No photograph
on file
Est. 1927
Haunted Hotel / Inn

Bothwell Hotel

Historic Hotel with Active Paranormal Reputation

103 East 4th Street, Sedalia, MO 65301

Wheelchair Accessible Research-Backed · 2 sources

Research updated May 2026

Age

All Ages

Cost

$$

Rates vary by date and room; contact (660) 826-5588 or visit hotelbothwell.com for exact rates

Access

Wheelchair OK

Historic hotel interior with elevators

Equipment

Photos OK

Phantom soundsDisembodied voicesPhantom footstepsDoors opening/closingApparitionsObject movement

The paranormal reputation of the Hotel Bothwell centers specifically on the third floor, though the basement is also reported to have activity. The reports exhibit consistency across multiple independent guest accounts and staff testimonies, suggesting either genuine paranormal activity or strongly established folkloric patterns.

Auditory phenomena dominate guest reports. Visitors on the third floor report hearing distinct knocking on their room doors. When guests check the hallway, no one is present. The knocking reportedly repeats multiple times during a stay, creating the impression of an unseen visitor seeking entry or attention.

Footsteps are reported in hallways when no occupants are visible. The sounds suggest someone walking through the corridors, yet security and occupancy counts confirm no physical person accounts for the phenomena.

Voices emanate from air vents and interior spaces. Guests report hearing indistinct voices or conversations with no apparent source. Some reports describe hearing children's voices.

Autonomous mechanical phenomena include doors opening and closing without human or mechanical cause. Elevators move between floors without button activation. Cell phones are reported as being unplugged and moved from their original positions, then replugged into the electrical system in different locations.

A reported apparition takes the form of a young girl dressed in a white nightgown, observed on the third floor and in the basement. The apparition is described as visible but not interactive with witnesses.

Physical contact phenomena have been reported, including the sensation of weight on beds when no one is present, and one employee reported unexplained scratches on the back of their neck.

Staff members acknowledge the third floor's paranormal reputation, reportedly informing guests upon check-in about the elevated paranormal activity concentration on that floor. This staff acknowledgment suggests long-term pattern recognition and acceptance of the phenomena as part of the property's documented history.

The specific identity and motivational context for the paranormal entities remain undocumented. No particular historical tragedy or documented death is cited in available sources as triggering or explaining the phenomena.

Notable Entities

The Girl in the White Nightgown

Media Appearances

  • Local paranormal folklore
  • Historic hotel documentation

Plan Your Visit

1 way to experience
Overnight Stay Booking Required

Haunted Hotel Stay

Stay overnight at the Hotel Bothwell in Sedalia, Missouri, a historic property dating to 1927. The third floor is most actively reported for paranormal phenomena. Guests report hearing knocking, footsteps, voices, and experiencing autonomous door/elevator movement. The hotel has hosted notable guests including Harry S. Truman, Bette Davis, and Clint Eastwood.

Days:
Daily
Times:
Check-in 4:00 PM

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Sources & Further Reading

Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.

  1. 1.onlyinyourstate.com/stays/missouri/hotel-bothwell-haunted-mo
  2. 2.choicehotels.com/missouri/sedalia/ascend-hotels/mo189

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bothwell Hotel family-friendly?
The Hotel Bothwell is an active hotel appropriate for families. The paranormal phenomena are well-documented but not marketed aggressively. Reported phenomena (knocking, voices, door movement) may disturb sensitive sleepers. The hotel staff acknowledges paranormal folklore. Suitable for families interested in paranormal experiences or historic hotels. Overall family fit: Moderate.
How much does it cost to visit Bothwell Hotel?
Rates vary by date and room; contact (660) 826-5588 or visit hotelbothwell.com for exact rates
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes, reservations are required.
Is Bothwell Hotel wheelchair accessible?
Yes, Bothwell Hotel is wheelchair accessible. Terrain: Historic hotel interior with elevators.