Secrets & Stories Of The Mount Washington Inn

Uncovering the Legends, Hidden Corners, and Untold Tales of Mount Washington Inn

The Mount Washington Inn has long been admired for its grand design, sweeping views, and presidential pedigree—but it’s the whispered stories and hidden details that give this historic hotel its soul. From secret Prohibition bars to ghostly legends, here are the tales that linger long after checkout.

🕵️ The Cave: A Prohibition-Era Speakeasy Below the Stairs

Tucked beneath the main level of the inn lies The Cave, a low-ceilinged bar with rough stone walls, dim lighting, and a story worth sipping. During the 1920s, this quiet corner served as a hidden speakeasy, allowing guests to drink discreetly during Prohibition.

It’s said that cocktails were served in teacups, and a trapdoor under the bar let staff conceal evidence in case of a raid. Today, The Cave opens to guests in the evenings with live music and vintage ambiance—but if you listen closely, you might still hear the clink of an outlawed glass in the shadows. For a deeper dive into this unique feature, visit this detailed write-up on The Cave.The Cave, once a secret Prohibition-era speakeasy, still welcomes guests with shadows and stories.

👻 Room 314 and the Ghost of Carolyn Stickney

Of all the rooms in the Mount Washington Inn, Room 314 is the most requested—and the most talked about. Guests and staff alike believe that the spirit of Carolyn Stickney, the original owner’s widow, still roams the halls.

Carolyn lived in the hotel after her husband’s death, eventually remarrying a French nobleman and becoming a princess. Yet even royalty can be restless. Visitors report cold spots, flickering lights, and a presence in Room 314, where her custom-made four-poster bed still remains. Her portrait near the grand staircase is often mentioned in the same breath—her eyes seeming to follow those who pass by.

Room 314 at the Mount Washington Inn, long rumored to be haunted—especially by the spirit of Carolyn Stickney, the original owner’s wife—adds a spine-tingling twist to the guest experience.

Learn more about Carolyn Stickney and the legend of Room 314.

🏛️ The Bretton Woods Conference: What Wasn’t in the Minutes

While the 1944 Bretton Woods Conference is well-documented for its global financial legacy, lesser-known stories hint at after-hours diplomacy, whispered deals, and cultural clashes among the 730 delegates.

Interpreters and junior staff were housed in the servants’ quarters, and some of the more informal negotiations reportedly took place during fireside chats, golf matches, and—yes—even over drinks in The Cave. It’s rumored that more than one breakthrough happened off the official record, making the Mount Washington Inn not just a site of history, but a participant in it.

Learn more about the Bretton Woods Agreement.

🧱 Architectural Whispers and Forgotten Corners

The grandeur of the inn was built to impress, but many of its best features are hiding in plain sight:

• The Princess Room, once Carolyn’s private dining room, is now used for special events
• Secret service corridors still snake behind guest room hallways, built to keep staff unseen
• The Hemicycle—a rounded conservatory with arched glass and stained glass details—is often overlooked by hurried visitors, yet offers one of the inn’s most peaceful spaces

Even the original elevator system, said to be one of the oldest still operating in a U.S. hotel, quietly carries guests between eras.

📸 Photo Ops with a Story Behind Them

While the Mount Washington Inn is famously photogenic, some of its most compelling shots are found in the shadows. Capture the textured stone walls and moody lighting of The Cave, or frame a portrait-style shot of Room 314’s historic four-poster bed. The grand staircase, with Carolyn Stickney’s portrait watching over it, offers a timeless photo—elegant in daylight, a little eerie at night.

The grand staircase, watched over by Carolyn Stickney’s portrait, is one of the inn’s most iconic—and eerily memorable—photo spots.

For softer moments, step into the Hemicycle and let the arched stained glass and delicate lighting cast a serene glow. These aren’t just pretty pictures—they’re windows into the stories this place still tells.

🏨 Still Haunted. Still Grand. Still Worth the Stay.

Whether you come seeking ghosts, granite grandeur, or global history, the Mount Washington Inn offers stories as rich as its carpets. Its secrets don’t shout—they whisper from behind closed doors and quiet hallways. But once you’ve heard them, you’ll never look at this mountain masterpiece the same way again.

Want to experience the legends for yourself? Read the Visit & Tour Guide.