Missouri Life October 2023

STORY Lisa Waterman Gray

These hotels combine hospitality with haunts.

They manifest as murmurs that beckon from empty parlors, footsteps that approach but never arrive, and shadows that pass through walls. The tantalizing possibility that ghosts are real has long fascinated brave searchers as they navigate the hallways of historic buildings. For hotels and B&Bs across the country, resident ghosts have proven to be good for business. In Missouri, multiple historic hotels and B&Bs deliver ghostly encounters along with terrific accommodations. A reservation at one of these properties may come with a disembodied voice, a haunting tune from an unseen piano, or an unexpected whiff of cologne. Gracious hosts at these properties promise a warm welcome and plentiful amenities, and if a ghost happens to float by, it will be a thrilling bonus to an already memorable getaway.

The Lemp Mansion Restaurant & Inn, 21c Museum Hotel Kansas City, and The Elms Hotel & Spa have all found a successful formula by combining fine accommodations with a touch of spooky lore.

THE LEMP MANSION, THE ELMS HOTEL & SPA, 21C MUSEUM HOTEL

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