The Most Haunted Hotels in Miami

Posted: 03.03.2025 | Updated: 03.03.2025

There’s just something about hotels that makes them the perfect hideaway for ghosts to enjoy their stay as much as the living. Perhaps it’s because they serve as a crossroad, where different stories intersect, both good and bad. For others, it’s where they come to an end…or do they?

Miami is one of the hottest destination spots in the United States. An endless variety of venues and eateries sprinkled with diverse Latin American culture. All the while, taking in the breathtaking beach life. 

It’s only natural that this coastal city has a hospitality scene that is so appealing, and some of its hotels are home to more otherworldly visitors. With that being said, here are the top three most haunted hotels in Miami. 

Curious to see what spirits linger in Miami after dark? Come take a ghost tour with Miami Haunts through this coastal sunny city, and hear some of its haunting tales. Who knows, you may find yourself coming face to face with your own ghost experience!

What are the Most Haunted Hotels in Miami?

There are some hotels in Miami that require a bit more bravery to stay at than others. Lingering spirits connected to their long past roam its halls, filling the air with an uneasy chill in this coastal city—the most haunted of all being the Biltmore Hotel.

The Biltmore Hotel

The Biltmore Hotel was a highlight for Florida when it first opened its doors in January 1926, under the ownership of George E. Merrick.  Wealthy visitors from across the world passed through its doors underneath its towering 16-story copper tower, a replica of the Giralda Tower in the Cathedral of Seville, Spain. 

That drastically changed during World War II, when it became an Army Air Forces Hospital. High-profile visitors were replaced with injured soldiers, and an endless variety of entertainment was replaced with the sound of suffering. 

A rough patch of openings and closures followed before it opened its doors once again in 1992. Today, it stands once again, newly renovated with added amenities, and plenty of otherworldly guests.  

The Biltmore Hotel is without a doubt the most haunted hotel in Miami. Its hauntings first manifested in its abandonment years. 

People who stood on the golf course behind the hotel saw windows open and close by themselves, as well as mysterious lights appearing in the windows. The sound of music could also be heard, which was odd considering the electricity had been turned off. 

Police were sent to investigate: 14 officers and two detectives armed with canines. They heard glass breaking, saw windows on the top floor open and close on their own, and saw apparitions fleeing down the hallways. Their dogs, more sensitive to spiritual energy, fled the hotel, with the officers not far behind. 

Other more unsettling entities have been seen in recent years, such as the “Lady in White.” She’s known to linger in some of the tower suites, wander the hallways and will even sit on guests’ beds. Her apparition has also been seen frantically rushing around on the balcony, where she fell to her death trying to save her three-year-old son.

The River Inn

Located in the South River Drive Historic District, the River Inn is Miami’s oldest hotel. It was originally a boarding house when it was built in 1908, offering a room to those who wanted to be close to downtown. As Miami continued to develop, the area around the inn became less attractive. 

The River Inn fell into disrepair and changed hands several times throughout the early 1900s; each owner did only the bare minimum for improvements. Renovations weren’t done on the hotel until the late 80s and early 90s when preservationists recognized the famous hotel’s historic value.

Today, the historic River Inn operates as a bed and breakfast. Several cottages — each with its own theme — offer a quaint yet luxurious hospitality experience with one terrifying catch. 

Several terrifying occurrences have plagued guests and staff at the historic River Inn: cold spots,  hearing the playful sounds of children when there are none present. Ghostly apparitions in period clothing have also been seen, either appearing transparent or mist-like. 

Equally frightening is what occurs in the cottages at 11 p.m. every night, which is experienced by people who stay in a first-floor front unit. The front door opens and slams shut, followed by a series of unsettling angry noises. The grand finale is the horrifying sound of dragging furniture reverberating throughout the walls of the house.

The Betsy Hotel 

Betsy was born into war, The Betsy Ross Hotel that is. It opened in 1942 with its first guests being American troops, as it was one of 332 hotels leased by the military in Miami when the U.S entered World War II. The hotel continued to remain prosperous over the next two decades as Miami continued to develop and become a celebrity attraction. 

The Betsy underwent a complete internal renovation in 2006. Three years later, it opened as a 61-room luxury boutique hotel. The Betsy continued to expand and gain publicity for its contributions to the arts, even dedicating one of its rooms to writing. 

Today, the Betsy Hotel stands out as a living part of Miami’s history. However, there’s another story to the hotel. Many believe that some of its former residents have never left and continue to roam its halls. 

The Betsy Hotel is filled with the spirits of its earliest guests. Many soldiers stationed here were killed before deployment, (bar fights, mob encounters). Tragically, they often took their own lives.

The hotel has since been host to a range of inexplicable activity. Guests have heard boots marching in the hallways at all hours of the day. Police have also documented phantom gunshots being heard around the property. 

Haunted Miami

There is a strange chill in the air of the sunny city of Miami. It sends a shiver up your spine and lets you know you’re not alone. One of the most popular destination spots in the U.S., Miami has a dark past that makes it a perfect destination for those in search of a good haunt. 

They may even be closer than you think. From the commanding Biltmore Hotel, to the vernacular houses of the Miami River Inn, spirits wait around every corner. It makes you wonder if you’re the only one who’s checking in, should you find yourself staying in Miami.

There’s a whole other side to Miami, come sundown. Spirits lurk in the shadows of the night outside of the city nightlife clamor. Want to see for yourself?  Book a ghost tour with Miami Haunts today! Remember to read our blog for more chilling stories surrounding this sunny, coastal town, and stay connected with us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Sources:

• https://biltmorehotel.com/about-miami-resort/
• https://hauntedhouses.com/florida/the-biltmore-hotel/
• https://www.riverinnmiami.com/history
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0uDUAWBAnw
• https://hauntedhouses.com/florida/miami-river-inn/
• https://www.thebetsyhotel.com/explore/about-us
• https://www.timeout.com/miami/things-to-do/haunted-places-in-miami-nearby