Tokeland Hotel – Haunted Hotel in Tokeland, Washington

The Tokeland Hotel stands weathered and proud on the remote shores of Willapa Bay in Washington State. This Victorian-era structure has welcomed guests for over a century, but not all visitors leave when their stay ends.

Built in 1885, the hotel represents one of the oldest continuously operating lodgings in Washington. The isolated coastal location adds to its eerie atmosphere, especially during foggy winter evenings.

Guests and staff report numerous paranormal encounters within the hotel’s vintage walls. The most famous spirit is that of a former madam named Charlie, who allegedly still roams the hallways.

The building’s original purpose was to serve travelers and workers in the bustling oyster industry. Today it serves a different purpose: attracting paranormal enthusiasts from across the Pacific Northwest.

Multiple investigations have documented unexplained phenomena at this coastal landmark. The hotel embraces its haunted reputation and welcomes those seeking supernatural experiences.

Historical Background

The Tokeland Hotel opened its doors in 1885 as a modest boarding house. Captain William Kindred constructed the building to accommodate the growing number of workers in the thriving oyster trade.

The structure expanded significantly in 1889 when new ownership transformed it into a proper hotel. The Victorian-style architecture reflected the prosperity of the era and the importance of coastal commerce.

During the late 1800s and early 1900s, Tokeland served as a bustling port community. The hotel became a social hub where locals and travelers gathered for meals and entertainment.

A woman named Charlotte operated the hotel during its most colorful period in the 1930s. Known as “Charlie” to locals, she managed the establishment with an iron fist and mysterious background.

Charlie allegedly ran the hotel as more than just a place to sleep. Rumors persisted that she operated a brothel on the upper floors, though concrete evidence remains elusive.

The hotel changed hands multiple times throughout the 20th century but retained its original structure. Each owner added their own stories to the building’s growing collection of strange occurrences.

A major restoration in the 1980s preserved the hotel’s historical character while modernizing essential systems. Workers during this renovation reported numerous unexplained events that sparked renewed interest in the haunting.

Paranormal Activity Summary

Guests consistently report the sound of phantom footsteps pacing the second-floor hallways at night. These footsteps occur even when hotel staff confirm no one occupies those rooms.

Cold spots manifest suddenly in specific locations throughout the building, particularly near Room 7. Witnesses describe these temperature drops as dramatic and accompanied by an oppressive feeling.

Objects move on their own accord throughout the hotel with alarming frequency. Staff members have witnessed glasses sliding across tables and doors opening without human intervention.

The scent of perfume wafts through corridors when no guests are present. This floral fragrance is attributed to Charlie, who reportedly favored lavender-scented products.

Electronic devices malfunction mysteriously within the hotel’s walls, especially recording equipment and cell phones. Cameras drain of battery power within minutes, even when fully charged before entering.

Shadow figures appear in peripheral vision throughout the building’s common areas. These dark silhouettes dart across doorways and disappear when observers turn to look directly.

Disembodied voices echo through empty rooms, often described as whispered conversations between unseen speakers. Staff working alone have reported hearing their names called when no one else is present.

Ghost Stories & Reports

Charlie remains the hotel’s most famous spectral resident, appearing frequently to both guests and staff. She manifests as a tall woman wearing period clothing from the 1930s era.

Witnesses describe Charlie as having dark hair pulled back in a severe bun. Her expression appears stern and disapproving, consistent with her reputation as a strict manager.

One guest reported waking at 3 AM to find Charlie standing at the foot of their bed. The apparition stared silently before fading away, leaving the witness paralyzed with fear.

Charlie apparently maintains her supervisory duties even in death, straightening furniture and rearranging items overnight. Staff arrive each morning to find chairs perfectly aligned and objects moved to different locations.

Another spirit haunts the hotel—a young child whose identity remains unknown to this day. Guests hear the sound of a child laughing and running through the hallways.

The child’s ghost appears most frequently in the dining room area during early morning hours. Staff preparing breakfast report seeing a small figure darting between tables before vanishing completely.

One housekeeper named Martha worked at the hotel for thirty years before retiring in 2005. She documented dozens of encounters with the child spirit in a personal journal.

Martha reported that the child seemed playful rather than frightening, often moving toys and small objects. She believed the spirit was a girl approximately seven years old based on the voice.

A third entity haunts the hotel’s basement area, described as a male presence with hostile energy. This spirit appears less frequently but creates more intense reactions in witnesses.

The male presence allegedly manifests as a dark, towering shadow that blocks doorways and stairwells. Guests who encounter this entity report feeling threatened and unwelcome in the space.

Local legend suggests this male spirit might be a former sailor who died in a bar fight. Historical records mention a violent altercation at the hotel in 1923 that resulted in one death.

Some paranormal researchers believe multiple spirits inhabit the hotel beyond these primary three entities. The building’s long history likely created a repository for residual energy and trapped souls.

Most Haunted Spot

Room 7 on the second floor earns the distinction as the hotel’s most actively haunted location. This corner room experiences the highest concentration of paranormal activity reported by guests.

Charlie’s ghost appears most frequently in Room 7, often standing near the antique dresser or window. Guests sleeping in this room report waking to find items moved or rearranged overnight.

One couple who stayed in Room 7 in 2018 reported their locked door opening by itself. They watched in horror as the handle turned and the door swung wide despite no one standing there.

The room’s original furnishings date back nearly a century, possibly serving as anchors for paranormal energy. Many paranormal experts believe objects can retain spiritual impressions from their past.

Temperature fluctuations in Room 7 occur with such regularity that staff warn guests in advance. The room can drop twenty degrees in seconds with no rational explanation.

Can You Visit?

The Tokeland Hotel operates as a functioning bed and breakfast welcoming overnight guests year-round. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak paranormal investigation season from October through March.

Room rates range from $89 to $149 per night depending on season and room selection. Room 7 often books months in advance due to its haunted reputation.

The hotel does not offer formal ghost tours but allows guests to explore freely. Staff members share stories willingly and provide historical context for paranormal claims.

Photography is permitted throughout the property, both inside and on the grounds. Many paranormal enthusiasts visit specifically to capture evidence of supernatural activity.

The restaurant and bar areas remain open to non-overnight visitors during regular business hours. These common spaces have their own share of paranormal activity and welcome curious investigators.

Check-in occurs between 3 PM and 9 PM, while checkout is required by 11 AM. The hotel requests that paranormal investigators inform staff of their intentions in advance.

Best Time to Visit

Paranormal activity at the Tokeland Hotel intensifies during winter months from November through February. The isolation and stormy weather seem to amplify supernatural occurrences during this period.

Late night hours between 2 AM and 4 AM produce the most frequent ghostly encounters. This timeframe aligns with traditional beliefs about heightened spiritual activity during “the witching hour.”

Full moon periods correlate with increased reports of shadow figures and unexplained noises throughout the building. Many paranormal researchers plan their investigations to coincide with these lunar phases.

Weeknights typically offer quieter conditions for serious paranormal investigation than busy weekends. The reduced number of guests minimizes contamination from normal human activity and noise.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

A Seattle-based photographer named David Chen visited the hotel in October 2019 specifically to document paranormal activity. He captured several photographs showing unexplained light anomalies and what appears to be a female figure.

Chen reported that his fully charged camera batteries died within fifteen minutes of entering Room 7. He replaced them twice during his stay, experiencing the same inexplicable power drain each time.

Local resident Patricia Morrison worked as a server at the hotel restaurant for twelve years. She documented numerous encounters in interviews with regional paranormal investigation groups.

Morrison reported seeing Charlie’s ghost at least twenty times during her employment from 2005 to 2017. She described the spirit as appearing solid and lifelike before fading away within seconds.

One particularly detailed account comes from honeymooners who stayed at the hotel in March 2016. The couple from Portland requested to leave in the middle of their first night.

They reported hearing children laughing in their room despite booking the entire second floor privately. When they opened their door to investigate, the hallway stood empty and silent.

A paranormal investigation team from Washington State University conducted a study at the hotel in 2014. Their equipment recorded unexplained electromagnetic field fluctuations and several Class A electronic voice phenomena.

The team’s thermal imaging cameras captured a human-shaped cold spot moving through the dining room. This footage has been analyzed by multiple experts without finding any conventional explanation.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

The Pacific Northwest Paranormal Investigation team visited the Tokeland Hotel multiple times between 2010 and 2015. Their findings included numerous anomalous photographs and audio recordings that defy easy explanation.

During their 2012 investigation, team members recorded a female voice saying “Get out” in Room 7. No women were present in the hotel at the time of the recording.

The television show “Haunted Travels” featured the Tokeland Hotel in a 2017 episode. The crew experienced equipment malfunctions and captured footage of objects moving without physical contact.

Lead investigator Sarah Thompson reported feeling physically pushed while investigating the basement area alone. Her chest-mounted camera captured her stumbling forward despite no visible cause for the movement.

A local paranormal research group called the Willapa Bay Ghost Hunters conducts annual investigations at the hotel. They maintain a detailed log of evidence collected over fifteen years of regular visits.

Their most compelling evidence includes a full-body apparition photograph taken in the dining room in 2016. The image shows a translucent female figure standing near the kitchen doorway.

Multiple investigation teams have recorded the sound of phantom footsteps using calibrated audio equipment. These recordings eliminate the possibility of settling building materials or environmental factors.

Local Legends & Myths

Local folklore claims that Charlie murdered a cheating lover in Room 7 during the 1930s. While historical records don’t confirm this tale, the story persists in community oral tradition.

Some versions of the legend suggest Charlie herself was murdered by a jealous competitor. This variation attempts to explain her restless spirit and continued presence at the hotel.

Another persistent legend involves buried treasure supposedly hidden somewhere on the hotel property by early smugglers. Some believe spirits guard this cache, preventing its discovery by the living.

The child ghost reportedly appears more frequently when children are present as overnight guests. Local parents share stories of their kids describing conversations with an invisible playmate during their stay.

Fishermen in the area have long told stories about seeing lights in the hotel windows when the building stood empty. These sightings occurred during renovation periods when electricity was completely shut off.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

The Tokeland Hotel maintains strict policies against trespassing on the property without permission or outside of guest hours. The remote location means emergency services response times can exceed thirty minutes.

Guests conducting paranormal investigations must inform the front desk and sign a liability waiver. The hotel assumes no responsibility for emotional distress caused by supernatural encounters.

The basement area remains off-limits to guests due to structural concerns and hazardous materials. Only authorized staff may access this space, despite its reputation for intense paranormal activity.

The isolated coastal location means cell phone service is unreliable throughout the property. Visitors should plan accordingly and not depend on mobile devices for emergency communication.

Winter weather can make the rural roads to Tokeland impassable during severe storms. The hotel recommends checking weather conditions before traveling during the November through March season.