La Concha Hotel: Checking In to Key West’s Most Haunted Hotel on Duval Street
Haunted Hotels Key West: Where the Spirits Never Check Out
The La Concha Hotel is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves the paranormal or the unexplained. Standing proudly on Duval Street since 1926, this historic landmark is not only one of the first luxury hotels in the area but also one of the most intensely haunted hotels Key West. Its rich, often tragic, history has left behind a host of restless spirits and frequent ghostly encounters Florida.
The Tragic History of the Elevator Shaft Ghost
The most chilling area of the hotel is the central elevator shaft, a site of multiple tragic deaths. Over the years, several individuals, including a waiter or busboy, have fallen to their deaths here. This concentration of sudden, violent energy has created a powerful residual haunting.
Guests and staff report that the elevator moves on its own, stopping at floors with no one inside. Even more unsettling are the reports of the Elevator Shaft Ghost—spectral figures and ghostly faces spotted inside the car when it is officially shut down or should be empty. This phenomenon is a staple of Key West Ghost Tours.
The Phantom Wine Thief and the Hemingway Suite
The hotel’s high volume of paranormal activity extends far beyond the tragic elevator shaft. The top floor, once a popular gathering spot, is home to a more mischievous, yet persistent, spirit known as the Phantom Wine Thief. Staff have frequently reported glasses of Chardonnay and other beverages disappearing or being moved, with the culprit believed to be a shadowy figure seen lurking near the bar area.
Meanwhile, the Hemingway Suite Ghost—named for the author who was a frequent guest—is known for classic poltergeist activity. Visitors to this room report:
•Flickering Lights and electrical disturbances.
•Objects Moving on their own, including books and personal items.
•Disembodied Voices and whispers heard late at night.
The sheer number of reported suicides from the hotel’s rooftop has also imbued the entire structure with a heavy, sorrowful energy, making the La Concha Hotel a true nexus of Duval Street Haunted History.
Tune In to You Two Scare Me Podcast
The La Concha Hotel is a perfect example of how a beautiful, historic location can become a magnet for the paranormal. The concentration of tragic events—from fatal falls to reported suicides—has created a potent environment for La Concha Key West Ghosts.
For a deep dive into the history of the hotel, the full story of the Phantom Wine Thief, and firsthand accounts from guests who have encountered the Elevator Shaft Ghost, be sure to listen to the dedicated episode on the You Two Scare Me Podcast.
