Ready for a spine-chilling getaway? For those drawn to the paranormal and hotels with dark pasts, this list is a haunted journey across the globe. From historic buildings to former morgues, these hotels are as famous for their ghostly residents as they are for their charm. Here are six haunted hotels to spend the night – if you dare.
First World Hotel, Malaysia
Located in the misty hills of Genting Highlands, this colossal property, with 7,300 rooms, is a bustling hub for tourists visiting the nearby casino, shopping malls and theme parks. However, beneath its vibrant atmosphere lies a much darker, eerie history that has earned it a reputation as one of Malaysia's most haunted hotels.
Much of the supernatural accounts stem from the tragic events linked to the adjacent casino. It is believed that over the years, guests that lost their fortunes would take their own lives in their hotel rooms, with their restless souls believed to linger. Guests would often report unexplained shadowy figures and noises, as well as the uneasy feeling of being watched. Floors 21 and 22 are particularly notorious, with staff often warning sensitive guests to avoid these levels due to heightened paranormal activity.
Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet, Turkey
The luxurious Four Seasons property in this historic Turkish neighbourhood had a different role in the past. Built in 1918, the building served as a neoclassical Turkish prison, where political dissidents, writers and intellectuals during the Ottoman Empire were held captive. It remained as a penitentiary until 1919.
Today, the building has been transformed into a lavish hotel with views of the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Some guests claim that remnants of its dark past can still be felt. The courtyards and rooms are fashioned out of previous prison cells, and some visitors have reported eerie sensations and whispers of past prisoners. Despite the hotel's morbid past, it remains a hugely popular choice for guests due to its location.
The Emily Morgan Hotel, US
Standing next to the historic Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, The Emily Morgan is one of the most popular haunted hotels in the US. Originally built in 1924 as a medical facility, the Gothic-style building previously housed a hospital, complete with a morgue and a psychiatric ward. Today, it’s a luxury hotel – but many believe remnants of its past linger within its walls.
Eerie occurrences have been reported by both guests and staff, especially on the property's 7th, 9th and 14th floors, where the hospital’s surgical and morgue areas were once located. Everything from disembodied voices and ghostly apparitions to unexplained medical smells have been experienced by visitors. Sights of spectral nurses and patients wandering the halls have also been reported and the elevators have been reported to stop on floors when no-one has called for them.
Casa Vallejo, Philippines
The boutique hotel nestled in Baguio, a four-hour drive to the north of Manila, is as famous for its haunted history as it is for its heritage. It was built in 1909 during the American colonial era, and is known for hundreds of foreign refugees during the Second World War. Guests and staff frequently report of scary encounters across the property, with many apparitions believed to be of those who died in the building. Moaning sounds from the basement have also been reported.
Nottingham Road Hotel, South Africa
Located in the picturesque KwaZulu-Natal midlands of South Africa, the 19th-century Nottingham Road Hotel is believed to have a ghostly resident named Charlotte. Legend has it that she was a barmaid who died at the property by taking her own life after a love affair gone wrong.
Guests and staff at the hotel have both reported frequent unusual occurrences, from doors opening and closing on their own to mirrors and belongings being moved around. Room 10 sees the most paranormal activity and is believed to house the spirit of Charlotte, who is apparently a harmless and seemingly house-proud ghost given the multiple reports of mysteriously straightened bedsheets.
Hotel El Convento, Puerto Rico
Nestled in the heart of old San Juan, the luxury hotel was built in 1651 as the Convent of the Carmelite Nuns. It has since undergone extensive renovations while preserving its captivating past.
Throughout the years, the building has served various purposes, as a convent, hospital, and even a school. Its long and storied past makes for ghostly tales, with visitors reporting sightings of a supernatural nun wandering the corridors.
Some spots throughout the hotel are inexplicably cold, according to some, and lights often flicker in and out, while other visitors have reported hearing soft chanting sounds echoing through the halls when no-one is around. Despite its past, the hotel's lush courtyards, Spanish colonial architecture and prime location near historic sites make it a go-to for San Juan visitors.
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Sukuk explained
Sukuk are Sharia-compliant financial certificates issued by governments, corporates and other entities. While as an asset class they resemble conventional bonds, there are some significant differences. As interest is prohibited under Sharia, sukuk must contain an underlying transaction, for example a leaseback agreement, and the income that is paid to investors is generated by the underlying asset. Investors must also be prepared to share in both the profits and losses of an enterprise. Nevertheless, sukuk are similar to conventional bonds in that they provide regular payments, and are considered less risky than equities. Most investors would not buy sukuk directly due to high minimum subscriptions, but invest via funds.
TOURNAMENT INFO
Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier
Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi
'The Lost Daughter'
Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal
Starring: Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson
Rating: 4/5
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
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Company profile
Name: Steppi
Founders: Joe Franklin and Milos Savic
Launched: February 2020
Size: 10,000 users by the end of July and a goal of 200,000 users by the end of the year
Employees: Five
Based: Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai
Financing stage: Two seed rounds – the first sourced from angel investors and the founders' personal savings
Second round raised Dh720,000 from silent investors in June this year
If you go
Flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh with a stop in Yangon from Dh3,075, and Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Phnom Penh with its partner Bangkok Airlines from Dh2,763. These trips take about nine hours each and both include taxes. From there, a road transfer takes at least four hours; airlines including KC Airlines (www.kcairlines.com) offer quick connecting flights from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville from about $100 (Dh367) return including taxes. Air Asia, Malindo Air and Malaysian Airlines fly direct from Kuala Lumpur to Sihanoukville from $54 each way. Next year, direct flights are due to launch between Bangkok and Sihanoukville, which will cut the journey time by a third.
The stay
Rooms at Alila Villas Koh Russey (www.alilahotels.com/ kohrussey) cost from $385 per night including taxes.
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
Results:
2.15pm: Handicap (PA) Dh60,000 1,200m.
Winner: AZ Dhabyan, Adam McLean (jockey), Saleha Al Ghurair (trainer).
2.45pm: Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 1,200m.
Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel.
3.15pm: Conditions (PA) Dh60,000 2,000m.
Winner: Hareer Al Reef, Gerald Avranche, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
3.45pm: Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 1,700m.
Winner: Kenz Al Reef, Gerald Avranche, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
4.15pm: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup (TB) Dh 200,000 1,700m.
Winner: Mystique Moon, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
4.45pm: The Crown Prince Of Sharjah Cup Prestige (PA) Dh200,000 1,200m.
Winner: ES Ajeeb, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel.
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
SPECS
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg
Roma 4
Milner (15' OG), Dzeko (52'), Nainggolan (86', 90 4')
Liverpool 2
Mane (9'), Wijnaldum (25')
Company%20profile
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The Specs:
The Specs:
Engine: 2.9-litre, V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Power: 444bhp
Torque: 600Nm
Price: AED 356,580 incl VAT
On sale: now.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
