Caroline Foster Stickney, affectionately known to generations of guests as "The Princess." Joseph Stickney, her husband and the hotel's builder, lavished every luxury upon her, including a custom suite, which today is Room 314. This particular room, with its original four-poster canopy bed, remains the epicenter of the hotel’s paranormal narrative, often requested months, even years, in advance by those hoping for a glimpse into the past.
### Decoding the Princess's Enduring Allure in Room 314 The moment you step into Room 314, a peculiar sensation settles over you. It's not necessarily eerie, but rather a distinct feeling of being in a space that carries a profound history, a room where the air itself seems thicker with untold stories. Caroline Stickney, a woman of means who oversaw the hotel’s exquisite interior design, tragically lost her husband in September 1903, just a year after the hotel opened. Widowed, she continued to spend her summers at the resort, and it’s from this period that many of her reported activities stem. Guests often report lights flickering, the inexplicable cold spots that chase you across the floor, or the faint, almost ethereal scent of a floral perfume, an olfactory echo from a bygone era. Perhaps the most compelling claims regarding Room 314 revolve around direct encounters with Caroline herself. Numerous guests describe waking to the feeling of being watched, only to see a spectral woman in Victorian dress, often seated at the foot of the bed, brushing her hair. This isn't a violent or malevolent presence; rather, she's consistently described as a serene, almost wistful figure, seemingly caught in a timeless ritual. I've heard countless tales from guests, all sharing a remarkable consistency in their descriptions, which, from an investigative standpoint, is more intriguing than a thousand isolated, disparate reports. During an episode of Ghost Hunters in 2008, an EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) allegedly captured a female voice in Room 314 responding, "Of course I’m in here. Where are you?" when addressed as Princess. While EVPs are inherently subjective and often debated, the specificity of that alleged response adds a layer of dramatic flair that no hotel marketer could invent. ### What Lies Beyond the Princess: Other Restless Spirits While Caroline holds court as the hotel's most celebrated spectral resident, the Omni Mount Washington is far from a one-ghost wonder. Its expansive, labyrinthine corridors and grand public spaces seem to retain the energetic imprint of countless lives lived within its walls. One recurring, poignant tale speaks of anunnamed bride who tragically perished on her wedding night in the early 20th century. Her ethereal figure, still cloaked in a wedding gown, is said to drift through various hallways, sometimes even making a fleeting appearance in Room 314 itself. Guests have reported inexplicable cold spots and, more unsettlingly, faint, soft sobbing sounds when no one else is visible. This particular legend carries a deep melancholy, a contrast to Caroline's more gentle presence, hinting at a broader spectrum of emotional energies imprinted upon the hotel.
Further evidence of the hotel's vibrant past manifests in the Grand Ballroom. If you wander through this opulent space late at night, or perhaps during the quieter off-season, you might just catch the faint strains of orchestral music, the rustle of invisible ballgowns, and the lighthearted laughter of long-departed revelers. These are the "Ghostly Dancers," believed to be residual echoes of the hotel's glittering Gilded Age gala events from its opening in 1902 through the 1920s. Unlike an intelligent haunting, where a spirit interacts directly with the living, residual hauntings are more like energetic recordings, playing out events from the past without conscious awareness. It's a fascinating concept to ponder: is the hotel itself a giant recorder, capturing the joyous exuberance of its early decades for us to occasionally glimpse? ### Challenging the Tourist Trap Narrative: Is the "Haunted Room" Worth It? Let’s be honest: when a hotel actively promotes its haunted status, there’s always a cynical voice in the back of one’s head wondering if it’s all a clever marketing ploy. BookingRoom 314 at the Omni Mount Washington is notoriously difficult and, frankly, expensive. It's usually the first room to go, especially during peak foliage season (mid-September to mid-October) when the hotel is already bustling. If you’re serious about experiencing it, plan to book at least 6-12 months in advance, and expect rates to be significantly higher than standard rooms. Is the upcharge worth it? That depends entirely on your expectations.
For those seeking a dramatic, jump-scare type of encounter, you’ll likely be disappointed. The Mount Washington’s hauntings are subtler, more atmospheric. The beauty of staying in Room 314 isn't just the *possibility* of a paranormal experience, but the tangible connection to history it provides. You're sleeping in the very bed of a historical figure, surrounded by the echoes of her life. The cold spots, the flickering lights – these might be genuine phenomena, or perhaps they're merely the quirks of an old building, amplified by suggestion. What's undeniable, however, is the unique sense of place. For the truly curious, for those who appreciate the convergence of history, architecture, and folklore, the premium price for Room 314 offers an unparalleled immersive experience, even if your only "ghostly" encounter is a vivid dream. For others, exploring the public spaces and relying on anecdotes might be enough. ### Practicalities of a Spectral Stay: Timing, Crowds, and Your Own Beliefs Planning a visit to the Omni Mount Washington, especially with a paranormal bent, requires a bit of strategy. I always recommend avoiding the absolute peak tourist seasons, like the aforementioned foliage rush or the height of summer. Not only are the rates astronomical, but the sheer volume of guests can dilute the quiet, contemplative atmosphere essential for any potential subtle encounters.Aim for the shoulder seasons: late spring (May-early June) or late fall (late October-November). During these times, the hotel retains its grandeur but offers a calmer, more reflective environment. Parking, while ample, can become a minor trek to the entrance during sold-out weekends, so consider arriving during off-peak check-in hours if you have a lot of luggage.
What should you bring, beyond an open mind? A good quality camera (for those inexplicable light anomalies, or just the stunning scenery), perhaps a voice recorder if you're serious about EVP capture, and most importantly, a sense of humor. Not every creak is a ghost, and not every draft is a spectral touch. Many of the hotel's reported incidents, such as lights switching on and off in the South Tower's former staff quarters or unexplained footsteps, could also be attributed to an aging building with its own personality. The beauty of the Mount Washington experience lies in the ambiguity, the delightful uncertainty that keeps you perpetually wondering. Ultimately, the Mount Washington offers a rare blend of historical magnificence and genuine mystery. It doesn't rely on cheap tricks or manufactured scares. Instead, it invites you to step into a meticulously preserved past, where the whispers of former residents are said to still linger. Whether you believe in ghosts or simply love a good story, a stay here is an immersion into a unique American legend. Just don't be surprised if, as you drift off to sleep, you suddenly feel a gentle brush against your arm, or catch the faint, sweet scent of a forgotten perfume – after all, some stories, it seems, just never truly end.