Hotel Monte Vista – Haunted Hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona
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Full Address: 100 N San Francisco St, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, United States
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The Hotel Monte Vista has been a cornerstone of downtown Flagstaff since 1927, offering elegance and history to travelers passing through northern Arizona. But beneath its vintage charm lies a darker reputation—this historic hotel is considered one of the most haunted places in the state, with dozens of ghost sightings reported over the decades.
Historical Background
Year Built: 1927
Original Purpose: Luxury hotel catering to Route 66 travelers and Hollywood stars filming Westerns in the area
Significant Events: The hotel has witnessed multiple deaths over its nearly century-long history, including murders, suicides, and unexplained fatalities. One of the most chilling incidents involved a bellboy who was murdered in the basement during a robbery in the 1940s, and another tragic death occurred when a woman allegedly threw her children out of a third-floor window before taking her own life.
Paranormal Activity Summary
Guests and staff report an unsettling array of supernatural occurrences throughout the hotel, from phantom music and disembodied voices to objects moving on their own. Cold spots appear without explanation, doors lock and unlock themselves, and the eerie sounds of children’s laughter echo through empty hallways late at night.
The most common experiences include TV sets turning on by themselves, mysterious knocking on doors with no one there, and the overwhelming sensation of being watched. Many visitors report feeling invisible hands touching them or tugging at their clothing, particularly in certain rooms and hallways.
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Ghost Stories & Reports
The hotel’s most famous ghost is the bellboy who was murdered in the basement—staff and guests report seeing his apparition still wandering the lower levels, perhaps still working his eternal shift. Room 305 is haunted by a friendly female spirit who reportedly tucks male guests into bed at night, while Room 210 is home to a less welcoming presence that throws guests’ belongings around.
The spirits of the two children allegedly thrown from the third-floor window are said to haunt the hallways, and their ghostly laughter can be heard echoing through the building. Other reported entities include a mysterious woman in 1920s attire who roams the halls, a phantom bar patron who still enjoys his drinks long after closing time, and an elderly man who knocks on doors asking for help but vanishes when the door opens.
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Most Haunted Spot Inside
Room 210 is widely considered the most actively haunted room in the hotel, where a prostitute was allegedly murdered decades ago. Guests report violent paranormal activity including items being thrown across the room, aggressive tugging of blankets, and an oppressive feeling of dread that drives many to request room changes in the middle of the night.
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Can You Visit?
Open to the Public? Yes—it’s a fully operating hotel where you can book a room for the night
Entry Fee: Standard hotel room rates (approximately $80-150 per night depending on season)
Tour Availability: The hotel occasionally offers ghost tours and Halloween events; contact the front desk for current schedules
Photography Allowed? Yes, guests are welcome to document their paranormal experiences
Visiting Hours: The hotel operates 24/7, but you’ll need to be a guest to access most areas beyond the lobby and bar
Best Time to Visit
Paranormal activity seems most intense during the late-night hours between midnight and 3 AM, particularly in the winter months. October is especially popular for ghost enthusiasts, as the hotel embraces its haunted reputation during Halloween season with special events and tours.
First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports
Countless guests have shared their experiences online and with paranormal investigation groups, with some claiming they left in the middle of the night, too terrified to stay. One recent visitor reported waking to find a woman in vintage clothing standing at the foot of their bed, only to have her vanish when they turned on the light.
Staff members have their own collection of stories, including a housekeeper who refuses to clean certain rooms alone after repeatedly hearing children’s voices when the rooms were empty. The hotel’s bar staff report glasses sliding off shelves on their own and the jukebox playing music when it’s unplugged.
Paranormal Investigations & Findings
The Hotel Monte Vista has been featured on numerous paranormal investigation shows and has attracted ghost hunters from around the world. These teams have captured unexplained EVP (electronic voice phenomena) recordings, anomalous electromagnetic field readings, and compelling photographic evidence of shadowy figures.
Professional paranormal investigators have confirmed multiple active spirits in the building and consider it one of Arizona’s most genuinely haunted locations. The hotel management has embraced this reputation, keeping records of guest experiences and welcoming serious investigators who wish to spend the night.
Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions
The basement area where the bellboy was murdered is off-limits to guests due to safety concerns and is only accessible to staff. While the hotel welcomes ghost enthusiasts, management asks that guests remain respectful and avoid disturbing other visitors with late-night paranormal investigations in public areas.