Hotels are designed to be a traveler’s sanctuary, a place to unwind and relax after a long journey. But every now and then, guests find themselves in situations so strange, they’re hard to believe. From unsettling encounters to bizarre discoveries, here are 12 hotel experiences that sound more like plots of a thriller than a peaceful getaway.

A Room With an Unexpected Guest
Imagine arriving late, exhausted, and ready to collapse into bed—only to find someone already there. That’s exactly what happened to one frequent traveler. Despite booking a room, they unknowingly walked into one that had already been assigned to someone else. Double-booked rooms are rare, but when they happen, they create moments of pure awkwardness.

The Axe-Wielding Host
A road trip stop turned eerie when a traveler pulled into a hotel late at night, only to find the owner chopping wood in the dark. While it might have been harmless, the unsettling image of an axe-wielding host lingered long enough to disturb their sleep.

The Overwhelming Scent of Deception
One guest was greeted by an overpowering smell of air freshener upon entering their room. It didn’t take long to uncover the truth—the fresh scent was masking mold in the bathroom and damp carpets near the bed. The illusion of cleanliness shattered, and the guest left immediately.

The All-in-One Staff Member
In a small London hotel, a receptionist introduced himself as the cook, cleaner, and IT specialist, referring to each role in the third person as though they were different people. While some guests found his quirky behavior amusing, others couldn’t decide whether it was a joke or a sign of something more unsettling.

Sealed Windows With Secrets
When a traveler tried to open their hotel room window, they discovered it was completely sealed shut. The front desk cited “safety regulations,” but online reviews revealed the truth. The sealed windows were a desperate attempt to keep out the stench of garbage and invading insects from outside.

Jungle Hut Horrors
A stay in a remote jungle hut sounds adventurous, but for one couple, the experience turned into a nightmare. They discovered hundreds of large spiders on the walls and ceiling, thanks to a flashlight inspection. Despite wrapping themselves in every piece of clothing they owned, they spent the night wide awake, unable to shake the feeling of being watched.

Housekeeping Gone Too Far
Even with a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door, one guest found housekeeping barging into their room not once, but twice. After the second intrusion, they noticed a few small items missing. It left them wondering if the staff had been snooping for more than just cleaning.

The Creepy Plywood Ceiling
While staying in a budget hotel, a guest noticed a loose piece of plywood hanging from the ceiling. The gap it created gave the unsettling impression that someone could watch them from above. When they returned to the room later, they found the TV at full volume and the shower curtain mysteriously on the floor, making the stay even more unnerving.

A Door That Should Have Stayed Locked
Connecting hotel rooms can be convenient—when the doors are securely locked. One guest woke in the middle of the night to find the door between their room and the neighboring one ajar. The faint sound of movement on the other side left them unable to fall back asleep.

The Silent Mime Encounter
While staying in a B&B with shared bathrooms, a guest walked into the restroom late at night and was startled to find a man dressed as a mime, sitting silently on the floor. The mime smiled and waved, but the eerie encounter left the guest questioning if it was real or just a sleep-deprived hallucination.

A Whisper and a Missing Wallet
Hostel stays often come with quirky stories, but one traveler woke up to a whisper saying, “It’s okay, go back to sleep.” Half-asleep, they didn’t think much of it until morning, when they discovered their wallet had been stolen. Whether the whisper was a dream or reality remains a mystery.

The Staring Employee
One of the most chilling stories involves a guest waking up to find a hotel employee standing at the foot of their bed. CCTV footage later revealed that the employee had been standing there for hours, repeating this behavior on multiple nights. The unsettling experience left the guest shaken and distrustful of hotel security.

Hotels are meant to be places of comfort, but these strange and creepy experiences remind us that not every stay goes as planned. From unexpected guests to unexplainable events, these stories add a touch of mystery to the world of hospitality.

The next time you check into a hotel, pay close attention to your surroundings. You never know what surprises might be lurking behind closed doors—or hanging from the ceiling.