Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Many people believe in life after death, paranormal activity and psychic phenomena. While countless buildings throughout the state of New Jersey claim to house spirits, there are only a handful where the curious can get up close and personal with the ghostly apparitions. The easiest route to encountering these ethereal entities may be booking a room at one of New Jersey's celebrated haunted hotels.
The Queen's Hotel is located in the New Jersey town boasting the highest concentration of haunted hotels -- the historic city of Cape May. The hotel originally was constructed in 1876 to house Ware's Drug Store. After the Cape May fire of 1878, the damaged building was repaired and enlarged to accommodate the pharmacy, a speakeasy, a gambling club and, on the top floor, a house of ill repute. Today the hotel is reportedly haunted by a prostitute whose entity leaves a strong odor of perfume on the third floor, levitates furnishings and pushes female guests.
The 32 Victorian-style, non-smoking guest rooms and suites feature private bathroom, cable TV, wireless Internet access, premium bedding, mini fridge, hair dryer and iron and ironing board. Upgraded rooms contain a whirlpool tub, and several have a gas fireplace. As of spring 2010, double occupancy rates start at $115 per night.
The Queen's Hotel
601 Columbia Ave.
Cape May, NJ 08204
609-884-1613
queenvictoria.com/houseroyalsbuilding.html
Open April through December, Hotel Macomber is a Shingle-style building built at the turn of the 20th century. It is located across the street from the Cape May Convention Center, the promenade and the beach, and is haunted by not one, but two female apparitions. A former frequent guest of the hotel, an older woman who had formed an attachment to a previous owner's child, is said to haunt room 10. Her presence is more pronounced when children guests are in the room. The TV and lights turn on and off, furnishings move, and unusual sounds are heard. A second ghost, a former kitchen employee who choked to death at the hotel, haunts the walk-in storage room.
Almost all the rooms at Hotel Macomber have ocean views. All have private bathrooms and are furnished with modern decor with white lace canopy over the beds. Rates start as $75 per night as of spring 2010.
Hotel Macomber
727 Beach Avenue
Cape May, NJ 08204
609- 884-3020
hotelmacomber.com/
The Grenville Hotel was built in 1890 in Bay Head and is known for its variety of paranormal activity. Employees have reported sightings of actual ghosts, as well as hearing furniture moving in vacant rooms, inexplicable sensory experiences and children playing in the halls when no one is there.
Standard rooms contain queen bed, cable TV and private bathroom, and upgraded rooms include amenities such as refrigerator, sleeper sofa or trundle bed. Several rooms offer ocean views. As of spring 2010, rates start at $99. Chocolates and champagne are available for an additional $50.
The Grenville Hotel
345 Main Ave.
Bay Head, NJ 08742
732-892-3100
thegrenville.com/index.html