Unfortunately don't have many photos to share, but my outdoor haunted hotel setting was called "G. Host Manor Inn" (I set up the day of Halloween and take down that night). The owner/proprietor of the hotel was George Host, abbreviated to G HOST to reflect it was occupied by ghosts. Anyway George was a dog lover in his past and present life, and I used a skeleton with top hat to represent him (had planned to dress him in a tux prop but hubby liked him as a skeleton) and used the GrandinRoad skeleton dog prop as his dog. As the kids approached the courtyard they saw signage identifying the proprietor who was shown in a lenticular photograph (photo from either 99 Cent Only Store, Dollar Tree or Target's Dollar Bin). I displayed the sign with one of those easels I had from HomeGoods for artwork. Since I was cheap about it, I only bought one box of lettering, and unfortunately ended up with too few "Gs" for my sign--couldn't spell out George's name in full or instead say something like "with one of his dogs". I like using the lettering so will probably pick up another set during the year.
My front desk was a metal bakers rack set up for the essentials: vintage phone, vintage looking desk bell, wilting Roses vase prop, hotel keys, some photos of past guests. Would have liked to have done a different desk set up but that didn't happen. The front desk area also had some drapery. I had figured out how to suspend the haunted chandelier which was to go in the Front Desk area but it got too late the night before halloween to set up and I was going to need my husband's help due to the height and being a 2-person job to suspend. Really had wanted that up this year. The haunted duster was dusting the baker's rack countertop and the haunted vacuum (Cracker Barrel) was cleaning the Front Desk area.
At the Fountain in our courtyard we had set up several dining tables and positioned George at one of them. Tables were covered with some halloween spider web fabric I had bought from Joann's. Hubby actually liked the tablecloth idea which was surprising. I didn't agree with this but hubby moved George's table further away from the fountain because it was more out of the wind, and he offered to sit outside all night to guard the skeleton and dog props while handing out candy (skeleton was zip tied to the chair but the dog we didn't have time to do an "anti-theft leash").
I will have to come back and post a photo of my directory (above). The one I took that night was too blurry and I haven't packed that sign away yet. I used those white plastic letters pushed into black foam board from Dollar Tree and encased in a Dollar Tree 11x14 frame. It was mounted to a pole and set out near the driveway. I unfortunately never got around to doing the elevator (with or without the severed hand stuck in between the doors). The hotel rooms were a Scene Setter of a vintage hotel wing and was affixed to the garage door and flanked by faux potted plants. I never got around to finishing the hotel name sign and was kind of bummed about this. I did put the name of the hotel on the directory though to make up for it.
I used Dminor's Rona Ghost Maid projection, big hit, in the hotel room above the main garage. Got lots of comments from the kids as well as some parents. One of our other hotel rooms visible from the street had a ghostly poster prop of a vintage dressed woman holding a baby in her arms. It was black light lit. I was able to suspend my Illusive Concepts Headless Ghost prop behind our water fountain in the courtyard and loved his look. Probably a bit more I could add but that was pretty much it. Oh and GR's Victoria, Stone Lady, Helsa and Stone Man were at the other tables. Can't believe I forgot to get a picture of them. Disappointed I didn't get to pull off the elevator idea I wanted to get done. And I had intended to put a graveyard outside the courtyard area with a tombstone for George (bought two lenticulars of the man and dog photo frame for this purpose) and a tombstone for Bonez. I'm contemplating doing this theme again next year and adding more to it. We'll see. I have another Bonez I could use and two resin dogs who could all be visiting the gravesite, maybe dropping off flowers and bones for the deceased. I'd like to do some foam facade work this coming year and maybe make it a whole yard walk-thru.
Most importantly I think the kids enjoyed it and it was a nice night here for Halloween.
Thanks guys. I added the Directory photo above. Had cobwebs hanging off it for Halloween and a crow sitting on top. I had a lot of fun pulling things together for this theme and loved all the inspiration I got from this thread.
BTW I used one of those Tiki brand cast iron tiki pole stands for anchoring and supporting my pole signage. Had my elevator gotten made in time, I was going to use two more of the tiki bases to support the poles for the roped off area. Bought a few when Orchard Supply Hardware was closing out of them and then cleared out Walmart's remaining supply this past summer when they had summer items on sale for more than half off. Worked well for the Hotel Directory. When I originally bought them, I planned to use them to hold static props or jungle torches for Halloween. Plus they do double duty during the summer with tiki torches in the landscaping. Not really something you notice but thought I'd mention in case anyone else is looking for supports similar to this.
We took our son to The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania for his birthday, and while we were there... hahaha vintage LUGGAGE!!
I was thinking of us and how much we would love to get our hands on these...
Checking back in here...
we had some frantic days overhere so wasn't able to check in sooner...
no pictures yet but hubbie did some filming in our Haunted Hotel nightof the party
Wanted to share it...it is a tour of the hotelgrounds before all the guests arived...
(It's a silent movie for the most part lol)
Nevermind the not-so-scary-but -rather-funny gohst ...it's just me trying to avoid being caught on camera
Pictures will folloow shortly...now I have to check out what everybody on the forum has been up to
Frogkid your hotel pics look just fabulous!!! Your whole front desk area is spot on. Do you have a better pic of your bellhop? Your sign turned out nice too. Were you able to get it to light up?
Kirstenoellers your lobby looked terrifying too! I don't think I would ever check in there!
GOS, loved your signage and ghost windows.
Hilda I look forward to seeing your d&d pics next year!
Hi all, Dawnski here. For longtime followers you know the hubby restricts me to a Halloween party every other year. I go way overboard and my family hates living in a haunted house for several months. I am unleashed for 2020! We have moved to a bigger home and I am excited to see where these...
Hi I'm F-Dog
I am a Halloween Partyaholic.....
What started with wanting to hold the best party and buying a few props, rapidly became huge projects that involve re-decorating the entire house! I've had to cut three new lofts into my house in order to store props!
This party disease has had...
Here are some photos documenting this year's party and details.
Please understand, these photos are TOTALLY out of order and a big jumbled mess. But hopefully you find something you can be inspired by! The whole scene changes AGAIN after the party, when I move props and scenes form inside the...
I want to do an Escape Room during our Halloween party this year and would like suggestions. Im gonna have my basement divided into two rooms. Guests will go into the first room and do little things to get clues to find a key to unlock a lock box that has an antidote for a virus that is...
dawnski · updated 
Saki.Girl · updated 
Helsteeds · updated 
3pinkpoodles · updated 
