Facts below are drawn from the linked sources.
Real history
The first Elms opened in July 1888 and burned on May 9, 1898. The second opened on July 31, 1909, and burned on October 30, 1910. The current stone hotel opened on September 7, 1912, and prospered as a speakeasy in the 1920s and 1930s (Wikipedia).
Ghost stories
These are reported legends, not verified events. The creepiness score (1–5) is Spook Atlas's own editorial rating, not a measurement.
KSHB reported in 2020 that people say they have seen a woman roaming the halls looking for her child and a maid in a 1920s uniform, and that a gambler said to have been killed by the Mob during Prohibition roams near the lap pool. Source: KSHB, 2020.
Then and now

Public access
Open to the public The hotel's ghosts page lists a $30 paranormal tour at about 9 p.m., booked at check-in or through the front desk (The Elms Hotel & Spa). Last checked: Nov 1, 2026.
Explore more
- More places in Excelsior Springs and Missouri
- More haunted & abandoned hotels
- Nearby: Odd Fellows Home (Belvoir Winery) (Liberty, MO), Vaile Mansion (Independence, MO), 1859 Jail Museum (Independence, MO), Quindaro Townsite (Kansas City, KS)
⚠️ Please read: This information may be outdated and conditions change. Verify access with the owner or operator before you go. Spook Atlas does not encourage trespassing. Entering private, closed or condemned property can be illegal and dangerous. Report a correction.
Reader experiences
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