Honestly, we almost skipped this place because the Google hours made it seem closed, but we decided to try the door anyway -- luckily, they were open. Definitely glad we checked. This is the kind of charming, historic Durango experience you hope to find downtown. The atmosphere inside the hotel and restaurant feels authentic and welcoming, with old Western character throughout. The bartender was even dressed in theme, which added to the experience without feeling gimmicky. We stopped in during April while wandering downtown Durango during the off-season, when many places were either closed or only opening later for dinner service. We just came in for drinks, but it ended up being a really enjoyable little break from exploring. Since the restaurant is part of the historic hotel, even walking to the restroom gives you a chance to see some of the beautiful vintage details and history of the property. Our bartender -- a gentleman in a hat -- was attentive and friendly, and a lady in costume shared some interesting history about the hotel and building. Great little pit stop whether you're staying at the hotel or just passing through downtown. Would absolutely stop in again. read more

Strater Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Durango, Colorado

See all

We just celebrated our anniversary at the Strater Hotel in Durango, and it was exactly what a romantic getaway should be. From the moment you walk through the doors, you feel like you've stepped into another era--in the best way possible. The Victorian charm, the historic details, the creaky wood floors, the antique furnishings... it all creates this warm, intimate atmosphere that you simply don't get at modern chain hotels. It feels authentic, not staged. Our room was cozy and beautifully appointed, with thoughtful touches that made it feel special rather than standard. The entire property is impeccably maintained, and the staff made us feel genuinely welcome. Everyone we interacted with was friendly, attentive, and clearly proud of the hotel's history. The location is perfect--right in the heart of downtown Durango--so you can stroll to shops, restaurants, and along Main Avenue without ever moving your car. That made the whole weekend feel relaxed and easy. If you're looking for a place with personality, history, and romance, the Strater delivers. It was the perfect setting to celebrate our anniversary, and we're already talking about when we can return. read more

This hotel has so much personality. 140 years old, intricately adorned rooms (at least the fancy Room 108 my wife booked is), ragtime pianist in the dining area? I'm sooooo enjoying my stay in Durango, and Strater is a huge reason for that. read more

See all

Beautiful, elegant Guilded Age hôtel and restaurants! We ate at the Diamond Grill, that had well-prepared selections, à complete drink selection, but mostly the best honky-tink pianist I've ever heard. That we were II. À elegant place with mahogany bar and flapper-styled waiting staff was an added bonus! The room was comfortable and quiet with nice appointments Desk staff was gracious and helpful. Close to the train station. Don't be put off by the train whistle, as it is an occasion tourist train and not a regular passenger line. We had a great and authentic time staying here!!! read more

The staff, especially Jason, were very welcoming and helpful. Finding a spot at the front curb was a little challenging, they do provide free parking directly behind the hotel, and across 7th behind Magpie's , so you could always park there prior to check-in just be sure to get the parking pass on the dash before long. The lobby is decorative and offer lounge areas as well as entrance to two restaurants and bars, the server s are dressed in old time saloon fashion, the establishments are local's favorites. The hotel is located in the heart of main downtown with lots of shops, restaurants, and stores within immediate walk distance. The Durango & Silverton runs behind the hotel and the depot is just a block away. The Strater Hotel is a great choice for walkability to much of what Durango has to offer. read more

Wow this was one great stay. A Historic Inn of America, the Strater Hotel was so well appointed, maintained and cared for. From the moment we entered, we were treated like special guests. Every person behind the main desk was friendly and offered excellent advice on the best restaurants, what to see and do, how to park, get around, etc. Perfect. Our room was spectacular, with 12 foot ceilings and a 4 poster bed. Comfortable mattress ensured a good nights rest in our well-appointed, and very spacious room. Bathroom was spotless and luxurious, especially for a 100+ year old place. Quiet, well padded carpets throughout the entire hotel. There is a lively bar off the lobby. Be sure to stop by. Parking available in their 2 lots. Ice machines available Wi-Fi worked well. It's been a long time since I enjoyed a hotel this much. read more

See all

We recently stayed at the Strater Hotel for a few nights. We love the historic aspect of this place and the period decor! It is close to restaurants and shopping. We have stayed here multiple times and always enjoy it! Jericho at the front desk is a JEWEL and so friendly and helpful! Our only complaints were the coffee in the lobby in the morning bc it was so BITTER morning after morning. We did enjoy the Starbucks in the room tho! The other thing is the cleaning staff did not empty our trash daily and it began to build up. We had to ask for them to empty it. Otherwise it was great! Easy fix! read more

This wonderful haunted hotel in downtown Durango has been here since like 1887 or so. So that means more than 50,000 patrons potentially have slept in the same room as us on the 4th floor. From top to bottom this is a first class establishment. I love how the workers dress in period costumes. They were all so pleasant and professional. The place is decorated to the 9's and well maintained. I love how they have secret hiding spots like the Rosette in the lobby for children to find a treat. They have convenient parking close by in this tight area downtown. It was such a great experience staying here. We loved listening to the steam locomotive train passing behind the hotel to and from the station. It was so much fun stepping back in time. Thank you. read more

See all

I enjoyed my stay here with my wife and daughter. The dining was excellent and artifacts around the hotel inspiring. Our room was 101 and all pleasantly furnished and comfortable. I was able to do my Western writing and illustrating as I do. read more

Strater Hotel - Author Lorin Morgan-Richards at the Strater Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Durango, Colorado

Very expensive and lacking a lot of amenities for the price. Their layout was interesting and supposedly haunted as well. There was a train that was supposed to stop honking and running around sundown but we got woken up in the middle of the night due to the train honking and coming by. They did not have a mini fridge in the room or even coffee. Overall I would avoid this place and choose a cheaper and more basic option. Lastly, I wanted to add that for some reason we were told that the door at the end of our first floor hallway was an emergency exit but to go through it anyway, we proceeded to do so and the alarm went off immediately. We were then told that there was another emergency exit that we should have taken which was located off to our left and wasn't explained very well. Throughout the day we noticed 4 more alarms go off by other guests in a short period of time! read more

See all

NYE in Durango! Seems like the place to be if you are a "Burqueno". We ran into several people who traveled from Albuquerque to bring in 2024! You walk into the Strater and you are taken back in time with the beautiful wood counters and walls. This place has some history and rumor has it, it is haunted. We loaded into the elevator after checking in and headed to the third floor. Our room had a view of Main Street and it was roomy enough for both my husband and I. The bed was a bit smaller than we are used too but all decorated with old style charm and beautiful wood finishes. The bathroom was much more modern with all the amenities. You are walking distance from just about anywhere you want to go from the Strater. It is perfect for a weekend stay and the staff provide great service and friendly smiles. The Diamond Belle Saloon is a fun place to have a beverage and listen in on all the buzz around you. We look forward to our next stay! read more

Strater Hotel - NYE in front of the Strater. - Hotels Near Me - Durango, Colorado

This is an amazing old hotel with so much history and character to explore. The rooms are unique, and comfortable, decorated in beautiful antiques. Will stay here again. read more

Great entertainment ! Local talent and great service at the saloon! Like being back in the Wild West !

A really cool old hotel in Durango, the Strater is not officially haunted. Wink wink. The guest books in the rooms tell a lot of cool stories, and the place is pretty close to everything from a wine shop and brewery to the train station. At night, the hotel bar becomes like an 1800s saloon. It's a cool vibe. read more

If history and ghosts are your game, The Strater is your place to be! There is a ton of history here, old furnishings, A LOT of old patterned wallpaper, and curtains, along with very old carpeting. If modern is your jam, I recommend visiting this place but not staying here. I stayed here for the weekend with my kiddo for the Polar Express ride. It was $500 for two nights with no breakfast and NO COFFEE!!! I haven't stayed in a room ever where they didn't offer a room coffee pot. I looked everywhere before we came to see if they had a hot tub and all the reviews said no. Then when we went to find our room (which was an epic adventure in itself because of all of the twists and turns in the hotel) sure enough we ran into a jacuzzi room that apparently you have to rent in advance. It would've been nice to know that so we could've rented it and brought our swim wear. The train station is pretty much next door so you hear the train horn until about 11pm in the evening and it starts up again around 8am. The shower was tiny and there is barely any water pressure. The mattress had springs that made noises. It was decent but nothing comfortable enough to write home to. Our room was fairly clean but there was hair on our towels and the carpet definitely needs cleaning. There are a lot of updates needed in my opinion but I guess they get away with no updates because of the history and "The Shining" aura the place gives off. Overall... I'm am glad we checked it out. It's definitely more about the history and ghost over modern amenities and comfort. Cheers! read more

Strater Hotel - This guy watched us sleep. Love the creepy feel of the place. - Hotels Near Me - Durango, Colorado

Nice clean rooms. Friendly staff. Two restaurants/bar. Old time western charm. Just a 2 block walk to the train station and museum! Lovely town. We stayed 2 nights here, took just what we needed on the train to Silverton and stayed overnight at the wonderful wonderful Grand Imperial Hotel, then returned to Durango for 2 days. Highly recommend. read more

Everything about stay was Absolutley amazing ! Front the moment we were greeted at the front desk , to the delicious dinner at the grill and the amazing stories shared by Jessie . The hospitality was incredible and we're already planning our next trip to bring the rest of the family . read more

Let me start with , this hotel is very old and the ambiance is fantastic. The staff is great with checking in and out. It is perfectly located right in the heart of the wonderful shopping and dining area. The housekeeping group didn't really clean the room as much as just make the bed. The room was small and the bathroom was tiny. The shower was made for someone much shorter than me and I found myself hitting elbows and arms trying to take a shower (horrible experience). This hotel has no accessibility - no valet parking or luggage assistance. There are no ramps. The only way to get yourself and your luggage into the hotel is up steps. Be prepared. This was our first and last stay here. read more

See all

Nope. Had a bad customer service experience. Parking which I needed was not available so I ended up paying this place $300 and then searching for a Holiday Inn with a parking lot for another $200. Prove me wrong, Strater. I've been staying with you for decades. read more

Great Room, fabulous deck to watch the 4th of July Fireworks. Great Room, fabulous deck to watch the 4th of July Fireworks. read more

Historical hotels offer an experience distinct from the standardized chain stay. Ornate woodwork, antique furniture, intricately patterned wallpaper & carpet, and uncommon architecture enhance the feeling you've escaped daily life. That's what vacation's all about and the Strater delivers. Over the Christmas holiday, we were in town to take my son on the Polar Express. The Strater's two blocks from the train station. We'd stayed there before and booked it again this time. Their rates were only a hair higher than the nearby chains. Besides the ambiance, what did we like? Beds were super comfy Staff proved friendly, patient, and helpful with routine concerns. One went out of her way to help us out, tracking down hot water and herbal tea from the hotel restaurant. Complimentary coffee in the lobby that doesn't suck The Spiritorium offers a chill vibe and comfortable setting for an evening drink Free parking across the street Free wifi was much faster than expected Soft, comfy towels However, older hotels have some trade-offs. Our room was on the small side of cozy--fine for two, cramped with three guests, despite two beds. No fridge. No coffeepot. The bathroom had zero counter space and was always chilly. While there's only one elevator, we never had to wait long and the wide staircase is right there if you're in a hurry. Unrelated things to ponder: The free parking can fill up at night, but staff will help you find something nearby. We found a staff member parked in the guest lot. I told the front desk manager, and the car was gone right away. For better or worse, the Durango-Silverton train runs right behind the hotel. It's loud, but if you came to town for it, the short walk with no parking hassles may be worth it. Overall, if you're in town for the train, the Strater's location sells itself--as long as trading some modernity for historical ambiance is in the cards. I enjoyed my first stay more than my second, as the novelty wore off a bit. read more

Strater Hotel, soooooo much history. The Strater Hotel is one of my go to places. It is just full of fun. Although I've never stayed at the hotel, I always have to go there to check out to see what's going on. We usually have a drink or two and sometimes we even enjoy the dinner. Inside the hotel it has very different atmosphere 's. One side is called "The Diamond Belle"who Adam plays the old-time piano. "Mahogany Grille", high in, and "The Office". All three Offer a very unique atmosphere, and we love them all. I WOULD RECOMMEND. read more

See all

The entire hotel is eye candy! The eclectic style tells such a story. What a pleasurable step back into history. The staff were courteous, our room (Louis LAmour suite) was so inviting and relaxing. We were here coincidentally during Durangos 28th annual Bluegrass Meltdown and in addition to the venues all over town we were able to enjoy free nightly jam sessions from local musicians downstairs in the lobby. The location is perfect, right in the middle of historic downtown, walking distance to amazing restaurants, bars, and the train depot. read more

Hotel rooms needs updating even if it's a historic building. Carpet in rooms are dirty & front desk barely answers the phone. Asked for a quiet room and got one facing the back and train tracks. Super noisy and train blowing its horn until at least 11PM due to Blues fest. Hotel manager was very nice and understanding however she said she couldn't move us and would provide a discount on our room which never happened and tried calling her twice now , left a messages and she has never returned my call. This is not a 4 star hotel . read more

Woaw what an interior here. Located in center of the historic downtown. We just visited to see the oldest hotel in Durango and charm to see it through eyes. Excellent interior and decor. You get the feeling of old times. Restaurants attached from outside too and almost everyday events are organized. Stay here if you can otherwise atleast visit to snap them in your camera. read more

See all

We've lived in a nearby city to Durango for 24 years and this is the first time we've spent the night at the Strater. It is a wonderfully well restored historic hotel and the staff were very nice, competent and accommodating. It is very expensive but in line with all the other historic hotels in the area. My wife and I discussed our stay after and couldn't think of a single negative. read more

A trip to celebrate our anniversary and ride the Polar Express brought us to Durango. A friend recommended the Strater as a great place to stay. We agree, if not for the rooms definitely for the interior. If it weren't for the modern amenities you may think you've stepped back to the turn of the 20th century. Our room came with floors that creak, brass head and foot boards, dresser with marble top and curtains straight out of the 1920's. The only thing miss in was the claw tub. Our room faced the railroad tracks and we could heard the narrow gauge steam engine chugging by on its rounds. The downtown location puts most things in walking distance, a bonus. Absolutely a great place to spend a few nights in Durango! read more

Strater Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Durango, Colorado

See all

Horrible management and clueless front desk and other servers. Haunted maybe, or maybe just a tourist trap. Overpriced with mediocre food and high cost drinks. Save yourself the trouble and stay at a local motel or hotel (The Rochester is one of the best) The General Palmer house has much nicer rooms and no bar below to increase noise in the evenings and nights. The charm of the Strater is simply not worth it. read more

I drove into Durango on a late afternoon via US-550 from Silverton. I had last been to Durango 25 years ago. I don't remember it that well. Never really stayed the night in this town before, and so I had no idea where we would sleep, for I had made no reservations to stay anywhere. I had a full box of camping gear in the back that we still hadn't used, but then again, I wasn't really spotting any ideal places to pitch a camp just looking around as I drove through the middle of Durango. Therefore, I kept driving through what seemed to be the main part of town until I laid my eyes on the Strater Hotel! Awesome. The wife and I both love staying overnight in old historic hotels! I parked a half block away, fed the meter, and meandered inside to inquire their room availability. It turned out room 326 (The Will Rogers Room) was available and with my AAA discount, was less than $200. I paid for the room, and with that, the camping box inside my Jeep would never open once during our Colorado road trip. Now, I have a couple of complaints with this place. First, I stubbornly took one of the hotel's luggage carts down the stairs to the outside sidewalk. I thought it was really odd that there wasn't a ramp, but I needed to push it down the street where my Jeep was parked so my wife could take everything upstairs. Now mind you, no one there inside the hotel lobby did anything to stop me from carrying out this part of my plan. I drug the luggage cart down the stairs and to my Jeep, loaded it up without issue, and I followed my wife back to the hotel. I assumed the ramp to get inside the hotel must have been on the other side of the building, and that once we rounded the corner, it would be there. It's not. That other entrance around the corner also has stairs to get in. Seriously. It's like the ADA doesn't apply to this place or something. Thankfully, hotel employees met us at the door where they helped me get the luggage cart carried up the steps. But then they informed me of another problem: The hotel's elevator was broken. This is my second complaint. Someone should have done something to stop me from even using a luggage cart at all! Ugh! At this point, I'm more than simply annoyed. I refuse any help offered to carry anything upstairs. I'd do it myself! And I did it. It nearly killed me. (Damn this altitude!) After I hauling up the luggage, I moved my Wrangler and parked it in the small lot directly behind the hotel. I used the back door from this parking lot (a door which I believe only works until 5:30 pm) to get back into the hotel. Upon entering through this door into the hotel, I noticed another door, with a sign saying something about a hot tub or Jacuzzi or something. I tried to open the door, but it was locked. So I directly march down to the front desk and inquire about it. It turns out that this entire hot tub room can be reserved and used by hotel guests at no additional charge for a 30 minutes increment up until 9:30 pm (as the room officially closes at 10:00 pm). So I reserved the room for 9:30 pm that night. If your wondering, no one ever showed up after 10:00 pm to kick us out of the hot tub room. In fact, it's as if they forgot anyone was in there at all. Seriously, this private hot tub room kicks ass, and I would have never even known about it had I not come in through that back door and spotted it. I'm willing to bet most people who have stayed in this hotel are oblivious to its existence. read more

See all

Oh My Goodness! Thank-you for a clean and lovely room here at the Strater. Twice before, we stayed in the "other" historic hotel in town and were sorely disappointed! This was such a refreshing change and experience that was noticeable upon approaching the Front Desk. The staff was friendly and accommodating. Our room, while small (as we expected) was beautifully appointed and extremely clean. The mattress comfortable and unlike the previous hotel experience, this bed feels solid and doesn't clunk with every move! The bathroom, compact and clean, suited us fine. Thank-you, to the Strater, for a wonderful experience. read more

Hubby and I stopped in for a drink at the bar. It was like going back in time to a Western saloon. The staff was dressed I old town gear and one even played an old time piano. We didn't have anything too fancy, so didn't spend a lot of time or money there, but we had fun. The staff was very friendly and laid back. Cheers! read more

Thanks to the Durango fires, I scored a room same day. This never happens. For road-trippers, you'll be pleased by the convenient location of their parking lots. I paid about $165 thanks to a flash sale. Apparently room 421 is unpopular because of the double bed. Traveling alone, no issues. What an amazing room; top floor corner with view of the downtown area and the mountains beyond. The bathroom is huge, an expanse of vintage tile with separate areas for sink, toilet and shower. There was even a small black towel for make-up. Loved the period wallpaper and furniture. There was a couple guest books on the bed, filled with stories from other patrons of 421. Anyway, the location is smack in the middle of the downtown shopping district with excellent restaurants and pretty special vintage and modern retail stores. ( found a vintage pair of cowboy boots). BTW, 11th street has a great permanent lunch and dinner food truck space complete with picnic tables and a bar. I had the tempera shrimp over rice with a side of wakami. The french bakery down the street had yummy fruit crepes. The prices were shockingly high, but to be expected given the area's proximity to Telluride. Back to Strater. A member of The Historic Hotels of America, It's filled with American Victorian-era furnishings and lots of history. The Strater was completed in the late 19th century and displays artifacts from Durango's mining town past. A plaque on #222 explains it was the favorite writing room of author Louis L'Amour. What's not to love? Book well in advance. No regrets. read more

See all

Got charged extra fees which was told to us wrong upon making the reservation. They wouldn't fix it or they did not know who made the mistake. No accountability of their staff and obviously no communication. ​ read more

They have a 10 minute loading zone right at the hotel entrance to drop off luggage. After check in you get a permit to put on your dash and go park the car in the couple lots behind the hotel building. I don't think they have valet or at least the service was not offered. All the spots in their parking lots were filled on a Wednesday night so I had go find a meter spot overnight and move it 8am next morning. Lucky it was a warm summer night but if this was winter weather it would not have been fun. The hotel had character and it's located right on main street close to all the restaurants. The shower tub didn't drain and the room was a bit outdated built in 1887. We got woken up by the Durango & Silverton steam train at 7:30am because it was right outside our window. The highlight of our stay was the Diamond Belle Saloon where they had live piano playing and the delicious Old Fashioned drink made by bartender Evan. Overall it was a good experience but be warned if your a light sleepyelper. read more

What a nightmare. Unfortunately, this is not a good place to stay. Old and run down. The room was stuffy, dusty and smelly...like the carpet and furnishings have been accumulating dust for 100 years. The heater was loud. We had to open the window to breathe -- and then got to listen to the HVAC systems and other outdoor noises all night. I like historic hotels, but not this one. I hear a new owner plans a major renovation. Until then, stay elsewhere. read more

Super fun hotel in a great location. Holly went above and beyond to help us get our truck and uahul parked when we had a little trouble finding the parking area. The private hot tub room was a unique experience! read more

Hotel was great with historic atmosphere, and the staff was helpful. Great location and easy to walk around town. The rooms were small but clean, you would expect this in a historic hotel. Carlos the night shift manager was very helpful and nice. The only thing I would change would be to have coffee in the room. Would strongly recommend staying here. read more

What a wonderful stay and such a classically beautiful hotel in the heart of downtown Durango, CO. Perfect for celebrating my moms 70th birthday! They even left a card & some chocolate. Staff was friendly and the rooms clean. Definitely take time to stop in at their saloon Diamond Belle for a refreshing beverage and some ragtime-like entertainment! Looking forward to our next stay! read more

Strater Hotel - The Stater Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Durango, Colorado

See all

Don't usually spend $250/night for a hotel but decided to treat ourselves. Room was very small and bathroom was spartan--typical of a historic hotel. Second day front desk messed up so our keys didn't work and then another couple was given keys to our room! Imagine our surprise and theirs when they opened the door! After that our keys didn't work AGAIN so I had to go back down to the front desk and have them reset. When I told the desk clerk that I was not very happy, he only said, "Sorry about that." The final frustration was that the drinking glasses were not replaced after the room was cleaned so I had to trek down AGAIN to the front desk to get new drinking glasses. You too can have this great experience for $250/night. read more

NOTE: This is a two-part review. The first part is an assessment of The Strater as a hotel. The second part documents an instrumental trans-communication (ITC) session I conducted here in September 2018. ______________________________________________ Part 1: The Hotel The Strater exudes a sense of Victorian opulence (mahogany furnishings, colorful cushions, ornamental vases and lamps), but the amenities are far from antiquated. Unlike most "historic" hotels, the rooms are spacious and boast walk-in showers large enough to accommodate individuals taller than five-foot two. The mattresses are soft (perhaps a little too soft -- a minor quibble), clean (no bodily fluid stains), and modern. During our one-night stay last September, my father and I ran into only one problem. All three entrances are accessible only by stairs, so guests with ambulatory issues should look elsewhere. My father suffers from moderate idiopathic neuropathy in his legs, so transporting luggage to and from our room proved difficult. I carried the vast majority of our belongings myself, but even I felt like Del Griffith (sans charming loquaciousness) dragging his trunk around in "Planes, Trains & Automobiles." A ramp leading to the entrance would be too steep, so I'm not sure how The Strater could address this issue. Perhaps one of the hotel's benevolent (?) spirits could be persuaded to apport the luggage. Luggage transportation issues aside, my father and I enjoyed our stay at The Strater. Our nicely furnished two-bedroom suite set us back only $120, so the place only *looks* expensive. Historic hotels are indubitably more charming than corporate chains, much in the same way the antiquated adverb "indubitably" is more charming than its modern counterpart "undoubtedly." Would I recommend The Strater over, say, a Best Western? Indubitably! Fun fact: The Strater is featured in the original "National Lampoon's Vacation" from 1983. Remember the scene where Clark Griswold calls the front desk clerk a "total creep" for refusing to accept a personal check? Yep, that scene was filmed at The Strater! Only I know such things. See my pics and screenshots from the hotel and movie. ______________________________________________ Part 2: The ITC Session Before I delve into my paranormal experience at The Strater, allow me to explain what I mean by "ITC." Instrumental trans-communication (ITC) refers to the use of physical "spirit boxes" and apps to communicate with spirits. These devices facilitate communication by providing phonetic gibberish (random audio samples, white noise) that spirits can manipulate to form words and sentences. Spirits don't use their own voices; they use whatever audio source the operator provides. ITC is similar to electronic voice phenomena (EVP), but the latter refers to disembodied voices captured from thin air, which even the most seasoned paranormal researchers have difficulty obtaining. ITC typically yields more impressive results, as spirits seem to be more adroit at manipulating raw audio than they are at producing EVP. The first time I entered The Strater (September 2017), my clairsentience went into overdrive; I could "feel" the presence of several spirits, but one in particular stood out to me visually. The mental image was clear: a well-groomed, heavyset Caucasian man (approx. 55-60) with a handlebar mustache. My interest was piqued, so I told my father we needed to spend a night here the following year. I felt tempted to delve into the hotel's history, but I chose to remain ignorant; names, dates, and events could potentially influence my investigation and lead to false positives. When I returned as a guest the following year, I conducted an ITC session in my room using two well-respected apps: Spiritus and Vocibus. About twenty minutes later, I began receiving direct responses to my questions. In response to the question, "How many spirits are present in this hotel?," I heard a clear number: "11." I then asked, "Can one of you step forward and tell me your name?" The answer: "Emily." I then asked "Emily" why she remained there. Most ITC responses are frustratingly short (a few syllables at best), but the reply that followed was anything but: "Hen-ry...keeps...us safe." Could "Henry" be Henry Strater, the hotel's namesake? A skeptic would probably claim that I'd seen or heard the name at the hotel and that my *interpretation* was an example of audio pareidolia. I have no way to refute that criticism, but I've been conducting ITC long enough to filter out the paranormal wheat from the chaff; I know what I heard. So many questions remain unanswered. Who is Emily? Is "Henry" none other than Henry Strater? How does Henry keep the spirits "safe"? Is Henry the man I envisioned the year prior? What did Henry Strater look like? Perhaps I will return one day and learn more. read more

See all