. Guests report seeing her dancing alone or hearing her faint laughter.
- Room 904 Phantom: A spectral man, tied to a tragic death in the 1920s, haunts Room 904. Visitors claim to hear his footsteps or feel a sudden chill.
- The Bellman: A ghostly bellman in an old uniform roams the lobby. Some guests say he’s offered to carry bags before vanishing into thin air.
- General Spookiness: Cold spots, disembodied voices, and flickering lights permeate the hotel, linked to its long history of tragedy and opulence.
This place has caught the eye of paranormal shows too. For example, in 2013, Ghost Hunters visited and captured EVPs of a woman’s voice in Room 904, possibly the Socialite in White. The team also recorded unexplained footsteps in the ballroom. The hotel was also featured in a 2017 episode of Ghost Adventures, where the team captured EVPs of a woman’s voice in the ballroom and spotted a shadowy figure, possibly the Socialite in White, moving across the dance floor. Additionally, a 2021 episode of the podcast My Favorite Murder discussed the hotel’s haunted history, focusing on the Socialite in White’s tragic story. The Brown Palace also served as a filming location for the 1956 film The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit, starring Gregory Peck, with its grand lobby adding a touch of historical elegance—though some crew members reported hearing unexplained piano music during late-night shoots. Its legacy of luxury and loss, spanning over 130 years, fuels its reputation as a paranormal hotspot.
A Historic Legacy in Denver
The Brown Palace Hotel’s story began in 1892 when Henry Cordes Brown, a wealthy entrepreneur, built it to rival Europe’s finest hotels. Designed by architect Frank E. Edbrooke in the Italian Renaissance style, its triangular shape and atrium with a stained-glass ceiling became iconic. Over the years, it hosted luminaries like Theodore Roosevelt and the Beatles, surviving the Great Depression and two world wars. Still operating as a luxury hotel under Marriott ownership, it offers historical tours that highlight its haunting history alongside its grandeur.
Visiting Tips for a Ghostly Adventure
Ready to explore the haunted Brown Palace Hotel? Here’s how to delve into its shadowy past:
Plan Your Visit: Open year-round, with historical tours ($20-$30) included in some stays and ghost tours ($40-$60) on select evenings. Visit brownpalace.com or call (303) 297-3111 to book.
Details about hours, access, and events are accurate at the time of writing. Please check the location’s official website for the most up-to-date information before planning your visit.
Spooky Spots to Discover:
- Ballroom: Spot the socialite’s dancing figure or hear her laughter in this grand space.
- Room 904: Feel the phantom man’s chill or hear his footsteps in this room.
- Lobby: Encounter the ghostly bellman offering spectral service here.
- Atrium: Sense cold spots and whispers tied to its historic past.
Dare to Explore the Haunted Brown Palace Hotel?
The Brown Palace Hotel is more than a luxury retreat—it’s a ghostly haven where socialites and bellmen might still linger. From spectral dances to flickering lights, its tales captivate paranormal seekers. Ready to step into its opulent halls? Book a stay—something unseen might greet you!
