The Cavalier Hotel
Virginia Beach, Virginia
By Shannon Reinbold-Gee
Overlooking beautiful North Beach in the bustling city of Virginia Beach, Virginia, this elegant hotel features far more than a stunning view and its dramatic chandelier-hung lobby with glossy checkerboard floors and sharply contrasting paneled walls. This, the original Cavalier Hotel, has ghosts. Elevators run when no one is riding in them, toilets flush of their own accord and guests report that their room towels change color from time to time. But these are only little oddities compared to the tragedies that began only two short years after the Cavalier opened on what was then a rather secluded strip of beach.
Many guests have remarked on architectural similarities between the old hotel and the Overlook hotel featured in the movie “The Shining.” Perhaps it is also the creepy feeling of something always lurking that causes visitors to draw such connections. Guests have reported they feel like they are being watched in both the Pocahontas room and the Hunt Room. Perhaps it is the waiter who supposedly walks through the walls of the Pocahontas room or the lady followed by a ghostly dog crossing the hotel lobby, or perhaps it is merely someone who still broods about the misfortunes of their lost life…
Opening in 1927 (after 13 months of steady labor), the Cavalier was once the haunt of the movers and shakers of society, hosting such guests as Adolph Coors (of the famous brewery), author F. Scott Fitzgerald, and actors and actresses including Judy Garland, Will Rogers, Bette Davis, Betty Grable, Mary Pickford, Ginger Rogers and Jean Harlow. For three decades the Cavalier hired a wide variety of big-name bands. Performers included such greats as Tomy Dorsey, Frank Sinatra, Benny Goodman, Cab Calloway, Glen Miller, Lawrence Welk and Bing Crosby. Now guests report that the piano in the ballroom sometimes plays by itself—maybe wishing for the raucous music of the Twenties.
Nicknamed the “Aristocrat of the Virginia Seashore” the Cavalier was the spot to see and be seen, so it’s no wonder some guests are reluctant to depart. Ten US Presidents have also stayed or spoken at the Cavalier, bringing with them the rumors, speculation and debate that guests, both living and dead, seem to feed on.
During the Roaring Twenties, the Cavalier skirted Prohibition by driving well-to-do guests on discreet trips to the local speakeasies. This evading of the law was not enough to keep brewery owner Adolph Coors from a mysterious fall that ended his death on June 5, 1929. Whether suicide because the brewery was forced to make cement and pottery rather than beer during Prohibition, or murder (as some feel Coors was pushed through a closed window on the hotel’s 6th floor), people have reported sensing someone still lingering and cold spots appearing randomly throughout the 6th floor. Many have even reported the sickening sound of flesh slapping concrete—could it be that Adolph Coors relives his tragic plunge on a regular basis?
Local lore claims that the hotel’s first owner shot himself on the premises, but it seems unsubstantiated as a hotel staff member said the initial owners of the hotel were a group of people investing in a business venture and they held it until the Dixon family purchased it. So, although the rumor can’t be attached to a specific person through my research, perhaps it was one of the original owners or one of the Dixon family members who committed suicide on the property. Or, perhaps (as is the case too often), this “fact” is merely a case of rumors evolving and growing.
The hotel’s front desk is occasionally plagued by guests calling to report a cat meowing and scratching at doors in the hotel’s grand hallways, though no living cat has been seen roaming the halls in decades. Rumor has it that a young girl’s pet cat escaped one night and drowned in the swimming pool—the little girl also drowning as she tried to save her precious pet. Though the girl’s ghost has not been sighted and people only occasionally report strange sounds from the pool, perhaps the cat still wanders the halls trying to find his worried young owner.
Visitors report mysterious orbs showing up in their photos and hearing footsteps where no one is seen walking. A popular tale revolves around sightings of an older African American gentleman dressed in the hotel’s old staff uniform. Guests report that he stands on the staircase of the sixth floor and warns people of ghosts ahead. Unfortunately, it seems he himself is a ghost, as there hasn’t been any staff to fit his description working at the hotel in more than a few years.
Today the Cavalier Hotel is truly two distinct hotels—the Cavalier on the Hill (the original and still haunted) and the Cavalier Oceanfront (beautiful and at peace except when tourist season begins).
176 comments on this haunted house. Share your story »
176 Comments |
« · 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · [7] · 8 · 9 · Next » ·
Show All Comments
Peggy says: |
September 16, 2008, 1:23 am |
I use to live in Brockton, MA I was 24-25 years old, in a haunted house lol! I swear. It was on Glenwood St. A woman said “Hi” right in my ear, while I was walking in the kitchen, and I flew in the other room where my husband and the kids were, with my eyes bugged out of my head. My husband said, “What’s the matter” I said, “Nothing” I didn’t want to scare the kids. They were all just starring at me. I Walked into the kitchen another time, all cabinets opened, one by one, by themselves, left that room. I shut the bathroom light off, walked a few feet away, turned around to go back into the bathroom, forgetting something, the light was now on. And as I was painting the woodwork, with the kids playing in the other room, hubby was at the laundrymat, some woman’s voice said…”Helloooo” behind me, I ran into the room took the kids, waited in the hallway for him to get back. The living room door hardly ever opened, so we used front door, except one day, me and my husband tried using the key and slamming all our weight into the door over and over, finally it opened. “Whew!” We said, hell with this door, we’ll use the front. Well, one day he and I and the kids were sitting on the floor {I think playing a board game} near the that door, that we kept locked never using it. It opened by itself about 2 feet, my 7 yr. old son said, “Did you see that?” We couldn’t even move we just starred at it. I said to my husband, “You shut it” And a lot of other weird things too, we moved out.
One time in Dighton, MA, me and my cousin went to a Haunted Graveyard, we had a fascination with cemeteries. Soon as we got there I turned around, he was gone. An old man, slowly walking, slight limp was looking at me, then put his head down, smiling. He was about 15 feet away from me to my right, walking past me. Knowing this one was haunted, I wanted my cousin near me, I yelled for my cousin quick a couple times, no answer. And this was a small cemetery too. I yelled for his dog, Montana! I turned my head back quick to see if the old man was still there, gone! The dog came running to me. There was a fence behind me the man couldn’t have climbed it and I would’ve heard it, he wouldn’t have had time to anyway and the front was the only way out. I said where’s Kenny? lol! (to the dog) I taught him that, Ken said, “Why are you teaching him that?” I told Ken, that might come in handy one day. Damned if it didn’t. That dog ran, stopped, looked at me, ran, stopped, waited for me to catch up, and took me right to Kenny. Who was behind some bushes, looking at a couple of stones, that’s all that was there. I looked at one stone it was the father and brother of my mom’s ex-boyfriend, they were from Dighton. I said to Ken, “You didn’t hear me screaming for you?” He said, No. I called for your dog, he found me. Ken laughed. I said, I’m outta here! He said, No. I said it’s my car I’m leaving, he came with me. I said, “Did you see that old man?” He said, “What old man?” I told him. Heck with that I was afraid that if I turned one more time that man was going to be up in my face if that dog didn’t find me to run with.
Keri says: |
September 20, 2008, 5:03 pm |
I just loved all these stories you guys had about the hotel. I cant wait to go check it out. If any of you want to go back let me know. I have a myspace page and I am trying hard to start up a little group for the paranormal. If anyone is interested still email me at michiganblufan@aol.com
Kim says: |
September 24, 2008, 12:46 pm |
I drive by the Cavalier Hotel on my way up to the North End to surf alot. And every time I drove by the hotel, I always looked towards it and feel this uneasy vibe. Before I found this site, I felt the place looked haunted. It’s gorgeous on the outside. But I haven’t been inside to have a look around. Although, I have driven by it at night and it is very creepy.
David says: |
October 7, 2008, 1:29 pm |
anyone interested in starting a paranormal group around virginia beach, norfolk, email me at santacrooz464@hotmail.com
ASHLEY LUVZ TRISTAN says: |
October 20, 2008, 8:01 pm |
Dis is scary!!!!! I am goin 2 da Cavalier in 2 dayz wit my boyfriend!! Im scared!!!!!! O well he’ll keep me safe!!!
I see people... says: |
October 24, 2008, 9:05 am |
My family stayed there in August. Like everyone else, I felt like there was someone else in the rooms, especially if you were alone. If you go, check out the dark staircase that is off the large room where the piano is. It is blocked off, but everytime you go past it, it feels like someone is standing there. I dare anyone to go up those stairs.
Olivia says: |
October 26, 2008, 3:37 pm |
Hi i i live in pennslyvannia and there is no haunted places around me that i know but when i was little my parents went out to see a horror movie and i was asleep and new nothing about them going. I remeber seeing a little girl in a white dress sitting on the edge of my bed and asking me odd questions …. which i can remeber. Something she did just made me scream (i dont remeber what exacly) I woke my mom up from screaming so load (they where back from the movies now)and it freaked her out because she saw a movie with a little girl. when i went back to sleep i saw her again and she asked me why i did that. i answerd “i dont know i was scared” she said not to be scared and walked through my door and went away. I’m 12 now and it still gives me chills.
Olivia says: |
October 26, 2008, 3:39 pm |
I know that had nothing to do with this
Olivia says: |
October 26, 2008, 3:42 pm |
… which i can’t remember (sorry for the miss spelling)
JOHN THORNTON says: |
December 17, 2008, 10:05 pm |
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT I AM NOT SCARED OF THE SPIRITS AROUND US BECAUSE WE SHARE THE SPACE AROUND US AN ONE DAY WE WILL BE THERE WITH THEM .I HAVE SEEN AN HEARD THE SPIRITS OF PEOPLE AN ANIMALS SO TO ME I AM HAPPY THAT THEY AROUND US THANK YOU BY NOW JOHN AN DO NOT BELIVE SPIRITS ONLY COME OUT AT NIGHT THEY COME OUT ANY TIME THEY WANT .
Kylie and Marissa says: |
December 30, 2008, 8:54 pm |
Me,and my friend Kylie went there today,BUT it was during the day. We saw it on our way to the navy base,and her grandma said something about the Cavalier being on America’s Most Haunted. So,we went back,and Kylie felt weird about the place. But eventually I convinced her to walk up the fornt steps. As we were leaving,we saw a..’cleaning’ woman,and asked her what happened at this place, and her reply was..’what?! I dont know.’..well,shes a LIAR! Anyway,we got back in the car,and Kylie’s grandma said she saw someone in the window on the fourth floor. We truned around,and on the third floor corner window,the light was on..the only light on in the whole building except for the seventh floor. the seventh also had lights on. When we were leaving,I turned around,only to see that the light on the third floor had been ‘turned’ off. Pretty creepy,eh? Also,the cleaning woman said that it was open only on Wednesday,so we’re gonna get her grandma to take us back..and im taking my camera!
Marissa! says: |
January 1, 2009, 9:59 pm |
DUDES! I went back there yesterday with Kylie,and I caught an ‘orb’ in my picture! NO LIE! We went there,and it was open,but they only let us tour the lobby,which may I add,is where the Pocahantas Room is located. The Ballroom door was locked,though…bummer! But,the pool is also located in the lobby. WE (me and kylie) didnt hear/see anything..but her cousins did! They were in the bathroom,and they said they heard a door start to creek open,and all three of them ran out of the bathroom screaming! Anyways..I have no clue who I got in my picture,but I didnt even notice it till my aunt pointed it out in my camera last night. Me and my cousins,my mom,and my aunt are gonna go BACK there tomorrow! I cant wait! And..im so definatley taking my camera! So all you people who say this is a HOAX,well,let me tell you,it’s not! All the stuff the article said up there is 175% true! If you dont beleive me,go there yourself!
Me :) says: |
January 17, 2009, 9:01 pm |
like, oh my god. one time, I went to this hotel, yeah, and I swear I saw this crazy little flying fridge! like, omg it was CRAZY!!!!!!!! Something said boo and I screamed and felll out the window! it was so crazy! ooh, and the name was… er.. uh….. mm./…. oh yeah! the Cavalier, or something like that. Omg, wait! Isnn’t THIS the cavalier! WAC!!!!!!!*****
*****What A Coincidence!!!!!!!!!
cyn says: |
January 29, 2009, 2:47 am |
My Daughter and her Groom stayed at the hotel for their wedding night 2 years ago. Before we left them for the evening we took several photos of the Bride and her Groom and her Maid of Honor and the Best Man. In one of the photos taken in the Ballroom there is an “orb” over the head of the Maid of Honor as she posed with her boyfriend, the Best Man, beside the piano. In a picture taken just seconds before there is no “Orb”. I too have heard some of the stories about the Hotel. I felt something the very first time I set foot on the front steps. But seeing is really believing and an “Orb” with no other explanation is darn good proof. You all are entitled to your opinions but regardless of what you naysayers feel, the place is haunted.
Tina says: |
March 10, 2009, 11:05 pm |
I was born and raised in virginia beach and have heard of all of these stories however for who ever posted that comment um yeah no there are no bleeding walls in the hotel. However there is one thing missing from this and I dont remember the whole story but I do know that in the old original building the 13th floor is completely closed down I dont remember the story why I just remember that it was a ghost story not like a busted pipe or something and Now its used only as storage only during daylight.
Autumn says: |
March 21, 2009, 8:33 pm |
I live on 5th street in virginia beach and work on 28th. I love all this ghost stuff and my friends and i go “ghost hunting” all the time. Ive been to the Cavalier many times, and always have new experiences, I have heard and seen the piano playing on its own, I have taken pictures in the pool area and have had many orbs show up. Also on the sixth floor. The bell tower is closed to the public but when your a local and snoop around places you can find your way up, haha, it gets extremely windy up there even though theres no wind anywhere else, (the flags on the beach aren’t moving, ect.) Im really not sure about the Black man on the stairs but i can say I’ve heard key’s rattling, maybe i didn’t stay around long enough to actually see him.I’ve seen other things inside the elevators, that i’d rather keep to myself, because honestly if i wasnt there, i would believe it. I’ve also during the off season seen lights and people standing at windows. And IM NOT SAYING “HEY GO BREAK IN”, but theres a plae on the side of the building with a blue awning over it and under that near the bushes is a tunnel that leads to the kitchen, im pretty sure theres something covering the inside of it now though.
If you have any other questions regarding this you can message me at autumnvanak@yahoo.com, or myspace.com/autumn_apathy
-Autumn
Dede says: |
June 15, 2009, 3:42 pm |
I was a desk clerk the Summer of 1976. First year Cavalier on Hill opened after long closing ($). Worked 3pm to 11pm. In this year we had the gas shortage and had few guests staying (most stayed at new hotel on beach). One of the original bellmen Joe Walton (sweetest man on earth! RIP friend) worked with me. Only odd thing was elevator would go up and down (this is common). Mr. Walton would say “Hello,Mr. Dixon”! He was an owner that died. Never was scared and the hotel is a Grand Lady! The tunnels are underground. Used to be a butcher shop, beauty shop, clothes etc.Would have loved to see the hotel in its glory days! Don’t believe it’s haunted!
randy says: |
July 2, 2009, 1:20 am |
i have never been to the cavaler hotel, but i have heard lots of stories, and i want to get the scoop on it! i wonder if TAPS has come down and investigated it yet! wonder how we can get them to come?
randy says: |
July 2, 2009, 1:25 am |
I have never been to the Cavaler Hotel, but I have heard lots of stories. Has TAPS ever come and investigated the hotel?
« · 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · [7] · 8 · 9 · Next » ·
Show All Comments


Deliverance Minister Helena Garilano says:
September 13, 2008, 8:09 am
The Hotel is Haunted because the owner has not dealt with the spirits. The spirits have a “legal ground” to stay and that would be a tragic event such as a fire or someone dying on the property. There is a curse because of a death on the property. The legal grounds must be removed. If the owner does not deal with this. Visitors must do this if you are a Christian. Whenever you pay for a room at a hotel before walking in you say I cover myself and family with the blood of Jesus Christ, I break any curses brought in by a death in the area where I occupy in the Name of Jesus Christ. I bind all demons and command you to leave this room in the Name of Jesus Christ , I command you to leave in the Name of Jesus Christ (repeat many times) Read the bible out loud in the room . They might follow you home. Say Any demon that transfered to me followed me or was sent to me I bind you and cast you out in the Name of Jesus Christ. Demons can change their appearance to look like a person. They don’t want you to know who they are. There are more details on my website http://www.HauntedHouseBuster.Com