Haunted Hotel: La Niña

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Haunted Hotel: La Niña

Haunted Hotel: La Niña takes place in the basement of the Villa de Cortez Hotel. The hotel in the center of Weslaco’s downtown historic district. (photo Haunted Hotel: La Niña)
Haunted Hotel: La Niña takes place in the basement of the Villa de Cortez Hotel. The hotel in the center of Weslaco’s downtown historic district. (photo Haunted Hotel: La Niña)
Haunted Hotel: La Niña takes place in the basement of the Villa de Cortez Hotel. The hotel in the center of Weslaco’s downtown historic district. (photo Haunted Hotel: La Niña)
Haunted Hotel: La Niña takes place in the basement of the Villa de Cortez Hotel. The hotel in the center of Weslaco’s downtown historic district. (photo Haunted Hotel: La Niña)

With the recent change in the weather, we can’t help but anticipate the spookiness that lies ahead. Those looking for a good scare this season will want to keep Haunted Hotel: La Niña on their radar.

Unlike your traditional haunted house setups, this one has roots that run a little deeper than ground level. This one is making its debut in the basement of National and Texas registered historic landmark Villa de Cortez. The setting gives the haunted house an unexpected twist. 

This event venue and hotel in Weslaco will triple as a haunted attraction for the month of October. The owners couldn’t be more excited about the transformation.

“My family owns and operates the building. October is usually pretty slow as far as room rentals go, so we’re trying to make it more profitable by running this [haunted house as a] side hustle,” says manager Zach Sunderland.

The Villa de Cortez Hotel, formerly known as The Cortez Hotel, has been around since 1929. (photo Haunted Hotel: La Niña)
The Villa de Cortez Hotel, formerly known as The Cortez Hotel, has been around since 1929. (photo Haunted Hotel: La Niña)

A different kind of haunted house fright

Usually haunted houses play on the scary movie type of feel. There’s gore and violence in the sets in order to appear more frightening. The approach with Haunted Hotel: La Niña is a little different.

As you walk through Haunted Hotel: La Niña, Sunderland would like you to know that “the ghosts inhabiting the space are usually pretty friendly. None of them will touch you or make you uncomfortable but they will definitely scare the living daylights out of you.” 

Another observable difference between the Haunted Hotel: La Niña and others in the RGV is the fact this this one is actually set up inside an ancient building. It adds an authenticity to the haunting within.

Sutherland says Haunted Hotel: La Niña is set apart from other haunted houses in the area. “We make use of a historic building that’s been around since 1929. We are using an elevator to take guests from the ground floor down to the basement, and the basement is pitch black. It’s also very thematic, playing with elements from the old hotel rather than your standard blood guts and violence.” 

An unforgettable experience awaits at Haunted Hotel: La Niña. (photo Haunted Hotel: La Niña)
An unforgettable experience awaits at Haunted Hotel: La Niña. (photo Haunted Hotel: La Niña)

Visiting Haunted Hotel: La Niña

The run dates for Haunted Hotel: La Niña are every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from Oct. 10 – Nov. 2 from 7-10 p.m. 

There is a $20 fee per person for Haunted Hotel: La Niña. Admission grants a “20-minute walk through, themed rooms, animatronics, live people dressed up, as well as props, lighting and sound, oh my!” Tickets are available to purchase online via Eventbrite.com.

Staff prepare for the opening of Haunted Hotel: La Niña in Weslaco. (photo Haunted Hotel: La Niña)
Staff prepare for the opening of Haunted Hotel: La Niña in Weslaco. (photo Haunted Hotel: La Niña)

Josie M. Barrera is a creative writer and an artist from Alton, Tx. With a BA in English, and a minor in Studio Art, she has always been fond of connecting the two. She is a big supporter of small businesses and loves attending local events in the community. In the past, her works have revolved around SEO writing for digital marketing agencies. Josie looks forward to shedding some light on local small business owners and their success in providing something their community can enjoy.

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