I’ve had a few strange hotel experiences—but this is the one I still can’t explain.
It happened during a family trip in England. Back then, we often stayed at Travelodge—simple, affordable, and predictable. I’ve never been one for hotel rituals. It’s not that I don’t believe in ghosts; I just prefer not to acknowledge them, especially in unfamiliar places.
I can’t remember exactly when it was or which Travelodge we stayed in. What I do remember is the darkness when we checked in—and how quiet everything felt.
Our room was on the third floor, near the end of the building. After settling the kids, we all went to bed. As usual, I was the last one awake, lying in bed on my iPad while my husband and children slept soundly.
Then I heard it.
Children running up and down the corridor.
Loud. Fast. Relentless.
It was close to midnight, and the noise was impossible to ignore. Irritated, I got up and looked through the peephole.
No one.
The corridor was empty. And just like that, the noise stopped.
I told myself it was nothing and went back to bed.
But then it started again.
This time, it wasn’t outside—it was above us. Heavy footsteps. Slow, deliberate, almost like something pacing back and forth. At times, it sounded as if something much larger was moving—like an elephant stomping across the floor.
The noise carried on, joined occasionally by movement from the room next door. It didn’t stop. Not until I eventually drifted off to sleep.
You might wonder why I didn’t complain. The truth is, there was no phone in the room. Travelodge isn’t exactly a full-service hotel.
The next morning, we left early to continue our journey north. It wasn’t until we stepped outside that something clicked.
We had been staying on the top floor.
There were no rooms above us.
So what was making those footsteps?
Who—or what—was running in the corridor?
I still don’t have an answer.
And honestly, I’m not sure I want one.
Just a reminder—the last day of the seventh month falls on 26th August. If you’re in an Asian country, it’s worth checking out the list of “don’ts” during this period, as well as learning more about the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival.