Perched on a hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach has been a symbol of luxury and grandeur since it opened its doors in 1927. Over the years, it has hosted famous celebrities, presidents, and business tycoons, making it one of the most prestigious hotels on the East Coast. However, behind the glitz and glamour lies a darker, more mysterious side. The Cavalier Hotel is also well-known for its hauntings and ghost stories, with numerous guests and staff reporting paranormal activity throughout the building. From tragic deaths to eerie apparitions, the Cavalier Hotel has earned its reputation as one of the most haunted places in Virginia Beach.

A History of Tragedy and Mystery

The Cavalier Hotel has a long and storied history, but it is the untimely death of Adolph Coors, the beer magnate and heir to the Coors Brewing Company, that is perhaps the most well-known. In 1929, Coors mysteriously fell to his death from the sixth floor of the hotel. While the circumstances of his death remain unclear—some believe it was suicide, while others suspect foul play—his tragic demise has left a permanent mark on the hotel. Visitors and staff alike have reported seeing a ghostly figure matching Coors’ description near the sixth-floor windows and the area outside where he is believed to have landed.

Coors’ death was just the beginning of the hotel’s haunted reputation. Over the decades, other tragedies have occurred within its walls, including stories of guests who passed away under mysterious circumstances. These tragedies, combined with the hotel’s rich history, have made the Cavalier Hotel a magnet for paranormal activity. Today, ghost hunters and curious visitors flock to the hotel, hoping to catch a glimpse of one of the many spectral residents said to roam its hallways.

Ghostly Figures and Phantom Guests

One of the most commonly reported paranormal experiences at the Cavalier Hotel is the sighting of ghostly figures in the hallways and ballrooms. Guests have described seeing apparitions dressed in 1920s attire, as if they are still attending the lavish parties that once took place during the hotel’s heyday. These figures often appear out of the corner of the eye, only to disappear when approached. Some guests have even claimed to hear the faint sound of music and laughter coming from empty rooms, as though a Great Gatsby-style party is still in full swing.

One particularly eerie encounter involved a guest who, after checking into their room, saw a woman in a flowing white gown standing at the foot of their bed. The woman reportedly smiled and turned toward the door, but when the guest got up to follow her, she had vanished without a trace. This figure, often referred to as “the Lady in White,” has been seen by multiple visitors over the years, always described in the same elegant, period-appropriate clothing. Some believe she may have been a former guest or even a socialite who frequented the Cavalier during its roaring 1920s parties.

The Phantom Smell of Cigars

In addition to apparitions, many guests and staff members have reported experiencing unexplained smells throughout the hotel, particularly the smell of cigars in areas where smoking has long been banned. This phenomenon is particularly common in the hotel’s Grand Ballroom, where high-society guests once gathered for parties and celebrations. Staff members have noted that the strong smell of cigar smoke often appears suddenly, filling the room for a few moments before disappearing as quickly as it came. While no one has ever pinpointed the source of the smell, many believe it is tied to the ghosts of former patrons, perhaps wealthy businessmen or celebrities, who enjoyed cigars in the ballroom during the hotel’s golden era.

Some have speculated that one of the spirits responsible for this lingering smell is none other than Adolph Coors himself, who was known to smoke cigars. Whether or not it is Coors, the phantom scent adds an eerie but tangible reminder of the past, allowing the living to sense the presence of those long gone.

Cold Spots and Unexplained Phenomena

Cold spots are another frequently reported phenomenon at the Cavalier Hotel. These sudden, drastic drops in temperature are often accompanied by the feeling of being watched or touched by an unseen presence. Guests walking through the hallways or exploring the hotel’s spa have reported sudden chills, despite the hotel’s climate-controlled environment. These cold spots are especially common near the indoor pool, where many believe a young woman drowned during the hotel’s early years. Though no official records confirm the drowning, the pool area has become one of the most paranormally active parts of the hotel.

Many visitors to the pool area have claimed to feel an overwhelming sense of sadness and heaviness, as though the tragedy that supposedly occurred there still lingers. Others have reported seeing a shadowy figure near the pool’s edge, disappearing into the water only to leave no trace behind.

The Haunting of Room 712

Among the hotel’s most famous ghost stories is that of Room 712, often referred to as the most haunted room in the building. Guests who have stayed in the room have reported feeling a strong presence, with some waking up in the middle of the night to the sensation of being watched or even feeling a hand on their shoulder. The activity in Room 712 is so well known that many guests specifically request to stay in the room, hoping to experience the paranormal for themselves.

One couple staying in Room 712 claimed to hear footsteps pacing back and forth outside their door all night, but when they checked, the hallway was always empty. Other guests have described hearing whispers or even knocking sounds that seem to come from within the walls. Despite numerous investigations, no definitive explanation has been found for the activity in Room 712, leading many to believe that it is home to one of the Cavalier Hotel’s most restless spirits.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Luxury and the Paranormal

The Cavalier Hotel is a place where luxury and mystery blend seamlessly. While it continues to serve as a world-class resort, offering guests a taste of its glamorous past, it is also a hotspot for paranormal activity. From the ghost of Adolph Coors to the Lady in White, the spirits of the Cavalier Hotel seem as unwilling to leave as the guests who once reveled in its grandeur. Whether you come for the elegance or the possibility of encountering a ghost, the Cavalier Hotel offers a unique experience that combines the best of Virginia Beach’s history with its rich tradition of haunted legends.

Main photo by Antony-22 (CC4.0)