The Most Haunted Hotels in Portland

Posted: 04.29.2025 | Updated: 04.29.2025

Portland, Oregon.

For those familiar with its slogan – “Keep Portland Weird,” you’ll know this is a strange town. The locals certainly make no apologies for its strangeness, whether it be the human inhabitants or the ghosts alike.

Yes, for all its weirdness, it should come as no surprise that Portland, Oregon, has had more than a few hauntings and ghost stories that have emerged over the years. Curiously, many of these stories keep popping up in some of Portland’s many hotels. 

We’ve compiled a list of those haunted hotels for those bold enough to learn more about them and, maybe, even visit one day.  

Read on to learn which hotels these are, what haunts them, and the identity of the ghosts that plague them. After you’re done, we’re sure you’ll want to learn even more about haunted Oregon. The best way to do that is by booking an in-person ghost tour with us at Portland Ghosts.

What Are the Most Haunted Hotels in Portland?

While lists out there in the world will list a number of haunted hotels in Portland, there are three generally accepted ones that are seen as the most haunted. These hotels are the Heathman Hotel, Hotel deLuxe, and the Benson Hotel. 

The Heathman Hotel

First up on the list of the most haunted hotels in Portland is The Heathman Hotel. It was built in 1927 and is considered one of the most haunted hotels in the United States, not just Oregon. 

A particularly curious quirk about the nature of this building’s haunted status is the number “03.” For some inexplicable reason, the number “03” seems to be an omen foretelling death or ill fortune to anyone staying at the Heathman. 

Room 703, in particular, is known to be quite haunted, with staff reporting incidents such as the television set turning on and off by itself, towels that fall off the rack, and the sounds of footsteps racing across the floor when the room is supposed to be empty.

As such, you might be a bit understanding when you hear that most of the staff do not enjoy cleaning that particular room. However, Rooms 803 and 1003 are also believed to be haunted.

The source of all these hauntings and the numerical significance of “03” remain unknown. Still, it is a mystery well worth solving, as the phenomena that result from these hauntings can be quite terrifying to guests. 

Haunted Happenings

Some guests traveling have reported that after they’ve wound down for the night and crawled into bed, they’ve felt a cold figure crawl into bed with them! Turning on the lights, though, will reveal nothing but an empty room or, at least, what appears to be a room. 

Some quick-eyed guests, however, have managed to notice eyes staring out at them from dark corners of the room. Security footage from cameras is often of little help. Hotel staff have reported seeing furniture in the lobby appear completely ordinary on the cameras, but when they investigate, all the furniture is knocked over and askew.

Speaking of the lobby, it used to feature a grand piano, which, sadly, is no longer there. However, that hasn’t stopped hotel staff from hearing that same piano play – as if by invisible hands – late at night! 

Hotel Deluxe 

Next up is the Hotel deLuxe. Formerly known as the Hotel Mallory, this hospitality establishment opened its doors in 1912 by one Rufus Mallory. 

Fittingly enough for a haunted hotel, Rufus’ wife, Lucy, was a keen student of the supernatural and would regularly host séances at her house. Whether or not her desire to communicate with spirits affected her lifespan is unknown, but what is known is that she and Rufus would die very shortly after the Hotel deLuxe opened its doors. 

However, even though Lucy died in 1920, her presence can still be felt in this hotel in several ways. Her ghost has been spotted by more than a few different hotel workers and guests. 

Not only that, but the room in the hotel that she used for her séances is now a vacant parlor room, and most hotel workers gingerly tiptoe their way past it, as it is said to be the most haunted room in the building. Rumor has it that when you walk inside the room, the temperature will suddenly drop and you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into a walk-in freezer. 

Rooms 209 and 708 are also said to be quite haunted rooms, known for lights flickering on and off and ghostly touches reported by housekeepers. 

Shadow Figures

Perhaps, there’s one explanation for it: the shadows that infest the hotel. These aren’t your typical shadows cast by vending machines, pool towels, and lobby desks that you might see in ordinary hotels. No, the shadows at the Hotel deLuxe seem to move independently of the objects that cast them. In fact, some people have reported seeing those same shadows take human shape and walk up and down the haunted staircase or even walk out the main doors! 

Hotel deLuxe also shares a similar problem with the Heathman Hotel, as their television sets are known to turn on and off randomly. Perhaps, they have the same shady supplier, or maybe the ghosts at the Hotel deLuxe also seem drawn to the TV. After all, the afterlife might get a bit boring without something entertaining to watch! 

Benson Hotel

Then there’s the Benson Hotel. Constructed at the beginning of the 20th century, like the other two, it was originally named “The New Oregon Hotel” by Simon Benson (you can guess who the place was ultimately named after).

Benson was a lifelong opponent of alcohol consumption, and his ghost is said to haunt the halls of his old hotel, displeased with modern alcohol service. 

The grand staircase, dining room, and business meeting rooms are where his ghost normally pops up. Most of the time, Simon Benson’s ghost is content to just sit and watch, as long as you don’t dare drink in front of him. 

Another – and much more famous ghost – that’s said to walk these halls is that of Mitch Mitchell, the former drummer for Jimi Hendrix. He died in the Benson back in 2008, and whispers abound that his spirit still lingers around here in some capacity. 

There’s also been reports of a gang of ghostly children – palefaced and disappearing into the walls – that are said to haunt the Benson. Some believe that Mitchell’s spirit might have joined them. Startling guests with the other ghost children seems like something right up Mitchell’s alley. 

Haunted Portland 

If you ever stay at the Benson yourself, maybe you’ll also experience one of Mitchell’s ghost pranks. Or maybe you’re more fond of Hotel deLuxe’s haunted staircase or the Heathman Hotel’s mysterious night callers! Whatever haunted phenomena you’re fascinated by, Portland’s hotels have more than enough to sate you with. 

If you liked this story and want to learn similar tales, check out our Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. They spotlight other offbeat ghost stories all over the United States. Checking our blog is another good way to stay up-to-date with all the latest ghost stories and haunted spots in Oregon.

If you want to explore Portland ghosts up close, a ghost tour with Portland Ghosts is the best way to do that. Our guides are knowledgeable and enthusiastic and can provide even more information on the area. 

Sources:

• https://fhspost.com/7010/feature/our-paranormal-investigation-portlands-hotels/
• https://frightfind.com/the-heathman-hotel/
• https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g52024-d112198-i231644874-Hotel_Deluxe-Portland_Oregon.html
• http://hauntedhouses.com/oregon/the-benson-hotel/