Where History Whispers After Dark

Haunted Tales

Step back in time and uncover the legends that linger within the walls of The Equinox. For more than 250 years, our historic resort has welcomed travelers from near and far—and some may have never truly left. From ghostly guests to unexplained happenings, these haunted tales reveal the spirited side of our storied Vermont retreat.

The Lady on the Staircase

Long before The Equinox became the stately resort it is today, staff whispered about a woman in white who wandered the grand staircase at dusk. Some say she was a visiting socialite who fell ill during a summer ball in the 1800s, never to leave the property. Guests have reported soft perfume lingering in the air, faint piano notes echoing through the lobby, and the unmistakable feeling of being watched from the landing — only to find no one there. Housekeepers who lock up late still pause at the stairs, certain they’ll see the hem of her gown turn the corner.

The Lincoln Room's Quiet Guest

Robert Todd Lincoln, the only surviving son of President Abraham Lincoln, frequented The Equinox with his family in the late 19th century. His presence lingers, or so many believe. In the suite rumored to have hosted the Lincolns, lights flicker without cause, rocking chairs creak when no one is near, and the faint smell of pipe tobacco sometimes fills the air. Guests who’ve stayed there often mention waking around 3 a.m. to the sensation of a door opening and closing softly — as if Mr. Lincoln is returning from an evening stroll across the lawn.

Whispers from the Marsh Tavern

The Marsh Tavern, where locals once gathered to debate Vermont’s independence during the Revolution, holds more than patriotic spirits. Late-night bartenders tell of glasses that shift by themselves and unseen figures seated at the far corner table. The tavern’s fireplace crackles louder on stormy nights — and if you listen closely, you might hear murmurs of debate and the clinking of colonial coins sliding across the bar. One guest swears they captured a hazy silhouette in their photo — a man in a tricorn hat raising his glass in eternal toast.

The Lantern at the Pond Pavilion

On misty autumn nights, a lone lantern has been seen drifting near the pond. Groundskeepers believe it’s the spirit of a caretaker from decades past who drowned trying to rescue a guest’s lost dog. The lantern appears before Halloween each year — hovering above the water, swaying as though carried by an unseen hand — before vanishing without a sound. Many couples hosting weddings by the pond have felt a cool gust sweep through the pavilion just before their vows, as if a blessing from beyond.

Reflections of Room 237

Room 237 has long been the subject of quiet speculation among staff. Mirrors fog without humidity, and guests report strange reflections — a shadow that moves when they don’t. One night, a guest called the front desk to report “a man in old-fashioned clothes standing behind me.” When staff arrived, the mirror was cracked in the shape of a handprint… from the inside. That room, they say, is always a little colder than the rest — even in midsummer.

The Bellman Who Never Checked Out

Many night-shift employees have encountered a polite, elderly bellman dressed in vintage attire offering to carry luggage. He introduces himself simply as “George,” tips his cap, and disappears near the service elevator. No “George” has been on staff for decades — but his name still appears faintly etched into an old brass nameplate found in storage years ago.