Murphys Hotel (the historic one in Murphys, California that was on Gordon Ramsay’s “Hotel Hell”) is still operating; the main “thing that happened” to it was a temporary pandemic closure and then a post‑Ramsay refresh and relaunch, not a permanent shutdown.

What happened to Murphys Hotel?

Quick Scoop

  • It’s a historic Gold Rush–era hotel and bar in Murphys, CA, dating back to the 1850s.
  • It was featured on Gordon Ramsay’s show “Hotel Hell,” after which the rooms, dining room, and systems were modernized and relaunched.
  • During COVID‑19 in 2020, it fell completely silent and closed for the first time in around 164 years because of shutdown rules, which is what many “what happened to Murphys Hotel?” posts are referring to.
  • After restrictions eased, it reopened and has continued operating as a hotel/restaurant with mixed but generally solid reviews from visitors.

Many forum and social posts saying “it’s dead/closed” usually date back to that 2020 shutdown or confusion during the early pandemic period.

A bit of recent history

1. The Gordon Ramsay / “Hotel Hell” chapter

  • Murphys Hotel went onto “Hotel Hell,” where Ramsay overhauled the lobby, updated rooms, changed the dining room décor, and pushed for an online reservation system.
  • The relaunch was described as a success on the show: guests liked the refreshed rooms and new wine‑focused menu, though some long‑time locals missed the old style and food.

2. The 2020 silent period

  • In May 2020, a report highlighted that the Murphys Historic Hotel was “silent” for the first time in 164 years due to pandemic shelter‑in‑place orders stopping tourism and forcing closure.
  • The owner, Brian Goss, said that, to his knowledge, it had never previously been completely shut down in its entire history, which made that closure stand out.

3. After reopening

  • Coverage and fan‑update sites note that Murphys Hotel later resumed operations and was “fully open and functioning” again by 2023 and onward.
  • Travel and review platforms as of 2024 still show it listed with active recent reviews and a roughly 4.0/5 rating for its restaurant and hotel side.

Why people keep asking “what happened to Murphys Hotel”?

Several overlapping storylines fuel the question:

  1. Pandemic shock – The 164‑year streak of continuous operation being broken during COVID made headlines and sounded ominous, so old articles still circulate.
  1. Reality‑TV effect – When a hotel goes on Gordon Ramsay’s show, fans often assume it later closes; in this case, the business stayed open, but rumors linger.
  1. Haunted‑hotel lore – Murphys Hotel is also featured in paranormal and ghost‑story videos, including tales of fires, trapped townsfolk, and a resident spirit named Eleanor, which adds to the “something dramatic happened here” vibe.

Is Murphys Hotel open now?

Based on the most recent travel and update sources:

  • It is described as fully open and operating as of 2023 and beyond.
  • Restaurant and lodging reviews posted in 2024 show active service, current photos, and ongoing guest feedback.

So if your question “what happened to Murphys Hotel” comes from seeing old pandemic articles or reality‑TV chatter, the answer is: it had a rough, historic closure during COVID and a TV‑driven makeover, but it ultimately remains in business as a working historic hotel and restaurant.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.