A ‘Haunted’ Hotel in Colorado Is Reopening With an Even Creepier Vibe
Somebody call paranormal investigator Zak Bagans — or, on second thought, maybe don't — because a famous haunted hotel in Colorado just reopened to the public after extensive renovations on May 1.
The Black Monarch originally debuted during the Gold Rush era as a triple-threat casino, saloon and brothel. It's now a newly-renovated boutique hotel (and listed on Colorado's National Register of Historic Places) less than 50 miles southwest of Colorado Springs in the tiny mountain town of Victor.
And according to some firsthand reports from past guests, it's a bit of a hotspot for paranormal sightings.
According to Travel + Leisure, people have experienced "unexplained" phenomena while in the building — such as the sounds of women laughing and men shouting when there was no one to be found.
The property is thought to be haunted by the spirit of a barkeep who allegedly died in a gunfight — and a devastating fire that leveled the building in 1899 is thought to contribute to the downright ghostly vibes. There are also some unconfirmed ties to inventor Nikola Tesla as well (he reportedly wired the hotel's electricity). Either way, there's now an entire room named after him.
Doubling down on the hotel's haunted reputation, new owner Adam Zimmerli and staff decided to add rooms inspired by Elizabeth Bathory and H.H. Holmes — two of the most notorious serial killers in the history books. They've also packed the Black Monarch with "curiosities" such as taxidermy and other creepy trinkets.
Related: The 7 Best Starter Travel Credit Cards of 2019
Hotel guests are encouraged to explore the historic mountain town and also to embrace the hotel's "dark" aesthetic. After all, Zimmerli hopes to one day host live burlesque and circus performances.
Feeling brave? You can book your stay at The Black Monarch Hotel through Airbnb.
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app