Located in Miami, Florida, the legendary Coral Gables Biltmore Hotel is a stunning architectural gem that has a fascinating history and is known for its alleged hauntings and paranormal activity. Built in 1926, this grandiose, 400-room building has served various purposes over the decades, including being a military hospital during World War II and a school campus. Despite its luxurious appearance, the Biltmore Hotel has a darker side, with reports of ghostly encounters and unexplained phenomena. Let’s delve into the history of this iconic location and explore the eerie tales that surround it.
The History of the Biltmore Hotel
The Coral Gables Biltmore Hotel holds a rich history that contributes to its mystique. Initially constructed as a hotel, it gained prominence as a military hospital during World War II. The hotel’s basement morgue, once used to store deceased soldiers, adds to the somber aura surrounding the building. Tragedy struck in the 1950s when a fire broke out on the ground floor, resulting in the charred remains of 50 bodies that were being held for the University of Miami Medical School. The hotel was then repurposed as a school campus before returning to its roots as a hotel in 1968.
Is the Biltmore Hotel Haunted?
Like many historical buildings, the Coral Gables Biltmore Hotel is believed to be haunted. Guests and staff have reported numerous eerie experiences that defy explanation. One common occurrence is the malfunctioning of the elevators, where passengers are taken to floors they did not select. Despite regular maintenance and testing, these incidents continue to baffle those who encounter them.
Other paranormal activities reported at the hotel include the sound of faint conversations and laughter, accompanied by the smell of cigar smoke, on the supposedly empty 13th floor. Security guards, during a period when the hotel was closed, have been startled by screams and yells emanating from the 13th floor. They have also reported doors slamming shut and flashlights unexpectedly turning off on certain floors.
The 13th and 14th floors of the Biltmore Hotel played host to casinos and speakeasies during the 1920s. In 1929, a notorious New York mobster named Fatty Walsh was murdered on the 14th floor following a gambling dispute. The circumstances of his murder remain unsolved to this day, and it is believed that his spirit still lingers within the hotel. Waitstaff have claimed that doors open mysteriously when they pass by with trays, leading some to believe that Fatty Walsh is behind these unusual occurrences. Additionally, reports suggest that he has been known to steal lampshades, write messages on mirrors, and turn lights off unexpectedly.
The Biltmore Hotel has other specters as well. Visitors have witnessed the apparition of a waltzing couple in the ballroom, only for them to vanish without a trace. Another ghostly figure, dressed in white, is often seen and is believed to be the woman who tragically jumped from the Giralda tower. Additionally, the cries of a woman searching for her baby have been heard echoing through the hallways.
In 1978, a seance was conducted at the Biltmore Hotel by a team of five mediums. These mediums claimed to have detected a significant amount of spirited activity and accurately recounted historical details after conducting research in newspaper archives. They reported sensing the presence of gambling, the cries of a distressed woman, someone falling or jumping out of a window, a blind man tapping his cane, and the aura of the sick and wounded.
Despite its reputation for hauntings, the Coral Gables Biltmore Hotel continues to attract guests with its luxurious amenities and captivating allure. For those seeking a mix of elegance and the supernatural, a visit to this iconic hotel is an opportunity to potentially encounter the otherworldly.
Sources:
1. Coral Gables Biltmore Hotel. “History.” [https://www.biltmorehotel.com/history](https://www.biltmorehotel.com/history)
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