Creepy places you can actually stay at this Halloween

Spooktober is here again and if ghost tours aren't enough of a scare factor, then why not consider an entire night's stay at one of these creepy hotels?

After all, if the bed is comfy, you can ignore the possibility of apparitions showing up for some night time entertainment.

1. Dracula's Castle, Transylvania

Before Twilight, the legend of Dracula ruled the night.

The classic Victorian novel was penned by celebrated author Bram Stoker, who was inspired by the misty mountain fortress of Bran Castle.

The 14th century castle sits on the border between Transylvania and Wallachia, both of which are historically associated with Vlad the Impaler, a bloodthirsty dictator whom Stoker modelled Dracula on.

This Halloween, Airbnb has opened the castle to two fans to stay the night. All you have to do is to answer the question: "What would you say to the Count if you were to come face-to-fang with him in his own castle?"

The contest closes on Oct 26, 11.59pm (Central European Time, 6.59am Saturday, Singapore time).

Guests don't just get to stay a night, but they will be hosted by Stoker's great grand-nephew, Dacre Stoker, a vampire expert.

The castle's dark corridors and shadowy alcoves are atmospheric enough as a prelude to the candlelit dinner in an elaborate dining room.

Guests will get to enjoy the same meal described in Stoker's novel before retiring for the night in luxurious velvet trimmed coffins in the count's crypt.

The winner and their guest should be over 18 years old. Submissions should be between 50-500 characters or less in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian or Portuguese and 50-300 character or less in Chinese, Japanese or Korean.

2. The Cecil Hotel, Los Angeles

Los Angeles' most notorious hotel has been rebranded as Stay on Main. But no amount of changes can bury its dark history.

The hotel is no stranger to crime scenes and paranormal enthusiasts.

In 1985, the Cecil was home to two serial killers, Richard Ramirez and copycat Jack Unterweger, who both murdered a long string of women.

The bizarre, unsolved case of tourist Elisa Lam also dominated headlines for quite awhile in 2013. Lam's body was found decomposing in a rooftop water tank, two weeks after her death.

Surveillance footage revealed her exhibiting disturbing behavior presumably moments before she gained access to the water tank. Lam was known to suffer from bipolar disorder at that time so there were speculations that she was suffering from an episode. 

Autopsy reports found no traces of drugs nor alcohol in her body, and how she managed to enter the heavy water tank remains a mystery. 

Not everyone had sleepless nights at the hotel though. Reviews on TripAdvisor marked it as a decent, budget hotel. Although some were disgruntled by the dated decor in the rooms.

Read also: Haunted hotels of the world: Europe

3. Karosta Prison Hotel, Latvia

If cosying up on a thin mattress after a day's worth of physical exercise and verbal insults is your kind of holiday, then this hotel fits the bill.

Latvia's Karosta Prison was initially built as an infirmary in the 1900s. However when World War II broke out, it was converted into a Nazi and Soviet military prison.

But tales of the war atrocities within the prison walls only convinced authorities that it would be a good idea to convert it into a boutique hotel.

Today, guests have to sign a waiver, giving consent to be treated as a prisoner. Jailers suited up in old military garb handcuff and line "prisoners" up when they check in.

Read also: 8 luxury prison hotels you want to serve a life sentence in

4. The Queen Mary

While most hotels with reported paranormal activity usually shy away from the media limelight, the Queen Mary welcomes it with open arms.

With an illustrious history as a World War II transport ship and a luxury liner, the Queen Mary has witnessed its fair share of deaths onboard, and is no stranger to the creatures of the night.

One story is that a girl broke her neck while sliding down a banister. her spirit now roams the ship calling for her mother. The pool area has also been reported to be home to ladies in bathing suits who drowned in the 30s and 60s.

The ocean liner is now docked in California and has been converted into a hotel which offers, of all things, guided ghost tours.

The tours lead guests through reported paranormal hotspots like the infamous First Class Swimming Pool, Engine Room, R Deck-Forward, Isolation Ward and Wheelhouse.

While history buffs have criticised the management for fuelling such rumours and disrespecting the dead, the ghost tours have remained a hit with thrill-seekers.

After all, nothing sells better than a chilling experience.

debwong@sph.com.sg