The Hauntings of the Haywood Park Hotel

ASHEVILLE, NC -- Premier builder W.E. Grove constructed today's Haywood Park Hotel complex in the early 1920s. From 1923 to 1937, the building was known as Bon Marche, Asheville's first upscale department store. Ivey's Department Store then occupied the space for 38 years before the classic-revival Haywood Park Hotel opened its doors in 1985 -- apparently to people and ghosts alike. Among the many stories recounted to us is this [unedited] TripAdvisor review:

“Haunted?”

Reviewed December 6, 2011 by an2nini

from New Orleans, Louisiana

 

Am I the only one who had a paranormal experience at this hotel??? It's a great place to stay but I got really scared so we checked out one day early. This was back in January of 2007. I woke up around1:45 a.m. to use the bathroom. I was in one of the beds with my young daughter and my husband was in the other. The suites are large (very nice) and as i walked toward the bathroom, I could hear a man and a young girl conversing back and forth. It was very muffled but I heard it. I back up to check on my daughter and husband and of course, they were both sound asleep like they were seconds before when i got out of bed. As i got closer to the bathroom, i heard a little girl's voice singing "lalalalala..." very faintly. I couldn't understand why I would hear someone talking in another room? outside the hotel room door? - because it was beginning of Janauary and the hotel was virtually empty. I thought only 3 of the 8 rooms on the floor were taken. Also, why would a young kid be awake at the time of the morning? Anyway, I proceeded into the bathroom and as I'm about to sit on the toilet, very LOUD in my ear, I hear a man's voice say "GOOD MORNING!" It scared me sooo much! I ran out the bathroom hitting my thigh on the point of the dresser. Jumped back into the bed with my daughter and just lay there quietly, listening. Never heard anything else and eventually I drifted off back to sleep. I told my husband about it first thing in the morning. It was so surreal but I know what i heard! This happened on our 2nd night there and although we checked out one day early, it was not because of the hotel itself, which I thought was really nice. If you want to try and have an encounter with something "unknown" - I would recommend staying there.

 

Our Top 20 Horror Films

Everyone who reads this blog undoubtedly appreciates a good horror story. Here is a list of our Top 20, taking into account that we're biased against zombie flicks, lean towards psycho-thrillers and have certainly missed some good ones along the way. (Those are on our "To Be Seen List!") The following are in no particular order.

* Friday the 13th (1980). The first time that freakish twist(ed) ending was used so dramatically. Well worth the scream and jump from the chair.

* Halloween (1978). Considered the first slasher film. Jamie Lee Curtis' break-out movie.

 * Psycho (1960). The movie was based on a real-life murderer.  Director Alfred Hitchcock used chocolate syrup for filming the blood in the shower scene.

* The Amityville Horror (1979). There is still controversy as to whether this story was based on true events or an entire sham concocted by a family greedy for fame and fortune.

* The Exorcist (1973). What kind of parents allows their 13-year-old child to star in such severely disturbing movie?!

* The Omen (1976). First in a 3-movie trilogy. Multiple deaths and serious incidents happened on the set, leading many to consider the movie a cursed endeavor.

* Rosemary's Baby (1968). Director Roman Polanski showed genius in weaving a complex tale disturbing on many levels.

* The Shining (1980). Filmed at the Timberline Lodge in Mt. Hood in Oregon, Director Stanley Kubrick would strangely call Stephen King at 3:00 a.m. to inquire if he believed in God.

* Poltergeist (1982).  Real cadavers were used as props in various scenes of Poltergeist and Poltergeist II.

* When a Stranger Calls (1979). Who wanted to babysit after watching this?!

* The Sixth Sense (1999).  Haley Joel Osment got ripped of an Oscar. Amazing acting, uber-creative script, surprise ending. Truly a treat of a film.

* 1408 (2007).  Always liked John Cusack's acting. Always enjoyed Stephen King taking me places I was scared to go. Cusack + King = What's not to like about this film?!

* Silence of the Lambs (1991). The character, Hannibal Lecter, was a composite of 3 real-life serial killers: Ted Bundy, Ed Gein and Gary M. Heidnik.

* The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974).  Despite claims the movie made, the story was NOT true. Director Tobe Hooper defended the lie by saying "the government lied about Vietnam, the oil crisis, and Watergate too."

* Jaws (1975). Not the stuff of typical horror film fare but, at 13-years-old, I was petrified and millions of Americans were afraid to go in the water for a long, l-o-n-g time.

* Salems Lot (1979). Not as good as the book by a long shot, but at least non-readers got the story. I wore a cross 24/7 for months.

* The Others (2001). The delightful twist at the end made it all worthwhile.

* Ghost Story (1981). Haunting at the viewing, haunting for days afterward. A cautionary tale of youthful indiscretion.

* It (1990). You will thank God on bended knee for your comparatively La-La Land childhoods.

* Carrie (1976). A whole new take on the possible consequences of bullying!

Honorable Mentions:,
* War of the Worlds (2005)
* The Blair Witch Project (1999)
* Seven (1995)
* Interview with The Vampire (1974)