The Hotel Ottumwa is rumored to be haunted by a lady in white said to appear in the basement, which was once a ballroom, and a man in a suit who haunts the hallways. Eerie voices and strange sounds have also been reported, with some investigators claiming to have captured shadows on video and recorded electronic voice phenomena (EVPs). A figure described as a "lady in white" is seen in the basement area of the hotel. A shadowy figure of a man dressed in a suit is reported to wander the hotel's hallways. Guests and paranormal investigators have reported hearing unexplained voices and eerie sounds within the hotel. Paranormal investigations have captured shadow figures and other unexplained figures on video and in person, including a figure seen running into a wall. Some investigations have recorded EVPs, which are sounds of voices or other noises captured on electronic recording devices during paranormal investigations, though specific content is not mentioned.