Florida stands as a sought-after destination for tourists in search of sunshine, scenic beaches, and a plethora of attractions. Yet, beneath its sunny exterior, Florida holds a darker history, rife with violence, disasters, and tragedies that have allegedly left behind lingering spirits.
Some visitors claim to have encountered these restless apparitions, particularly in a selection of haunted hotels. Here, we delve into the eerie stories associated with some of Florida’s most haunted lodgings.
The Don CeSar Hotel, St. Pete Beach
The Don CeSar Hotel, often referred to as the “Pink Palace,” is a striking landmark on St. Pete Beach. Constructed in 1928 by Thomas Rowe, a wealthy businessman, the hotel’s origins are steeped in romance. Rowe fell in love with a Spanish opera singer named Lucinda, but their love was forbidden by Lucinda’s parents.
She was sent back to Spain and forced into an unwanted marriage. In honor of their love story, Rowe built the grand hotel, naming it after the hero from the opera where they first met.
Thomas Rowe passed away in 1940, but his spirit is said to linger within the hotel, perpetually searching for his lost love. Guests and staff have reported sightings of a man in a white suit and Panama hat, strolling the hotel’s corridors or sitting in the lobby.
At times, a dark-haired woman, believed to be Lucinda, accompanies him. Their apparitions are frequently sighted near the garden fountain where Thomas proposed to Lucinda or in their intended penthouse suite.
The Casa Marina Hotel, Jacksonville Beach
The Casa Marina Hotel, which opened in 1925 as a luxury resort, is a historic landmark that attracted celebrities, politicians, and socialites, who reveled in its glamorous atmosphere. Nevertheless, it has also borne witness to tragic incidents, including fires, hurricanes, and suicides, which are said to have left behind lingering paranormal phenomena.
One of the hotel’s most haunted locations is Room 4-12, where a woman named Jessica tragically ended her life by jumping from the balcony after discovering her husband’s infidelity. Her spirit is said to be restless and vengeful, delighting in playing tricks on guests who stay in her room.
She’s been known to manipulate lights, faucets, and the TV, shift objects around, slam doors, and even push or scratch visitors. Some have even claimed to hear her crying or screaming within the room or on the balcony.
The Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables
The Biltmore Hotel, a majestic establishment that opened its doors in 1926 as an opulent resort, hosted a slew of famous guests, including Al Capone, Judy Garland, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. However, it also gained notoriety for its association with gambling, bootlegging, and violent crimes. During the Prohibition era, the hotel was a favored haunt for gangsters and mobsters, often leading to confrontations among them and with the law.
One of the most infamous murders took place within the hotel, involving the killing of Thomas “Fatty” Walsh, a New York gangster shot dead in Room 1216 during a gambling dispute with another mobster. His spirit is said to haunt Room 1216 and the 13th floor, which is actually the 14th floor.
Walsh’s apparition is known for playing pranks on guests and staff, such as flickering lights, knocking on doors, making mysterious phone calls, flushing toilets, and occasionally manifesting as a shadowy figure or an orb of light.
In Conclusion
These stories illuminate a handful of Florida’s haunted hotels, each carrying its own spine-tingling narrative. While belief in the supernatural may vary, staying at these lodgings promises an unforgettable and potentially eerie experience, ensuring that visitors will have stories to tell for years to come.