Skirvin Hilton: Oklahoma City's Most Haunted Hotel? (You Won't Believe This!)
Skirvin Hilton: Oklahoma City - Ghosts, Glamour, & Maybe a Few Screams (My Honest Review!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're talking about the Skirvin Hilton in Oklahoma City. And let me tell you, it's not just a hotel; it's an experience. It's a hefty dose of history, a dollop of opulence, and a massive side of spooky. They call it "Oklahoma City's Most Haunted Hotel" for a reason, and trust me, I've got stories. Just, you know, try to ignore the fact I accidentally packed two left shoes. (Don't judge, travel is hard.)
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First Impressions (and the Shaky Knees):
Pulling up to the Skirvin is like stepping into a movie set. The architecture is breathtaking. Seriously, breathtaking. It's this gorgeous, imposing building, all Beaux-Arts elegance. The doormen (who, thankfully, noticed my lack of matching footwear) were incredibly welcoming. Check-in was smooth (thanks to their Contactless check-in/out option, which is golden these days!). The lobby? Gilded, grand, and absolutely buzzing. And then comes the part you're really here for: the ghosts.
The Ghostly Guest:
Let's address the elephant (or maybe the ghost?) in the room: the hauntings. The Skirvin is famous. The legend of the "Blue Lady," a former chambermaid who allegedly haunts the hotel, is whispered everywhere. I'll tell you, I'm not normally a believer in the paranormal. But staying here? Well, let's just say I now sleep with the lights on.
I booked the infamous Ghost Tour which is part of their Things to do offering, and that’s where things took a turn. It's not like a cheesy haunted house; it’s a genuinely informative, historical perspective of the hotel with some chilling stories. The guide, a seasoned storyteller, shared tales of unexplained noises, cold spots, and, yes, appearances. One incident during the tour really got my hair standing on end. Apparently, a couple had a… spirited argument in a room, and the next morning, all their luggage had been tossed out of the closet and scattered about the floor. No explanation. Just… ghostly housekeeping. Me? I was suddenly incredibly glad for the Security [24-hour].
(Emotional Reaction: Holy freakin' cow! Okay, I'm a believer. At least partially.)
Room Revelations (and the Missing Shoe Mystery):
My room (a Non-smoking one, thank heavens) was a luxurious haven. The Air conditioning was perfectly chilled, the Bed was absurdly comfortable, with Extra long bed options. There was plenty of the Internet access - Wireless and Wi-Fi [free], but no working LAN cable. I also had a Coffee/tea maker, a Refrigerator to store my snacks (gotta fuel up!), a Safety/security feature - a safe, a Desk to work from, and a Seating area for chilling and pretending to be sophisticated. Not ideal for a Laptop workspace but still very comfortable.
Plus, the Blackout curtains were life-savers; my inner vampire loved the darkness. I also loved the Bathrobes, Bathrobes, and Bathrobes. The Private bathroom was sleek and modern. The Additional toilet and Separate shower/bathtub made it an optimal relaxation destination. The Hair dryer, Towels, and Toiletries were all top-notch. They even had Complimentary tea!
(Quirky observation: Okay, the bathroom phone? A relic. But kinda cool, I guess. And I still can't find the other shoe.)
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking: Fueling the Fear (or the Excitement!)
The Skirvin boasts some serious dining options. I was excited for the Asian breakfast, Buffet in restaurant, and Breakfast [buffet] and the Western breakfast, which was delicious. The Restaurants offer everything from formal dining to a casual spot. I had a fantastic meal at Park Avenue Grill.
- Food and Drink Rundown:
- Park Avenue Grill: Absolutely gorgeous. Dinner and even had some Salad in restaurant.
- Bar: They have one, a lovely place to grab a cocktail (or three) before your sleepwalking adventure. Their happy hour ( Happy hour) is a bonus.
- Room Service [24-hour]: Excellent for those late-night ghost-induced cravings.
- Coffee Shop: For your caffeine fix.
- Poolside bar: In the summer for a cool drink.
- Bottle of water: Everywhere.
- Breakfast takeaway service: Available every morning.
- Alternative meal arrangement: The hotel is very accommodating, including accommodating special dietary needs.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: An option.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: Another option.
- Desserts in restaurant: Delicious.
- Snack bar: Good for a quick bite.
- Soup in restaurant: Warm and satisfying.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Option available.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Always available.
(Rambling observation: Okay, maybe I ate my feelings a little bit. But the food was GOOD. And if a ghost is coming at me, I want to have a full stomach, right?)
Relaxation & Rejuvenation (and Maybe a Ghostly Massage?):
The Skirvin offers a range of ways to unwind:
- Spa/sauna: Yes!
- Spa: The spa is fantastic.
- Massage: Book one!
- Fitness center: It's modern and well-equipped.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Beautiful.
- Pool with view: Stunning.
- Steamroom: Oh yeah.
- Body scrub: Available.
- Body wrap: Also available.
- Foot bath: Relaxing.
(Honest admission: I chickened out on the ghost-themed massage. Maybe next time?)
Accessibility & Conveniences:
The Skirvin is surprisingly accessible for a historic hotel. They have Facilities for disabled guests, an Elevator, and, according to their website, Wheelchair accessible rooms. (I didn't personally inspect one, but I took their word for it.)
- Other handy things:
- Concierge
- Daily housekeeping
- Dry cleaning
- Laundry service
- Gift/souvenir shop
- Car park [on-site], Car park [free of charge]
- Cash withdrawal
- Currency exchange
- Car power charging station
- Taxi service
- Valet parking
- Doorman
- Convenience store
(Opinionated observation: The customer service was impeccable. Seriously, the staff goes above and beyond to make you feel comfortable, despite the…uninvited guests.)
Business & Events:
The Skirvin is also a popular spot for events. They have Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Indoor venue for special events, Outdoor venue for special events, and all the Audio-visual equipment for special events you could need.
- More business-y things:
- Business facilities
- Projector/LED display
- Wi-Fi for special events
- Xerox/fax in business center
- Meeting stationery
- Seminars
(Rambling: I think the ghosts even attend business meetings. Heard a rumor that one of them really likes Excel.)
Cleanliness & Safety (Because, You Know, Ghosts…and the Real World):
The Skirvin takes its cleaning and safety seriously. With Covid in the mix, the hotel boasts a meticulous cleaning regime.
- Safety:
- Anti-viral cleaning products
- Daily disinfection in common areas
- Hand sanitizer
- Hygiene certification
- Individually-wrapped food options
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter
- Professional-grade sanitizing services
- Room sanitization opt-out available
- Rooms sanitized between stays
- Safe dining setup
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items
- Staff trained in safety protocol
- Sterilizing equipment
- First aid kit
Alright, buckle up, buttercups. This ain't your polished, brochure-ready travel guide. This is real – the Skirvin Hilton, OKC, warts and all, from a tired traveler's perspective.
The Skirvin Hilton - My Brain Bleeds Opulence (But in a Good Way, Mostly)
Day 1: Arrival & That Damn Elevator
- 1:00 PM: Arrived at Will Rogers World Airport. Found the rideshare, which of course, was the tiny-car-of-the-apocalypse. Driver was nice enough, though – bless his cotton socks. The drive? Pretty standard Oklahoma, sprawling and wide. You can practically feel the wind whispering "welcome to flyover country" in your ear.
- 2:00 PM: Check-in. The lobby? Glamorous. Like, seriously, I was expecting a red carpet and maybe a velvet rope. Ended up staring at the chandelier for a solid five minutes, probably looking like a complete idiot. Then I had to fight my way through the reception desk. (Mostly because I'm inherently bad at social interactions). Got my room key.
- 2:15 PM: The ELEVATOR. Oh my god, the elevator. It's like a time capsule, all shiny brass and tiny windows. I swear, the guy in the bowler hat from the painting in the lobby gave me the side-eye. Took three tries to go to my floor - I pressed the wrong button at least twice.
- 2:30 PM: Room reveal! Okay, it was gorgeous. Heavy drapes, a ridiculously comfortable bed, and a view of… well, something. The old city. Anyway, I started to unpack, realized I forgot my charger, and had a minor meltdown. Remember to pack a charger, people! This is not a drill!
- 3:00 PM: I called down to the front desk with a shaky voice (because of the no charger issue) to ask about a gift shop. "Uh, yeah, ma'am, it's just down the hall." And so I went and bought a generic charger at an elevated price - something I had to do.
- 4:00 PM: A walk through the hotel. I made it a point to visit the ladies' room off the lobby; it was almost as opulent as the lobby itself, though I had some trouble figuring out how to get out.
- Between then and Dinner: I did work.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at Park Avenue Grill. Heard it was a hot spot. The appetizers were on point (I really loved the fried green tomatoes), but the ambiance…felt a little too fancy for my t-shirt and jeans. I felt slightly underdressed. My waiter was very nice, though, and didn't judge my questionable fashion choices. I ordered a steak. Was it worth the price? Meh. Probably not. But the people-watching? Gold. I saw a couple on a date, a group of boisterous businessmen, and a woman who looked suspiciously like she might be a ghost.
- 9:00 PM: Back to the room. Watched some terrible TV, then collapsed into that ridiculously comfy bed and prayed for a charger fairy. (Spoiler alert: she didn't come)
Day 2: Ghosts, Art, and the Perpetual Search for Coffee
- 7:00 AM: Woke up absolutely famished, and with an even weaker phone. Breakfast on the room was pretty okay; the fruit was fresher than I expected.
- 8:00 AM: Exploration Time. I wasn't sure where to start, so I just went with the flow, which meant wandering aimlessly around the Skirvin. It's a HUGE building. Got hopelessly lost. Found a bathroom. Found the gym (briefly considered, immediately abandoned. Cardio is the devil).
- 9:00 AM: Okay, time to find some coffee. Real coffee. Not that watery hotel stuff.
- 9:30 AM: Found a cute little place across the street called "Bricktown Brewery" that had pretty darn decent coffee. Also, great pancakes. Fueling up to face the day.
- 10:30 AM: Ghost Tour! The Skirvin is supposedly haunted. I am a sucker for these things. I expected cheesy theatrics, but the tour guide was surprisingly… legit. I can't say I saw a ghost, but the stories were creepy, and the sheer history of the place is enough to give you goosebumps. Felt a little chilly in the French Parlor, though…maybe it was a draft. Or a ghost.
- 12:30 PM: Lunch at a little place down the street from the Skirvin, "The Garage". It was noisy, a little rough around the edges, and perfect. Seriously stellar burgers and a killer beer selection.
- 2:00 PM: Art Museum run. Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Was a solid museum. Thought the building was kinda boring. The Chihuly glass collection was amazing. Spent a good hour just staring at the vibrant colors.
- 4:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Needed a nap.
- 6:00 PM: Trying to figure out dinner. Again. Where to go?! What to eat?! Decision paralysis is real, people. Ended up grabbing a sad sandwich from room service.
- 7:00 PM: Sat down and watched a movie with a few tears.
- 9:00 PM: More terrible TV and a fitful night's sleep.
Day 3: Farewell, Skirvin. You Were… Interesting.
- 7:00 AM: Last breakfast. Pretty much the same as yesterday. This time I asked for an extra pastry. And I got it!
- 9:00 AM: Last ditch attempt to see a bit more of downtown. Wandered around a few shops. Bought a weird ashtray I'll probably never use.
- 10:00 AM: Check-out. The whole ordeal was quick, and I was free.
- 11:00 AM: Back to the airport.
- 12:00 PM: The flight, and the end.
Final Thoughts:
The Skirvin Hilton is an experience, for sure. It's a beautiful, historic building, full of character and a few… well, characters. A bit pricey, and not without its quirks (that damn elevator!), but ultimately, I'm glad I stayed there. Oklahoma City itself wasn't too shabby either. I'd come back (maybe with a portable charger this time). Just remember - pack your sense of humor, your charger, and be prepared for a little bit of everything. And maybe a ghost or two.
Escape to Paradise: BB Le Garden Khon Kaen Awaits!
The Skirvin Hilton: Frequently Asked Questions... and Frankly, Utterly Terrifying Revelations!
Is the Skirvin *really* haunted? Seriously?
What's the most common paranormal activity people experience?
What about the "Mystery Woman?" What's the deal with her?
Are there specific rooms to avoid? (And should I even *go* there??)
So, you *have* stayed there? What happened??
Any tips for surviving a night at the Skirvin? Asking for a friend...
Is the Skirvin Hilton worth visiting, even if I'm terrified?
