Thomas House Hotel -Red Boiling Springs, TN

Step back into Tennessee’s resort-era past at The Thomas House Hotel, where creaking hallways, whispered footsteps, and shadowy corners blur the line between history and the unknown. Once a grand mineral spring destination for the wealthy, this atmospheric brick hotel has become a bucket-list haunt for ghost-hunters nationwide — from disembodied voices to mischievous spirits that seem to linger long after check-in.

Brief Hotel History

• Origins & Construction: The hotel began as the Cloyd Hotel built in 1890 by brothers Zack and William Clay Cloyd to serve visitors drawn by the famed mineral springs of Red Boiling Springs.

• Rebuilding: The original wooden structure burned down in 1924 and was rebuilt in brick in 1927, the building that stands today and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its early-20th-century resort architecture.

• Resort Boom & Decline: Once part of a booming resort town filled with numerous hotels and attractions, the area declined with the end of the spring tourism era, leaving only a few historic hotels remaining — with Thomas House being the most notable.

• Haunted Fame: The property gained national ghost-lore attention in the early 2010s through paranormal TV features such as Ghost Hunters, Paranormal State, and Portals to Hell.

👻 Reported Paranormal Activity

The Thomas House Hotel is widely regarded as one of the most haunted hotels in Tennessee and the U.S., with decades of reported activity tied to tragic events, fires, accidents, and long-standing local legend.

Apparitions & Spirits

• Sarah’s Ghost (Room 37): The most frequently mentioned haunting is attributed to a young girl named Sarah, believed to be the daughter of one of the original owners. Guests report sensing her presence in Room 37 and along the White Hallway, including feeling watched or hearing whispers and footsteps.

• Mr. Cloyd’s Shadow: Another reported spirit is the figure of Mr. Cloyd, captured on camera by some investigators as a tall shadowy figure, often heard whistling in the hallways.

• Children’s Laughter & Voices: Many guests and paranormal teams have reported disembodied children’s laughter, footsteps, cold spots, and unexplained doors opening and closing on their own.

• Other Legends: Stories also circulate about past tragedies — including drownings, suicides, accidents, and even rumored cult activity — all contributing to the hotel’s eerie energy and paranormal reputation.

👻 Most Haunted Rooms & Areas to Request

If you’re staying for the paranormal side of things, these are the spots with the strongest reputation:

1. Room 37 – Often cited as the most haunted room, associated with sightings, cold spots, and unexplained presence.

2. Room 17 & Room 35 – Ghost lore sites where other guests have reported strange phenomena (cold spots, knocks in the night).

3. The White Hallway – Common location for disembodied laughter, footsteps, and visual apparitions.

4. Pool Area – The site of the tragic 1961 drowning of a young boy, whose spirit some believe still lingers — especially in or near the former pool space.

Suggested Check-in Request:

“Can I request Room 37 or another room known for paranormal activity, if available?”

Recent Guest Reviews

TripAdvisor and social platform reviews offer several firsthand ghost-focused accounts:

• Believed experience: A reviewer who came specifically for the paranormal described disembodied footsteps, spirit-box sessions, and a breath/“sigh” in their ear as they checked out — interpreting it as evidence of lingering spirits.

• Paranormal hunters: Several guests report that their investigations produced orbs, blobs in photos, or unexplained sounds that traditional hotel noises couldn’t explain.

• Mixed reactions: Some visitors loved the historical/haunted ambiance and enjoyed ghost hunts, while others noted that the building is old, remote, and musty, with little maintenance — adding to creepiness whether due to age or spirits.

👻 Ghost Rating

Ghost Rating: (8/10)
One of Tennessee’s most famous haunted hotels due to persistent paranormal reports, long-running ghost hunt events, recurring guest experiences, and national media attention.

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