ROOMS OF DOOM
Movie hotel rooms that are hazardous to your health
CHAMBRE 19, HOTEL DE LA LICORNE, PARIS
SO LONG AT THE FAIR (1950)
Stylish, well-appointed hotel — the perfect place when visiting Paris. Young Vicky Barton (Jean Simmons) and her brother Johnny (David Tomlinson) stay in separate rooms, but the next morning all the staff insist Vicky checked in alone and Chambre 19, where Johnny was staying, is a linen closet. Based on one of the oldest urban legends, this inspired Hitchcock’s The Lady Vanishes.
CABIN 1, THE BATES MOTEL, FAIRVALE, CALIFORNIA
PSYCHO (1960)
The Bates Motel doesn’t get much custom since the interstate directed travellers down a different road, but late-night customers — especially attractive blondes with a stash of stolen cash — are always warmly received. Why not freshen up in the shower before a relaxing dip in the swamp next to your cabin?
ROOM 237, THE OVERLOOK HOTEL, COLORADO
THE SHINING / ROOM 237 (1980) (2012)
READY PLAYER ONE (2018)
Something very bad happened there — and a female ghost lingers, manifesting as a slender naked sylph who turns into a bloated, rotting hag when kissed. Many theories abound as to what is going on and why the number was changed from 217 in Stephen King’s novel — and are explored in Room 237.
ROOM #315, THE GREAT NORTHERN HOTEL, TWIN PEAKS, WASHINGTON
TWIN PEAKS (1990-’91, 2017)
Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle Maclachlan) records glowing recommendations of the hospitality of the luxurious, wood-themed retreat. However, there’s a slight drawback: his room is visited by a mystery gunperson who shoots him in the Season 1 cliffhanger. Twenty-five years later, the key is still in just-back-from-limbo Coop’s pocket.
ROOM 1408, THE DOLPHIN, NEW YORK, NY
1408 (2007)
Psychic investigator Mike Enslin (John Cusack): “General Manager claims that the phantom in the room interferes…” Manager Gerald Olin (Samuel L. Jackson): “I have never used the word phantom.” Mike: “Oh, I’m sorry. Uh, spirit, spectre?” Olin: “No, you misunderstand, whatever’s in 1408 is nothing like that.” Mike: “Then what is it?” Olin: “It’s an evil fucking room.”