I spent 3 nights in Chicago's most haunted hotel, and it was just as terrifying as 'The Shining'

Frank OlitoJun 24, 2021, 23:04 IST

The Congress Plaza Hotel is rumored to be haunted.Frank Olito/ Insider

I stayed at Chicago's Congress Plaza Hotel, which is considered Illinois' most haunted building.
During my stay, it felt like I was the only guest because public spaces were empty.
I tried to visit the most haunted room in the hotel, but the labyrinth of hallways got me spooked.

On a recent trip to Chicago, I booked a three-night stay at the Congress Plaza Hotel not knowing I was walking into one of the most haunted buildings in the Midwest.

The exterior of the Congress Plaza Hotel. Frank Olito/ Insider

When I first stepped inside the lobby of the Congress Plaza Hotel, I was impressed by the grandeur, but something definitely felt off.

The lobby. Frank Olito/ Insider

At the back of the lobby, there was an ornate table and chair that the White House donated to the hotel, hinting at its past.

A chair and table were located in the back of the lobby. Frank Olito/ Insider

During my research, I also learned the hotel has a haunted past.

The elevators. Frank Olito/ Insider

I took the elevator up to my room on the 14th floor for the first time and was surprised by the size of the space.

The room I stayed in for three nights. Frank Olito/ Insider

That first night, I could barely sleep because the ghost stories were swirling around my mind.

I slept with the lights on. Frank Olito/ Insider

The following morning, I went down to the restaurant for breakfast, and the strange feeling I felt when I first entered the hotel returned.

The empty restaurant. Frank Olito/ Insider

Over the next two days, I noticed every hallway was empty.

The hallways were empty. Frank Olito/ Insider

In fact, every corner of this hotel seemed to be void of human life.

Everywhere was empty. Frank Olito/ Insider

I even walked by the famous Gold Room on the second floor and found nothing but caution tape.

The Gold Room has caution tape. Frank Olito/ Insider

On my last day, I decided to explore the hotel a bit more, particularly the place that's said to be the most haunted room in the entire building: Room 441.

Just outside the hallway to Room 441. Frank Olito/ Insider

Along my way, I noticed the hallways of the Congress Plaza are a mind-bending, confusing labyrinth.

The hallways never ended. Frank Olito/ Insider

I passed several doors that didn't have any doorknobs. I wondered if they were boarded-up rooms.

Some doors seemed to be closed off. Frank Olito/ Insider

As I got closer and closer to room 441, my heart beat faster and faster.

The hallway near Room 441. Frank Olito/ Insider

Although I left the Congress Plaza Hotel with no real proof that it's haunted, the stories alone freaked me out.