The Haunted Ocean Key Resort
Posted: 11.12.2024 | Updated: 11.12.2024
The Ocean Key Resort in Key West, Florida, is known for its spectacular sunset views of the Gulf Coast. Located on the island’s northwest corner, Ocean Key Resort offers a unique luxury experience for its guests and easy access to Sunset Pier, which stands on the site of one of the island’s oldest piers. While not discussed by hotel staff, there have been multiple reports of Ocean Key Resort being haunted. This unknown entity is said to inhabit the third floor of the hotel and has made some guests feel less than welcome.
Who haunts the Ocean Key Resort?
What makes the haunting at Ocean Key Resort so unusual is that it’s not an old building. Built in 1981, the hotel is one of the newer buildings in Key West. That said, the ghost of Ocean Key may have existed there long before the hotel’s construction and is undoubtedly an active spirit who has a bit of fun with guests.
In addition to being a stunning place to visit, Key West is full of ghost stories and creepy tales. You can learn about all of them by booking an immersive ghost tour with Southernmost Ghosts for your next trip.
History of Ocean Key Resort
Before it was a luxury resort, the land where Ocean Key Resort stood was once an industrial shipping area. In the 1830s, about a decade after the United States acquired Key West, a pier was constructed in the area due to its calm, deep waters. The pier served many purposes, including the Navy’s use during the Civil War and Spanish-American War. Teddy Roosevelt’s troops departed from the port as they journeyed to Cuba for battle. The pier also saw a fair amount of violence as a slaughtering site for turtles and sharks. After years of dormancy, the land was purchased by developers who wanted to capitalize on the area’s scenic sunset views by building a world-class hotel.
Construction began on the Ocean Key Resort in 1981, and the hotel opened in 1982. It was later purchased by Noble House Resorts in 1998. The resort bills itself as “a place where sunsets make history,” so each of its 100 rooms has its own private balcony. The resort’s location in Mallory Square, filled with shops and restaurants, makes it the perfect place for a relaxing vacation. Guests can also participate in nightly Sunset Celebrations on Sunset Pier.
Ocean Key Resort is known for its unique style, which one general manager described as being “almost too much.” Each room is uniquely decorated with its own theme and bursting with color. For instance, one room is flamingo-themed with a bold pink color palette and an array of flamingo artwork. When guests arrive at the hotel, they’re welcomed with a celebratory rum punch, and the lobby gives a distinctly “Key West” vibe.
The Ghost of Ocean Key Resort
For all its bright colors and idyllic sunsets, it’s somewhat surprising that Ocean Key Resort is haunted. On the other hand, the joyful and serene nature of the hotel makes the hauntings all the more unsettling. The haunting at Ocean Key Resort is said to be by one unknown ghost, although more spirits may be present. It’s also not known when the hauntings first began, but guests say there’s no mistaking the ghostly activity that goes on.
The haunting at Ocean Key Resort takes place on the third floor. Guests have reported the sound of keys jingling, lights turning on and off by themselves, cold spots in otherwise warm rooms, and curtains being pushed by an unseen force. Guests who encounter the ghost of the hotel directly sense that it is an unhappy spirit. Long sighs are often heard, and a heavy presence can sometimes be felt standing next to guests. There have even been reports of feeling pressure on the bed at night, as if someone were sitting on it and watching guests sleep.
A Terrifying Experience
In 2015, a guest reported coming back to their room and finding it “ransacked.” The hotel was certain that no one had entered the room, and it was assumed that the balcony doors had been blown open, causing the mess. However, things took a strange turn in the night when the guest heard someone clap their hands next to their ear. The guest reported, “I immediately awoke and thought I was dreaming.” They turned over to check the time on their phone and suddenly felt a cold gust of air blow over them. The guest heard another clap next to their right ear, causing them to yell so loud it woke their wife. The guest claimed it was their first paranormal experience.
During a stay in 2023, one guest reported a shocking experience while staying in room 317. The guest stated that when their husband got up in the middle of the night for a glass of water, he noticed someone on their balcony. Upon closer inspection, it was a woman with long blonde hair. However, she vanished instantly, and the guest could not find anyone on the balcony. It’s unclear if this is the sad entity many have felt while staying on the third floor.
Haunted Key West
The mystery of the ghost of Ocean Key Resort may never be solved, but its stories will live on for a long time. It could be that old energy on the land conjured this spirit to haunt a modern hotel, but that theory remains unproven.
Want to learn all about the weird history and spooky haunts of Key West? Contact Southernmost Ghosts now and book a ghost tour of this otherworldly island. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and keep reading our blog for more real Key West hauntings.
Sources:
https://www.floridahauntedhouses.com/real-haunt/ocean-key-house-resort.html
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