San Carlos Hotel – Haunted Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona

Standing proudly in the heart of downtown Phoenix since 1928, the San Carlos Hotel was once the tallest building in the city and the epitome of Jazz Age glamour and sophistication. Behind its elegant Italian Renaissance Revival façade and storied history of hosting celebrities like Mae West and Marilyn Monroe, the hotel harbors a dark secret—it’s the site of one of Phoenix’s most tragic deaths, and the victim has never left.

Historical Background

Year Built: 1928

Original Purpose: Luxury hotel designed as Phoenix’s premier accommodation, featuring the city’s first elevator and air conditioning system

Significant Events: The hotel’s most infamous tragedy occurred in May 1928, just months after opening, when a young woman named Leone Jensen checked into Room 720 on the seventh floor. Heartbroken over a failed relationship, the 22-year-old reportedly climbed onto the roof and jumped to her death, landing on the Palm Room patio below—her suicide haunted the hotel’s reputation for decades and her restless spirit is said to remain trapped in the building where she died.

Paranormal Activity Summary

The San Carlos experiences intense paranormal activity concentrated primarily on the upper floors, particularly the third and seventh floors where Leone Jensen’s presence is most strongly felt. Guests report the overwhelming sensation of profound sadness washing over them unexpectedly, sometimes bringing visitors to tears without understanding why.

The most common phenomena include phantom footsteps pacing back and forth in empty hallways, the sound of a woman crying softly behind closed doors, and elevator malfunctions—particularly the elevator stopping on the seventh floor unprompted and opening to reveal an empty hallway. Cold spots appear without explanation, often accompanied by the scent of vintage perfume, and guests report feeling watched by an unseen presence.

Electronic devices behave erratically throughout the hotel, with phones ringing with no one on the line, TVs turning on to static in the middle of the night, and alarm clocks resetting themselves. Several guests have reported their belongings being moved or hidden, only to reappear in obvious places later, as if someone is trying to get their attention.

Ghost Stories & Reports

Leone Jensen is the hotel’s primary spirit, and her apparition has been seen throughout the building but especially on the seventh floor near Room 720 and on the rooftop where she allegedly jumped. Witnesses describe seeing a young woman in 1920s-era clothing—typically a light-colored dress or nightgown—who appears solid and real before vanishing when approached or when witnesses look away and back.

The most chilling encounters occur when guests see Leone standing at windows or on balconies, staring down at the street below as if contemplating the jump all over again. Staff members have reported seeing her reflection in mirrors and windows when no one is actually there, and some guests have photographed a misty female figure in locations where they saw nothing with their naked eyes.

Room 720, where Leone stayed before her death, experiences particularly strong activity with guests reporting the sensation of someone sitting on their bed, indentations appearing in mattresses as if an invisible person is lying down, and the overwhelming feeling of despair. Some visitors report hearing a woman’s voice whispering or humming old 1920s songs, and others claim to hear footsteps walking from the room to the stairwell that leads to the roof.

The hotel’s basement and underground tunnels, part of Phoenix’s historic prohibition-era network, are home to darker, more aggressive entities according to staff who work in those areas. Employees report feeling pushed, having tools go missing, and experiencing an oppressive atmosphere that makes them reluctant to work alone—some believe these spirits are connected to the hotel’s speakeasy past and potential violence from that era.

The third floor is haunted by what witnesses describe as a playful presence, possibly a child, who seems to enjoy hiding guests’ belongings and playing with light switches. Unlike Leone’s sorrowful energy, this entity feels mischievous rather than malevolent, though some guests find the activity unsettling regardless of intent.

Most Haunted Spot Inside

The seventh floor, particularly the hallway leading to where Room 720 was located (room numbers have been changed over the years), is considered the most intensely haunted area in the hotel. The rooftop access stairwell where Leone allegedly walked to her death emanates an overwhelming sense of sadness and dread that causes many visitors to flee before reaching the top, and several guests have reported feeling an invisible force trying to push them as if warning them away—or attempting to send them over the edge.

Can You Visit?

Open to the Public? Yes—it operates as a boutique hotel after extensive renovation and restoration

Entry Fee: Hotel room rates range from approximately $99-$199 per night depending on room type and season

Tour Availability: The hotel occasionally offers historical tours; private ghost tours can sometimes be arranged for groups by contacting management in advance

Photography Allowed? Yes, guests are welcome to photograph the historic architecture and document experiences

Visiting Hours: Hotel operates 24/7 for guests; the lobby is open to the public, though access to upper floors requires being a registered guest

Best Time to Visit

Paranormal investigators report that activity peaks during the overnight hours, particularly between 2 AM and 4 AM when the building is quietest. May—the anniversary month of Leone Jensen’s death—sees increased reports of activity according to long-term staff members, with some believing her spirit becomes more restless as the anniversary approaches.

The seventh floor rooms are frequently requested by paranormal enthusiasts and often book up months in advance, especially during October when ghost tourism peaks. Winter months (November-February) offer a quieter experience with fewer tourists, potentially creating better conditions for paranormal encounters.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

The hotel has accumulated decades of documented paranormal experiences, with guest testimonials spanning from the 1930s to present day describing remarkably consistent encounters. One recent visitor reported waking at 3 AM to see a translucent woman in a white nightgown standing at the window of their seventh-floor room, staring out at the street below—when the guest called out, the figure turned to reveal a face twisted in anguish before disappearing.

A skeptical business traveler reported feeling someone sit down heavily on the bed beside him in the middle of the night, creating a visible indentation in the mattress, yet when he turned on the lights he was completely alone. Hotel staff members speak openly about their experiences, with housekeepers reporting that certain rooms resist being cleaned—vacuum cleaners suddenly lose power, freshly made beds are found disheveled minutes later, and the overwhelming sensation of being watched makes them uncomfortable working alone.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

The San Carlos has been investigated by numerous paranormal research teams including appearances on Ghost Adventures and other regional programs, with investigators capturing compelling evidence of activity. Teams have recorded clear EVP responses including a female voice saying “help me” and “so sad,” and thermal imaging cameras have detected human-shaped cold spots moving through empty hallways.

Professional investigators have documented intelligent responses to questions, with electromagnetic field meters spiking dramatically when researchers ask about Leone Jensen. One team captured audio of what sounds like a woman’s scream followed by a heavy impact, occurring in the area where Leone’s body would have landed—this recording was made at 3 AM when the hotel was otherwise completely silent.

Local Legends & Myths

The most persistent legend claims that Leone Jensen’s spirit is trapped in the hotel, eternally reliving the moments before her death and unable to move on because of the traumatic nature of her suicide. Some versions of the story suggest she’s searching for the lover who abandoned her, while others claim she’s trying to warn guests away from the windows and roof, not wanting others to suffer her fate.

Local ghost hunters believe that seeing Leone’s full apparition is an omen of impending heartbreak or emotional turmoil in the witness’s own life. Several people claim to have seen her spirit days before experiencing their own romantic breakups or personal tragedies, though skeptics dismiss this as confirmation bias and coincidence.

Another legend warns that taking photographs on the seventh floor or rooftop may capture Leone’s image, and some believe that if her face appears clearly in your photo, she’s reaching out for help from beyond. A few paranormal enthusiasts claim that speaking kindly to Leone and acknowledging her pain can result in peaceful encounters, while mocking her or being disrespectful triggers violent activity including objects being thrown and guests being pushed.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

The hotel’s rooftop is strictly off-limits to guests due to safety concerns and the tragic history associated with the location—trespassing on the roof can result in removal from the property and potential legal consequences. Management takes this restriction seriously out of respect for Leone Jensen’s memory and to prevent any similar tragedies.

The hotel’s original elevator, while charming and historic, can be temperamental and has occasionally trapped guests between floors—if this happens, use the emergency call button and remain calm. Some guests report feeling claustrophobic or anxious in the old elevator, particularly when it stops unprompted on the seventh floor, though this may be mechanical rather than paranormal.

The basement areas and underground tunnels are restricted to staff only due to structural concerns and potential hazards. Guests who experience overwhelming sadness, panic attacks, or disturbing thoughts while staying at the hotel should not hesitate to request a room change—management is understanding about the building’s haunted reputation and will accommodate such requests when possible.