12 Episodes · Premiered October 7, 2015 · Ended January 13, 2016
American Horror Story: Hotel centers around the enigmatic Hotel Cortez in Los Angeles, California, that catches the eye of an intrepid homicide detective. The Cortez is host to the strange and bizarre, spearheaded by its owner, The Countess, who is a bloodsucking fashionista. This season features two murderous threats in the form of The Ten Commandments Killer, a serial offender that justifies his actions in accordance with biblical teachings; and The Addiction Demon, who roams the hotel, armed with a drill bit dildo.
Detective John Lowe investigates a strange murder-torture case, and gets a tip that leads him to the Hotel Cortez. Meanwhile, the staff and long-time residents discover that the owner has sold the hotel and they will soon be evicted.
While Will holds a fashion show in the lobby, his son Lochlin shows Scarlett one of the hotel's many secrets. Meanwhile, John forces Iris to tell him the history of the hotel from the 1920s when it was built as an abbatoir by a homicidal oil man.
After a family counseling session, Alex gives John some bad news. Meanwhile, Donovan tells his mother to kill herself and then is captured by the Countess' rival.
James holds his annual dinner for his most favored students, and John discovers that he's on the list. Meanwhile, Alex confronts the Countess over the changes in Holden, and the older woman tells her how she can be with her son forever.
To save a dying boy, Alex uses her own blood with unexpected consequences. Meanwhile, Iris and Liz draw closer, Donovan makes a deal with Ramona, and John wakes up in bed with Sally.
Iris looks the other way as Ramona and Donovan enter the Cortez to deprive the Countess of what she loves most. Meanwhile, Liz finds true love but there's a snag, and John inadvertently brings a horror into his house.
The Countess' first love is revealed in 1925, while two modern-day construction workers open up a wing of the Cortez that has not been seen... since 1925. Meanwhile, John checks himself into the hospital to confront the suspect in the Ten Commandment killings.
John and Hahn meet over Wren's body, and John tells his former partner who the Ten Commandments Killer really is.
Donovan asks the Countess to commit to him totally... and then goes to Ramona and offers to betray his lover. Meanwhile, Iris kills two more people in the Cortez, and Will makes his wedding plans.
Liz and Iris decide to make a clean exit from the Cortez, but a visit by Liz's son Douglas causes a change in plans. Meanwhile, John and Alex decide to give their marriage a second chance, and Donavan confronts Rudolph.
John brings his family home, but Sally has other plans. Meanwhile, Liz and Iris help Ramona escape her prison and provide her with the blood she needs.to restore herself to health.
The last days of the Cortez are chronicled as Liz and Iris take charge and put an end to the killing. Meanwhile, John speaks for the first time with a psychic to reveal his fate and the fate of his family.
