Peery Hotel -Salt Lake City, UT

Step into more than a century of history at The Peery Hotel, where elegant vintage charm meets whispers from Salt Lake City’s past. Built when railroads forged a bustling downtown, this historic boutique hotel has become the stuff of local legend — from its creaky original elevator known as “Moaning Molly” to mysterious footsteps echoing in empty hallways after midnight. For travelers who enjoy architectural beauty and the thrill of unexplained phenomena, The Peery offers a stay that tantalizes both history buffs and ghost-hunters alike.

Brief Hotel History

The Peery Hotel opened in 1910 as one of Salt Lake City’s most stylish accommodations, financed by prominent members of the Peery family during a period of rapid economic growth tied to the railroads and commercial development of the city’s Exchange Place Historic District.

Designed in Prairie and Classical Revival architectural styles by Charles B. Onderdonk and Irving Goodfellow, it has served travelers continuously for over a century. The hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, a testament to its architectural significance and enduring presence in downtown Salt Lake City.

In modern times, The Peery operates as a boutique property in Hilton’s Tapestry Collection, blending vintage aesthetics with contemporary comforts for guests who enjoy both historic ambience and city convenience.

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👻 Haunted Hot Spots & Paranormal Activity

The Peery Hotel has a strong reputation among local ghost-tour lore and paranormal enthusiasts, with several recurring themes in reported activity:

“Moaning Molly” – The Elevator

The hotel’s original elevator — a vintage, small-capacity lift — is affectionately dubbed “Moaning Molly” due to the eerie moaning or groaning sounds guests have heard when using it. Some interpret these as mechanical quirks; others swear they hear unmistakable vocal tones.

Children’s Footsteps & Laughter

Several reports describe the sounds of children running or playing in empty hallways, particularly late at night, with no other guests present.

Mysterious Figures & Perfume Smells

Guests and paranormal sites mention sightings of shadowy figures or tall silhouettes in doorways that vanish when approached, and the sudden, unexplained scent of perfume in hallways with no source.

“Eddie” – A Young Spirit

Stories collected by paranormal travel sites refer to a ghostly presence named “Eddie,” described as a young boy whose faint laughter, footsteps, and occasional toy-like noises have been reported — though details vary and are part of lore rather than verified history.

Most Haunted Rooms or Areas to Request

While the hotel doesn’t officially designate haunted rooms, folklore and guest reports suggest the best placements for paranormal-minded visitors:

1. Rooms Near the Original Elevator Area
   Positioned close to “Moaning Molly,” guests hoping for the classic elevator lore should request rooms in corridors near the historic lift.

2. Upper-Floor Hallways
   Many auditory phenomena (footsteps, children’s laughter) are reported on the upper floors, especially in quieter corridors late at night.

3. Rooms Close to Stairwells or Interior Hallways
   Ghostly sounds and shadow sightings tend to cluster near interior building features rather than street-facing outer walls.

Check-in request tip:

“I’m here for the historic and haunted experience — could you place me in a room near the original elevator or quiet upper-floor hallways?”

Recent Guest Reviews

While many mainstream travel reviews emphasize location, historic charm, and comfort, several recent guests directly mention paranormal impressions:

• A Tripadvisor reviewer states they felt watched in their room and were awakened around 3 a.m., describing sensations consistent with a haunted environment.

• Multiple postings on the haunted-places site UtahHauntedHouses.com from 2024 recount hearing children running and a figure standing by a bed, experiences that visitors attributed to ghosts during their stays.

• Blogger and travel stories shared online reference the elevator’s eerie sounds and repeating folklore about ghost sightings, adding to the hotel’s reputation even if not every guest experiences an encounter.

Such accounts tend to be anecdotal and personal, but they feed a persistent local narrative that boosts the hotel’s haunted allure.

👻 Ghost Rating

Ghost Rating: 8 / 10 — With a century of history, recurring elevator lore (“Moaning Molly”), reports of unexplained footsteps and figures, and local ghost-tour inclusion, The Peery Hotel ranks high on the haunted scale for paranormal travelers.

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