The Seediest Horror Hotels
By on Aug 20, 2012
Michael Bafaro’s 2009 thriller The Devil’s Ground isn’t exactly about a hotel, but there comes a point in the film where Daryl Hannah’s character, Carrie Mitchel, is told that she should stop and rest at one. She declines and let’s just say it doesn’t exactly lead her to end up in the best of places. This week’s Chiller TV premiere is a fun flick that also gave rise to this week’s column subject: five seedy horror hotels. Think about these examples next time you go to lay your head down at a roadside stop.
1408 (2007)
Based on a short story by horror master Stephen King, 1408 finds John Cusack in what is reported to be a haunted room in New York City’s haunted Dolphin Hotel. The place might look nice from the outside, but inside it’s complete mind-screw managed by the creeptastic Samuel L. Jackson. Think you’ve had a rough night? Wait until you see what Cusack goes through in this flick.
THE INNKEEPERS (2011)
One of horror’s most promising (and awesome) young directors, Ti West, based his latest film on his own experiences inside the real-life Yankee Pedlar Inn and that only adds to the authentic feel of the modern ghost story. It’s a nice enough little inn, but once you go inside you’re dealing with two silly attendants in Sara Paxton and Pat Healy, a creepy, old Kelly McGillis, and a very angry ghost.
THE SHINING (1980)
Stephen King loves those hotels, doesn’t it? Now, I wouldn’t exactly call the Overlook a “seedy” hotel. It’s actually quite beautiful and expansive. That said, it is haunted as hell and will basically make you go batshit crazy. Just ask little Danny Torrance what it did to his pops!
VACANCY (2007)
The 2007 slasher flick Vacancy should be a good reminder to everyone why you should never just stop at that roadside motel expecting great service. If any of the hotels on this list look seedy, it’s this one. Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale clearly didn’t get the hint as they stop in anyway and, in addition to the mint on their pillow, they’re also treated to a torturous night of being cast in their very own snuff film. Delightful!
PSYCHO (1960)
Alfred Hitchcock’s classic Psycho is the shining example of a horror movie hotel (or motel, in this case). When you check into the Bates Motel, you get very personal service (mostly in the shower, with a bloody knife) from a guy that likes to dress up like his dead mommy (who, oh by the way, he’s keeping in his house). How’s that for service!
