The Haunted Hotel

The Haunted Hotel

Curb Appeal – 4.7/5
Scare Factor – 4.5/5
Actor Enthusiasm – 4.7/5
Creativity – 4.2/5

Overall – 4.5/5

Teresa - I love the Haunted Hotel. This is full-contact, in-your-face, manhandling-scary. It is in a creepy old house, which is decorated like a rickety old, nightmarish hotel. From the first room, you are made to feel very nervous and uncomfortable. Then, you enter the scariest elevator you’ve probably ever been in. The effects and acting in there are not for the cowardly. Then you walk through, dreading whatever might be in the next room. Going in first is scary, but being last is also horrible, as they may not let you go. And don’t think you’re safe in the middle. This place is scary. The acting is extreme, and they will grab you, pick you up, hold knives to your throat, drag you, force your face in a “toilet”, and intimidate you as much as possible. The decor is good, but it totally takes a backseat to your fear of the actors. And don’t get me started on the chainsaws. Very plural. And this section is very long. And very aggressive. If you are scared of chainsaws, this would be a nightmare. I love the Haunted Hotel actors and their costumes. Especially the ones you have time to talk to. I feel like I was manhandled and intimidated a little less this year though. I’d like for them to step it up just a little more, and for them to add a little more creep to the chainsaw maze. I’m not as terrified of chainsaws as most people and would like to see more variety there. But keep in mind, I’m saying that about the scariest place I’ve been. And maybe, just maybe, it is too scary for the average haunt goer. I hope not, because it is so much fun. Just hang around and watch the people being chased out of the exit.

Gayle - What can I say?  This place is hands down my favorite haunt.  Not only is the house itself creepy, but the atmosphere and energy felt just waiting in line is beyond measure.  There are actors who interact with you while waiting to check in, and all were fantastic.  The costumes were terrifying, and the anticipation for that bang on the door letting you know you’re next, is gut-wrenching.  From the crazy elevator ride in the beginning to the horrifying chainsaw chase at the end, this place is a non-stop, in your face, eerie, creepy, and exhilarating raid on your personal space.  The actors are fully engaged, all over you, and every second of it is frightening!!   This is the haunt I look forward to each year.  It is unlike any other in that it’s full-contact.  You will be touched, groped, shoved, tossed against walls, picked up, carried off, and in the best most amazing way possible!  This one is top-notch when it comes to scaring the living crap out of you.  Definitely a must see, definitely worth the 2 hour drive, definitely will continue to come year after glorious year!  Well done!!!

Donna -  The haunted hotel is always  The highlight of our visit to Louisville. This year was no exception. When we arrived around 11:30 PM the area in front of the hotel and on the side of the hotel was filled with people waiting for their turn   To be scared and terrified within its walls. As you enter the hotel the first actor there tells you that you can expect to be touched and manhandled on your trip through the hotel and that there is no hope for you to ever escape it’s walls. As you continue to  walk through the hotel scene after scene creates a sense of terror   And you find yourself walking faster and faster just trying to escape from this nightmare.   The actors are relentless  in chasing you down and getting into your face pushing and shoving you and creating a sense of helplessness as you wonder from room to room. I found the chainsaws at the end were  The loudest and most terrifying part of the haunt. This is a great haunt if you’re in the Louisville area please stop by  and pay it a visit. You may enter the hotel but you may not leave in one piece!

Bill - I really love the Haunted Hotel, all of the employees are into giving you a right good scare, and as always they did just that. With eager anticipation, I entered the haunt and was given fright after fright, traveling through the maze, waiting to be mauled and man-handled.
It is an exceptional haunt and the nightmares will carry me through until I get down there next year.

Gus - Before you make plans to visit the Haunted Hotel, just bear in mind that it is an “extreme” haunt. The actors can and will touch you. If that is not your cup of tea, you may want to look elsewhere. However, you’d be missing out on one of the greatest haunt in Louisville. The actors are professionals, my experience is always that when you get touched, it is not in a sleazy way, it is in the spirit of the scene, and to break that safety barrier and to get a reaction. This season, things seem to be more tame than in previous years, but its still a great time.

Todd - In some ways, The Haunted Hotel is in a league of its own. There’s an energy within that just isn’t easily felt at other haunts. I’ll admit, I am obsessed with this place. It’s become a damn-near annual holiday…Haunted Hotel day! I look forward to it probably more than anything. The only problem now is, has the Haunted Hotel not met up to my expectations…..or are my expectations just too high?
If you’re not familiar with this haunt, there are not many around that offer a similar experience. The actors touch you, grab you, threaten you, chase you, etc. Many of the rooms are cluttered, with little room to maneuver and the hallways can be especially tight…a fantastic setting in the pitch dark. The interior is dark, dingy, filthy and chaotic in the best way. Don’t be fooled by the exterior either – it’s longer than it appears from the outside.
The outside (the final area) has been changed up. From what I experienced, it sure seemed longer. Considering there are chainsaw-wielding crazies throughout, if that sort of thing bothers you, prepare to get some exercise. And Holy Hell…the noise out there is deafening! .
So here’s where my disappointment comes in….don’t get me wrong – I love this place. I’ve come to know some of the great people that make it happen and I appreciate everything they do. For me, this year felt a little tame. I don’t know if that was intentional, they had to step it back a bit or maybe it was just the timing. I’m not saying it was all rainbows and hugs in there – my throat was grabbed twice and I was shoved against a wall. That’s a lot more than I’d get anywhere else…but it just seemed more PG-13, not R. In years past I was held down over a table while rotary tools were used to spit sparks near my face…I was bent over backwards while a knife was held to my throat…it was these extreme actions that I sickly have come to crave at The Haunted Hotel – none of which were present this year.
The contact that did take place felt more lethargic than usual. However, as I previously stated, perhaps my expectations are getting too high. I mean, I don’t want to come out of there bleeding and limping but it just felt much more tame this year and I admittedly was disappointed. To be clear – I was disappointed with the full contact part, but all other aspects of the haunt were fantastic.
For the typically haunt attendee, this place no doubt still enough to make someone absolutely terrified, but for veterans like us, we want the hardcore experience. Hint, hint – for next year.