Cecil Hotel – Haunted Hotel in Los Angeles, California

The Cecil Hotel is one of the most infamous haunted locations in Los Angeles, known for its dark history of violent crimes, suicides, and eerie paranormal activity. Opened in the 1920s, the hotel was once a grand establishment but later became synonymous with tragic deaths, serial killers, and unexplained occurrences.

Over the decades, it has been the site of multiple murders, mysterious disappearances, and ghostly encounters, leading many to believe it is cursed.

Historical Background

• Year Built: 1924
• Original Purpose: Luxury Hotel
• Significant Events:
  • During the Great Depression, the hotel became a hotspot for crime and suicides, earning a grim reputation.
  • Richard Ramirez, the “Night Stalker,” stayed at the hotel in the 1980s while committing his gruesome murders.
  • In 2013, the baffling death of Elisa Lam—whose body was found in a rooftop water tank after acting strangely in an elevator—became one of the most famous unsolved mysteries tied to the hotel.
  • Dozens of suicides, overdoses, and murders have occurred in its rooms over the years, solidifying its status as a paranormal hotspot.

Paranormal Activity Summary

Visitors and staff report chilling encounters throughout the hotel, including:

• Unexplained cold spots and sudden temperature drops in hallways.
• Flickering lights and phantom whispers when no one is around.
• Elevator doors opening and closing on their own.
• Disembodied screams and ghostly figures seen lurking in dark corners.
• The spirit of a woman in black wandering the corridors, believed to be one of the many suicide victims.

Ghost Stories & Reports

• The Suicidal Spirits: The hotel’s tragic history includes numerous suicides, leading many to believe that restless spirits of the deceased still roam the halls. Guests have reported waking up to shadowy figures standing by their beds.
• The Ghost of Richard Ramirez: Though Ramirez died in prison, some claim to feel a malevolent presence in the room where he once stayed. Unexplained knocking sounds and feelings of extreme dread have been reported in his former quarters.
• The Mysterious Woman in Black: A figure dressed in old-fashioned mourning attire is often seen near the windows of upper floors, gazing at the street below before vanishing. Some believe she is a spirit of a woman who jumped to her death.
• Elisa Lam’s Lingering Presence: The bizarre case of Elisa Lam, whose last moments were captured in an unsettling elevator video, has led to reports of the elevator malfunctioning mysteriously. Some claim to see a ghostly figure mimicking Lam’s movements near the lobby.

Most Haunted Spot Inside

The 14th floor (often disguised as the 13th in old buildings) is rumored to be the most haunted, with guests frequently reporting whispers, flickering lights, and ghostly apparitions. The elevator, where Elisa Lam was last seen, is another eerie location, often behaving erratically with no clear cause.

Can You Visit?

• Open to the Public? No (Currently closed, but was briefly rebranded as Stay on Main)
• Entry Fee: Not applicable
• Tour Availability: No official tours, but paranormal enthusiasts often gather outside for informal ghost tours.
• Photography Allowed? Yes (from the outside)
• Visiting Hours? Not open for public stays

Best Time to Visit

• While the hotel itself is closed, October nights near Halloween are popular for ghost hunters and paranormal investigators to visit the area outside the building.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

The Cecil Hotel has been featured in multiple paranormal TV shows, including Ghost Adventures, which conducted an in-depth investigation into the spirits haunting the location. Paranormal teams have captured EVP recordings, shadow figures, and unexplained electromagnetic fluctuations during investigations.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

• The building is not open for public access, and trespassing is prohibited. Security patrols the premises to prevent unauthorized entry.
• Due to its history of violence, it is recommended to exercise caution when exploring the surrounding Skid Row area at night.