Today’s Summer of Horror trope is creepy, haunted motels and hotels, and it was actually tough to find these! Of course, we have a few classics that you’re already familiar with, but I’ve managed to scare up a few others. I’ll link my reviews if I’ve read them, otherwise they are linked to Goodreads.
The Shining by Stephen King. Starting with the granddaddy of them all, The Shining is still one of the best, scariest hotel-centric horror stories I’ve ever read.
The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James. This one is fresh in my mind, since I recently reviewed it. Creepy old motel: check. Unsettling ghostly events: check. Mysterious deaths: check!
Psycho by Robert Bloch. Another great classic, I’m sure everyone is familiar with the story of creepy Norman Bates. I’m not sure I’ve ever read this book, although the movie is a favorite!
The Return by Rachel Harrison. This is Rachel Harrison’s debut, I believe, and it was very odd and creepy. The story takes place at a very weird hotel, and the characters are unpredictable. If you want to dip your toes in her books, this is a great place to start.
The Storm by Rachel Hawkins. This isn’t technically horror, but I wanted to include it since the whole dramatic story revolves around a hotel. This is a fun thriller with some great twists!
Asylum Hotel by Juliet Blackwell. An abandoned hotel perched on a sea cliff is under renovation for a relaunch, and guess what? There might be ghosts…
Please Enjoy Your Stay by Tara Goedjen. This book isn’t out until October, but I have it on my TBR. The story takes place in Austria at a castle-turned-hotel.
Do Not Disturb by Frieda McFadden. I’m not surprised that McFadden has tackled this horror trope! This has the perfect setting: a “broken down, isolated” motel.
One of these days I’m going to have to try Psycho!
I need to read it too!
Nice list! I love a creepy hotel setting and The Shining is a fav. I read Do Not Disturb too and it reminded me of Psycho. I last read The Crash by McFadden and it reminded me way too much of the film Misery so I don’t think I’ll read her again.
Yes! I read The Crash and it’s definitely a take on Misery.
I do love reading books set in haunted places! But they are hard to find. I’ll have to try that Mcfadden one, though her books have been hit and miss for me. Fun list. 😀
Me too, McFadden’s books are usually around 3 stars for me, but I’m curious about this one:-)
I have to admit that I worry The Shining will be too scary for me. But I’ll probably try it out one day once I’ve read a couple of other books by the author I have my eye on. I’ve been curious about The Return for a while and am definitely intrigued by Please Enjoy Your Stay. There’s also a kind of Psycho spin off out now called Marion. I’m not sure how much of it is set within the motel but it sounds interesting with how the tables are turned.
I have heard of Marion and I’m very interested in it. The Shining is VERY scary but it’s so well written and plotted, you should definitely try it!
The Shining is the only one I’ve read. I feel like I’ve read maybe a YA horror/thriller set in a hotel, but now I can’t think of it. Fun post!
https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2026/07/13/e-galley-review-into-the-fading-twilight-starlight-grove-2-by-catherine-cowles/
Thanks Lisa!
I see a couple here I have been meaning to get to. The Shining remains one of my favorites of all time.
Me too, I need to do a reread!
Ahh, good choice of setting. Hotels/motels can be so fruitful for creepiness… they’re a sort of liminal place in a way, after all!
You’re right, and books with liminal places are some of my favorites.
Fun topic. The only one I’ve read is the Sun Down Motel.
That’s a good one!
I don’t read horror but I adored The Sun Down Motel!
It’s hard not to love it!
Weirdly enough I want to stay at a haunted hotel someday if I’ll ever have enough courage…
Me too! I would totally do that, as long as I wasn’t alone, lol.
I can’t think of any others, and I’ve not read any of these, though I’m at least familiar with the stories of The Shining and Psycho from movies and shows based on them. Looks like I’ve got some more reading to do. 🙂
Honestly, I would like to do a reread of the Shining (and watch the movie again:-))
You may have already read The Midnight Knock, set in a motel not a hotel but interesting up to a point
Oh cool. Thanks Kelly! I’ve added it to my list to check out
Great list. I’ve read The Shining and The Storm and would like to read The Return.
Lynn 😀
The Shining is a fav for me. I still need to read the second book.
I mean, it’s gotta be The Exorcist, right? DEFINITELY Interview with the Vampire.