Foley House Inn – Haunted Inn in Savannah, Georgia

The Foley House Inn is an elegant Victorian mansion where tragedy and mystery have created one of Savannah’s most actively haunted bed and breakfasts, complete with a gentleman ghost who died under suspicious circumstances and never checked out. Built in 1896, this charming inn on Chippewa Square has been the site of unexplained deaths, including a man who allegedly died in Room 214 under mysterious circumstances, and his restless spirit continues to make his presence known to guests who dare to sleep where he took his final breath.

Historical Background

Year Built: 1896

Original Purpose: Private townhouse that later became a boarding house before its transformation into an inn

Significant Events: The inn’s most infamous story involves a guest who died in Room 214 in the early 1900s under circumstances that were never fully explained—some accounts suggest suicide, while others hint at foul play or a sudden illness that took his life before help could arrive. The building served various purposes throughout the 20th century, and multiple deaths from natural and unnatural causes have occurred within its walls, creating layers of paranormal activity that range from playful to genuinely unsettling.

Paranormal Activity Summary

Room 214 is the epicenter of supernatural encounters, where guests report waking to find a man standing at the foot of their bed or sitting in the room’s chair, watching them with sad, hollow eyes before vanishing when the lights are turned on. The overwhelming scent of cigar smoke fills certain rooms despite the inn being completely smoke-free, and this phantom tobacco smell appears suddenly and disappears just as quickly, often accompanied by temperature drops.

Doors throughout the inn open and close on their own with enough force to wake sleeping guests, and the sounds of footsteps pacing back and forth are heard above guest rooms when the floors above are completely unoccupied. Objects move mysteriously—glasses of water placed on nightstands are found moved to different locations, personal belongings disappear and reappear in impossible places, and some guests report their luggage being unpacked or rearranged by invisible hands.

Ghost Stories & Reports

The primary spirit is believed to be the man who died in Room 214, described by witnesses as wearing early 20th-century clothing and appearing deeply troubled or depressed—his apparition is seen most frequently in his room but has been spotted wandering other floors as if searching for something he lost. Guests in Room 214 report feeling an oppressive sadness wash over them, sudden bouts of unexplained depression, and some have experienced vivid nightmares about a man in distress calling for help that never comes.

A female spirit, possibly a former resident or inn employee from decades past, has been seen on the main staircase and in the hallways, appearing as a woman in Victorian-era dress who seems to be going about her daily routines—she’s described as a benign presence who occasionally nods at guests before fading away. Some visitors report hearing a woman’s voice humming old-fashioned melodies or singing softly, creating an eerie but oddly comforting atmosphere.

The ghost of a young child has been reported playing in the common areas and hallways, with guests hearing laughter and small running footsteps when no children are present in the inn. This child spirit seems playful rather than frightening, though some guests have reported toys or small objects being moved as if by invisible hands, and a few have seen a small figure darting around corners.

Staff members report sensing multiple presences throughout the building, with certain rooms and hallways having distinctly different “feelings”—some areas are cold and unwelcoming while others feel warm despite the paranormal activity. The sound of a party or gathering—conversation, laughter, glasses clinking—sometimes echoes through the building late at night when all guests are accounted for and in their rooms, as if the inn is hosting phantom visitors from another era.

Most Haunted Spot Inside

Room 214 is unquestionably the most intensely haunted location in the inn, where the gentleman ghost makes his presence known with startling consistency—many guests specifically request this room hoping for a supernatural encounter, while others demand to be moved after experiencing his unsettling presence. The room’s energy is described as heavy and melancholic, and sensitive visitors report feeling overwhelming sadness, anxiety, or the sensation of being watched constantly, even when completely alone with the door locked.

Can You Visit?

Open to the Public? Yes—it operates as a luxury bed and breakfast inn where guests can book overnight stays

Entry Fee: Room rates vary by season and room type (approximately $200-$400+ per night); Room 214 often books far in advance due to its haunted reputation

Tour Availability: The Foley House Inn is included as a stop on many Savannah ghost tours, which share stories from outside the building; guests staying at the inn receive information about the haunting and are encouraged to explore. The inn is generally welcoming to paranormal enthusiasts and the staff is happy to share experiences.

Photography Allowed? Yes, for guests in their rooms and common areas

Visiting Hours: The inn operates 24/7 for registered guests; non-guests can view the exterior from Chippewa Square anytime

Best Time to Visit

Paranormal activity is reported consistently throughout the year, with the gentleman ghost in Room 214 being particularly active between 2:00 AM and 4:00 AM when guests report the most intense encounters and sightings. Fall and winter months seem to bring slightly increased activity, though guests have documented supernatural experiences during every season—the ghost apparently maintains a year-round presence in his former room.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

A couple staying in Room 214 in 2018 reported waking simultaneously at 3:00 AM to see a man in dark clothing standing at the foot of their bed, staring at them intently—the husband turned on the bedside lamp and the figure vanished instantly, but both witnesses described him identically down to his sad expression and outdated clothing. A solo traveler in 2019 posted online about spending the night in Room 214 and feeling someone sit down on the edge of her bed around 2:30 AM, creating a clear indentation in the mattress that she could see and feel, though no one was visible.

A businessman staying in 2020 captured a photograph in Room 214 that shows a misty, human-shaped figure standing near the window that wasn’t visible when he took the picture—the image went viral on social media and brought increased attention to the inn’s haunting. Inn staff members have countless experiences to share, including a housekeeper who reported in 2021 that she cleaned Room 214, left for ten minutes, and returned to find the bed completely unmade again as if someone had been lying in it.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

While the Foley House Inn doesn’t typically host formal overnight investigations due to its operation as a functioning inn, paranormal enthusiast guests have documented significant evidence over the years. Investigators staying as guests have recorded EVPs in Room 214, including a male voice saying “I didn’t mean to” and what sounds like someone sighing deeply or crying softly.

Thermal imaging cameras used discreetly by guests have detected human-shaped cold spots in Room 214 that move around the space, particularly near the bed and window where sightings most frequently occur. EMF detectors show dramatic spikes in the room with no electrical sources nearby to explain the readings, and these spikes often occur in response to questions asked aloud, suggesting intelligent interaction.

Full-spectrum cameras have captured unusual photographic anomalies throughout the inn, including shadow figures, unexplained mists, and orbs that move with purpose rather than floating randomly. One particularly compelling piece of evidence is a video taken by a guest in 2019 showing the doorknob of Room 214 turning slowly from the inside, followed by the door opening several inches, despite the room being occupied by only one person who was filming from the bed.

Local Legends & Myths

The most persistent legend about the gentleman ghost involves the mystery of his death—some versions claim he took his own life in Room 214 after receiving devastating news, perhaps financial ruin or the loss of a loved one, and his spirit remains trapped in the moment of his deepest despair. Other versions suggest he was murdered by a jealous rival or business partner, and his confused spirit doesn’t realize he’s dead and continues to wait for someone or something that will never arrive.

Another popular tale claims the man died suddenly of a heart attack or stroke in the room and his last thoughts were of unfinished business, creating an energetic imprint that keeps him bound to the location. Some psychics who’ve visited believe he’s not trapped but chooses to remain because Room 214 was the last place he felt peace before his death, making the haunting a voluntary act of attachment rather than a curse.

Local storytellers say that guests who speak kindly to the gentleman ghost and acknowledge his presence experience gentler encounters—some claim he’s lonely and appreciates company, while others believe he’s trying to communicate something important about his death but lacks the energy to manifest fully. A touching legend suggests that on the anniversary of his death, the ghost becomes fully visible and solid for a brief moment, though the exact date remains unknown and disputed among paranormal enthusiasts.

Stories persist that the man was waiting for someone—a lover, a business associate, or a family member—who never came, and his spirit continues this eternal vigil hoping that person will finally arrive. Some believe that if the right person stays in Room 214, someone who matches the description or energy of whoever he was waiting for, his spirit will finally be able to communicate his message and potentially move on.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

While the Foley House Inn’s haunting is generally considered more melancholic than dangerous, guests staying in Room 214 should be aware that the intense emotional energy can affect sensitive individuals—some people report feeling severely depressed or anxious during their stay. The inn’s staff is understanding about room changes if guests find the paranormal activity too intense or disturbing for comfort.

Guests with existing depression, anxiety disorders, or who are dealing with grief should carefully consider whether staying in the most haunted room is advisable, as the gentleman ghost’s sad energy can amplify negative emotions. The inn asks that paranormal enthusiast guests conduct their investigations respectfully and quietly to avoid disturbing other guests who may not be seeking supernatural encounters.

Cursed or Haunted Objects

An antique chair in Room 214 is said to be the gentleman ghost’s favorite spot—guests report finding the chair moved from its original position in the morning despite placing it carefully before bed, and some claim to see an indentation in the cushion as if someone invisible is sitting in it. Psychics who’ve visited suggest this chair may have belonged to the man who died and serves as an anchor point for his spirit.

A particular mirror in the room allegedly shows the gentleman ghost’s reflection when guests aren’t looking directly at it—several visitors claim to see a man’s face in the mirror from their peripheral vision, only to find nothing there when they turn to look directly. An antique photograph frame in the room is said to have belonged to the deceased man, and some guests report the glass inside the frame fogs up inexplicably, as if someone is breathing on it from the other side.

The original floorboards in Room 214 creak in specific patterns that sound like pacing footsteps even when no one is walking—staff members can identify these particular sounds and know when the ghost is active without even entering the room. Some guests have reported that objects they bring into Room 214 seem to take on a temporary paranormal charge, with items like watches stopping at specific times or personal electronics malfunctioning in ways they never did before or after their stay.