The tragic story of how room 501 at the Grand Galvez Hotel in Texas became haunted

What image comes to mind when you think of haunted hotels in Texas? A run-down old building that hasn’t hosted guests since the last century? I’m sure there are plenty of them across the state, but not every supposedly haunted hotel looks like it belongs in a horror movie. Some, like the Grand Galvez Hotel & Spa in Galveston, exude elegance, beauty and grace and bear virtually no resemblance to the stereotypical “haunted hotel” that comes to mind.

As a lifelong resident of Southeast Texas, history buff, And As a paranormal enthusiast, I have been fascinated by the Galvez ever since I learned about its history. “How could such a beautiful place house such tragic memories?” is the question that often crosses my mind. As a child, I stayed at the hotel every time my family visited Galveston, and even before I heard the ghost stories, I felt an almost tangible heaviness in the air. It’s clear that a lot happened here, and in many ways the story of the Galvez – and the dark story of the ghost that haunts Room 501 – is the story of Galveston as a whole.

One of the island’s oldest buildings, the Grand Galvez opened in 1911 – just 11 years after the devastating Great Storm that killed between 6,000 and 8,000 people – as part of an effort to bring tourism back to Galveston. The hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and became a member of the Historic Hotels of America in 2002. It changed hands many times and underwent numerous renovations over the years, the most extensive of which occurred during this decade. In 2021, the property was renamed “Grand Galvez” and became part of the Marriott Autograph Collection in 2023.

Now that we’ve delved into the hotel’s rich history, you’re probably wondering how it came to be haunted. There are many reasons for this, starting with the simple fact that Galveston has seen its fair share of suffering. From epidemics to bloody battles to devastating hurricanes to pirates, gangs and criminals, Texas’ fourth capital (and at times our state’s largest city) is no stranger to death, disaster and destruction. Many people believe that the island is full of restless spirits, and I’ve even heard rumors that the hotel is located on an old cemetery that serves as the final resting place for storm victims (although there is no evidence to support this claim). If ever there was a place teeming with ghosts, Galvez is it.

The other explanation for the alleged paranormal activity at Galvez is much more specific – and much more tragic. It centers on the suicide of a woman named Audra, whose future husband died at sea before the two could tie the knot. She is said to have hanged herself in Room 501, and to this day, guests staying in the room report unexplained phenomena such as lights turning on and off and even images appearing in mirrors.

Another ghostly resident of the Grand Galvez is a nun named Sister Catherine, who was part of an organization that oversaw St. Mary’s Orphans Asylum. During the Great Storm, Catherine and her fellow sisters tied ropes to themselves and the orphans in a last-ditch attempt to survive the devastating winds. They were unsuccessful and 90 children and 10 sisters died in the storm; Her remains were found just off the land on which the Grand Galvez sits.

In addition to these two specific stories, there is no shortage of generic paranormal activity here. From sightings of a female apparition to room phones ringing with no caller on the other end, there are an endless amount of spooky feelings to get lost in.

I have to say that I personally haven’t seen any ghosts in the hotel, but I have many friends and relatives who swear by their alien encounters. What I can vouch for, however, is that you can feel Audra’s presence just by walking past Room 501. It feels like a wave of despair washes over you and disappears almost as quickly as it comes – but not without leaving the stark reminder that Audra’s story is just one of many similar tragedies that have befallen Galveston to the city who she is today. Who knows how many other grieving ghosts wander the island in eternal anticipation of the return of their lost love?

If you’d like to learn more about the Grand Galvez’s colorful history (or perhaps book a room!), visit the hotel’s website. Ghosts aside, staying in this opulent, majestic place will leave a mark on you forever. I heard that the front desk even rents out ghost hunting equipment to guests who ask!

Have you ever stayed at Grand Galvez? Are there any other haunted hotels in Texas still open? Tell us in the comments!