Creepy Canada: 10 Historic Haunted Hotels
Contributed by Canadian Girl, Host of Nothing Ever Happens In Canada Podcast
10 -BANFF SPRINGS HOTEL - BANFF, ALBERTA
Canada’s very own haunted castle in the Rockies. A horrible murder took place in the room 873. Today this room has been blocked off and made to look like the wall that’s there now, hoping most will pass by not realizing there is any room there at all. Guests and hotel staff have reported seeing apparitions in the hallway for years, in the exact area the room has been blocked off and meant to be forgotten. They are believed to be the souls of the family that lost their lives in that room.
There’s also the famous burning bride of the hotel… she is the Banff Spring’s more famous haunted guest. The story goes the beautiful bride was on the staircase when her dress caught one of the candles that lit her way. In a panic to put out the flames on her dress, she tragically fell down the stairs and broke her neck. She is often seen dancing in a flaming dress in the hotel’s grand ballroom. She is also known to grace the stairwell that took her life.
9 - FORT GARRY HOTEL - WINNIPEG, MANITOBA
She was built in 1903, and was almost named The Selkirk. The hotel’s doors have seen a few famous guests pass through such as Queen Elizabeth, King George the VI, Louis Armstrong and many more. In this hotel the haunted room number is 202. It is said a women hung herself in the room’s closet. Since this terrible day guests and staff have reported seeing a ghostly woman wearing a cloak. Her favourite trick is to hover just above your bed as you sleep. She also likes to scream and blood is often seen coming from the rooms walls.
8 - FAIRMONT CHÂTEAU LAURIER - OTTAWA, ONTARIO
The previous owner of this hotel was a passenger on the Titanic who did not survive the voyage. He is said to have returned to his beloved hotel, shortly after the accident. The hotel was still being built when he died, so many believe he came back to oversee the work being done. He is known to be a little mean at times, he has broken stuff and opens doors to rooms without knocking. Most of these doors are said to have been locked, making his ghostly presences even more believable and he likes to roam the halls once in awhile.
7 -JAMES BAY INN - VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA
Emily Carr, a famous Canadian painter passed away at this location. Her room was turned into a men’s room, which is attached to the pub that’s now on the location today. Emily seems to be very unhappy about it, as she is known to slam doors, turn lights off and water on, in the men’s room. Guests often report receiving phones calls in the middle of the night, only to pick up and find no one there. Others complain they feel as if someone is watching them sleep.
6 - FAIRMONT LE CHÂTEAU FRONTENAC - QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC
Another haunted Fairmont - what’s going on here? So who’s haunting this property? It’s reported Louis des Buade, Count of Frontenac, a 17th century governor general and the hotel’s namesake. He’s often seen roaming the halls of the hotel looking for his beloved wife who he was separated from in death. Some guests have reported seeing the general with a lady in a white dress, so maybe he did indeed find his wife after all.
5 - THE ALGONQUIN HOTEL - ST. ANDREWS, NEW BRUNSWICK
This iconic hotel is very similar to the “Overlook” hotel in famous horror movie The Shining and it just may be for good reason. There’s tales of Stephen King staying at this location before and many times after his beloved masterpiece was written. Some suspect this very haunted hotel may have just inspired parts of his tale. If you do stay here keep your eyes out for the lady in the dining room. She enjoys rearranging the table settings to her desire. There’s also a Bellhop who takes you to your room, all while telling you some amazing history facts and a watchmen still on patrol, listen for his keys.
There is an old stylish tower that survived a fire in 1914. Guests and hotel staff report seeing lights on in the tower and a girl in a white dress looking out the window. She is also heard weeping throughout the halls of the hotel. Legend says in room 473 a bride could be heard weeping so loud, after being left at the altar early that day. The poor girl took her life in that room and those who stay in it, prepare to get no sleep. As she slams and bangs stuff, as well as weeps until you are forced to leave her room.
Other haunted rooms in this spooky hotel are 308 and 373, an interesting fact about room 373 is, that it is directly below the bride’s room. The 4th floor is known for objects to suddenly just go missing. On the 2nd floor, the door knobs turn, so choose your floor wisely.
4 - THE CARIBOO HOTEL - CARCROSS, YUKON
Built over 100 years ago, this hotel could tell a few good stories if her walls could talk. She’s been burnt to the ground, rebuilt again, had numerous renovations and there’s even a tale of her floating across a lake. Former owner Mrs. Bessie Gideon and her husband Edwin would rebuild the hotel after the Christmas Eve fire in 1909. Mrs. Gideon would pass away in her beloved hotel on October 27th, 1933. Many have claimed to see her looking out the windows as they walk by the hotel. She also likes to rock in the rocking chair on the 3rd floor. Another popular tale told over and over again, is she is seen on the 3rd floor as well, but with her beloved parrot resting on her shoulder.
3 - WEST POINT LIGHTHOUSE INN - O’LEARY, PEI
The lighthouse was first lit May 21st, 1876. The Inn was built in 1984 and was the first lighthouse inn, in Canada. Not only has this inn offered views of burning ghost ships for the last 35 years, that can be seen just off the coast past the lighthouse, where they have been reported for over 200 years. It also has a guest known as Willie who is said to be, William MacDonald, the first lighthouse keeper. For some reason he prefers to spend his days around the inn, instead of his lighthouse.
2 - HOTEL SASKATCHEWAN - REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN
This Victorian style hotel will take you back in time, with just one step inside her doors. As beautiful as this place may be, for some reason many guest have taken their lives here, leaving behind many lost and unsettled spirits. Staff and guests for years have reported apparitions coming and going at all times, objects moving that shouldn’t be and cupboards slamming. There are even stories of vases flying across rooms, only to smash to pieces while no one else is around. The 5th and the 8th floors are said to have the most disruptions if you do stay here.
1 - FAIRMONT ROYAL YORK - TORONTO, ONTARIO
It’s starting to look like every Fairmont comes with a ghost and this one certainly comes with a few. The hotel has a beautiful ballroom that has been shut down for years, but guests and staff still report hearing music in there from time to time. The elevator will also take you to the Crystal Ballroom, without pushing a single button; the doors will open, as if it wants you to enter the room.
The biggest complaint the hotel receives, is of children laughing and playing in the hall. When these complaints are look into, there are often no children in the area at all. There’s also man in a purple coat, which likes to hang around the 8th floor.
Sources:
http://www.travelandstyle.ca/7-haunted-hotels-in-canada/
https://www.hauntedrooms.com/11-most-haunted-hotels-in-canada
Canadian Ghost Stories by Barbara Smith
https://www.narcity.com/ca/on/ottawa/travel/10-haunted-hotels-canada-need-stay-least-life
https://whatsupyukon.com/Yukon-Lifestyle/paranormal/mrs-gideon-s-ghost/
https://www.turretbell.com/prince-edward-island-ghost-stories/
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