Flagstaff’s Hotel Monte Vista was built in 1927, just off of the famous Route 66. In its heyday, it was the go-to hotel for some of the most famous celebrities of the golden era, including Bob Hope, Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, John Wayne, and Esther Williams among many more. Besides it being the preferred hotel to stay for Hollywood elites, it was also a location for filming one of the most famous movies of all time, Casablanca.
Hotel Monte Vista is no doubt a wonderful hotel to choose while visiting Flagstaff. It is so well-liked, in fact, that some of its visitors have decided to never leave. There are said to be many ghosts hanging around the old hotel, with many of them known to interact with the living guests.
One such spirit is that of a bellboy who evidently is spending eternity doing the job he did in life. He has been seen many times over the years, having even spoken to a few guests in that time. Those who have seen him claim he is not a malicious spirit, though he can be a bit obnoxious when he knocks on guests’ doors in the middle of the night.
Another interesting spirit often seen at Hotel Monte Vista is that of a man known as the “Meat Man.” Interesting name, right? According to the website for the hotel, this guy used to hang all kinds of meat from the light fixture in his room. I do not know why he did that. I guess we all have our quirks. For some reason or another, this guy’s ghost is still hanging around that room. He is often seen there, or just outside in the hallway.
Yet another well-known spirit in the hotel is that of a bank robber who bled to death inside the lobby from a gunshot wound he received back in the 1970s. Many guests and staff alike have seen his apparition in the lobby as well as in the cocktail lounge on more than one occasion.
I need to head back to Arizona soon and check this place out. Let me know in the comments if you've ever been!
Photo by: pandionhiatus3