Courtesy of the Tampa EDITION
Looking for a killer stay this Halloween? From New England to New Orleans, top hotels are hosting lavish multi- course meal with a side of mystery and murder.
After all, luxury hotels provide the perfect backdrop for a murder-mystery evening with their opulent decor, grand rooms, and shadowy corners—bonus points if they are in a former mansion where ghosts still roam the halls.
Below are some of the most exquisite hotels in America hosting murder-mystery dinners or weekend packages that invite guests to immerse themselves in macabre tales of suspense—while enjoying Michelin-starred cuisine and luxurious rooms, of course.
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The Vanderbilt (Newport, R.I.)
Image Credit: Courtesy of the Vanderbilt Lavish celebration in the style of Lady Caroline Astor’s legendary fêtes in the 1800s? Yes, please! The Vanderbilt in Newport, part of the Auberge Hotels Collection, is hosting an evening of mystery and intrigue called Menagerie at the Mansion: Halloween Party. You will already feel like you stepped back in time the moment you enter the beautifully restored hotel, with each of the 33 rooms designed with exquisite old-world detail by Dallas-based firm SWOON. Originally built in 1908 for Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, the property is offering a night with performances from No Ring Circus, an open bar with whimsical cocktails, passed hor d’oeuvres, and unlimited delicacies.
Date: October 25
Rooms from $545 -
Burn Brae Mansion (Catskills, N.Y.)
Image Credit: Courtesy of Burn Brae Mansion You’ll find yourself in a haunted house toasting arguably the greatest (and funniest) ghost of all time just 90 minutes outside Manhattan. The Beetlejuice’s Ghostly Ball: Murder Mystery Dinner will be held at the Burn Brae Mansion, built in 1907. When current owners Mike and Pat Fraysse bought the mansion in 1993 to run a cycling training center, they discovered it was haunted. To capitalize on their spectral success, they reopened the property as a bed-and-breakfast. They run tours of the house and its Attic of Curiosities—including a secret room that was uncovered just a few years ago—filled with stories of the hauntings. There are reports of footsteps, dolls, and toys moving on their own, slamming doors, and visions of a woman in white. The mansion is available for private investigations and will even pair you with a paranormal researcher.
Dates: October 25 and 26
Rooms from $120 -
The Pridwin (Shelter Island, N.Y.)
Image Credit: Courtesy of The Pridwin Not to be confused with the 2010 psychological horror flick Shutter Island, Shelter Island is where old-money elegance meets laid-back charm. Originally built in 1927 and now beautifully restored, the Pridwin Hotel offers its own spooky Murder Mystery Weekend package in partnership with Murder Café this Halloween. The theme will be “Haunted High School Reunion,” and guests are encouraged to come dressed with their best school “spirit.” The weekend package includes overnight accommodations at hotel and its cottages, an “Opening Act” welcome reception in the restaurant on the Friday, dinner for two on Saturday, and breakfast for two on both weekend mornings. Another Cape Resorts property, Congress Hall in Cape May, N.J., is also hosting a Murder Mystery Weekend package with the same theme.
Date: October 25 to 27
Rooms from $713 -
The Tampa Edition
Image Credit: Courtesy of the Tampa EDITION Head to Club Noir at the Tampa Edition for a night of mischief, mystery, and delicious dining. The soiree begins with a cocktail reception in the ambient spaces of the Arts Club, setting the stage for an evening steeped in suspense. Secrets will be unveiled and clues will emerge as dinner progresses, daring you to uncover the truth before dessert is served at the end of the evening. You’re also are encouraged to dress the part with vintage glamour, sharp suits, and a touch of mystery. Of course, masquerade masks are also encouraged.
Date: October 30
Rooms from $392 -
The Tides Beach Club (Kennebunkport, ME)
Image Credit: Tiffany Mizzell Not a murder mystery, but it is a Haunted Halloween Trolley Tour. Why see ghosts in one location when you can see them in multiple and have a drink, too? You can board a trolley and journey into the night to see some of Kennebunkport’s most haunted locations, including some luxe real estate. Driving up the hauntingly stunning coastline (there is a reason so many Stephen King novels are set in Maine) ticket holders may have a little trouble sleeping later that night as they learn about the long history of storms, revolution, and folklore in this part of the East Coast. Enjoy happy hour cocktails from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Tides Beach Club, then hop on the trolley with Maine’s mystery maven as she explores the eerie secrets and ghost stories of York County.
Date: October 24
Rooms from $125 -
Perry Lane Hotel (Savannah, Ga.)
Image Credit: Courtesy of the Perry Lane Hotel The full-length feature film adaptation of the hit musical Wicked is one of the most anticipated movies of the holiday season, and the Perry Lane Hotel in Savannah is ready to celebrate. For a bit more of a family-friendly vibe, the hotel will host a Wicked-themed dinner at Emporium Kitchen, with a six-course menu offering a culinary tribute to the world of witches and wonder. Dress up in your finest ruby slippers and indulge in what is sure to be a magic night.
Date: October 25
Rooms from $511 -
The Roosevelt New Orleans
Image Credit: William James Rust The Roosevelt New Orleans, which opened over 100 years ago, will partner with Killer Theater to present an evening of thrills, chills, and fine dining with Dead of Night at The Roosevelt: A Murder Mystery Dinner. You can partake in a three-course dinner and opt to purchase a wine or Champagne package to pair. Costumes are encouraged to help guests fully immerse themselves in the experience, with a prize going to Best Dressed. In a city so rich with history, this will be a night to remember.
Date: November 2
Rooms from $317 -
Canyon Ranch Wellness Resort (Lenox, Mass.)
Image Credit: Tricia McCormack Photography It’s a little bit after Halloween but that doesn’t mean it’s less fabulous. For the second year, the great Neil Patrick Harris, David Burtka, and chef Dominique Crenn, in partnership with Capital One, are coming together to host a murder mystery and dining experience at Canyon Ranch wellness resort and spa in Lenox, Mass. Located in the astounding 1897 Bellefontaine Mansion, the experience will begin on Friday night with a campfire reception with the world-renowned Crenn of Michelin-three-starred Atelier Crenn. Tony and Emmy Award winner Harris, and his husband, Burtka, will lead guests on the ultimate whodunnit journey. The immersive murder-mystery experience concludes Saturday evening with a dinner prepared by Crenn and her team, and then a grand finale and after-party with the cast and guests. If you need a break from the constant entertainment, you can retreat to the 100,000-square-foot spa, rated one of the best in the country. Looking to book? Check your wallet. This one is for Capital One VIPs only.
Date: November 8 to 10
Rooms from $900
