When it comes to hospitality, the phrase “10 outrageous requests” immediately brings to mind the astonishing lengths concierge teams will go to satisfy a guest’s whims. From sourcing rare condiments across continents to arranging theatrical entrances, these ten tales showcase just how far the world’s most dedicated hotel front‑line experts will stretch to make the impossible happen.

10 Must Love Sauce

Food‑related errands sit at the heart of a concierge’s daily grind. They know the city’s culinary map like the back of their hand, can secure hard‑to‑find dishes, and even place orders on a guest’s behalf. One particularly memorable episode involved New York’s own Burak Ipecki, a concierge whose dedication led him to coordinate a cross‑border food procurement mission.

The adventure kicked off when a affluent patron asked Ipecki to locate a very specific barbecue sauce. Though the task seemed straightforward, the sauce was produced in limited batches by a boutique maker in Louisiana. Adding a twist, the client didn’t want the bottle shipped to his Manhattan loft; he needed it delivered to his private island in the Caribbean for a garden party the very next day. Leveraging his Les Clefs d’Or connections, Ipecki reached out to the sauce producer, secured the coveted condiment, and arranged overnight freight that covered roughly 3,200 km (2,000 mi) to ensure the party could go on without a hitch.

9 Like Mother’s Milk

Providing milk is a routine part of any hotel’s breakfast service, but the request that landed on Simon Thomas’s desk at London’s Lanesborough took the concept to a whole new level. The guest, a horse‑enthusiast, needed a substantial quantity of mare’s milk—not for a latte, but to feed an orphaned foal back on his family’s farm.

Thomas sprang into action, tracking down a reputable supplier willing to provide 50 kg (110 lb) of fresh mare’s milk. He coordinated the logistics, ensured the milk met health standards, and arranged for it to be shipped directly to the guest’s rural property, allowing the little foal to enjoy a proper start on its own. The effort turned an ordinary dairy request into a heart‑warming rescue mission.

8 Flowers For The Princess

The holiday season can be a quiet time for many service staff, yet Mary Stamm of the Rosewood Mansion in Dallas turned Christmas Eve into a royal affair. A mysterious “king” of an unnamed nation asked her to greet a visiting princess with an extravagant floral display.

Even though most florists were closed for the holiday, Stamm secured the entire stock of blooms from a local shop, then orchestrated a rapid delivery to the mansion. A hired designer transformed the petals into an opulent arrangement fit for royalty, creating a memorable welcome that delighted the princess and her entourage despite the festive staffing lull.

7 Just Dropping In

Checking into a hotel usually involves a quick front‑desk exchange, but Geneva’s Jonathan Schmitt was once tasked with arranging a far more dramatic arrival. A guest dreamed of parachuting onto Lake Geneva right in front of the hotel, a stunt straight out of a spy thriller.

Schmitt dove into the legal and safety paperwork, liaised with city officials to secure the necessary permits, and calculated the costs of such a high‑octane entrance. The final price tag—100,000 Swiss francs—proved too steep for the guest, leading to a cancellation. Nonetheless, Schmitt’s thorough preparation highlighted the concierge’s mantra: “We never say no; we find a way and let the guest know the reality.”

6 Sugar Rush

Celebrities often make headlines with eccentric hotel demands, and the 1980s saw Van Halen insisting on a bowl of M&M’s with all brown pieces removed by hand. In a similarly flamboyant episode, Montreal concierge Hugo Grand was approached by a high‑profile client who wanted a bathtub filled to the brim with jelly beans.

Grand launched a city‑wide scavenger hunt, contacting virtually every candy shop in Montreal to amass enough beans for the massive tub. He organized a fleet of bell staff to dash across town, gathering each order and delivering the colorful bounty. The result was a bathtub overflowing with candy—no hand‑picking of colors required—providing the celebrity with a truly sweet soak.

5 That Darn Cat

Pets are family, and separating them can be heart‑wrenching. When a New York guest planned a move to China, he discovered his beloved cat lacked the proper paperwork for export. He turned to concierge Frederick Bigler for help.

Bigler sprang into action, arranging a veterinary visit for vaccinations, navigating the maze of international animal‑transport regulations, and re‑booking the guest’s flight to accommodate a four‑legged passenger. In a race against the clock, he secured all the required documents and ensured the cat boarded the next‑day flight, reuniting the traveler with his furry companion.

4 Blood Orange Is The New Black Market

Legal gray zones can still be navigated by a savvy concierge. Michael Romei, chief concierge at New York’s Waldorf Astoria, was approached by a film‑industry investor needing authentic blood oranges for a movie set in Cuernavaca, Mexico. At the time, Mexican customs prohibited the fruit’s import.

Undeterred, Romei purchased the required oranges in New York, chartered a private flight to Mexico City, and enlisted a fellow Les Clefs d’Or member on the ground to discreetly retrieve the fruit without alerting customs. The next day, the production crew had the coveted blood oranges on set, keeping the shoot on schedule.

3 A Most Unusual Wedding

Wedding planning can be a logistical nightmare, but some concierges turn it into a theatrical masterpiece. At New York’s Muse Hotel, a concierge transformed a suite into a replica of the iconic “Friends” proposal scene, complete with hundreds of tea lights, red roses, scattered petals, and chilled Champagne while the couple dined elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Sandra Newman of Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace faced an even quirkier celebration: a wedding for two teddy bears. Over 25 stuffed guests were seated by name, each receiving a slice of pizza as their ceremonial feast. “It was a serious affair,” Newman laughed, highlighting the limitless creativity concierges can bring to even the most off‑beat events.

2 Buttering Her Up

Vegas is famous for its over‑the‑top requests, and Palms concierge Jered Hundley has fielded his share. Beyond bachelor‑party planning, tractor shipping, and babysitting, he was once asked to locate an artist capable of sculpting a plaster mold of a girlfriend’s body.

The guest’s ultimate vision involved filling the mold with butter, creating a bizarre, buttery statue. While Hundley never disclosed whether the plan came to fruition, the request alone underscores the lengths to which guests will go—and the willingness of a top‑tier concierge to explore even the most unconventional ideas.

1 The Bored Businessman

Life on the road can be glamorous, yet the endless layovers often breed boredom. Business traveler Sean Fitzsimons turned his routine hotel stays into a playground of whimsical requests. He began by asking staff to draw a portrait of him and hang it in his room, then escalated to more playful ideas.

Fitzsimons once commissioned a pillow fort built on his bed, later demanded pictures of Alfonso Ribeiro and Jeremy Jackson positioned to appear as if they were eye‑to‑eye, and even requested a portrait of a dog dressed as a boat captain. Hotel employees embraced the challenges, frequently asking when the next quirky request would arrive, proving that even the most mundane business trips can become a canvas for creativity.

In 1927, the Cecil Hotel—now operating under the name Stay on Main—opened its doors with a grand total of roughly 700 Art Deco‑styled rooms, promising luxury and entertainment for traveling businessmen. Situated at 640 S. Main Street in downtown Los Angeles, the hotel quickly found itself caught in the grip of the Great Depression. Its proximity to the sprawling Skid Row meant that within a six‑kilometer radius more than ten thousand homeless individuals made the surrounding streets their home, setting the stage for a dark legacy that would later fuel the 10 creepiest events ever recorded within its walls.

Why These 10 Creepiest Events Matter

10 The Death Of Elisa Lam

In 2013, 21‑year‑old college student Elisa Lam was discovered lifeless and unclothed inside a rooftop water tank at the Cecil Hotel. Guests had complained about unusually low water pressure, prompting maintenance workers to investigate, which led to the grisly find. Although the coroner ruled the cause of death as accidental drowning, the bizarre circumstances surrounding her final hours have sparked endless speculation about a more sinister force at play.

Lam had traveled alone from Vancouver to Los Angeles and vanished shortly after checking in. Police released unsettling CCTV footage of her wandering the hotel’s elevator, where she appears frantic—pressing multiple floor buttons, peering out the doors, and even crouching in a corner while seemingly conversing with someone unseen. When the elevator doors failed to close, she stepped out and vanished from view. Theories range from a possible pursuer to a manic bipolar episode, leaving the case shrouded in mystery.

9 Elizabeth “The Black Dahlia” Short

In 1947, a mother and child stumbled upon the naked corpse of 22‑year‑old aspiring actress Elizabeth Short in Los Angeles’ Leimert Park neighborhood. The body was so grotesquely mutilated that investigators initially thought it might be a mannequin. Short’s torso had been bisected at the waist, and her face was sliced from mouth to ears, creating a gruesome ‘Glasgow smile.’ The scene was meticulously cleaned, drained of blood, and the victim was posed with her hands over her head and legs splayed apart, leaving no blood at the location. The perpetrator was never apprehended.

It is believed that Short was seen at the Cecil Hotel not long before her murder. She was chasing a big break in Hollywood and was known for frequenting bars where she tried to connect with producers. Unfortunately, she became infamous for a far darker reason, her tragic end forever linking her name to the hotel’s macabre reputation.

8 Richard “The Night Stalker” Ramirez

Richard “The Night Stalker” Ramirez earned his chilling moniker by prowling the streets of Los Angeles and San Francisco between 1984 and 1985, hunting unsuspecting victims. A self‑declared Satanist, he employed an arsenal that included handguns, knives, a machete, a tire iron, and a hammer, committing murders that a judge later described as exhibiting cruelty, callousness, and a level of viciousness beyond ordinary human comprehension.

During his brutal spree, Ramirez is reported to have lodged at the Cecil Hotel, where rooms cost a mere $14 per night. The hotel’s surroundings—a well‑known hangout for drug users—offered him easy anonymity as he stalked the night‑time streets. Ramirez was eventually captured, sentenced to death, and died on death row at San Quentin Prison in 2013 at the age of 53.

7 Jack Unterweger

Austrian serial killer and journalist Jack Unterweger checked into the Cecil Hotel in the early 1990s. Between 1990 and 1992, Unterweger strangled eleven prostitutes across Vienna, Prague, and Los Angeles, often using their own lingerie as a ligature. His criminal career began in 1974, but he was released after being touted as a successfully ‘resocialized’ inmate.

While staying at the Cecil, Unterweger worked for an Austrian magazine, penning crime stories about Los Angeles. He leveraged his reporter credentials to secure rides with the LAPD, granting him access to neighborhoods that later became scenes of his own killings. The distinctive knot he used to strangle his victims linked him to three Los Angeles murders, ultimately leading to his arrest in Miami. In 1994, Austrian courts sentenced him to life without parole; he hanged himself in prison on the night of his sentencing, using the same knot that had claimed his victims.

6 Pigeon Goldie

The unsolved murder of “Pigeon Goldie” Osgood continues to haunt the Cecil Hotel. A retired telephone operator, Goldie was a familiar figure around the hotel, known for feeding the pigeons that gathered at nearby Pershing Square. In 1964, she was found dead in her room, having been assaulted, stabbed, and strangled. Police discovered her Los Angeles Dodgers cap and a paper bag filled with birdseed scattered in the ransacked space.

A 29‑year‑old suspect, Jacques B. Ehlinger, was spotted strolling through Pershing Square wearing blood‑stained clothing and was initially charged with the murder. However, subsequent investigations cleared his name, leaving the case unresolved. Goldie’s death remained the last widely reported homicide at the hotel until the shocking discovery of Elisa Lam’s body in 2013.

5 George Gianinni

One of the most bizarre fatalities at the Cecil Hotel involved 65‑year‑old George Gianinni. In 1962, 27‑year‑old Pauline Otton quarreled with her estranged husband in a ninth‑floor room. After the argument, Otton wrote a suicide note and leapt from the window, crashing onto the pavement below. Unluckily, Gianinni was walking directly beneath the falling woman and was struck, resulting in both their instantaneous deaths.

When police first arrived, they assumed a double‑suicide scenario. However, Gianinni’s hands were still in his pockets—a detail inconsistent with a nine‑story fall. After thorough investigation, authorities concluded that Otton’s suicide inadvertently caused Gianinni’s accidental death.

4 Baby Out The Window

In 1944, a heartbreaking tragedy unfolded at the Cecil Hotel when 19‑year‑old Dorothy Jean Purcell, a guest, gave birth to a newborn son in the middle of the night. Unaware of her pregnancy, she awoke with severe abdominal pain while sharing a bed with her 38‑year‑old partner, shoe salesman Ben Levine. Fearing she would wake him, she slipped into the bathroom, delivered the baby herself, and, believing the infant was dead, hurled the tiny body from a window onto a neighboring roof.

The lifeless baby was recovered on the adjacent roof, prompting Purcell’s arrest. Psychological evaluations later determined she was “mentally confused,” leading to a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. The harrowing incident remains one of the most unsettling episodes in the hotel’s history.

3 Suicides In The 1930s

The early 1930s saw a disturbing series of suicides at the Cecil Hotel, beginning with 46‑year‑old W.K. Norton in 1931, who was found dead after ingesting poison capsules in his room. The following year, 25‑year‑old Benjamin Dodich was discovered by a maid, having taken his own life with a self‑inflicted gunshot wound to the head. In 1934, former Army Medical Corps sergeant Louis D. Borden was found with his throat slashed, having left several suicide notes in his room.

The tragic pattern continued: in 1937, Grace E. Magro’s body was discovered wrapped in telephone wires after she leapt from the ninth floor; a year later, 35‑year‑old US Marine Roy Thompson was found on a nearby skylight after a similar jump. In 1939, Navy officer Erwin C. Neblett died from poison ingestion. These deaths occurred amid the Great Depression, a period when the United States experienced the highest recorded suicide rates—exceeding 150 per one million annually in 1937 and 1938.

2 Profile Arrests

In 1976, 26‑year‑old Jeffrey Thomas Paley purchased a rifle, ascended to the Cecil Hotel’s rooftop, and discharged fifteen rounds toward the street below. Although no one was injured, police quickly apprehended Paley. He claimed he never intended to harm anyone, merely wanted to demonstrate how easily a person with mental health issues could acquire a firearm.

The Cecil has witnessed other high‑stakes confrontations. In 1988, 28‑year‑old salesman Robert Sullivan was arrested at the hotel after the body of 32‑year‑old nurse Teri Francis Craig was discovered at the home she had shared with Sullivan for seven years. Sullivan’s arrest added another name to the growing list of violent incidents tied to the hotel.

1 Paranormal Activity

One of the more recent eerie episodes at the Cecil Hotel occurred in 2014 when a young Californian captured a ghostly figure on camera. The photo shows a translucent silhouette perched on the ledge outside a fourth‑floor window, sparking immediate media attention and linking the apparition to the hotel’s grim past.

The young photographer recounted to reporters, “When I looked at that window, it just looked kind of creepy to me, and then I showed my friend, and he kind of freaked out. It still creeps me out.” He claimed the image caused him numerous restless nights, adding a modern layer to the hotel’s haunted reputation.

The Cecil Hotel has long been considered one of Los Angeles’ most haunted locations, drawing ghost hunters and morbid tourists alike. Many believe the numerous suicides that plagued the building have trapped restless spirits, preventing them from moving on and ensuring the hotel’s reputation for paranormal activity endures.

I work at a value hotel in a region that hosts the Ark, the Creation Museum, the Cincinnati Reds, and other event venues. The area has been booming, with hotels popping up like mushrooms, and many locals saw the hotel industry as a fast‑track to career growth. Then the coronavirus hit, and everything changed. Below are the top 10 crazy realities of hotel life during the pandemic.

10 Hotels Are Essential, But Layoffs And Hour Cuts Are Still Happening

In the crazy age of the coronavirus, hotels have been deemed essential. But that doesn’t ensure smooth sailing for hotel companies or their employees. Although many essential services have seen a spike in demand, hotels haven’t participated in the surge as tourism is at a standstill all over the world.

Many hotels do not want to deal with increases in unemployment insurance. So they are trying first to cut the hours of their employees before laying people off.

However, bigger hotels are often faring so poorly—due to an apocalyptic loss in occupancy—that they have no choice but to lay off employees. Some establishments near Disney World are furloughing people left and right because the closing of the park has left some 1,000‑room hotels at only 1 percent occupancy. At that rate, they can hardly afford to keep the lights on, much less continue to pay all their employees.

As for Las Vegas, many resort hotels have shut down because a huge amount of their money comes from the casino business. This requires larger gatherings of people to be successful. More than anything, they are basically gaming spaces with a hotel attached. Without gaming resorts, there is no point in staying open.

9 Some Hotels Are Offering Special Home Office Rates For Daytime Stays

At least one hotel so far, Red Roof Inn, is offering a weekday special from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM to use their hotel rooms as a home office space. This offer is actually quite cheap, running at a little under $30 per day for your temporary office space. They even allow one other person and one pet.

Now this is half off most nightly rates for that type of hotel, but they’re probably not offering full amenities. Presumably, they don’t expect the guest to use the bed or the shower. No breakfast, either.

However, this is still quite inexpensive. Those who are searching for home office space might want to look into this or other hotels that may soon offer similar deals. To get away from it all and have your own work space for $30 dollars a day is fairly cheap, especially if the kids are home due to quarantine and you cannot concentrate long enough to finish your work.

8 Phones Have Been Ringing Off The Hook With Cancellation Calls

Once the number of COVID‑19 cases escalated sharply, gatherings started to be banned and hotels repeatedly received the worst kind of calls: cancellations. For the first several weeks of the COVID‑19 outbreak, the phones were ringing off the hook at my hotel. That was also true at many other establishments.

Everyone was getting cancellation calls for stays that ranged from only a few days in advance to those in late summer. Occupancy dropped like a stone overnight. The managers and owners of many hotels are now terrified that, at best, they will break even for the year. But that’s the rosy case and very unlikely to happen.

Many hotel employees are slightly traumatized at this point. Some have reached a point of weary resignation, knowing that most remaining calls will still be cancellations. We’re all just hoping that our hotels don’t have to close permanently and that we don’t have to look for new jobs.

There is also the worry of having your hours cut. Although the US Congress passed a stimulus package to help with unemployment benefits during the coronavirus pandemic, it can still be difficult to apply for and receive the money in a timely manner.

What do you do while you’re waiting? Very few places are hiring, especially part‑time workers.

7 Breakfast Services Are Suspended Or Greatly Limited At Most Hotels

As the COVID‑19 outbreak spiked significantly, one of the first things to change was how food was served. To comply with stay‑at‑home or shelter‑in‑place orders, restaurants closed their interior dining rooms. So you have to use delivery, curbside pickup, or drive‑through because gatherings of more than a few people are now banned.

This left a lot of hotels in a weird gray area. They are not sure if they are properly complying with the law or not. Most states did not say anything specific about hotel breakfasts one way or another, although some states were unclear about whether a breakfast “buffet” was acceptable.

As a result, some hotel managers wondered if continental breakfasts were still okay as long as only a few guests gathered at once. Meanwhile, some establishments have shut down these dining options entirely, even if they don’t serve any hot foods. It hasn’t helped that the authorities have not given much guidance or clarification on the issue.

Out of an abundance of caution, most hotels have suspended their breakfasts or are offering to‑go bags. If you need to visit a hotel for business or something, you should call them first to see if they still have any kind of breakfast options. That way, you’ll know if you need to plan ahead for the next morning.

6 People Are Trying To Get Rock‑Bottom Prices When Hotels Are Already Struggling

Many people know that travel has been suspended in most places, that people aren’t gathering, that a lot of vacation destinations are closed, and that most hotels are doing incredibly badly right now. In fact, they might continue to perform poorly for the rest of the year.

However, like all things business, a hotel isn’t a charity and guests don’t consider their business a charity, either. With all the people running out of money right now, those who do need a hotel are looking for rock‑bottom prices. This makes room sales super‑competitive.

Currently, some hotels are offering such low competitive rates that they risk losing money on their rooms because they are not receiving enough revenue to cover all the overhead. Some hotel owners believe that having a fuller house will look better to their creditors.

At the end of the day, though, any hotel that is selling out right now is barely breaking even and may even be operating at a small loss.

5 When Prices Go Down, Many Criminals Come To Stay

As we’ve mentioned, hotel prices have cratered. As a result, drug dealers, prostitutes, and other ne’er‑do‑wells see these rock‑bottom prices as a great opportunity to use hotels as the base of operations for their businesses. Many druggies who need a place to crash during a high are also tempted by the low prices.

If this wasn’t enough, many cities are now paying to put up homeless people in hotels during the pandemic. It would be great if they stayed inside, which is the whole point. However, many of these people are not self‑quarantining. Instead, they are getting into trouble.

The problem extends beyond housing the homeless. They still need money for food, and some are trying to score drugs. Others just have side hustles. They want to save money so that they won’t be homeless forever.

Although it is great to give the homeless a place to quarantine, they simply don’t have the resources to just stay inside hotel rooms for weeks. They certainly don’t have the distractions available to them that most of us have, except for TVs in their rooms.

To make matters worse, many homeless people have mental illnesses. Just giving them homes without providing the help they need may reveal or even cause larger issues.

4 Some Hotel Workers Have Made Themselves Paranoid Wrecks Over The Virus

Like anyone on the “front lines,” some hotel workers have made themselves paranoid wrecks over getting the virus. Before finally quitting, one of my coworkers was donning a new pair of gloves after every customer and wearing a mask when the CDC was still saying it wasn’t necessary (although we know better now). She was also scaring the guests, who were afraid that she was wearing a mask because she had the coronavirus.

Although you want to be careful to avoid getting the virus, it is also important to base your actions on common sense and not just paranoia. Wearing gloves can help, but you also need to wash your hands after you take them off. You can’t touch anything that’s potentially infected and then touch your face, or the gloves are useless.

They can easily give you a false sense of security. In addition, your paranoia can stress you out and lower your immune system. Although hotel workers clean constantly, wash our hands like crazy, and take a lot of precautions, there is a point at which your methods to sanitize become nonstop panic cleaning that just dries out your skin without any additional health benefits.

3 Business Is Almost Impossible To Predict Even Day To Day

As stated in the introduction, I work at a value hotel. Before the COVID‑19 pandemic, I could work the morning shift and predict how many guests we would have by the end of the day, give or take five individuals. That’s true even for hotels with lots of walk‑in visitors.

Even on days when we weren’t doing that well or when it was a slow time of year, business was usually predictable day to day. Once you know the flow of your business, you develop a sense for how things will go.

However, this pandemic has changed everything. Due to cancellations, the criminal element, people traveling at the last minute to get back to their places of origin, homeless people, and many other factors, the hotel business has become impossible to predict day to day or even hour to hour.

The value hotel where I work has about 115 rooms. Right now, we are filling about 20‑40 rooms a night. It is almost impossible to predict occupancy or which days will be better or worse.

2 Guests Are Much Chattier Because Everyone Wants To Talk About The Pandemic

You will get some chatty guests at a hotel, but most people just want to do their business and get on their way. However, the pandemic has changed all that. Customers and employees alike regularly commiserate about the virus.

In fact, regular guests who were never chatty are now talking much more. This virus has scared many of us. By discussing what’s going on, we have that human connection that can comfort some people and make them feel better.

Depending on the individual hotel employee, this can be either cathartic or stressful. Some like the chance to talk about the pandemic. Others are already hearing enough about it on the news and at work. These employees just wish they could forget about the virus for a few minutes.

Unfortunately, when you work in customer service, it is part of your job to chat people up and be sympathetic—even if you wish you could just ask them to please stop talking about the pandemic. You are already stressed out enough over it.

1 The Future Is Uncertain—No One Knows If Or When Things Will Be Normal Again

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, hotel owners and employees are nervous about the future of hotels. Many owners are convinced that this fiscal year is going to be a complete wash. Hitting breakeven is the new goal (if they can even manage it).

To make matters worse, no one is sure how bad this will be for the hotel industry in the long term. Yes, some hotels and motels will always exist because people need a place to stay. But others cater to guests who are visiting resorts and other attractions.

After the end of the pandemic, we may see a long‑term change in how people interact at events, in large crowds, and with other groups. The Internet is such a powerful tool that we may see more virtual entertainment come out of this. Possibly, only smaller groups will be allowed to congregate, even in resort towns.

Even if the law allows, things may never go back to “normal” if general attitudes change. This could be truly ruinous for the resort hotel industry as about 95‑99 percent of their business would be permanently gone.

Just like every situation involving the pandemic, we can only do our best as we wait to see what will happen. The world may not change that much in the long term. But it’s impossible to predict at this point, and the uncertainty can be frightening.

Top 10 Crazy Insights

These ten eye‑opening realities show how the hospitality world has been reshaped by the coronavirus, from staffing challenges to the unexpected ways guests are adapting.

The Cecil Hotel, erected by William Banks Hanner, first opened its doors on December 20, 1924. Adjusted for inflation, its construction cost roughly $14 million—a true palace in its prime. Decades later, the building’s glittering reputation has been eclipsed by a litany of grisly incidents that still echo through its corridors. The Netflix documentary “The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel” shines a spotlight on this shadowy past. Below are the top 10 horrible facts that make the Cecil Hotel infamous.

10 The First Suicide

Long‑time tenants began calling the Cecil “the suicide” as early as 1962, and the moniker wasn’t without merit. The very first death recorded in the hotel was that of William McKay in 1926, ruled a natural passing. The following year, however, marked a darker milestone: 52‑year‑old Percy Ormand Cook ended his own life by shooting himself in the head, setting a grim precedent for the years to come.

Since that inaugural tragedy, a disturbing variety of self‑inflicted deaths have occurred within the walls—overdoses, throat‑cutting, poison ingestion, leaping from rooftops or windows, and even gunshots. Cases like Grace Magro’s remain puzzling; she either fell or jumped from a nine‑story window, and her boyfriend claimed he was asleep at the time. As she plummeted, telephone wires snagged her, snapping from their poles and adding a surreal twist to the incident.

Another chilling episode involved Pauline Otton, who vaulted out of a ninth‑floor window, inadvertently killing an elderly pensioner strolling below. In total, twelve of the sixteen documented deaths linked to the Cecil are believed to be suicides, underscoring the hotel’s grim reputation.

Why These Are the Top 10 Horrible Stories

9 Skid Row Led to the Downfall of the Cecil Hotel

During the 1940s, the Cecil basked in opulence—its marble lobby and sleek décor attracted affluent travelers. Yet city officials in Los Angeles chose a different path, steering the burgeoning homeless population toward the area now known as Skid Row. This district became a dumping ground for individuals released from jails and mental institutions, and the nearby Cecil gradually transformed from a luxury landmark into a dilapidated relic.

The hotel morphed into an extension of the surrounding skid‑row ecosystem, offering long‑term rooms at rates far cheaper than typical hotel prices. This shift drew a new clientele—addicts, sex workers, and the chronically homeless—altering the establishment’s ambiance and safety profile dramatically.

Renovating the entire structure proved financially prohibitive, and stakeholders deemed a full‑scale overhaul unviable. Consequently, in 2011 the property underwent a partial makeover and was rebranded as “Stay on Main,” a thin veneer over a building steeped in decay.

8 There Was a Ghost Sighting at the Hotel

Given the cascade of murders and suicides, many suspect a lingering, malevolent energy within the Cecil. In 2014—less than a year after Elisa Lam’s mysterious death—an 11‑year‑old claimed to have captured a spectral figure on camera, appearing to hang outside a fourth‑floor window. While skeptics debate the image’s authenticity, the sighting fuels rumors that restless spirits still roam the corridors.

In January 2021, the paranormal series “Ghost Adventure: Cecil Hotel” aired a two‑hour special that marked the first documented investigation inside the building. Host Zak Bagans, accompanied by his crew and two psychic mediums, explored the infamous site and retraced Lam’s final steps, offering viewers a chilling glimpse into the hotel’s alleged hauntings.

7 A Woman Was Found Dead in the Water Tower

Canadian student Elisa Lam checked into the “Stay on Main” wing on January 26, 2013. Initially placed in a shared room, she was moved to a private space after fellow guests reported odd behavior. Lam vanished without a trace by January 30, prompting a frantic search.

Weeks later, guests began complaining about discolored, foul‑tasting water. A maintenance worker eventually discovered a woman’s body bobbing in the rooftop water tank. Surveillance footage captured Lam behaving erratically in an elevator, leading many to speculate she was fleeing an unseen threat. While the official ruling labeled her death an accident, the eerie circumstances continue to spark debate, especially after the Netflix documentary delved deeply into the case.

6 The Hotel Inspired American Horror Story Season

Ryan Murphy’s fifth season of “American Horror Story,” titled “Hotel,” draws heavily from the Cecil’s macabre legacy. The series centers on a shadowy Los Angeles hotel called the Cortez, weaving together tales of murder, paranormal activity, and unsettling guests. Notably, the show incorporated the real‑life serial killer Richard Ramírez—who once lodged at the Cecil—into the episode “Devil’s Night.”

Murphy has openly admitted his fascination with the Cecil, especially the baffling footage of Elisa Lam trapped in an elevator. He described the hotel’s dark history as a wellspring of inspiration, cementing its place in pop‑culture horror.

5 The Black Dahlia May Have Stayed There

In 1947, at the height of its glamour, rumors swirled that Elizabeth Short—the infamous “Black Dahlia”—spent evenings drinking at the Cecil’s bar. Short, an aspiring actress, was later found brutally murdered in the nearby Leimert Park area, her body grotesquely bisected at the waist. The sensational nature of the crime captured national attention, yet the perpetrator was never apprehended.

Although no concrete evidence confirms Short’s presence at the hotel, the speculation adds another layer of intrigue. Her tragic story has inspired countless books, films, and endless speculation, cementing her place among America’s most notorious unsolved murders.

4 The Hotel Will Not Be Reopening

Despite the growing trend of “true‑crime tourism,” the Cecil remains shuttered since 2017. A Forbes article reported that, contrary to rumors of imminent renovations, the hotel is not slated to reopen. Earlier plans envisioned a late‑2019 reopening, featuring a full‑service bar, 299 in‑room mini‑bars, a ground‑floor restaurant, and a rooftop venue with over 600 seats.

Developers even secured a $30 million loan in 2020 to fund a massive redevelopment, but the COVID‑19 pandemic stalled progress. As of now, the future of the building hangs in uncertainty, leaving its haunted legacy untouched.

3 Serial Killers Stayed at the Hotel

The Cecil’s dark reputation is underscored by the fact that two confirmed serial killers called it home. In the mid‑1980s, Richard Ramírez—dubbed the “Night Stalker”—occupied a top‑floor room, slipping through the hotel’s chaotic environment unnoticed. After committing murders, he would discard blood‑stained clothing in the dumpster and even stroll naked through the hallways, never arousing suspicion.

In 1991, Austrian killer Johan “Jack” Unterweger, masquerading as a journalist, also lodged at the Cecil. Under the guise of researching crime and prostitution, he murdered three sex workers and allegedly strangled at least ten women overall. The hotel’s proximity to a thriving red‑light district made it a convenient hunting ground for his atrocities.

2 Pigeon Goldie Was Murdered in Her Room

On June 4, 1964, the tragic murder of 65‑year‑old Goldie Osgood—affectionately known as “Pigeon Goldie”—shocked the community. A telephone operator for the hotel, Osgood was discovered in her room, having been raped, stabbed, and beaten. A hotel employee found her lifeless body amid a ransacked space, confirming a brutal assault.

Goldie earned her nickname by feeding birds in nearby Pershing Square, often wearing a Dodgers cap stuffed with birdseed. The cap, still brimming with seed, was found beside her. Friends recalled seeing her just minutes before the dreadful discovery, underscoring the suddenness of the crime.

Police arrested Jacques B. Ehlinger after spotting him wandering Pershing Square in blood‑stained clothing, yet he was never formally charged for Osgood’s murder. The case remains unsolved, leaving a lingering mystery over the hotel’s dark past.

1 Down Will Come Baby…

In 1944, 19‑year‑old Dorothy Jean Purcell, staying at the Cecil with her 38‑year‑old boyfriend, awoke with severe stomach cramps. Unaware of her pregnancy, she gave birth on the bathroom floor, believing the infant was stillborn. Fearing the shock of waking her boyfriend, she threw the newborn out of a window.

Police later retrieved the infant’s lifeless body from a neighboring roof. An autopsy revealed air in the baby’s lungs, indicating the child was still breathing when it was hurled, meaning the infant died after the fall. Purcell faced murder charges, but the court found her not guilty by reason of insanity.

Three independent forensic psychiatrists testified that Purcell was mentally disoriented at the time, and she never offered any explanation beyond believing the baby was already dead. The harrowing episode remains one of the most disturbing chapters in the hotel’s sordid history.

All hotels are temporary spaces—a revolving door of strangers, each staying just long enough to leave a story behind. In this top 10 hotel roundup, we count down the rooms where the story turned deadly, eerie, or downright baffling. As the Eagles warned, you can check‑in any time you like, but you might never leave… in peace.

What Makes This Top 10 Hotel List So Chilling

10 Room 1046, President Hotel

When Roland T. Owen walked through the lobby of the President Hotel in Kansas City in January 1935, he could not have imagined the grim mystery that would soon unfold.

The oddities began almost immediately. A maid discovered a cryptic note addressed to a man named “Don,” and later overheard Owen on the phone insisting he didn’t want to go out to eat with the mysterious correspondent.

Later, while delivering fresh towels, a second maid heard two male voices inside the room. She knocked, and a gruff reply warned that nothing was needed. Soon after, the front desk noticed the telephone in Room 1046 was off the hook, prompting a bellboy to investigate. He entered the darkened space twice more, each time to replace the missing receiver.

On his final visit, the bellboy finally switched the lights on. What he saw was a nightmarish tableau: blood spattered the walls and the bed, and Owen—naked, trembling—crouched in the corner with multiple stab wounds, a punctured lung, and a fractured skull. When asked who had inflicted the injuries, Owen whispered, “No one,” before slipping away without further explanation.

Police work revealed the room had been stripped of all clothing and personal effects, and that no record of anyone named Roland T. Owen existed. A pauper’s burial in an unmarked grave was arranged, yet an anonymous cash donation arrived at the last moment to cover the funeral costs.

Years later, a woman named Ruby Ogletree claimed a photograph of the corpse showed her missing son, Artemis. The identities of Roland T. Owen and the elusive “Don” remain unresolved, adding another layer of intrigue to this haunted suite.

9 Suite 352, Swissotel Nai Lert Park

David Carradine, best known for his role in the 1970s TV series “Kung Fu” and later the “Kill Bill” films, arrived in Bangkok in May 2009 to work on a new movie project.

Just days after checking into Suite 352 of the Swissotel Nai Lert Park, a maid entered the closet to discover his lifeless body hanging from a rope. Investigators ruled out suicide after finding the rope looped around his neck, wrists, and even his genitals. Thai authorities concluded the cause of death was auto‑erotic asphyxiation.

While Carradine’s family suspected foul play, CCTV footage confirmed that no one entered the suite during the critical time frame. Graphic photographs of the scene were later published in a Thai newspaper, and when his remains were repatriated to the United States, an American pathologist corroborated the Thai autopsy findings.

8 Room 100, Chelsea Hotel

Nancy Spungen, the American girlfriend of Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious, moved into Room 100 of New York’s legendary Chelsea Hotel after the band’s breakup in 1978.

On the night of 12 October 1978, hotel guests reported hearing “female moans” emanating from the room. Vicious called the front desk for assistance, and staff rushed in to find Spungen lying in the bathroom, fatally stabbed in the stomach.

Vicious was discovered dazed in the hallway and was arrested after initially confessing to the murder. He later altered his story, claiming he had been asleep. Released on bail, he died of a heroin overdose in February 1979.

The investigation into Spungen’s death never reached a conclusion. Some associates still suspect that a drug dealer known as Rockets Redglare, who had visited the room that night, may have been responsible before vanishing from the scene.

7 Room 5, Lake Quinnault Inn

Lyle Stevik checked into Room 5 at the Lake Quinnault Inn in Washington on Friday, 14 September 2001, carrying only a toothbrush and a pen, and providing a Meridian, Idaho address that turned out to be a Best Western.

He was spotted wandering the nearby highway, and a maid noted his minimal possessions. On Monday morning, staff discovered him dead inside a closet, a belt tightly wrapped around his neck. A note left behind read, “For the room,” along with a crumpled “Suicide” slip and $160 cash.

Police later uncovered that “Lyle Stevik” was a fictional character from a Joyce Carol Oates novel, used as an alias. No missing‑person reports matched his description, and he quickly became another John Doe on an unidentified bodies list.

Interest in his case surged in 2006 with the rise of online true‑crime communities. A Reddit group formed to locate him, speculating about possible ties to the September 11 attacks. In 2018, the DNA Doe Project secured his stored DNA, leading to a match in California. However, his family declined publicity, and the mystery surrounding his true identity remains unresolved.

6 Room 302, Hotel del Coronado

On Thanksgiving Day in 1892, Lottie A. Bernard checked into Room 302 of the historic Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, repeatedly asking staff if her brother had arrived.

She was later found dead on the stairs leading to the beach, shot in the head, still clutching the firearm. Her true identity was Kate Morgan, and police believed the “brother” she sought was actually an estranged husband or lover.

Guests soon reported strange phenomena in the room—flashing lights, cold drafts, and phantom footsteps. The hotel attracted paranormal investigators, and in 1992, parapsychologist Christopher Chacon used specialized equipment to detect 37 abnormalities in a different room, linking the disturbances to a maid who vanished after attending to Morgan.

Chacon’s research inspired Stephen King’s short story that became the film “1408.” Today, the former Room 302, now renumbered 3312, remains the most requested suite, with visitors still claiming eerie encounters.

5 Room 607, Lake Seminole Hard Rock Hotel

Anna Nicole Smith, former Playboy Playmate turned actress, was embroiled in a bitter legal battle over the estate of her late husband, J. Howard Marshall III, an 89‑year‑old billionaire.

In February 2007, grief‑stricken Smith and her lawyer‑husband Howard K. Stern checked into Room 607 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel in Florida. She remained hidden in the room, battling a severe stomach flu and pneumonia that drove her fever to 105°F, yet she refused to leave for medical care, fearing relentless paparazzi.

Her only solace came from a bottle of chloral hydrate—a powerful sedative—along with a cocktail of up to nine prescription pills daily. Stern stepped out to purchase a boat on 8 February, leaving Smith alone.

Later, Smith’s body was discovered by the wife of her bodyguard, who attempted CPR before calling an ambulance. She was pronounced dead, with the coroner deeming the death non‑suspicious, though her bodyguard later claimed she died of a broken heart.

4 Bungalow 3, Chateau Marmont

John Belushi, the iconic comedian who rose to fame on “Saturday Night Live” and starred in classics like “Animal House” and “The Blues Brothers,” checked into Bungalow 3 at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles on 28 February 1982 to work on a screenplay.

Already battling a long‑term cocaine addiction, Belushi embarked on a multi‑day binge of drugs and alcohol. His celebrity friends, Robert De Niro and Robin Williams, visited the bungalow one night to find it in disarray—broken furniture, discarded food, and piles of filthy clothes. Also present was Cathy Smith, a backing vocalist who supplied Belushi with his drugs.

On the morning of 5 March 1982, a waiter delivered breakfast; Smith signed for the meal and left promptly. Later, Belushi’s bodyguard arrived with a typewriter, discovering Belushi unresponsive. Emergency services were called, but Belushi was already dead.

Smith fled to Canada and was later arrested in 1986 after admitting she had injected Belushi with eleven “speedballs”—a lethal mix of heroin and cocaine. She served 15 months for involuntary manslaughter.

3 Penthouse, DuPont Circle Hotel

Mikhail Lesin, a close confidant of Russian President Vladimir Putin who helped launch state‑controlled TV networks, moved to the United States in 2014. After a brief stint in Washington, D.C., he booked the ninth‑floor penthouse at the DuPont Circle Hotel, paying $1,200 cash for a single night.

During his stay, Lesin made several trips in and out of the hotel, returning each time with grocery bags. On 5 November 2015, a welfare check discovered him dead—face down on the floor, surrounded by empty alcohol bottles and scattered dollar bills.

Official reports listed blunt‑force injuries to his head, neck, and torso, attributing death to a fall while intoxicated. However, staff noted that approximately ten hours of security footage outside his room had vanished.

News outlet RFE/RL filed a lawsuit to obtain the autopsy and redacted police statements, which revealed a fractured neck bone consistent with manual strangulation. The case remains closed, shrouded in mystery.

2 Samarkand Hotel

In September 1970, rock legend Jimi Hendrix, famed for hits like “Purple Haze” and “Hey Joe,” retreated to London with his German girlfriend Monika Dannemann, who was staying at the Samarkand Hotel.

Plagued by insomnia, Hendrix accepted a handful of sleeping pills from Dannemann and never awoke. Friends called an ambulance, and a roadie was seen burying drugs in nearby gardens during the cleanup. The autopsy found unusually large amounts of wine in his lungs, though the death certificate listed inhalation of vomit as the cause.

In 1975, Dannemann claimed the mafia had killed Hendrix, and rumors circulated that he was on a secret CIA list. The true circumstances of his death remain a topic of speculation.

1 Room 434, Beverly Hilton Hotel

During the Grammy Awards weekend in February 2012, Whitney Houston checked into Room 434 of the Beverly Hilton Hotel, hoping to stage a triumphant comeback.

Just hours before the pre‑awards party, Houston’s assistant discovered her face down in the bathtub, submerged under twelve inches of scalding water. The autopsy determined drowning, compounded by cocaine use and pre‑existing heart disease, as the cause of death.

Following the tragedy, fans flooded the hotel with requests to book the infamous room, even sneaking photos of themselves in the very bathtub where Houston was found. The hotel later renumbered the suite to deter macabre tourists.

Traveling is one of the most enjoyable ways to learn about the planet, and when you add a pinch of the extraordinary, the adventure becomes unforgettable. For the introverted explorer who craves a private sanctuary after a day of cultural immersion, the right hotel room can feel like a personal launchpad back to sanity. In this roundup we’ve gathered the top 10 out of this world hotel rooms—each one a whimsical, jaw‑dropping escape from the ordinary.

While some rooms resemble sterile prison cells and others echo the grandeur of a royal spa, a handful of properties break every design rule and rewrite what a sleeping space can be. From glass‑capped igloos under the aurora to a fully functional aircraft perched in a jungle canopy, these ten accommodations redefine the very notion of “room service.” Buckle up, because we’re about to take you on a tour of the most eccentric, awe‑inspiring places to rest your head.

Why These Are the Top 10 Out of This World Stays

1 Null Stern Hotel, Switzerland

Null Stern Hotel earned fame by converting a deserted nuclear bunker into a boutique lodging experience, and its latest venture, Zero Real Estate, pushes the concept even further. Situated amid the breathtaking Swiss Alps, the seven “rooms” consist of nothing more than a mattress, nightstand, and a patch of floor—no walls, no ceilings. At first glance this sounds like a gimmick, but the panoramic mountain vistas that surround each sleeping platform turn the minimalist setup into a celestial retreat.

Each bed is tended by a local “butler” who hikes up to the site, delivering meals, drinks, and a dose of regional charm. When the weather cooperates, you can drift off under a dome of stars, with snow‑capped peaks and blooming valleys stretching as far as the eye can see. It’s arguably the purest way to “sleep under the stars” without any architectural interference.

2 Hotel CasAnus, Belgium

Hotel CasAnus in Stekene, Belgium, lives up to its cheeky moniker by shaping an entire building into an anatomically correct rectum. The exterior mimics the reddish, veiny texture of human tissue, while the interior is a pristine white that mirrors the smooth organ walls. At one end of the structure sits a perfectly rendered sphincter, completing the bold, anatomical illusion.

Inside, guests find a functional toilet embedded within the rectal cavity—a literal, working example of the concept. The design challenges conventional hospitality norms, offering a provocative, conversation‑starter experience that’s as unforgettable as it is unapologetically daring.

3 Helga’s Folly, Sri Lanka

Helga’s Folly, perched in Kandy, Sri Lanka, proudly brands itself as an “anti‑hotel.” The entire property—exterior, common areas, and all 17 rooms—is plastered head‑to‑toe in a riotous collage of art styles. Imagine stepping into a three‑dimensional Ginsberg poem, where every surface bursts with color, texture, and intrigue.

Instead of the calming neutrals typical of boutique hotels, each room is a sensory overload: mobiles swing from ceilings, mirrors distort reality, sculptures loom in corners, skeletons peek out, and mosaics, tapestries, graffiti, and taxidermy vie for attention. If you crave an immersive, psychedelic environment that feels like living inside an avant‑garde gallery, Helga’s Folly delivers the full dose.

4 Treehotel, Sweden

Deep in the Swedish Lapland’s Lule River valley lies the Treehotel, a collection of seven distinct treehouses perched among ancient conifers. Each structure is a single‑room sanctuary, suspended four to six metres above the forest floor, and each was crafted by a different Scandinavian architect, resulting in wildly diverse designs.

Some, like The Cabin and The Dragonfly, offer conventional, boxy silhouettes, while others push the envelope. The UFO, for instance, resembles a chrome flying saucer perched on a cluster of trees, complete with an entrance ramp and tiny portholes looking down at the forest below. Inside, the circular interior feels like stepping into a sci‑fi set, offering an otherworldly perspective on woodland living.

5 Utter Inn, Sweden

Perched on Lake Mälaren in Västerås, Sweden, the Utter Inn is a minimalist two‑room concept: a floating loft perched on the water’s surface and a submerged chamber beneath it. Access is via a small boat, and from the dock the structure resembles a modest shed or oversized outhouse.

The upper room houses a cozy sleeping area, while a trapdoor leads down to the underwater suite. Its porthole‑style windows frame the lake’s murky, amber‑tinted waters, creating a serene yet slightly eerie atmosphere. The combination of simplicity and novelty makes the Utter Inn both one of the most straightforward and strangest stays on our list.

6 Airplane Room at Hotel Costa Verde, Costa Rica

Hotel Costa Verde, nestled in Quepos beside Manuel Antonio National Park, offers a one‑of‑a‑kind lodging experience: a fully refurbished Boeing 727 perched on a jungle ledge overlooking the Pacific coast. The aircraft appears to have crash‑landed amid the canopy, creating a dramatic visual that feels straight out of a movie set.

Inside, the fuselage has been transformed into two luxurious bedrooms, each lined with dark, uniform wood that contrasts sharply with the plane’s metallic exterior. The result is a sleek, cabin‑like sanctuary that merges aviation history with tropical elegance, providing a truly unforgettable backdrop for any traveler.

7 Dog Bark Park Inn, United States

Travelers cruising along Idaho’s Highway 95 will encounter the Dog Bark Park Inn, a whimsical two‑bedroom B&B shaped like a gigantic beagle named Sweet Willy. The owners proudly term this quirky creation “barkitecture,” and the interior lives up to the playful exterior.

Both rooms burst with canine‑themed décor: wood carvings of dogs, dog‑shaped pillows, headboards, wall art, shelves, and even rugs celebrate our four‑legged friends. Despite its novelty, the inn remains highly sought‑after, with bookings often made months or years in advance. And yes—cats are welcome too.

8 Space Room, Fantasyland Hotel, Canada

Inside the colossal West Edmonton Mall in Alberta, Canada, the Fantasyland Hotel dazzles guests with a roster of themed suites, each boasting high production values. Among Roman, pirate, and Polynesian rooms, the Space Room stands out as a stellar homage to sci‑fi interiors.

The chamber mimics a spacecraft’s cockpit, complete with cosmic‑hued walls, a faux porthole looking out into “space,” neon LED accents, and an array of buttons and dials. Its most striking feature is the bunk‑style sleeping pods that genuinely feel like futuristic capsules. Far from tacky, the design achieves an authentic, fun vibe that transports guests to another galaxy.

9 Giraffe Manor, Kenya

Set on a sprawling private reserve near Nairobi, Giraffe Manor blends colonial elegance with wildlife conservation. The multi‑story mansion, once a symbol of opulent European architecture, now serves as a sanctuary for endangered Rothschild’s giraffes, offering guests intimate encounters with these gentle giants.

Strategically placed windows allow the giraffes to poke their long necks inside for treats, photos, and occasional pats. While the rooms themselves are luxuriously appointed, the true allure lies in the giraffes’ friendly presence, turning a simple breakfast into an unforgettable, up‑close wildlife experience.

10 Igloos at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Finland

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort sits in Finland’s frosty Lapland, a realm of snow‑blanketed pine forests that draws holiday enthusiasts from around the globe. The area’s endless white landscape and festive atmosphere make it feel like a real‑life North‑Pole village, complete with reindeer‑sleigh rides and aurora‑watching tours.

Its signature attraction is a field of glass‑capped igloos, each a solitary, dome‑shaped sanctuary perched among snow‑laden trees. These one‑room marvels provide unobstructed views of the night sky, allowing guests to gaze at the dancing northern lights from the comfort of their warm bed. Beyond the glass igloos, the resort also offers snow igloos, traditional log cabins, and hybrid cabin‑igloo structures for those seeking varied arctic experiences.

When you belong to the ultra‑wealthy club, price tags become a whimsical after‑thought. Golden mammoth skeletons, rooftop pools brimming with premium tequila, and even jet‑powered butlers (okay, maybe that’s a stretch) are just the beginning. The one‑percenters constantly hunt fresh, jaw‑dropping experiences, and the world’s most extravagant resorts answer that call with rooms that redefine the word “luxury.” Below you’ll find the top 10 most opulent hotel suites on the planet, each boasting a nightly price that would make most of us gasp, then reach for the nearest credit card. Spoiler alert: the most extravagant of them all includes a golden mammoth skeleton that is, indeed, real.

1 Nobu Villa, Nobu Hotel

Las Vegas is famous for its colossal, neon‑lit resorts that dominate the Strip, but the Nobu Hotel takes a different route. With only 182 rooms, it favors sleek minimalism over gaudy excess. The crown jewel, the Nobu Villa, commands $35,000 a night and stretches over 10,500 square feet. Guests enjoy an entourage that includes a personal butler, a dedicated masseuse, a private limousine, and round‑the‑clock access to the culinary genius of chef‑owner Nobu Matsuhisa. The villa also features a full‑service bar, a rooftop barbecue pit, and a whirlpool, striking a perfect balance between understated elegance and outright extravagance.

What truly sets the Nobu Villa apart is its ability to feel both grand and intimate. The space radiates a calm, refined aura while still offering every conceivable indulgence. From the private terrace to the meticulously curated art pieces, the suite whispers luxury without shouting, making it a standout entry on this list.

2 The Royal Villa, Grand Resort Lagonissi

Perched on a private peninsula just south of Athens, the Grand Resort Lagonissi offers sweeping vistas of the Aegean Sea and a constellation of nearby Greek islands. The resort’s flagship accommodation, the Royal Villa, carries a price tag of $45,000 per night, a sum justified by its regal setting and unparalleled amenities.

The three‑bedroom, three‑bathroom sanctuary includes a private gym, a dedicated massage parlor, both indoor and outdoor pools, and its own butler’s quarters with a separate entrance. This exclusive access ensures guests are attended to at every turn, while the villa’s design evokes the grandeur befitting royalty, allowing visitors to truly feel removed from the ordinary world.

3 The Ty Warner Penthouse, Four Seasons

Located in the heart of Manhattan, the Four Seasons New York sits between Madison and Park Avenues, placing guests within walking distance of the city’s most iconic landmarks. At the pinnacle of this hotel sits the Ty Warner Penthouse, a $50,000‑per‑night masterpiece designed by the legendary architect I.M. Pei, who devoted seven years to its creation.

Every detail of the penthouse screams opulence: gold‑trimmed bay windows, sheets woven from 22‑carat gold fibers, and a gold‑bordered telescope that frames Central Park and the skyline. A personal butler, a private chef, and a curated collection of fine art complete the experience, ensuring guests feel as though they’ve conquered the very essence of New York luxury.

4 The Penthouse Suite, Faena Miami

Miami’s Faena Hotel houses a penthouse suite that lives up to its $50,000 nightly price tag with unapologetic Art Deco flair. Every surface bursts with maximalist design—tiger‑print chairs, gold‑leafed accents, and a golden greyhound statue guarding a leopard‑print living room. The suite’s décor pushes the envelope of extravagance, matching the city’s vibrant energy.

Adding to the visual feast, the hotel’s lobby showcases Damien Hirst’s “Gone but Not Forgotten,” a golden woolly mammoth skeleton that serves as a striking centerpiece. The combination of bold aesthetics and premium amenities makes this suite a true playground for the affluent seeking an unforgettable Miami experience.

5 The Hilltop Villa, Laucala Island

Owned by Red Bull’s Dietrich Mateschitz, Laucala Island is a private paradise where every detail is meticulously curated. The Hilltop Villa, priced at $50,000 per night, sits atop the island’s most pristine landscape, offering immaculate lawns, crystal‑clear waters, and towering palms.

The villa’s offerings include a personal chauffeur, a dedicated nanny, a full kitchen staff, and even private horses for beach rides. This all‑inclusive service ensures guests can indulge in every conceivable luxury without ever leaving the island’s immaculate grounds.

6 A Private Island, Cheval Blanc Randheli

For those who think a private island sounds excessive, Cheval Blanc Randheli in the Maldives proves it’s the ultimate indulgence. Renting the entire island for $50,000 a night grants exclusive access to a coral‑rimmed paradise, free from any other occupants.

The island’s service roster includes personal chefs, bartenders, and even a private pianist, ensuring every whim is catered to. Surrounded by turquoise waters and vibrant marine life, guests experience a level of seclusion and luxury that few can imagine.

7 The Penthouse Suite, Hotel Martinez

Set against the backdrop of the French Riviera in Cannes, the Hotel Martinez’s Penthouse Suite commands $55,000 per night. The suite occupies the top floor, boasting a private terrace that offers panoramic views of the Mediterranean.

Inside, the space blends sophisticated style with comfort: a bedroom, living room, dining area, and even a closet featuring a leopard‑print carpet. Celebrities flock here during the Cannes Film Festival, enjoying the on‑site two‑Michelin‑starred restaurant La Palme d’Or, making this suite a pinnacle of Riviera luxury.

8 The Grand Penthouse, The Mark

New York’s The Mark hotel presents the Grand Penthouse, a sprawling $75,000‑per‑night residence that redefines urban opulence. Spanning over 10,000 square feet, the suite includes a private terrace of 2,500 square feet, a ballroom‑sized living room, and soaring 26‑foot ceilings.

Each of the two floors showcases unique, custom‑crafted furniture, while the entryway stretches more than 30 feet across. Overlooking Central Park, the Grand Penthouse offers an unparalleled blend of space, style, and skyline views, making it a coveted haven for the city’s elite.

9 The Royal Penthouse Suite, Hotel President Wilson

Perched in Geneva, Switzerland, the Hotel President Wilson’s Royal Penthouse Suite commands $80,000 a night and offers unrivaled vistas of Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc. The expansive suite comprises 12 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms, one of which features a jacuzzi with a panoramic lake view.

Additional luxuries include a massive 103‑inch television, a grand piano, and a staff ready to cater to heads of state, royalty, and discerning travelers seeking the ultimate in Swiss hospitality.

10 The Empathy Suite, Palms Casino

Las Vegas’ Palms Casino houses the world’s most extravagant accommodation: the Empathy Suite, priced at $100,000 per night. Designed by Damien Hirst, the suite showcases two white sharks preserved in formaldehyde, a 13‑seat bar constructed from faux medical waste, and walls adorned with pill‑patterned wallpaper.

The design blends medical motifs with whimsical polka‑dots and butterflies, creating a surreal environment that pushes the boundaries of luxury. Guests are treated to an experience that is as much an art installation as it is a place to stay.

Honorable Mention The Boulevard Penthouses, The Cosmopolitan

The Cosmopolitan’s Boulevard Penthouses earn an honorable mention for being simultaneously the most expensive and the cheapest hotel rooms in the world, depending on perspective. High‑roller gamblers who wager at least one million dollars on the casino floor are granted complimentary access to these ultra‑luxurious suites.

The penthouses resemble sets from a futuristic sci‑fi film, featuring sleek, minimalist design, pristine surfaces, and gold accents everywhere. While the rooms are technically free for qualifying guests, the required betting stakes make them effectively the priciest accommodations on the planet.