Four of the spookiest places to stay

Jack Nicholson in the Shining.

To get into the Halloween spirit, Leila George suggests the spookiest places in the world.

1. Stanley Hotel

This Colorado hotel inspired Stephen King's The Shining - the writer, his wife and their 3-year-old son spent a night there in the 70s as the only guests. In the years afterthe book's publication, the Stanley became known asaparanormal hotspot. Today, the hotel offers a special evening tour around the most haunted areas - there's evenadesignated paranormal investigator who leads monthly in-depth tours. If you go, try to reserve room 217-said to be the most haunted room.

The Stanley Hotel, Colorado. Photo / 123RF

2. Island of the Dolls, Mexico

Although it was neverintended to be a tourism destination, this island with a sad background has become a popular spot. It is home to hundreds of creepy dolls - some with missing limbs or severed heads - that hang from the trees. Legend says that a young girl was found drowned on the island many years ago and the caretaker who found her body hung a doll he found nearby from a tree as a sign ofrespect. The tradition took off from there. Some visitors claim to have heard the dolls whispering to themselves.

The Island of the Dolls in Xochimilco, Mexico. Photo / Getty Images

3. Larnach Castle, Dunedin

This Otago institution is New Zealand's only castle - so naturally, it's said to be haunted. It was built in the 1870s as the private residence of William Larnach, and the ghost of his first wife, Eliza, is said to haunt the castle. There have been reports of spirit sightings, touches, pushes and other odd occurrences throughout the years. International and local ghost hunting shows have filmed here and identified supposed ghosts.

Larnach Castle at night. Photo / Supplied

4. Fengdu Ghost City

Located on the Ming Mountain on the northern bank of the Yangtze River, Fengdu gotits title as the Ghost City back in the Eastern Han Dynasty. The area consists of a large complex of shrines,temples and monasteries dedicated to the afterlife and its history goes back nearly 2000 years. In recent years, Fengdu Ghost City has become a tourist attraction and a popular stop for cruise passengers travelling on the river.

the gate of Fengdu Ghost City. Photo / 123RF

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