The Inlet Tower Hotel – Haunted Hotel in Anchorage, Alaska

The Inlet Tower Hotel stands as one of downtown Anchorage’s most iconic landmarks. This aging structure has witnessed decades of Alaska’s tumultuous history and harbors secrets darker than the long winter nights.

Guests and staff report unexplained phenomena throughout the building’s fifteen floors. Cold spots manifest in empty hallways while disembodied voices echo through vacant rooms at midnight.

The hotel’s troubled past includes multiple unexplained deaths and tragic accidents over the years. Many believe the souls of those who died here never truly checked out.

Paranormal investigators have documented unusual electromagnetic readings throughout the property. The tower has become a magnet for ghost hunters seeking evidence of the afterlife.

Historical Background

Construction on the Inlet Tower Hotel began in 1952 during Anchorage’s post-war expansion. The building was completed in 1953 as a luxury accommodation for business travelers and tourists.

The hotel originally featured 180 guest rooms spread across its distinctive tower design. It quickly became a hub for oil executives and politicians conducting Alaska business.

A devastating fire broke out on the seventh floor in March 1964, just weeks before the Good Friday earthquake. Three guests perished in the blaze, including a young mother named Margaret Donnelly and her two children.

The massive 9.2 magnitude earthquake struck on March 27, 1964, causing severe structural damage. Hotel maintenance worker Robert “Bobby” Chen fell to his death in the elevator shaft during the disaster.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the hotel struggled financially and changed ownership several times. During this period, multiple suicides occurred on the upper floors, though exact numbers remain disputed.

A particularly tragic incident occurred in Room 1147 on February 14, 1979. Businessman Gerald Patterson shot himself after losing everything in a failed business venture.

The hotel underwent major renovations in 1995, but workers reported disturbing occurrences during construction. Several crew members refused to work night shifts after experiencing unexplained phenomena.

Paranormal Activity Summary

Guests most commonly report sudden temperature drops in specific rooms and hallways. These cold spots appear without warning and often move through walls.

Elevators frequently malfunction, stopping at the seventh floor despite no one pressing the button. Passengers describe feeling an overwhelming sense of dread when doors open to that level.

Room 1147 experiences the highest volume of supernatural reports from overnight guests. Objects move independently, lights flicker, and the bathroom faucet turns on by itself.

Shadow figures appear in peripheral vision throughout the building, particularly near the stairwells. These dark forms reportedly move with purpose and seem to follow certain guests.

Disembodied footsteps echo through empty corridors during the early morning hours between 2 and 4 AM. Security guards conducting rounds have documented these sounds on multiple occasions.

The scent of smoke occasionally fills seventh-floor hallways despite no apparent source. This phenomenon intensifies during March, coinciding with the anniversary of the 1964 fire.

Electronic devices malfunction regularly throughout the property, draining batteries and recording strange audio anomalies. Guests report their phones capturing EVPs without their knowledge.

Ghost Stories & Reports

Margaret Donnelly, the young mother who died in the 1964 fire, is seen most frequently. Witnesses describe a woman in a blue nightgown frantically searching the seventh floor.

She appears disoriented and distressed, calling out names that staff believe are her children. When approached, Margaret vanishes like smoke dissipating in the wind.

Room 714, where Margaret and her family perished, experiences intense paranormal activity. Guests report hearing children laughing and toys rolling across the floor.

One couple from Seattle checked out at 3 AM after watching a ball bounce repeatedly. They insisted they heard a child’s voice saying “play with me” before fleeing.

Bobby Chen, the maintenance worker who died during the earthquake, haunts the basement and elevator shafts. He appears as a solid figure wearing his blue work uniform and tool belt.

Multiple employees have encountered Bobby near the old elevator machinery in the sub-basement. He typically stands motionless, staring at the spot where he fell to his death.

Security guard Thomas Reeves filed an official report in 2008 about his encounter with Bobby. He described the apparition turning to face him before disappearing into the elevator shaft.

Gerald Patterson’s spirit remains trapped in Room 1147, reliving his final moments. Guests report hearing a man sobbing and the distinctive sound of a gunshot.

The room’s bathroom mirror frequently fogs up with a message that reads “I’m sorry.” Housekeeping staff refuse to clean this room alone after dark.

A honeymooning couple in 2015 recorded video showing the bedside lamp turning on and off. The footage also captured a male voice saying “get out” in the background.

An unidentified elderly woman appears in the lobby, dressed in 1950s-era clothing. She approaches the front desk asking about her room before fading from view.

Front desk staff have witnessed this apparition at least two dozen times since 2000. She always asks for Room 312 and becomes agitated when told it’s occupied.

Research revealed a woman named Ethel Kimura died of a heart attack in Room 312 in 1958. Hotel records confirm she was a long-term resident living at the property for three years.

Most Haunted Spot

Room 1147 holds the distinction as the hotel’s most actively haunted location. Gerald Patterson’s violent suicide in 1979 left an indelible supernatural imprint on the space.

The room maintains a constant temperature several degrees colder than surrounding rooms. Maintenance has inspected the HVAC system repeatedly but found no mechanical explanation.

Guests frequently request room changes after a single night in 1147. Common complaints include nightmares, feelings of despair, and the sensation of being watched.

Paranormal investigation teams have recorded the highest EMF readings in this room’s bathroom. Several have captured photographic anomalies showing unexplained mists and orbs.

The seventh-floor hallway between Rooms 710 and 720 runs a close second. Margaret Donnelly’s apparition manifests most frequently in this specific corridor.

The elevator shaft and sub-basement where Bobby Chen died complete the trilogy of hotspots. Employees avoid these areas whenever possible, especially during graveyard shifts.

Can You Visit?

The Inlet Tower Hotel remains fully operational and open to the public. Standard room rates range from $89 to $179 per night depending on season.

The hotel does not officially advertise its haunted reputation or offer ghost tours. Management prefers to downplay paranormal reports to avoid alarming potential guests.

Room 1147 can be booked like any other room, though staff won’t volunteer information about its history. Brave guests must specifically request this room by number.

Photography is allowed throughout public areas and within your booked room. The hotel asks that guests respect other visitors’ privacy when taking photos.

The lobby, hallways, and common areas remain accessible 24 hours daily. Check-in time begins at 3 PM, and checkout is at 11 AM.

Independent paranormal investigation groups can request permission to investigate after hours. These requests must be submitted in writing to hotel management at least 30 days in advance.

Best Time to Visit

Paranormal activity intensifies during March, particularly around the 27th anniversary of the 1964 earthquake. Staff report increased supernatural incidents throughout this entire month.

The overnight hours between 2 AM and 4 AM produce the most consistent ghostly encounters. This timeframe aligns with traditional paranormal peak activity periods.

Winter months from November through February see higher report frequencies than summer. The long darkness may contribute to increased spiritual energy manifestation.

Valentine’s Day holds special significance due to Gerald Patterson’s suicide on February 14, 1979. Room 1147 experiences heightened activity on this date annually.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

Travel blogger Amanda Chen documented her 2017 stay in Room 1147 on her website. She recorded video showing the bathroom door slamming shut violently without any draft.

Her blog post went viral after viewers enhanced the audio and claimed to hear a man’s voice. The enhanced recording allegedly says “leave me alone” in a desperate tone.

Former front desk manager Patricia Rodriguez worked at the hotel from 1998 to 2010. She testified to seeing Margaret Donnelly’s apparition on seven separate occasions during night shifts.

Rodriguez described the ghost as “heartbreakingly real” and “obviously in anguish searching for something.” She quit her position after the encounters became too emotionally disturbing.

Maintenance supervisor James Kowalski shared his Bobby Chen encounter with the Anchorage Daily News. He stated the apparition looked “as solid as you or me” before vanishing.

Kowalski passed a polygraph test when questioned about his experience in 2011. He maintains he was completely sober and of sound mind during the encounter.

A Japanese tour group staying on the seventh floor in 2013 collectively witnessed a woman in blue. All sixteen members submitted written statements describing the same apparition in identical detail.

The tour guide translated their accounts, which matched Margaret Donnelly’s description perfectly. None of the tourists had prior knowledge of the hotel’s haunted history.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

Alaska Paranormal Investigations conducted a full building sweep in October 2009. The team recorded over 40 EVPs throughout the property during their three-night investigation.

Their most compelling evidence came from Room 1147’s bathroom where they recorded a voice saying “help me.” The audio analysis confirmed it was an adult male voice with unusual frequency patterns.

The investigation team also documented unexplained electromagnetic field spikes in the seventh-floor corridor. These readings occurred in a pattern that moved down the hallway.

Cameras set up in the sub-basement captured a shadowy figure moving past the elevator shaft. Frame-by-frame analysis showed the figure wore what appeared to be a work uniform.

A regional paranormal research group featured the hotel in their 2016 documentary series. Their thermal imaging cameras recorded cold spots moving intelligently through empty rooms.

The documentary showed Room 1147’s temperature dropping 18 degrees in under two minutes. Environmental controls were monitored and ruled out as the cause.

Local Legends & Myths

Local folklore suggests the hotel was built on ground sacred to indigenous peoples. Some claim the location was historically used as a burial site before development.

This legend remains unverified, but several Dena’ina elders have expressed concerns about the property. They describe the area as having “troubled energy” that predates the hotel’s construction.

Urban legends circulate among Anchorage residents about a “suicide floor” in the building. Stories claim that thirteen people have taken their lives in the hotel since opening.

While management denies this specific number, public records confirm at least six documented suicides. The actual count may be higher due to privacy protections and record-keeping gaps.

A persistent rumor suggests Room 1147 cannot be photographed properly due to supernatural interference. Dozens of guests report their photos from this room appearing blurred or distorted.

This phenomenon extends to smartphone cameras, professional equipment, and even disposable cameras. Experts cannot explain why this specific room produces consistent photographic anomalies.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

The hotel’s elevator system remains structurally sound but experiences frequent unexplained malfunctions. Guests should use stairs if they feel uncomfortable in the elevators.

Access to the sub-basement requires hotel staff supervision due to safety regulations. Unauthorized entry into maintenance areas violates trespassing laws and risks physical injury.

Guests experiencing psychological distress from paranormal encounters should contact front desk immediately. The hotel maintains relationships with local mental health crisis counselors.

Photography in guest room hallways should respect other visitors’ privacy and quiet hours. Taking photos of other guests without permission may violate Alaska privacy statutes.