Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Blanchard.
Hi Steve, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Phantom History House: A Bed & Breakfast Experience was an idea I’ve had in my mind for nearly 20 years. When I travel I enjoy staying at locally run B&Bs rather than chain hotels because it gives me a chance to meet the local people and other fellow travelers. The first time I stayed in a B&B was during a trip to New Orleans in the early 2000s. I enjoyed it so much that I knew I wanted to create one of my own at some point.
In 2018, I launched a podcast called “Phantom History,” which allowed me to share the historic ghost stories I had learned during my time as a ghost tour guide and as a lover of history with a broader audience. Because of my background as a print journalist, the podcast evolved to include interviews with paranormal investigators and historians who could tie the ghostly occurrences they encountered to the historic context of the building. I just recently launched Season 4.
In 2022, my partner, Tim, and I decided to move forward with the B&B idea and themed the entire house after the podcast. Each of our four guest rooms (or bed chambers) is themed differently to provide guests with a unique experience. We have an Ouija Board Room, Cemetery Room, Portrait Room, and Castle Room. Each has a unique feature or two to make the experience different than what other guests may have.
The house is also themed with a “modern gothic” look. We have a gothic library, which is perfect for ghost stories, an elegant dining room, complete with electric candles for an eerie vibe, and a “Potion Room,” which displays more than 160 bottles and is also our breakfast area.
The house opened its doors officially just before Christmas 2022 and we had our first guest on New Year’s Eve. Since then we have seen a steady flow of guests, both paranormal enthusiasts and guests just wanting a clean and comfortable place to sleep — with breakfast included.
People are surprised when they stay here because they are expecting something out of a horror movie. That’s not what we are. We are “Eerie and Elegant” and “Creepy, yet Comfortable.” Linen sheets, high-quality bath towels, and private bathrooms for each themed bed chamber make for a quiet and relaxing stay.
We were fortunate to find our home near Oldsmar, Florida, in the Tampa Bay Area, which butts up against a nature preserve, includes a serene sitting area near a pond, gorgeous balconies overlooking an expansive yard where wildlife often visits, and very few neighbors.
It’s perfect for a staycation and a unique getaway and we hope shortly we can hold events, such as weddings, book club events, etc. Imagine walking up to a beautiful house and walking inside and transporting yourself to another time and another place. That’s what we hope to achieve here at Phantom History House.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
There are always struggles with a new business. The work that went into creating a unique space took a couple of months and finding the unique antique furniture and other touches took time and patience as we explored antique stores and malls across the state.
Finding the right home for this project was a challenge. We needed a place that was zoned correctly and the house we found is in an agricultural area, which allowed for some flexibility with land use. When we found the home, we knew we had found the right location.
The struggle now is getting the word out. We’ve poured our hearts into this place and we want to share it with the world. Our guests say photos and videos don’t do the B&B justice and we rely a lot on word-of-mouth to entice future visitors. We are constantly working on our marketing strategies, special events, and our social media presence to put a spotlight on Phantom History House.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Phantom History House?
We are a Bed & Breakfast experience unlike any other. When you walk through our front door you are transported to a modern gothic environment that makes you feel like you are in an elegant, historic movie. Our library features hundreds of books and unique lighting that features Tiffany lamps that may remind you of the homes featured in the films “Knives Out” or “Godfrey Park.”
While our theme is “paranormal” we remind our guests and visitors that we are not a haunted attraction. There are no jump scares, there are no actors, and there are no ghosts (at least none that we’ve officially identified). Instead, we are a getaway that offers a unique stay that you would be hard-pressed to find.
We are most proud of the reaction our guests have when they tour the house. Our collection of vintage portraits in the Portrait Room always gets a gasp, as do the expansive bathrooms in each room. Our wall of “potion bottles” always turns out to be a great selfie spot at any time of the day and we are always thrilled when a guest tells us they’ve had the best sleep they’ve had in months.
On some weekends, we have a psychic or medium on-site, which allows guests and visitors both to book time with a professional who uses several tools to assist in your life path. Tarot cards, bones, crystal balls and more have been utilized by our psychics and each has been vetted to ensure they are authentic, rather than showmen or show women.
I hope your readers consider us for their next getaway or event. We are a young business learning as we go and are always excited to meet new people and work with them to create an experience they won’t forget.
We are told quite often that guests plan to come back and that they were pleasantly surprised by the detail, love, and comfort level of our spooky little corner of paradise.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Tampa Bay is a fantastic place to stay entertained. We are only 10 miles from the beaches of Dunedin and less than 30 minutes from the attractions of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. So whether you are a beach bum or a roller coaster fan, you can find the right entertainment for you.
We also love that Tampa is so diverse. Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, LGBTQ+, etc., we are a true melting pot that welcomes everyone from all walks of life. We are proud to be a part of a location that is open-minded and respectful of different backgrounds and beliefs.
And, of course, Tampa Bay is beautiful. Where else can you attend an event downtown, check out a concert at the arena or the amphitheater, and then enjoy the nightlife in historic Ybor City or a beach town like Clearwater?
The thing I like least about Tampa is the traffic. When people ask us how long it takes to get somewhere from our B&B, I always make sure to include the phrase, “… and that depends on the time of day.” Avoid rush hour traffic at all costs and make your driving plans accordingly.
Pricing:
- Rooms start at $175 and go up to $250
- $100 per hour rental fee for events held on the property
- Wedding and special event pricing depends on the details of the event
- Add-ons such as psychics and ghost tours begin at $10 per person
Contact Info:
- Website: www.phantomhistoryhouse.com
- Instagram: @phantomhistory
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhantomHistory/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@phantomhistory6110
- TikTok: @phantom_history
Image Credits
Bruce Hardin
