Because of its tragic history over the course of many centuries, New Orleans has earned a reputation as one of, if not the most haunted city in the United States. There’s no hiding the fact that most homes in New Orleans are haunted, but although most people walk in expecting to maybe pick up on some unexplained noises, here in Lamothe House I’ve got the whole show that’ll make your skin crawl – let me tell you my story.

Do you have your lights on? If not, then you may have to.

Haunting of The Lamothe House – 621 Esplanade Avenue, New Orleans

A particular thanks goes out to Paul at the reception; not only was he a pleasure to speak with, but he also gave me this room when I specifically requested one that could be haunted. 

Once I’ve finished sharing my story, I’ll go into the house’s and the sister properties’ storied pasts.

Before getting into the eerie details, I’d like to emphasize that I spent the night before at the Hyatt on Bourbon Street and I didn’t have any strange experiences there, nor did I feel nervous or uneasy.

Lamothe House

I was supposed to stay at the Inn On The Ursulines which was built on top of Marie Laveau’s house that burned down in one of the city’s major fires in the past. However, thanks to Paul, I was able to stay at the Lamothe House which was more grandiose and much larger – let me tell you my story. 

First Night – October 30th, 2022

I’d love to say that I felt a strange feeling as soon as I stepped inside the house in the afternoon when checking in at the main house, however, it was quite the opposite. I had felt a rush of adrenaline walking through the tall doors and long hallway decorated in warm wooden-colored antique furniture and adorned with authentic paintings from the original owners. 

To check in, you have to walk up the stairs of the original house to reach the reception area, which is a spacious room filled with antique furniture and this warm and cozy feeling. Once you’ve checked in, you’re free to go to your room, which in my case was not in the main building, but on the side one past the later added pool. 

Although this pool area was remodeled, it still holds this old charm that makes you question what stories have happened there – did someone fall in love? Had a heartbreak? Maybe pain that was later turned into love?

After unpacking everything, I started getting steadily more anxious the longer I stayed in the room. The room was cozy and comfortable, though I couldn’t shake this feeling that left me feeling observed and preyed upon – most haunted city in the US, what else could I expect? Right?

“C’mon Anna. Get your shit together” – I whispered to myself. Although this wasn’t my first time staying in a supposedly haunted place, or having a paranormal encounter, this time seemed different. After brushing off those emotions like a wet dog, I prepared to leave and see what New Orleans had to offer, after all, it was just a feeling that would pass.

When I arrived back, it was late. There was no hesitation on my part as I proceeded to make my bed and crawled into my enormous king-sized bed, which appeared to take up the whole room. 

On my second night in New Orleans, but my first night in this hotel, I had trouble falling asleep and woke up many times throughout the night feeling anxious – nothing too extraordinary for a haunted hotel, right?

Second Night – October 31st, 2022

Traditionally, the veil between the living and the dead is said to be at its thinnest on Halloween, and this year’s celebration was certainly no exception.

I had been out all day and returned home at 1 AM sober since I no longer partake in drinking alcohol – no judgment, just not for me anymore as my hangover is getting out of hand the older I get, ha.

Anyway, I went to sleep around 1.20 AM and felt “okay-ish”. . it didn’t take long before I woke up again around 3 AM, albeit not on my own.

As I awoke, I turned to the front of the room and saw a woman there. She stood upright, with her hair pulled back nicely except for a few strands that hung out in the front and caught the light from the lights outside. She wore a long, dark red dress with a striking necklace that hung down the center of her chest. She looked away from me towards the bathroom, not moving like a doll. 

It felt like forever. Staring at her and not being able to move.

At that point, I was wide awake and just laying there waiting. Waiting for something to happen. Waiting for her to do something or for me to wake up again and realize I was still dreaming.

For a while, it seemed as if time had stopped, but then she turned her head and I felt a sudden, crushing terror rise up from deep inside my chest.

I immediately hid under the covers – don’t judge me. 

I waited. 

Nothing. 

Again, it felt like forever. Though eventually, I decided to look up again and realized there was nothing in the room anymore. Whoever she was, she was gone… or so I thought. 

I couldn’t stop looking at the spot where I’d last seen her, wondering if it had all been a dream or my imagination. However, nothing was appearing. Needless to say, I prepared myself for a sleepless night, but as if magically, I fell asleep again after a while… until I was woken up once again. 

Mind you, I sleep with earplugs because any noise whatsoever is overstimulating. 

I heard a woman speak loudly in my ear to run and hide. 

“Run. He’s close and he will find you. Go fast.”

My heart was racing. My hands felt damp. I felt a chill go up and down my spine as I repeated those words over and over in my mind. 

It took some time, but eventually I worked up the nerve to open my eyes and gaze around the room – no one was there. 

Finally, at approximately 6 AM, I was able to fall asleep again, albeit I didn’t stay asleep for very long since it started to get bright outside. 

Third Night – November 1st, 2022

The majority of my last day I spent thinking about my experience and talking it over with others. 

What have I really seen? Was my brain just playing a trick on me? Some sort of wishful thinking? 

Though it felt – so – real. 

I decided that on my way back home the next day I was going to look up the address and surrounding neighborhood online to see what kind of information could be uncovered on the lady who lived there.

When the night fell, I was dreading the return trip to the hotel, but I knew I had to. It seemed strangely comforting and familiar to go back into the room – hello? Considering what had happened the night before? HOW? 

Also, when I say “familiar,” I don’t mean in the sense of having been there for a few nights; rather, I mean the sense of having been there many times in the past – it felt like home almost…

As usual, before turning in for the night, I stripped down to my clothes and removed my makeup. Strangely, it was the first time in a few nights that I didn’t feel anxious or uneasy – was it all gone maybe? Unfortunately not. 

Laying comfy in my bed and about to fall asleep, I decided to go to the bathroom one more time. As I sat down to do my business, I felt it again. I felt preyed upon. I felt eyes on me, staring deep into my soul and waiting for my next move. 

I couldn’t move and so, I just sat there… waiting. 

Eventually, I had the courage to clean up and flush the toilet, but as I was standing up, I caught a glimpse of motion from the edge of the bathtub – Oh, God. What the hell is that?

As I saw it, I felt the impending doom in my chest compelled me to sprint for my life. It was going to kill me. Whatever it was, it almost had me, and I had nowhere to go. 

I will never forget this desperate feeling inside of me. A desperation, almost like I was about to beg for my life.

My heart is thumping in my skull and I can’t help but focus on it. It was so loud. The cold floor under my feet. The surge of adrenaline that prompted my body’s “fight or flight” response. 

I jumped onto the bed and spun around to see what was chasing me. However, there was nothing there, and I was completely alone. Looking once again in the room around me and wondering what the hell had just happened – have I gone mad? Did someone spike my drinks?

As quickly as everything came, it also left. 

The following morning, I awoke with a renewed sense of calm and no idea what had transpired the nights before. Even still, I couldn’t get rid of the nagging impression that this woman had met a tragic end in that spot and was trying to warn me – what had really happened in that room?

?Inspired? Don’t miss the most haunted hotels in New Orleans.

History fan? You’ll love this post about the Historic New Orleans Collection.

Love late night ghost stories? Read the creepiest stories about New Orleans here!

Lamothe House History

The Lamothe House was built in the 1830s in the heart of the historic French Quarter of New Orleans. Originally, the house served as the private residence of Charles Daron, a wealthy plantation owner.

Over the years, the property underwent many changes in its structure and interior, with various owners redecorating and modifying its appearance. In the late 19th century, a prominent local businessman called Jean Baptiste Lamothe bought the house and gave it a new life as a hotel, now known as the Lamothe House Hotel.

Attracted by its elegant interior, hospitality, and convenient location in the heart of the French Quarter, the hotel quickly gained a good reputation in the city, drawing guests from all over the world to spend the night in the stylish Lamothe House guest rooms.

After several renovations and expansions over the 20th century, the Lamothe House offers comfortable and modern accommodations while maintaining its traditional style and historic architecture. Today, this distinct boutique hotel continues to be a popular destination for travelers and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, ensuring its future growth as a beloved landmark in the French Quarter.

Inn On The Ursulines

 The Inn on Ursulines is a charming historic inn constructed in 1725 and is one of the oldest structures in the French Quarter. The property served as a residence for wealthy Creole families for many years until it eventually became a guest house under the ownership of Marie Laveau.

Although the building underwent several changes throughout the years, this beautiful boutique inn still retains many original architectural features, such as exposed brick walls, high ceilings, and wrought-iron balconies. Today, it’s this combination of historic charm with modern conveniences that provides guests with a cozy and immersive experience.

Lamothe House Reviews – Haunted Edition 

Apparently, I’m not the only one who’s had a sleepless night in this hotel. I’ve made a compilation of reviews of the Lamothe House written by past hotel guests telling their haunted experiences – you can actually find these on TripAdvisor.

The Ghost Kiddos

The first experience is told by a woman who stayed with her husband and her 8-month-old baby. With no idea about the Lamothe House being haunted, they booked room 117 and got ready to sleep. A few minutes after they turned off the lights, they were both startled by the sound of her daughter’s rattle toy shaking. However, when they turned to look at the baby, she was asleep and her toy was nowhere near her ‘pack and play’.

Throughout the rest of the night, the couple woke up a few times to the sounds of tapping and things moving. After this, the woman thinks that they were visited by the spirits of the kids that used to live in the house.

Room 216

The second review I found is quite creepy, and it comes from three women who stayed at the hotel for a girls’ trip. After booking room 216 for four nights, they felt so unsafe in there that they decided to leave on the third night – can’t judge them. 

They experienced all kinds of things, from hearing knocks coming from the next room when no one was there to noticing a considerable drop in temperature and lights turning on by themselves in that same room.

As the night went on, things got more and more scarier to the point of seeing a ‘black mass’ floating from one room to the next and even feeling something walk on the bed when sleeping.

Before their last night in New Orleans, they decided they didn’t feel comfortable staying another night in the hotel, so they packed up and let the staff at the front desk know they were leaving before check-out time.

In doing research, they found out that room 216 is known to be the most haunted in the Lamothe House – so, if you’re looking for a haunted experience, now you know which room to get.

FAQ

Does Lamothe House Have Parking?

Lamothe House has a gated parking lot for $40/night.

Is there a pool at Lamothe House?

Yes, guests have easy access to a seasonal outdoor pool from 8 am to 11 pm.

Are pets allowed at Lamothe House?

Pets aren’t allowed at the hotel, but service animals are welcome.

Attractions Near Lamothe House

With its great location in the heart of the French Quarter, Lamothe House is the closest hotel to some of the best attractions and eateries in the city:

• Bourbon Street – 2 minutes’ walk
• Café du Monde – 10 min walk
• Loretta’s Authentic Pralines – 5 min walk
• Alberto’s Cheese & Wine Bistro – 5 min walk
• Jackson Square – 11 min walk
• Caesars Superdome – 4 minutes’ drive
• Ernest N. Morial Convention Center – 5 min drive

Best Hotels in New Orleans

If my story and the reviews of Lamothe House were a little too much for you, here are the best places to stay in New Orleans to ensure you have the best experience –ghost-free! Click on the links to check rates.

• Budget ($) — Auberge NOLA Party Hostel
• Best Value ($$) — Hotel Provincial
• Luxe ($$$) — NOPSI Hotel
• Unique ($-$$$) — Hotel Monteleone

Last Thoughts

Thank you for reading my haunted experience. Hopefully, this story gave you some goosebumps and the desire to stay in this New Orleans hotel yourself. And if you do, let me know how it went!

XO,

Anna

Anna

Anna is a traveler, blogger, and entrepreneur who can’t keep herself still. She’s always on the move, whether working hard on a new passion project or exploring a new city as a part-time digital nomad. Dare to keep up? Check out The Tatted Nomad for everything digital nomad, social media marketing, mental health, and travel (and to see her latest addition, Novah, her service dog and travel companion). As a psychotherapist (to be) she also offers insights about your mental health related questions – anything you see that isn’t covered but you have questions about? Let her know!

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