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Staying over in one of the following haunted hotels in Texas will keep even the bravest of spirit searchers up at night! Keep reading to learn more about the Lone Star State’s local legends, spooky stories, and creepy characters.
This guide was created by our guest writers, US Ghost Adventures, who know all about gore!
The Driskill Hotel, Austin
In 1886, The Driskill Hotel, one of the most haunted hotels in Texas and a popular stop on this Austin ghost tour, was built by Colonel Jesse Driskill, a significant figure in the cattle industry and a wealthy businessman.
Picture a luxury accommodation with Romanesque architecture and gas lighting, the most opulent of spaces for high society to meet.
A few years later, Driskill’s business was hit hard when a harsh winter killed his cattle; in response to this pressure, Jesse hit the poker table, resulting in him losing his hotel empire, too.
He never fully recovered, dying a poor man in 1890.
However, it is said Driskill returned to the hotel premises after his passing…
He was known to enjoy cigars occasionally as he sat in the lobby of his beloved hotel, and despite being a non-smoking hotel, the faint scent of smoke can sometimes be noted in the lobby!
Guests and staff also claim to see the shadow of a cowboy hat; is it the one worn by the Colonial, a nickname he received during his heyday?
It’s not just Driskill’s spirit that can be felt in this accommodation.
Room 525 is said to be particularly active as two unconnected brides have taken their lives in this room at different times in history.
Guests have reported flickering lights, cold spots, and self-locking doors.
At one point, management even sealed off this room — if you are seeking paranormal activity, you can now book room 525.
Read next: Unique Things to Do in Austin.

The Tremont Hotel, Galveston
The Tremont Hotel in Galveston was built in 1839.
However, its original building was lost to the Great Fire of 1865.
It has housed presidents, superstars, war heroes, and scores of other interesting individuals from all walks of life – some good, some bad.
While there are many known ghost stories in Galveston, the tale of Lucky Man Sam is lesser-known.
Sam stayed at the Tremont often, doing deals by day and then taking advantage of the nightlife on the island.
One night, he wiped the board clean during a game of high-stakes poker, which upset the other players.
An argument ensued in the hotel, which ended up with Sam losing his life and his winnings being stolen.
Today, some say they see Sam’s shadow wearing a vest and bowler hat wandering the hallways.
Similar to the Driskill, guests smell cigar smoke near the staircases.
Old, tarnished lucky coins have been located on pillows and in bathtubs; are the staff playing a sick joke, or does Sam want you to be more fortunate than he was?
I recommend going on a Galveston ghost tour to experience the true spirit of this city.
You may also like: Best Texas Beach Towns.

Emily Morgan Hotel, San Antonio
The Emily Morgan Hotel we know today was renovated in the 1980s; however, it has played home to many businesses, such as a medical arts center with a morgue!
The hotel has had many sightings reported, such as the smell of antiseptic on the 14th floor and women in white (nurses?) wandering the corridors.
There have been so many sightings that Emily Morgan is said to be the third most haunted hotel in the world!
It is located directly across from the city’s most famous landmark, the Alamo, where Mexican forces fought Texans; over 600 people lost their lives, a factor to consider regarding spirits in this area.
San Antonio has many other haunted places that you can visit by taking a San Antonio ghost tour.

Are you brave enough to stay at these hotels? Do you have any sightings to share?
Let us know in the comments!