There was a ghost in my Airbnb
Last year I went to Scotland and spent a few days in Edinburgh before we headed off to the highlands. Now I’m usually a hotel girlie. I mean it’s my whole brand but because I was traveling for three weeks prior and we were splurging on a very expensive hotel later in the trip we thought it would be okay to rent an Airbnb. The Airbnb was actually so cute and huge! It was in the perfect area and so walkable. We truly thought we hit the jackpot. So it was over a year since I’ve seen some of these friends so after dinner we decided to stay up and catch up. We opened a few bottles of wine and the laughs started to kick in. It was around 1:00 am when we all of a sudden heard a man’s cackle coming out the fireplace. I should have said we were sitting in the living room right in front of the fireplace and we had the entire townhouse to ourselves so its like someone was in the house. At first we thought my friend was playing a prank but when she started to freak out we knew it wasn’t her. We immediately tore apart the room looking for cameras or speakers and we found nothing. We were so freaked but tired so we decided to go upstairs and all stay in the same room. We were all supposed to have our own rooms. This is when it started to get freaky our phones wouldn’t work and we literally couldn’t type anything. It was like they were possessed. So instead of waiting until the morning and thinking rationally we booked the most expensive hotel in Edinburgh for the remainder of our stay. Was it stupid? Yes! Were we so freaked out from the glowing red light that was across the street that we stayed up until daylight also yes! We did email the host and she said it was just seagulls but I don’t believe her because it was an actual voice AND the next morning we heard a baby crying. We ended up going the pub down the street from the Airbnb a few days later and they said the building next to our Airbnb used to be a church and he’s had a few ghost experiences too but it seems like everyone in Edinburgh has. It’s crazy when everyone automatically believes you. The sad thing is Airbnb doesn’t have a ghost policy but now I’m a firm believer ghosts do exist. Oh yeah and my camera never fully worked right the entire time I was there and I got some very funky photos. Sage to say I just will be sticking to hotels for the foreseeable future. #lemon8partner #Lemon8Diary #ghoststory #lemon8travel #travelcreator #TravelStory #travelwithme
Wow, since sharing my terrifying Edinburgh Airbnb experience, I've heard from so many of you who are just as fascinated – or terrified! – by haunted places and ghost stories. It seems like the internet is buzzing with people searching for 'haunted Airbnbs' and wondering about 'ghost sightings' in their own travels. It really makes you wonder, doesn't it? My incident definitely opened my eyes to the possibility of the supernatural, especially in a city as ancient and atmospheric as Edinburgh. You know, before this trip, I always heard about 'Edinburgh's haunted reputation,' but I never truly believed it until I experienced it firsthand. This city has such a rich, often dark, history with its old closes, underground vaults, and centuries-old buildings. It's no wonder people constantly search for 'haunted places to stay in Edinburgh.' Locals told me stories of spirits lingering from battles, plagues, and ancient rituals. These old buildings, like the one I stayed in, just seem to soak up history – and maybe a little more. If you're like me and now find yourself curious (or cautious!) about booking a 'haunted Airbnb,' here are a few things I've learned. Always read reviews meticulously, looking for any mention of strange occurrences, unexplained noises, or even just a general "eerie" vibe. Sometimes hosts will subtly hint at a property's history, using words like "historic charm" or "unique character" that could be code for something more. And if an Airbnb listing seems too good to be true, or has very few photos of the interior, it might be worth a second thought – though that applies to all bookings, not just potentially haunted ones! My own experience involved classic 'poltergeist activity objects moving' – or at least, sounds that suggested it. That cackle from the fireplace still chills me to the bone! And the way our phones went completely haywire, literally possessed and refusing to type, felt like something right out of a horror movie. It truly highlights how disorienting and frightening these experiences can be. I even had a 'camera malfunction,' resulting in some really funky photos, which I now wonder if it was another sign of paranormal interference. One thing that really frustrated me was realizing 'Airbnb's lack of a paranormal activity policy.' When you're dealing with something as unsettling as a ghost, you'd think there'd be some guidance or protection. I mean, they have policies for just about everything else! It makes you feel a bit adrift when you’re genuinely freaked out and trying to find a safe space. In my case, we just bit the bullet and booked an expensive hotel, but not everyone has that option. If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, my advice is to first rule out all logical explanations. Then, try to document everything – recordings, photos, notes – as clearly as possible. And if you feel truly unsafe, trust your gut and leave, even if it means losing money. Your peace of mind is worth more. My journey to Edinburgh was supposed to be a fun travel adventure, but it turned into a profound personal experience that made me a firm believer in the unseen. So, if you're ever searching for an 'haunted Airbnb near me' or just intrigued by 'ghost sightings' abroad, remember: some places carry their history a little more loudly than others. And sometimes, "MY AIRBNB WAS HAUNTED" isn't just a catchy phrase for a spooky story; it's a terrifying reality.