Halloween Challenge: 5 actual horror movie locations

This challenge may not be undertaken this year, due to travel restrictions out of the global pandemic crisis, but planning for the next year would be great. This is the challenge: To stay a night at some of the actual locations of Hollywood’s ever scary films. So are you on for a challenge??

These are five such recommended locations where you can actually stay in:

1. Oregon outpost from ‘The Shining’  

While most people know The Stanley Hotel in Colorado as the place where Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining was filmed, the exterior of the hotel was actually shot at the Timberline Lodge in Oregon. That explains why one glance at the luxury ski resort’s pitch-roofed facade stirs a sense of familiarity.

The hotel is also the reason that the screen adaptation of Stephen King’s novel sets its spooky events in Room 237 while the book documents them in Room 217. Management at the hotel were worried that the film may put future guests off booking any room featured in it and requested it was changed to a number that doesn’t exist at the lodge. Interestingly, Room 217 is now the most requested room in the hotel. Located deep within Mount Hood National Forest, the area has the longest skiing season in the United States and is popular with skiers and snowboarders year-round.

2. The mansion from ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’

A peaceful stay is not guaranteed for guests checking in at Oakley Court in leafy Windsor. That’s because the Victorian Gothic mansion will likely bring back memories of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Fans of the cult 1975 musical will certainly recognise the Berkshire country house, but it has starred in several other famous films, including The Curse of Frankenstein, The Witches, Theatre of Blood and Vampyres. Set on 13 hectares of land on the banks of the River Thames, the four-star hotel dates back to 1859 and has retained several of its original features, as well as its spooky atmosphere.

Those daring to visit can enjoy an indoor pool, two restaurants, a nine-hole golf course and on-site tennis courts, as well as bike trails and walkways.

3. The lodge from ‘Twin Peaks‘

Anyone who was a fan of the 1990s mystery drama television series Twin Peaks can check in at the Salish Lodge and Spa in Washington’s Snoqualmie, which served as The Great Northern fictional hotel in the show.

Overlooking the 80-metre-high Snoqualmie Falls, one of Washington state’s most popular attractions, the mountain-surrounded lodge was the setting for several of the cult television series’ most dark and twisted moments. There’s also a shop selling merchandise and memorabilia from the show, and guests can tuck into the famous cherry pie served at the Twin Peak’s diner.

4. The Hill House from ‘The Haunting’

Set within 40 acres of parkland, the four-star Ettington Park Hotel offers luxuriously furnished rooms and an impressive oak room restaurant with an 18th-century ceiling and other historic features.

The River Stour runs through the grounds which, along with the exterior of the neo-Gothic mansion, were the filming location of The Haunting – a 1963 British psychological horror film about a small group of people invited by a scientist to investigate a haunted home. Today, guests can expect friendly service – even dogs are allowed to check-in – but should expect the unexpected as the building is consistently ranked as one of Britain’s most haunted houses. We challenge you to stay there a night!!

5. The Dolphin Hotel from ‘1408’

Another Stephen King adaptation, 1408 is the tale of a man who checks into The Dolphin Hotel in New York hoping to debunk rumours of paranormal activity. Unsurprisingly, that’s not quite what unfolds.

Exterior scenes for the hotel were filmed at The Roosevelt Hotel in midtown Manhattan, and the grandiose street entrance is instantly familiar – it’s also been the setting for several other films including The Irishman, Maid in Manhattan and Men in Black. The building dates back to 1924 and was named and designed in honour of the President Theodore ‘Teddy’ Roosevelt.

If you’re planning to recreate the movie and book a stay in room 1408, make sure you don’t suffer from triskaidekaphobia – as there is no level 13 in the building so technically that room is located on the 13th floor.

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