Tourists at 'haunted' UK city centre hotel report 'dark shadows' and mirrors 'rippling'

Tourists staying at a city centre hotel in Manchester say they've encountered chilling paranormal phenomena, from shadowy figures lurking in hallways to mirrors that appear to "ripple" before their eyes. The Britannia Hotel Manchester, formerly known as Sachas Hotel, has become infamous for its eerie atmosphere and ghostly rumours.

Just off Piccadilly Gardens in the heart of the city, the grand Victorian building has been the subject of growing speculation due to strange reports from both guests and staff. Visitors have taken to online review sites and social media to describe their unsettling experiences.

Several have reported seeing dark, indistinct figures moving through corridors and rooms, shadowy presences that vanish when approached.

Others describe unexplained noises during the night, including phantom footsteps, knocks, and the sound of doors opening or slamming shut with no one there.

Perhaps most disturbingly, one guest claimed to witness a mirror on the wall appear to "ripple", as if it were liquid.

"It wasn't just a trick of the light, it looked like the glass was moving," they wrote in a review.

Other visitors mention sudden cold spots, particularly on certain floors and in stairwells, with noticeable temperature drops that last for minutes.

Many describe the hotel's atmosphere as "heavy" or "oppressive," with one guest saying they felt "watched" while trying to sleep.

Another reviewer said: "Staying at the Britannia in Manchester city centre overnight. I keep hearing the same man whistling sound, the exact same one every time, first at midnight, now at 3am and it happened another 3 times. After Googling, found out 2 men died here. Now I am freaking out. Literally... this place looks haunted."

The building's long history may offer some insight. Originally built in the early 20th century, it served various wartime functions during World War I and World War II, including housing military personnel.

A fire is believed to have broken out in the hotel during the Second World War, and some paranormal enthusiasts suggest that lingering trauma from those events could be behind the hauntings.

Others believe the hotel may simply hold residual energy from decades of activity and emotion.

While sceptics chalk the experiences up to the hotel's age, creaky infrastructure, and dim lighting, believers remain convinced something more sinister is at play.

The Britannia Hotel may not advertise itself as a ghost-hunting destination, but it's fast becoming a spooky hotspot for thrill-seekers curious to see if the shadows in the hallway are real.