Nestled in the heart of Reynolds Square, the historic building stands as a beacon of the past and present. While the Planters Inn is widely known for its stately elegance and Southern charm, the inn also harbors a more mysterious reputation—being one of the city’s most notoriously haunted locales.
Today, many flock to the hotel not just for its beauty and history, but also the thrills that comes from the ghostly activities that echo through the corridors of Planters Inn.
In this article, we will take a deep dive into the history of the haunted Planters Inn and attempt to unearth the ghostly mysteries that have enthralled the living and the dead.
The History of Planters Inn
The Planters Inn was built as a church home for John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church. The house is located in Reynold Square, a picturesque district laid out by General James Oglethorpe in 1733 when he founded the colony of Georgia and the city of Savannah; the square was named after John Reynolds, who was the first royal governor of Georgia.
However, an unfortunate fire in the late 1700s led to the complete destruction of the house. A new house was later constructed in 1812 on the original site and had served as a brothel for about a decade.
After several other change of hands, the building was purchased by a hotelier and repurposed as the John Wesley Hotel. It underwent extensive renovation in 1984 and reopened as Planters Inn.
Today, it is one of the most popular hotels in the history Reynolds Square due to its unique history and architectural details. Each of its 60 rooms boast furnishings that are reproductions of classic antiques, while the tall windows are adorned with drapery featuring botanical designs. The hotel also offers a range of amenities including a restaurant, a fitness center, lounge area, and room service.
Hauntings at the Inn
Over the course of its existence as an inn, countless guests have reported experiencing paranormal activities during their stay. Many believe that the building is now haunted by former patrons and staffs of the brothel.
For instance, despite Planters Inn being a non-smoking property, several guests and staffs reported the smell of cigars in their room, especially after nightfall. The inn even received complaints, claiming that ashes in the sink—by the previous guests—was not cleared.
Some also believe that the spirit of John Wesley still haunts the building, as a dark figure has been spotted several times lingering along the corridors of the hotel.
In a Tripadvisor review by hoodoogranny, she reported having trouble opening the glass door in the shower even though there was no locking mechanism or anyone on the outside; she had to call for her husband to open it, which he did with little effort. While hoodoogranny did not explicitly mentioned it, it is believed that it is one of the little tricks by the spirits that reside in the building.
Directions to Planters Inn
The address of Planters Inn is 29 Abercorn St, Savannah, GA 31401.
Planters Inn is just adjacent to the iconic Olde Pink House (also known as The Pink House, or the Habersham House), 3 blocks from River Street dining and a 6-minute walk from City Market.
To get to Planters Inn from City Market, exit towards W Congress Street and walk east for approximately 6 minutes. You will see the inn on your left. Alternatively, if you are coming from River Street, head west down Abercorn Street. Planters Inn can be found on the left of Reynolds Square.
