Hotel Retlaw - Fond du Lac, WI

Step into a roaring 1920s landmark where luxury meets lingering spirits. The Hotel Retlaw is more than a historic stay—it’s a place where unexplained footsteps echo through the halls, ghostly figures are glimpsed in the shadows, and guests report encounters that defy logic. If you’re searching for a haunted hotel with real history and chilling stories, this Fond du Lac icon offers an unforgettable experience… day or night.

History of Hotel Retlaw

The Hotel Retlaw was built in 1922–1923 by hotel magnate Walter Schroeder, with its name cleverly spelling “Walter” backward.

Designed as an upscale eight-story neoclassical hotel, it quickly became one of the finest hotels in Wisconsin, hosting celebrities, politicians, and even infamous figures like mobster Joe Bonanno and future President John F. Kennedy.

Over the decades, the building experienced multiple transformations—including periods as a psychiatric facility and nursing home—before being restored into the boutique hotel it is today.

The hotel is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, preserving its rich past and architectural significance.

👻 Haunted Hot Spots & Paranormal Activity

The Hotel Retlaw is widely considered one of the most haunted hotels in Wisconsin, with a mix of historical tragedy and consistent paranormal reports.

Most Reported Paranormal Activity:

• Guest Rooms – Doors opening/closing, lights flickering, and objects moving on their own
• Ballroom (2nd Floor) – Sounds of music and laughter heard when empty
• Upper Floors (especially 7th & 9th) – Apparitions and strong presence reported
• Basement & Tunnel Areas – Linked to Prohibition-era activity and eerie sensations

Notable Spirits & Legends:

• Walter Schroeder (Owner) – Said to haunt the hotel, causing noises, moving objects, and even turning on faucets
• Woman from Room 717 – Believed to have died tragically, with reports of cries, cold spots, and physical disturbances
• Ballroom Tragedy Spirits – Including a man who allegedly died there and lingering residual energy

Common Experiences:

• Phantom footsteps in empty hallways
• Loud knocking and banging
• Disembodied voices and screams
• Sudden cold spots and electrical disturbances

Hotel Retlaw’s Most Haunted Rooms or Areas to Request

• Room 717 (7th Floor) ⭐ Most infamous paranormal activity
• 7th & 9th Floor Rooms – Apparitions and strong presence
• Second Floor Ballroom – Residual haunting activity
• Basement / Tunnel Areas – High paranormal lore

Guest Reviews & First-Hand Experiences

Here are real-style guest experience patterns reported:

• “We heard loud knocking on the door, but no one was there.”
• “The door opened and closed by itself in the middle of the night.”
• “It felt like someone was in the room with us… watching.” (common guest sentiment)
• “We could hear music and laughter from the ballroom, but it was completely empty.”
• “The temperature suddenly dropped and we heard a woman crying.”

👉 Experiences range from residual hauntings to intelligent, interactive encounters.

👻 Ghost Rating = 8.5/10

Why:

• 100+ years of layered history
• Multiple reported spirits tied to real events
• Wide variety of paranormal activity (visual, auditory, physical)
• Specific “hotspot” rooms with consistent reports

BOOK A HAUNTED ROOM