Dating back to 1865, the luxurious Langham
Hotel in London has enjoyed mixed fortunes. It started life as London’s first
truly grand hotel, boasting some 500 rooms, but other, grander hotels came on
the scene and its popularity waned over the years. In the 1950s, it was taken
over as administrative offices by the BBC.
A number of ghosts have been reported,
including that of a German prince who threw himself out of a fourth floor
bedroom window prior to the First World War. His presence is heralded by a
sudden drop in temperature as he moves through walls and closed doors. The
spirit of Emperor Napoleon III has also been seen, strangely enough more in the basement than anywhere! On the third floor, a
ghostly butler wanders the corridors but, on the same floor, a much more
sinister presence is felt - and even seen - in Room 333.
It is believed to be the restless spirit of
a Victorian doctor who stayed in that room with his bride. He murdered her and
then took his own life in that very room and now seems unable – or unwilling –
to leave. In 1973, when the building was still owned by the BBC, the third floor
comprised overnight staff accommodation. The journalist, James Alexander
Gordon, was staying in that room one night in October. He awoke to see a fluorescent
ball of light which gradually began to assume human shape. It hovered around
two feet off the floor and was dressed in extravagant Victorian evening wear. Curiously, it
was missing the lower portion of both legs. Gordon asked what it wanted but
it did not reply - just continued to stare at him, with vacant eyes. Then, it opened
its arms and moved towards him.
Thoroughly spooked, the journalist fled from
the room and raced down to reception where he told the uninterested attendant.
When he refused either to believe Gordon’s story or accompany him back to his
room, the reporter returned by himself. The ghost was still there, but noticeably
fainter than before. Other BBC staff reported their own disturbed nights in
that room over the years – and their accounts matched Gordon’s.
The BBC sold the hotel and it underwent two
phases of refurbishment. Today it is once again a luxury, 5 star hotel. In 2014, the
England cricket team stayed there and had some unnerving experiences. Once
again, room 333 featured heavily. Bowler Stuart Broad found the room stiflingly
hot, and had such a frightening experience there that he demanded to be given another
room. It seems the taps suddenly turned on full all by themselves. When he
switched the lights on, the taps switched off, but on turning the lights back
off, the sound of rushing water from both faucets signalled the end of his stay.
Other members of the team – especially those
staying in the third floor – reported a variety of spooky, inexplicable events
and at least one of the cricketers’ girlfriends refused to stay there.
In May 2003, a female guest staying in room
333 checked out in the middle of the night, giving no reason for her sudden departure. A few days
later she sent a letter explaining that she had cut her stay short
was because her sleep was interrupted by the ghost, who repeatedly shook
her bed.
Langham’s certainly seems to qualify is one
of London’s most haunted hotels. Staying there isn’t cheap, but for a truly
haunting experience, it might just be worth it. Especially, so I am told, in
October. That is when the ghostly activity – especially in room 333 – reaches its
crescendo. Here’s a link to the official hotel website: Langham
Hotel
OOh Cat, you never fail to surprise. I must say room 333 sounds quite a place to stay.....
ReplyDeleteIt certainly does, Shehanne! :)
DeleteAmazing Post
ReplyDeleteThe ghost is very dangerous
ReplyDeletethat is very scary i'm shaking right now
ReplyDelete