After a guest reportedly died on the 17th floor in the Ihilani Resort in Hawaii, the guest stayed on as a ghost. Is the ghost still lingering, even after the hotel became the Four Seasons Resort Oahu?
Set against the pristine backdrop of Oahu’s western coast, the Four Seasons Resort is the epitome of luxury, offering breathtaking ocean views, world-class amenities, and unforgettable island experiences. However, not all of the memories made here are bathed in sunshine and aloha spirit.
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The luxurious Ihilani Resort as it was once known as, once a crown jewel of Ko Olina on Oʻahu’s west side, has long been shrouded in mystery and haunted rumors. The name Ihilani, meaning “Heavenly Splendor,” evokes images of serene beaches and tropical paradise, but beneath the surface of this upscale destination lay a darker, more unsettling tale. Though the resort closed its doors in 2015, eventually reopening as the renowned Four Seasons Resort Oahu, whispers of its haunted past continue to linger—particularly on the infamous 17th floor.
For some, the Four Seasons Resort has become synonymous with one of the island’s most unsettling paranormal mysteries—a haunting that has left more than a few guests feeling a chill in their tropical paradise.
A Tragic Story on the Seventeenth Floor
While the Four Seasons Resort boasts an impeccable reputation, there is one floor that stands apart for reasons that are far less inviting—the seventeenth floor. It is here, according to rumors whispered among guests and staff, that a tragic event has left a spectral imprint.
The story goes that many years ago, a guest who had come to the resort for a much-needed vacation, took ill unexpectedly during her stay. Despite the efforts of medical staff, she passed away in her room on the seventeenth floor.
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Since that day, guests staying on this floor have reported a series of strange and unnerving phenomena. Most notably, the glass sliding doors in their rooms often open and close by themselves, sometimes even in the dead of night. The cool breeze that sweeps in from the ocean may seem refreshing at first, but when there is no apparent cause, it becomes a cause for concern. Some guests have been woken by the sensation of a cold draft brushing past their faces, only to find the door wide open—though they swear they locked it before going to sleep.
Guests reported that, in the middle of the night, their doors would inexplicably open and close by themselves, often accompanied by the unsettling feeling that someone—or something—was watching them as they slept. On more than one occasion, guests woke to find the apparition of a woman standing in the corner of their room, silently observing them.
Unexplained Happenings and Eerie Energy
Beyond the mysterious opening and closing of doors and the sightings of the woman, other unexplained occurrences have been reported on the seventeenth floor. Lights flicker for no reason, electronic devices turn on and off on their own, and some guests have even felt an icy hand brush against their skin when no one is around. Even seasoned staff members, usually unwilling to discuss the stories with new guests, have confessed to feeling a strange energy on the floor, particularly in the hallways late at night.
The haunting of the Four Seasons Resort Oahu has become a topic of hushed conversations among the resort’s frequent visitors. Some skeptics dismiss it as nothing more than local legend or overactive imaginations fueled by the hotel’s long history and its isolated location. However, for those who have stayed on the seventeenth floor and experienced these strange occurrences firsthand, the stories are all too real.
A Ghostly Guardian or Something More?
In 2015, Ihilani Resort closed its doors, leaving behind both its legacy of luxury and the ghost stories that came with it. Many speculated whether the spirit of the woman would finally find peace, or if she would remain bound to the place where she met her untimely end.
When the property was reopened as the Four Seasons Resort Oahu, many wondered if the haunting would persist. After all, the bones of the building remained the same, even if it had been given a fresh start. With the new reputation of the Four Seasons brand, a question loomed in the background: would the spirit continue to roam the 17th floor of this now world-class resort?
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References:
The Most Haunted Hotels in Hawaii | Haunted Rooms America
JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa Closing Paves Way for Four Seasons | Travel Agent Central
These Haunted Hotels In Hawaii Are A Nightmare In Paradise
The 50+ Most Haunted Places in Oahu – 52 Perfect Days