Queen Mary Hotel Review: Still Open? Haunted Rooms & More

The Queen Mary, a retired British ocean liner permanently docked in Long Beach, California, has operated as a hotel, museum, and event venue since the 1960s. Following a three-year closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic and structural repairs, the ship reopened its hotel to overnight guests in May 2023 (Cruise Radio). This review examines the current state of the Queen Mary hotel, its haunted reputation, and whether an overnight stay is worth it for history and paranormal travelers.

Last checked: 2026-08-01

Property type: Historic ocean liner hotel & museum · Location: Long Beach, California, USA · Number of rooms: 346 original first-class staterooms and nine suites · Notable feature: Original Art Deco interiors and rich wood paneling from around the world

Queen Mary Hotel at a glance

1 First-class staterooms and suites

• 346 original first-class staterooms and nine suites, many with original Art Deco built-ins (Cruise Radio)

2 Current hotel status

• The Queen Mary is currently open as a hotel, museum, and convention space in Long Beach, California (Visit Long Beach)

3 Haunted room reputation

• Room B340 is said to be the most haunted guest room on the Queen Mary (People)

4 Historic classification

• Retired British ocean liner, permanently docked in Long Beach since the 1960s (Wikipedia)

Property detail	Value
Property type	Historic ocean liner hotel & museum
Location	Long Beach, California, USA
Number of rooms	346 original first-class staterooms and nine suites
Notable feature	Original Art Deco interiors and rich wood paneling from around the world
Original entry into service	1936 (Wikipedia)
Formal public reopening after COVID closure	April 1, 2023 (Wikipedia)
Hotel operations resumed	May 2023 (Cruise Radio)
Starting rate for Inside Stateroom (post-reopening)	USD 169 per night (Cruise Radio)
TripAdvisor overall rating	3.9 out of 5 (approx. 8,100 reviews) (TripAdvisor)
Historic Hotels of America membership	Member since 2024 (Historic Hotels of America)

Is the Queen Mary still a hotel?

Yes, the Queen Mary currently operates as a hotel, museum, and convention space. After closing in May 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and structural issues, the City of Long Beach took over the lease and contracted Evolution Hospitality to manage the property (Long Beach Post). Following multimillion-dollar repairs, limited tours resumed on December 15, 2022, and the ship formally reopened for public tours on April 1, 2023. The hotel portion reopened to overnight guests in May 2023.

As of 2026, the Queen Mary is fully operational. Booking.com shows the hotel active with a guest score of 8.2/10 (Booking.com). The city has invested in repairs and the property is now profitable, with average monthly earnings of about $300,000 in fiscal 2024 (CoStar). The bottom line: the Queen Mary is not only still a hotel — it is financially stable and expanding its offerings.

Can you still stay overnight on the Queen Mary?

Yes, guests can book overnight stays in one of the 346 original first-class staterooms or nine suites. After the three-year hiatus, the hotel resumed operations in May 2023 with room categories ranging from Inside Staterooms to Full Suites. Starting rates at reopening were $169 for Inside Staterooms, $179 for Standard Staterooms, $189 for Deluxe, $209 for Family, $219 for Mini Suites, and $519 for Full Suites (Cruise Radio).

Available room capacity has grown from about 100 rooms at initial reopening to around 200 rooms as of 2024 (CoStar). The property also offers a curated three-night immersive package from July 20–23, 2026, signalling continued investment in overnight experiences (The Queen Mary). The implication: booking options are broader than they were immediately after reopening, and the ship is actively marketing themed stays.

Is the Queen Mary a luxury hotel?

The Queen Mary offers historic first-class staterooms with original Art Deco wood paneling and rich interiors, but it is not a modern luxury hotel. Historic Hotels of America describes it as a “newly renovated” property operating as a “luxurious hotel and special event venue” (Historic Hotels of America). However, guest reviews on TripAdvisor (3.9/5) emphasize the unique historic ambiance over contemporary luxury. Room sizes are small by modern standards, and amenities are typical of a mid-range historic property.

Many travelers appreciate the authenticity: original built-ins, wood paneling, and maritime atmosphere. But those seeking modern luxury — large bathrooms, fitness centers, high-end dining — may find the Queen Mary more of a “historic experience” than a luxury hotel. The trade-off: you get character and history, not five-star pampering.

What is the most haunted room in the Queen Mary hotel?

Room B340 is widely marketed and discussed as the most haunted stateroom. The lore includes past deaths and special effects installed during the Disney era’s Haunted Mansion-style tours. People magazine reported that B340 was temporarily under renovation but is now available for booking again (People). Travel bloggers note that other rooms on B-deck are also considered haunted, with some guests reporting disembodied voices in A134 (Yelp Q&A).

Despite the reputation, many guests do not experience paranormal phenomena during their stay. One reviewer noted that “the haunted reputation is largely anecdotal and varies greatly between visitors” (Periodic Adventures). The hotel has expanded its ghost tours from three in June 2023 to 22 different tours, including holiday-themed paranormal activities (CoStar). The catch: the haunted experience is more about atmosphere and storytelling than guaranteed supernatural encounters.

Queen Mary hotel specifications

Specification	Detail
Number of staterooms	346
Number of suites	9
Year built (launched)	1936
Year docked in Long Beach	1967
Current management	Evolution Hospitality
Check-in / Check-out	16:00 / 11:00
On-site dining	Multiple restaurants and bars
Historic designation	National Historic Landmark (via Historic Hotels of America)

Pros and cons of staying at the Queen Mary

Best for

Pricing bands

The Queen Mary’s pricing spans a mid-range to premium spectrum. Based on reopening rates:

• Budget-friendly: Inside Staterooms from $169/night
• Standard: Standard and Deluxe Staterooms $179–$189/night
• Family: Family Staterooms from $209/night
• Premium: Mini Suites $219/night, Full Suites from $519/night

Pre-pandemic rates were slightly lower, but the refurbishment and new management have raised the floor. Prices are in USD and subject to seasonal variation.

Location and getting there

The Queen Mary is permanently moored at 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, California, 90802. It is about 25 miles south of downtown Los Angeles and 8 miles from Long Beach Airport (LGB). The ship is accessible by car via the 710 or 405 freeways, and parking is available on-site. Public transit options include the Long Beach Transit bus line 191 and the A Line Metro train to Downtown Long Beach station, followed by a short Uber or taxi ride.

Sample 1-night itinerary for a paranormal-focused stay

1. 15:00 – Check-in: Arrive at the Queen Mary, explore the main lobby and public decks.
2. 16:00 – Glory Days Historical Tour: Learn about the ship’s transatlantic career and wartime service.
3. 18:00 – Dinner: Dine at the onboard restaurant (Sir Winston’s or Chelsea Chowder House).
4. 20:00 – Haunted Encounters Tour: Join a guided ghost tour focusing on B-deck and the engine room.
5. 22:00 – Overnight in Room B340 (if available): Sleep in the ship’s most famously haunted stateroom. Bring a voice recorder if you’re into EVP.
6. 08:00 – Breakfast: Morning meal at the Promenade Café.
7. 10:00 – Steam and Steel Tour: See the engine room and learn about the ship’s mechanical history.
8. 11:00 – Check-out and explore Long Beach: Visit the Aquarium of the Pacific or Shoreline Village.

Queen Mary timeline

• 1936 – RMS Queen Mary enters service as a Cunard ocean liner.
• 1967 – Permanently moored in Long Beach and converted into a hotel and museum.
• May 2020 – Hotel and attractions closed due to COVID-19 and structural issues.
• 2022 – City Council approves five-year management contract with Evolution Hospitality; repairs begin.
• December 15, 2022 – Limited tours resume.
• April 1, 2023 – Formal public reopening for tours.
• May 2023 – Hotel operations resume after three-year hiatus.
• 2024 – Historic Hotels of America membership; profitability achieved; ghost tours expand to 22.
• 2026 – Hotel remains open, with capacity of ~200 rooms and immersive vacation packages available.

Map

“Recognized as one of the most haunted hotels in America, the Queen Mary has been investigated by paranormal researchers several times.”

– Haunted Rooms editorial copy, Paranormal travel website

“The Queen Mary is open for public tours. Tours include the Glory Days Historical Tour, Steam and Steel Tour, & Haunted Encounters Tour.”

– Visit Long Beach, Official city tourism organization

Frequently asked questions

Sources