We addressed this once before, but it was a long time ago -- back in March 2008, to be precise -- so here's that answer again, plus some additional information we've uncovered in the interim.
We'll preface this answer by explaining that we have never personally experienced any overt spookiness at any of these properties and what follows is purely hearsay, so take it for what you will. We do like to keep an open mind, however, and would be intrigued to hear from any reader who's experienced anything out-of-the-ordinary at first hand. In the meantime, here's what we wrote back in 2008:
It may come as no surprise that the Luxor's said to be haunted, since the purpose of the ancient Egyptians’ pyramids was to serve as monumental tombs for their pharaohs. While there’s still a lack of consensus about the symbolism of Egyptian pyramids, one theory holds that they were built with the idea that they would act as a kind of "resurrection machine". Another idea posits that the pyramids may have been designed to serve as a means to magically launch the deceased pharaoh's soul directly up through the night sky and into the heavens. [Aha! That's what that light beam's for!] Whichever theory you subscribe to, it’s a fact that all Egyptian pyramids were built on the west bank of the Nile which, as the site of the setting sun, was associated with the realm of the dead in Egyptian mythology.
From the time of its construction, Luxor has had its share of tragedies. Two, three, or as many as seven (accounts vary) construction workers lost their lives during the building of the pyramid in 1992 -- some when a wall fell on them. In addition, the property has experienced an unconfirmed number of suicides, including a woman, said to have been a prostitute infected with AIDS, who leaped to her death from the 26th floor and landed in the buffet area. On another occasion, a man jumped from the 10th floor and landed on the express checkout counter. (Both the buffet and the counter have since been moved to new locations.) It's even said that the whole place is jinxed because the Sphinx was placed facing in the wrong direction.
So, what of the alleged hauntings? Well, people walking down the 10th-floor hallway have reported feeling as if someone was hovering directly behind their back and whispering into their ear, but no one is ever there. (We’ve seen the same phenomenon attributed to certain corridors at Excalibur, too.) There have also been reports of an inexplicable "presence" felt by people walking on the 26th floor.
When Luxor opened in 1993, small barges navigated a river that encircled the casino floor and were intended to ferry guests to the inclinators (the custom elevators specially designed to accommodate the unique pyramidal shape). When guests complained about the wait, however, the ride was promoted purely for entertainment purposes as the Nile River Adventure and the hotel started charging $4 for the experience. The "attraction" remained operational for just three years, however.
The official line is that its demise was merely part of a major interior remodeling project; according to the unofficial and widely circulated account, however, the Nile River was removed because guests kept seeing ghosts of the workers killed during the hotel's construction whenever the river passed through the dark tunnels.
Luxor isn't alone when it comes to spooky goings-on. Our research reveals that the city’s veritably riddled with alleged apparitions and other inexplicable happenings. Here (cue the theme from "The Twilight Zone," please) are some of the haunted-hotel highlights:
Bally’s Following the death of 84 people on Nov. 21, 1980, in the infamous fire at what was then the MGM Grand, there have apparently been numerous ghostly sightings in the older buildings at the site, generally concentrated in and around certain rooms on the 20th floor and above, where the bulk of the fatalities occurred.
Bellagio Built on the site of the former mob-run Dunes, witness accounts have stated there are unexplained cold spots in certain corridors at Bellagio and a strange blue glow that will appear and disappear without explanation, plus the sound of disembodied voices. The same things were reported at the Dunes, prior to its implosion.
Circus Circus Rooms 123, 203, 230, and 576, plus the poker room, are all said to be haunted (as if all the scary clown stuff wasn't enough). Loud cries for help have been heard in all of them. We’re not sure what the story is for the other rooms, although it's rumored that more than a few people "fell" from this hotel's windows back in the mob days, but there is a widely circulated story that a woman was staying with her child in Room 123 when, for reasons unknown, she shot her little boy and then herself. Both of them are now said to haunt the room.
Flamingo While little remains of the original property he helped build, Bugsy Siegel's ghost is said to linger, haunting the Presidential Suite where he resided while in the city. Sightings have also been reported by the pool, in the wedding chapel, and around the Bugsy monument in his prized rose garden.
Planet Hollywood Visitors to the Panorama Suite have reported hearing a key in the door and whisperings in the foyer. There are reports that a presence is felt. The door buzzer rings when no one is there and items have a habit of appearing from nowhere...
Plaza What was known formerly as the Union Plaza was built on the site of the former downtown train station and apparently some claim the showroom of the hotel is haunted by the ghost of a stagehand who committed suicide, his hallmark "hauntings" consisting of cold spots and misplaced belongings.
Whiskey Pete's The Primm Valley casino is said to be haunted by the spirit of "Whiskey" Pete McIntyre himself, who died in 1933. It's reported that his spirit watches over those who gamble in his casino and many people have reported finding their car's empty gas tank filled up overnight in the parking lot.
If you're interested in the spooky side of Sin City, check out the Haunted Vegas Tour, which takes you to the haunting grounds of Bugsy Siegel, Liberace, Redd Foxx, and Elvis, not to mention the "Motel of Death." There's a 2-for-1 offer in the 2013 Member Rewards Book, too.
