This West Virginia Hotel Has A Long History Of Strange Stories That Guests Still Talk About

Would you check into a hotel where the builder’s portrait supposedly puffs out smoke rings? That’s just one of the strange tales tied to a grand 1889 hotel in West Virginia.

The odd stories don’t stop at one painting, either. Elevators reportedly stop on the second floor uninvited, and books are said to leap off the library shelves all by themselves.

I like how this place wears its spooky reputation with a wink and a polished smile. You can book a historic suite, enjoy a fancy weekend brunch, and still wonder who’s sharing the hallway with you.

Maids have even reported finding tiny footprints on comforters right after making the beds. So how many odd stories would it take before you started sleeping with every single light on?

The Man Who Built The Place May Never Have Checked Out

Colonel William Nelson Chancellor opened The Blennerhassett Hotel & Spa on May 6, 1889. He built it as a showplace for the wealthy oil and gas barons booming in town.

According to the stories, he still keeps a close eye on his investment. Staff and guests have reported seeing smoke circles drifting from his portrait in the hotel.

That detail fits the man pretty well. Chancellor was known for his smoking habit, and some folks claim they catch a faint smoky scent with no source in sight.

The best tale happened when his portrait came down during renovations. A guest reported an older gentleman appearing in their bed and announcing, “I was here first!”

Honestly, it’s hard to argue with that logic. He did build the place, so maybe he’s earned a permanent room assignment.

Descriptions of him stay surprisingly consistent. He’s often pictured as a solid-looking figure in a three-piece grey suit, with slicked-back hair, a beard, and sometimes a top hat and cane.

So when you pass his portrait, a polite nod might be smart. Good manners never hurt, especially with the original owner.

Somebody Keeps Pressing The Second Floor Button

Elevators usually go where you tell them. At this historic hotel, they seem to have their own travel plans.

The elevators are often reported to stop and open on the second floor. The odd part is that nobody pressed the button for that floor.

Skeptics might blame old wiring in a building dating to 1889. Fans of the legends have a different theory, and it involves the busiest ghostly floor in the house.

The second floor has plenty of its own stories. A gentleman dressed in black has reportedly been seen walking down the hall there.

That makes the surprise stops feel a little less random. Maybe someone up there is simply calling for a ride.

Here’s a fun tip for your stay. Ride the elevator with a friend and keep score of every stop you didn’t choose.

The hotel has gone through major renovations over the years, including work in the 1940s, the 1980s, and the 2000s. Through every update, the elevator tales have stubbornly stuck around.

If the doors slide open on two without warning, just stay calm. You can always wave hello and keep riding.

Little Footsteps, Whistles, And A Game Of Tag That Never Ends

Kids love running in hotel hallways. According to staff tales, some young guests at this West Virginia landmark never stopped.

Ghostly children are said to play tag in the corridors. Staff have reported whistling noises and quick glimpses of a little girl wearing a fancy dress.

The sweet stories get even more personal. Female guests have reported waking up to the feeling of soft, child-like kisses on their faces.

Housekeeping has its own puzzle to solve. Maids have found small footprints pressed into comforters and ottomans right after making the beds.

I believe that’s the most charming haunting on the list. It’s hard to feel scared of a ghost who mostly wants a game and a goodnight kiss.

Still, it might be a good idea to smooth your blanket before bed. That way, any fresh footprints will be easy to spot in the morning.

Families who love a gentle spooky story will find plenty to chat about here. Before booking a stay with children, confirm the hotel’s current age policy directly with the front desk.

Just remind them that tag is best played outside. The ghostly version already has the hallways covered.

Bookworms Should Keep Their Eyes On The Shelves

The hotel once housed the First National Bank of Parkersburg, while its present-day library was added during renovations in the 1980s. Today, the library is one of the most talked-about rooms in the whole building.

Books have reportedly flown off the shelves without anyone touching them. Chairs are said to flip over, and an ottoman’s fabric was once found pulled up.

Guests have also described feeling a light touch with nobody nearby. Some stories even mention loud screams echoing through the room.

That’s a lot of drama for a place meant for quiet reading. Most libraries just shush you.

The room has a pretty cool real history, too. During a 2020 facelift, workers uncovered the original terrazzo floors hiding underneath.

It’s a working library, so you can actually grab a book and relax. Just maybe pick one from a lower shelf.

I like that the hotel keeps this space open for guests instead of roping it off. A ghost story feels much better when you can sit right where it happened.

Bring a novel or borrow one from the stacks. If a book lands at your feet, consider it a strong recommendation.

Book The Two-Story Suite If You Like Company

Some travelers want a quiet room. Others ask for Room 409, the Kaltenecker Family Suite, which some call the most haunted room in West Virginia.

The two-story suite is famous for “The Man in the Bowler Hat.” He’s reportedly spotted here more than anywhere else in The Blennerhassett Hotel & Spa.

Furniture is said to shift around on its own in this suite. Other shadowy figures have also been reported over the years.

Fair warning, this is not the room for light sleepers or nervous roommates. It’s perfect for anyone who wants bragging rights at breakfast.

The suite is one of five Historic Suites at the hotel. Others include the JFK Room, the Marie Antoinette Suite, and the William Chancellor Suite.

Suites come with a free box of chocolates at check-in, which feels like a smart peace offering. Some suites also offer four-poster beds, marble showers, and whirlpool tubs.

The hotel has 82 refurbished rooms and suites in total. Regular King and Two Queen rooms are available for anyone wanting less company.

Either way, you get historic charm. Room 409 just throws in a possible plus-one.

The Party In The Ballroom Might Still Be Going

Music and laughter drifting from an empty ballroom sounds like a movie scene. Staff say it has happened in the Charleston Ballroom.

The room is decorated with chandeliers, which only adds to the old-time party mood. You can almost hear the band warming up.

Mirrors near the ballroom carry their own story. A man in a white tuxedo is said to appear in the reflections.

He sounds dressed for a very fancy evening. Nobody seems sure if he’s arriving, leaving, or simply never got the memo that the party ended.

Another well-known figure waits at the Fourth Street door. A woman in 1920s or 1930s clothing, often wearing a white cap, has reportedly been seen there.

That doorway once led to the gentlemen’s smoking room. She’s also described as gliding through the hotel without her feet touching the floor.

The ballroom still hosts real weddings and banquets today. Plenty of couples have danced there with no extra guests in the mirrors.

Still, it makes a great wedding toast story. Just check your photos afterward for a sharp dresser in white.

Meet The Knocker, The Paperboy, And The Neat Freak

Not every ghost at this hotel is mysterious and moody. A few sound like coworkers with very odd habits.

Take “The 4 O’clock Knocker,” a playful spirit with a strict schedule. It’s said to knock on the coffee bar door at 4 a.m. sharp.

Maybe it just really wants an early cup of coffee. Honestly, who can blame it?

The kitchen reportedly has a helper of its own. A turn-of-the-century newspaper boy is said to tug on sleeves there.

He’s also been spotted near the lower-level elevators. Kids of that era worked hard, so maybe he’s still making his rounds.

Then there’s the “stacking ghost,” possibly the most useful spirit anywhere. An employee left a messy desk and came back to find everything neatly stacked.

I can’t imagine a better office haunting than that one. Most of us would happily pay a ghost to organize our paperwork.

A “Sea Captain” also appears on the list of reported spirits. With the Ohio River just a short walk away, that one feels oddly fitting.

Together, they make quite the night crew. Nobody can say this hotel lacks personality.

Calm Your Nerves With Brunch, A Facial, And A Sunny Atrium

After a night of ghost stories, you’ll want something comforting. Luckily, The Blennerhassett Hotel & Spa takes the cozy side seriously.

Chancellor’s is the hotel’s fine dining restaurant. It serves contemporary American food for dinner and brunch, with occasional live performances out on the patio.

The 1889 Lounge offers a more relaxed meal. Its menu features flatbreads, burgers, and shared plates in an elegant setting.

Breakfast is available a la carte, so mornings stay easy. That’s handy if a 4 a.m. knock cut your sleep short.

The spa is run by Lee’s Studio and Medi Spa, which opened at the hotel in 2023. Treatments include facials, massages with hot stones or cupping, manicures, pedicures, and makeup application.

It’s open Tuesday through Saturday for most visits. Hotel guests can request appointments on Sundays and Mondays too.

There’s plenty of room to wander between meals. A sunlit second-floor atrium, a game room, and a garden patio all invite lazy afternoons.

Rooms include Keurig coffeemakers, USB charging ports, and Bluetooth speakers. So you can always drown out any spooky whistling with your favorite playlist.

Step Outside For Even More History Just Down The Block

The building itself deserves a long look from the sidewalk. Its design mixes Queen Anne, Victorian, and Romanesque Revival styles, and it landed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

You’ll find The Blennerhassett Hotel & Spa at 320 Market Street, Parkersburg, WV 26101. It’s one of West Virginia’s oldest operating boutique hotels.

Its name comes from Harman Blennerhassett, who settled on a nearby Ohio River island with his wife, Margaret. You can visit that story in person, too.

Sternwheel boats leave from Point Park for Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park. The Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History sits about a five-minute walk from the hotel.

Need an evening plan? The Smoot Vaudeville Theater and the Parkersburg Cultural Arts Center are both close by.

Bringing your dog is an option, since the hotel is pet friendly for an extra fee. Free parking and a smoke-free property make things simple.

The hotel entered a new chapter in August 2026 when Taylor Hospitality acquired it. Now operating as The Blennerhassett, a Giovanni Hotel and Spa, the property is also listed under Wyndham’s Trademark Collection.

New owners, same old legends. Something tells me the Colonel will still be watching.