Just in time for Halloween, Trivago takes us on a haunting journey of the famous hotels where horror films were brought to life
While most of us think of hotels as relaxing places to unwind and get away from it all, many have inspired ghost stories, myths and urban legends that persist to this day. Perhaps it’s for this reason that hotels have been used as the setting for some of the most famous – or infamous – horror films of the last few decades.
1. The Timberline Lodge, Oregon, USA
The Overlook Hotel in The Shining (1980)
One of the most famous and most chilling pieces of fiction set in a hotel is Stephen King’s The Shining. When it was brought to life in Stanley Kubrik’s 1980 film, The Timberline Lodge was the perfect fit – the hotel’s beautiful mountainous setting and remote location were key for capturing the isolation of the fictional Overlook Hotel in the film’s first scenes. During filming, the Timberline Lodge requested that Kubrik not refer to room 217 in the film, for fear that guests would not wish to stay there. Ironically, the room is now the most requested in the hotel.
Making the most of its rugged location, the Timberline Lodge has a rustic décor, with stone and wooden features throughout. Many of the guest rooms even include an authentic wood-burning fireplace.
Rooms available from USD138: www.trivago.co.uk/mount-hood-70021/hotel/timberline-lodge-382396
2. The Roosevelt Hotel – New York, USA
The Dolphin Hotel 1408 (2007)
In the psychological horror 1408, John Cusack plays a sceptical paranormal investigator who agrees to spend one night in the reportedly haunted room 1408 at the Dolphin Hotel. Once inside, a number of bizarre experiences occur preventing him from exiting the room, which outsiders believe did not even exist in the first place.
In the film, the impressive façade of the Roosevelt Hotel is used as the fictional Dolphin Hotel. First opened in 1924, the hotel is a Manhattan icon, boasting beautiful interiors and grand period features from the golden Jazz age. As a result, the Roosevelt has been used in a number of feature films.
Rooms available from USD181: www.trivago.co.uk/new-york-city-34812/hotel/the-roosevelt-8809
3. The Oakley Court – Windsor, UK
Dr. Frank N Furter’s Castle in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Despite countless appearances in TV and film productions over the years, the grand Oakley Court in Berkshire is still best known as the castle of Dr. Frank N Furter in the cult-classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show. In the musical comedy-horror, the Gothic country house welcomes all-American couple Brad and Janet, who both undergo a dramatic transformation at the hands of the eccentric Dr. Frank N Furter.
Today, the historic building is popular among guests for both its impressive interiors and scenic grounds on the River Thames.
Rooms available from USD208: www.trivago.co.uk/windsor-39897/hotel/the-oakley-court-18790
4. Salish Lodge & Spa – Snoqualmie, USA
The Great Northern Hotel in Twin Peaks (1990)
Located next to the impressive Snoqualmie Falls in the state of Washington, the Salish Lodge & Spa is most recognisable as the Great Northern Hotel in the cult murder-mystery classic Twin Peaks, which is set to return to TV screens in 2016. In the series, the hotel welcomes FBI inspector Dale Cooper who attempts to solve the murder of a local prom queen.
The Salish Lodge & Spa boasts a full-service spa in addition to two award-winning restaurants. Just 30 minutes from Seattle, the hotel is a great indulgent country getaway – perfect for escaping the big city.
Rooms available from USD219: www.trivago.co.uk/snoqualmie-71331/hotel/salish-lodge—spa-63887
5. Headland Hotel – Newquay, UK
Excelsior Hotel in The Witches (1990)
The impressive Headland Hotel in Newquay was used extensively in the film adaptation for Roald Dahl’s The Witches. In the film, the hotel unknowingly plays host to the yearly gathering of England’s witches, led by the terrifying Grand High Witch who plots to destroy England’s children. Luke Evehim and his grandmother Helga plan to stop the witches by turning them into mice.
Today, the luxury Headland Hotel offers beautiful views of the Cornish coast. Home to Cornwall’s only ‘five bubble’-rated spa, the beautifully-furnished four star hotel combines elegance with indulgence.
Rooms available from USD144: www.trivago.co.uk/newquay-40587/hotel/the-headland-spa-19529
