Perched along the scenic waterfront of St. Augustine, Florida, the Casablanca Inn on the Bay is known for its stunning views, historic charm, and reputation as one of the city’s most haunted places. Particularly Room 11, which is where we had the pleasure of staying for the weekend.
Built in 1914 and overlooking Matanzas Bay, the inn has welcomed guests for more than a century. Along with its hospitality, it has accumulated a collection of ghost stories that continue to intrigue paranormal enthusiasts.
From mysterious apparitions to unexplained footsteps and strange lights seen from the rooftop, the Casablanca Inn has become a favorite stop on many of St. Augustine’s ghost tours, including the one we took!
The Legend of the Lady with the Lantern
The most famous spirit associated with the Casablanca Inn is known simply as “The Lady with the Lantern.”
According to local legend, during Prohibition, the inn’s owner became involved with rumrunners who smuggled alcohol into St. Augustine from Cuba. The widow allegedly stood atop the building with a lantern to signal whether law enforcement officials were in town.
If federal agents were nearby, she would wave the lantern to warn smugglers to stay away. If the coast was clear, the lantern remained steady, indicating it was safe to unload their cargo.
Long after her death, witnesses have reported seeing a lantern-like light moving across the rooftop or widow’s walk when nobody is there. Some claim the mysterious woman still patrols the inn, continuing her nightly watch over the bay.
My Experience in Room 11:
I was reading my book in bed, with my knees propped up. I thought I saw a bright light waving back and forth just above my knees, at the foot of the bed.
I put my knees down, and there was nothing there. I didn’t think anything of it until we were on our ghost tour, and the tour guide was telling the story about the Lady with the Lantern and waving his lantern back and forth right in front of my face. It was just like the light I saw that night!
Did the Lady with the Lantern pay us a visit? Maybe…
Footsteps in Empty Hallways
Staff members and overnight guests have reported hearing footsteps crossing wooden floors despite finding no one nearby. Others describe hearing quiet conversations, whispers, or movement coming from vacant areas of the inn. These sounds often occur late at night when the property is otherwise quiet.
Some visitors have even reported feeling as though someone is following them through the hallways, only to turn around and discover they are completely alone.
Our Experience:
I came back from getting coffee in the morning and my two friends asked me who I was talking to in the hallway. I told them I had just come back and didn’t meet anyone.
They thought I was messing with them! They said they clearly heard me talking to people outside the door. I was all alone and had not seen anyone in the hallway on my way down or back up.
Children’s Laughter After Dark
One of the more unsettling reports involves the sound of children playing.
Guests have described hearing laughter, running footsteps, and playful voices when no children are staying at the property. Historical accounts note that during its early years as a boarding house, families and children frequently lived on-site, leading some paranormal enthusiasts to speculate that youthful spirits may still linger in the building.
Whether these sounds are echoes of the past or simply tricks of the imagination remains a mystery.
We did not hear any children’s voices or laughter during our stay.
Strange Apparitions and Shadowy Figures
Numerous visitors have reported seeing mist-like figures and shadowy forms both inside and outside the inn. These apparitions often appear briefly before vanishing.
Some guests have described seeing a woman dressed in period clothing, while others report catching movement in mirrors or windows only to discover nobody is there.
Photographs taken around the property have occasionally captured unexplained light anomalies, adding to the inn’s paranormal reputation.
The Mystery of Room 11
Among paranormal enthusiasts, Room 11 is frequently mentioned as one of the inn’s more active guest rooms, although documented historical information about hauntings specific to the room is limited.
Guests who have stayed in Room 11 have reported feelings of being watched, sudden cold spots, smelling oranges and unusual noises during the night. Some visitors claim to have awakened to the sensation that someone was standing beside the bed, only to find the room empty. Others report hearing footsteps or light tapping sounds that seem to originate from inside the room itself.
Unlike the Lady with the Lantern legend, stories connected to Room 11 are largely based on personal guest experiences rather than established historical records.
As a result, the room has developed a reputation through word-of-mouth among paranormal investigators and ghost hunters who visit St. Augustine seeking haunted accommodations, and exactly the reason we chose to stay there!
Inside Room 11 at the Casablanca Inn
The room is actually very nice inside and is one of the only rooms that sleeps more than two people.
It has a nice sized bed, bathroom and a pullout couch.
I did not catch any ghostly entities in any of my photos of the room.
Why the Casablanca Inn Remains One of St. Augustine’s Favorite Haunted Locations
St. Augustine is often considered one of America’s most haunted cities, and the Casablanca Inn fits perfectly into that reputation. Its waterfront location, Prohibition-era legends, and countless guest experiences have helped transform it into a local paranormal landmark.
Whether you believe the stories or simply enjoy a good ghost tale, the Casablanca Inn offers a fascinating glimpse into the city’s mysterious past. Guests come for the history, the views, and the hospitality—but many leave with stories of strange encounters they can’t quite explain.
It’s also a really nice place to stay! Great location and great martini bar.
And perhaps somewhere on a quiet evening, the Lady with the Lantern is still watching over Matanzas Bay, her signal light shining through the darkness as it did a century ago.
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