Spirits and Stays: 11 Haunted New Zealand Hotels
- Sarah-Jane Lee
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Eleven eerie tales from the hotel archives.
From disgruntled former owners to restless spirits of the gold rush, New Zealand’s historic hotels are as famous for their "permanent" residents as they are for their hospitality. Whether they are seeking justice or simply refusing to check out, these are the country's most active hauntings.
1. Vulcan Hotel, St Bathans
In a town with fewer than 10 living residents, the ghost of "Rose" remains the most famous occupant. Murdered in Room 1, this former "entertainer" makes her presence known through icy drafts, groans in the hallway, and the Victorian funeral practice of turning framed pictures upside down. Guests have even reported seeing her misty form reclining in chairs.
2. Cardrona Hotel, Wanaka
Former owner Jimmy Patterson (1920s–1961) was a legendary control freak who limited travelers to a single drink. It seems he hasn't stopped managing the place. Jimmy’s ghost is frequently spotted around the historic 1862 building, still keeping a watchful—and perhaps judgmental—eye on the patrons.
3. Waitomo Caves Hotel
Built on a former British military site, this hotel is a paranormal hotspot. Legends include a "Maori Princess" shot while meeting her soldier lover and a crying child. Guests have reported bathtubs filling with blood-red water and shoes—once left out for polishing—being mysteriously rearranged in neat rows by the stairs.
4. Riccarton Racecourse Hotel, Christchurch
The 1933 unsolved murder of publican Donald Fraser still echoes here. Shot twice while his wife allegedly slept beside him, the aggressive and often-inebriated Donald is said to haunt the hallways. Guests often hear his heavy tread before seeing his disembodied spectre round a corner, still searching for his killer.
5. Central Hotel, Dargaville
Despite being rebuilt in 1901 after a fire, the ghost of James Carmody—who perished in the original blaze—remains. His presence is usually marked by the smell of smoke or the sight of lit matches, perhaps a warning linked to the hotel's history of "suspicious" fires.
6. Foveaux Hotel, Bluff
This Art Deco gem is haunted by Mary Cameron. Mary owned the temperance boarding house that was demolished to build the hotel. As a staunch anti-alcohol advocate, she expresses her displeasure from the afterlife by banging pots and making a ruckus, particularly over the bar area.
7. Hotel Lyttelton, Lyttelton
After a guest died in a fire at the original site, the replacement hotel inherited a very active spirit. A resident poodle was known to bark at thin air, and bartenders have grown used to chatting with a ghost that wanders through the lounge in broad daylight. He is also known to enjoy a solitary game of pool before the hotel opens for the day.
8. Tophouse, St Arnaud
The site of a tragic 1894 murder-suicide, Tophouse is home to the spirit of Bill Bateman, who killed two men in a jealous rage before taking his own life. He is said to call out for his unrequited love, Miss Wylie. He shares the halls with Sidney Smith, a 1890s peddler who died after being kicked by his horse.
9. Masonic Hotel, Napier
Having survived fires and the 1931 earthquake, the Masonic is a masterpiece of Art Deco with a dark side. From a chef who drowned in a bathtub to a guest who perished in the elevator and supposedly returns to the same room every year, staff report mysterious music and strange lights throughout the "polished gem."
10. Prince’s Gate Hotel, Rotorua
Relocated board-by-board from Waihi, this hotel brought its spirits with it. Room 29 (or 39, depending on who you ask) is home to a female ghost who specifically targets single men. Others have seen a phantom opera singer who descends the kauri staircase at 6:30 PM, calling for his lost love, Christine.
11. Chateau Tongariro, Mt Ruapehu
During the 1940s, this iconic hotel served as an overflow ward for a psychiatric hospital. The most famous ghost is Charlotte, a nurse who allegedly died here. She is known to pack guests' bags for them and leave them by the door—a subtle hint that it’s time to check out. Currently the hotel has checked out ... it's closed!
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