Is The Queen Anne Hotel in San Francisco Haunted?
If you’ve ever wanted to sleep inside a Victorian mansion with a reputation for lingering spirits, the Queen Anne Hotel in San Francisco might be your kind of stay.
Tucked into the quiet elegance of Pacific Heights, this 1890-built beauty looks like it was plucked straight out of a gothic novel—ornate woodwork, creaking staircases, antique mirrors that seem to hold onto more than just reflections.
But the real draw isn’t just the architecture. It’s the stories.
Formerly a girls’ finishing school, the hotel is famously associated with the spirit of Miss Mary Lake, the school’s headmistress, who many believe still keeps a watchful, if gentle, eye over her former domain.
As someone who’s reviewed more than a few allegedly haunted properties, I can say this: the Queen Anne doesn’t rely on cheap theatrics.
There are no staged jump scares or exaggerated lore posted in the lobby.
Instead, there’s a subtle, persistent atmosphere—an almost polite eeriness.
Cold spots that don’t quite make sense. The faint feeling of being observed on the upper floors.
And guest accounts that are surprisingly consistent.
In this review, I’ll break down the history, the reported paranormal activity, the rooms themselves, and whether the experience feels authentically haunted—or simply steeped in Victorian charm and suggestion.
If you’re chasing ghosts with your overnight bag, this one deserves a closer look.
Jump To Section
Queen Anne Hotel History and Architecture
Long before it welcomed curious travelers and paranormal enthusiasts, the Queen Anne Hotel began its life in 1890 as the Mary Lake School for Girls—a finishing school founded by Senator James G. Fair in memory of his daughter.
Set in the refined neighborhood of San Francisco’s Pacific Heights, the building was designed to reflect both prestige and propriety.
Education for young women of means required a setting that signaled status—and this mansion delivered.
Architecturally, the structure is a classic example of Victorian-era elegance, blending elements commonly associated with the Queen Anne style: asymmetrical façades, steeply pitched roofs, ornate trim work, bay windows, and decorative flourishes that reward a slow, observant eye.
The exterior carries that unmistakable late-19th-century grandeur—painted in soft, dignified tones that complement the surrounding historic homes—while the interior leans fully into period character.
Step inside and you’re met with carved wooden staircases, intricate moldings, stained glass accents, and antique furnishings that feel less like décor and more like preserved memory.
Fireplaces anchor common rooms with old-world warmth. Hallways stretch just long enough to feel dramatic.
Even the light filters in differently through tall windows, casting the kind of shadows that make the building feel alive after dark.
When the property was converted into a hotel in the 1980s, much of its historic detail was carefully preserved rather than modernized beyond recognition.
That decision is part of what gives Queen Anne its immersive atmosphere. You’re not staying in a replica of the past—you’re staying inside it.
Whether you visit for the history, the architecture, or the whispered stories that cling to its upper floors, one thing is certain: this isn’t a generic boutique hotel. It’s a living artifact of San Francisco’s Gilded Age, still standing with quiet confidence more than a century later. (1)
Spooky Legends
No historic hotel earns a paranormal reputation without a few stories that refuse to die—and the Queen Anne Hotel has collected more than its share.
The most enduring legend centers around Miss Mary Lake, the former headmistress of the Mary Lake School for Girls.
Guests and staff alike claim her presence is strongest on the fourth floor, in her private quarters. She’s not described as malevolent.
Quite the opposite. Reports paint her as protective, almost maternal. Visitors have spoken of neatly arranged belongings, suitcases unpacked, and even covers gently tucked in around them while they slept.
It’s the kind of story that feels strangely comforting… until you remember you locked the door.
Room 410 is often mentioned in hushed tones. It’s said to be the most active space in the building, with unexplained cold spots, lights flickering without cause, and the subtle but undeniable feeling of someone standing just behind you.
Not close enough to touch—just close enough to notice.
There are also quieter encounters: the sound of footsteps pacing empty hallways late at night, faint whispers near the staircase, the distinct impression of being observed from antique mirrors that reflect just a beat too slowly.
Some guests dismiss it as imagination amplified by Victorian ambiance. Others checked out, convinced they weren’t alone.
What makes these legends linger isn’t dramatic horror-movie chaos. There are no violent tales, no dark curses. Instead, the energy here feels restrained, almost dignified—like a presence that belongs to the building and never quite leaves.
Whether you believe in ghosts or simply appreciate a well-preserved mystery, the Queen Anne’s lore adds a layer of intrigue you can’t manufacture with décor alone.
And that’s the thing about places like this: even skeptics tend to walk a little slower after midnight.
Ghost Hunter's Guide to the San Francisco Bay Area, 2nd Edition - Amazon Book
Haunted Hotel
Many guests have reported experiencing paranormal activities during their stays at the Queen Anne Hotel.
Common occurrences include unexplained sounds, footsteps in empty hallways, and the sensation of a presence in rooms long after they were vacated.
Some visitors even claim to have witnessed apparitions, with Mary Lake’s ghost being the most frequently reported.
The Mary Lake Suite is a must-visit for those seeking an extra dose of spine-chilling encounters. This room, named after the legendary headmistress, is rumored to be the epicenter of supernatural phenomena.
Guests at the Queen Anne have reported flickering lights, moving objects, and a cold breeze, even when the windows are closed.
The suite has become a focal point for paranormal enthusiasts and thrill-seekers eager to experience the otherworldly energy that permeates the Hotel.
Historical Preservation Meets Ghostly Tourism
Despite its paranormal reputation, the Queen Anne Hotel has successfully embraced its mysterious allure, attracting visitors worldwide.
Queen Anne’s management has maintained a delicate balance between preserving its history and catering to the curiosity of those seeking a paranormal experience.
Periodic renovations at the Queen Anne have upheld the building’s structural integrity while preserving its Victorian charm, making it a unique destination for history buffs and ghost hunters.
Queen Anne Hotel Review
This is a guest post by Wendy Krueger.
My online friend Wendy Krueger submitted this spooky Halloween post about The Queen Anne Hotel in San Francisco several years ago for Paranormal October Month.
The Queen Anne hotel is San Francisco’s most famous paranormal hotel, appearing on TV shows and ghost-hunting websites worldwide.
Although guests at the Queen Anne come seeking Miss Mary Lake, little is known about her beyond her occupation as a school headmistress.
The Queen Anne Hotel in San Francisco
The Queen Anne Hotel is a hotel in San Francisco, on Sutter Street. The hotel is a historic 1890 Victorian mansion, in the namesake Queen Anne architectural style, and decorated in the painted lady style.
It was originally a girl’s boarding school. It narrowly survived the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.
The hotel is a popular site for ghost hunting. The headmistress of the former finishing school, Mary Lake, is said to haunt her former office in Room 410. The hotel’s paranormal history was explored in an episode of the television show Haunted Hotels.
-Wikipedia
I recently went on the San Francisco Ghost Hunt, an evening tour led by Jim Fassbinder around Pacific Heights’s most paranormal places. The Queen Anne Hotel ghost tour was next to our stop.
Most of the trip is spent at the Hotel, a Victorian Bed & Breakfast.
The building was constructed in 1890 for Senator James Graham Fair, who made his fortune during the Nevada Gold Rush. He paid to construct a boarding school to keep his two daughters close.
Senator Fair hired Mary Lake, one of the city’s most exceptional educators, to run the school. Miss Mary Lake’s School for Girls offered upper-class young women an opportunity to prepare for future roles in San Francisco society.
Mary took great pride in her work and cared dearly for the girls. She was known to be quite strict; visitors needed to be approved by the school, and no girl was allowed to leave without a chaperone.
Although the school was very successful, it shut down after nine years. It is unclear why the school closed or what happened to Mary Lake after.
The building’s next incarnation was the Cosmos Gentleman’s Club, a well-guarded secret in San Francisco. Little is known about this exclusive club.
After 12 years, the building was sold to the Episcopal Diocese and became the Girls’ Friendly Society Lodge. In 1980, the run-down building was purchased, and renovations began. It took 50 preservationists to bring it back to its former glory.
It officially opened in 1995 as The Queen Anne Hotel with 48 rooms decorated in Victorian-era style.
Mary Lake Suite At The Queen Anne
Mary was born in Little Falls, N.Y., in 1849, to Helen and Delos Lake. When Mary was a toddler, the Lakes moved to San Francisco, where Delos became one of the city’s wealthiest lawyers.
Lake built the family mansion on the corner of Leavenworth and Vallejo as befitting a man of his stature. Mary grew up well-educated and refined, a true city belle, and she applied those skills to teaching.
After teaching at a few grammar schools in the city, Mary decided to open her academy. In 1889, she started the Lake Seminary, a private boarding school for girls.
It was a modest affair on Post Street, and Mary dreamed of a luxurious space that would lure the city’s richest daughters to her door.
She wouldn’t have to wait long to realize that dream; the following year, she moved the Lake Seminary to a brand-new, custom-built building on the corner of Sutter and Octavia.
It had 31 private bedrooms, a dining room, and a well-stocked library, all in a grand Queen Anne-style mansion. Although Mary was from a well-to-do family, this was clearly beyond her means.
Legend says that Mary Lake haunts the hotel as she is not ready to let someone else purchase the property.
She is most known to haunt room 410, the Mary Lake Suite. In her time, room 410 was her office and residence. Mary doesn’t just confine herself to room 410.
She wanders the halls and stairwells. People have reported seeing her groom herself in the hallway mirror and playing the piano.
The ghost is reportedly incredibly friendly and often cares for the hotel’s guests as best as possible.
Unpacking suitcases, tucking guests in, and singing to them while they fall asleep. This is a ghost that wants everyone to feel at home here.
Cold Spots Are Common In The Haunted Hotel
Cold spots can be found in her suite and the hallways. Mary is known as a friendly ghost. Like her concern for the girls at her school, she worries about her guests’ comfort.
She has mysteriously unpacked bags, added blankets to beds, replaced fallen pillows, and even tucked covers around guests.
One guest arrived at the hotel late and was so tired that he slept on the bed. To his surprise, when he woke, he found that he was covered with a blanket all around him.
Room 410 At Queen Anne
After our first hotel tour and room 410 (which we were lucky to find unbooked), we were allowed to roam the floors and take photos.
You will see in the pictures below that several white streaks and orbs (orbs are believed by many to be ghosts or spirits in the form of balls of light) were picked up, as well as some green-looking blob under the bench in the Mary Lake Suite.
That was the spookiest thing for me.
Before we left, I asked the hotel concierge if he had ever had any experiences with Mary. He told me the elevator runs by itself at night, with no human guests getting in or out.
The next time you are in San Francisco, book room 410 at the Hotel if you dare!
My family actually stayed in a lovely corner room with a turret. We were impressed the hotel survived the San Francisco earthquake and fires. We knew nothing of the hotel supposedly being haunted.
I half awoke one night to experience a feeling like someone was tucking me in and gently pushing on my collarbone. I thought it was a strangely comforting feeling.
The next day, we found out the hotel was supposedly haunted by the former headmistress, Mary – who ran a boarding school for girls. We were told she likes to tuck people in at night!
I was shocked and a little freaked out by what I’d experienced the night before. It wasn’t a scary experience, it was comforting. I believe it was Mary.
– Queene Anne Guest Review on TripAdvisor
Review Conclusion
The Queen Anne Hotel in San Francisco is a testament to the city’s rich history and the enduring allure of the supernatural.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a paranormal investigator, or a curious traveler, a stay at the Hotel offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the enigmatic charm of a bygone era and perhaps encounter Mary Lake’s ghostly presence.
The hotel’s ghostly reputation has only added to its mystique, making it a memorable destination for those who seek a blend of history, architecture, and a touch of the supernatural in the heart of San Francisco.
Read Next: