Halloween is creeping closer, and Canada’s iconic hotels hold more than just luxurious rooms—they’re also packed with ghostly tales!
The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Alberta
Built in 1888, the Fairmont Banff Springs is no stranger to eerie encounters. Its most famous ghost is Sam McCauley, a Scottish gentleman who served as head bellman in the 1960s and 1970s. Sam passed away in 1975, but he’s never quite left. Guests often report an older gentleman helping with things like troublesome keys or whispering advice at reception. Known for his helpful spirit, Sam’s presence is felt, especially in his old office, where he seems to carry on with his duties from the beyond.
Then there’s the tale of the Ghost Bride, dating back to the 1920s. Legend says that on her wedding day, a young bride, radiant in her dress, began to descend one of the hotel’s marble staircases. Something startled her, and she tragically slipped. Some say her heel caught in her dress; others believe a brush against a candle set her veil ablaze. The bride fell to her untimely death, and guests often glimpse her ghostly figure in a white gown, either dancing in the ballroom or standing at the staircase where her life was cut short.
Merrill House, Prince Edward County, Ontario
This Victorian mansion, built in 1878, was featured on CBC’s Ghostly Encounters. Once a private home, it became an inn in 1978 and is best known for its haunted suite—formerly the servants' quarters. Guests staying in this room report hearing children’s laughter in empty hallways and have even spotted the ethereal figure of the Marchioness of Lorne, whose portrait still hangs in the hotel. Those daring enough can book the “Haunted Room Package” and spend a night with Merrill House’s ghostly guests.
Algonquin Resort, St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, New Brunswick
Overlooking the Bay of Fundy, this resort opened in 1889 and has withstood fire and war, along with numerous reports of spectral sightings. The hotel’s ghosts include a sobbing bride who roams the halls, a loyal bellhop who escorts guests to their rooms, and an elderly woman rearranging the restaurant tables. Guests also report hearing a child playing in the hallways, filling the space with eerie giggles. The spirits here seem friendly, and the hotel offers guided tours, sharing decades of chilling encounters from guests and staff alike.
The Fairmont Empress Hotel, Victoria, British Columbia
This stunning landmark, often named one of the most haunted hotels in the world, opened in 1908. Its most famous ghost is Francis Rattenbury, the architect of the Fairmont Empress, who may have returned in the afterlife to bask in admiration for his masterpiece. Other ghostly residents include a maid on the sixth floor, diligently cleaning even in death, a forlorn young girl, and an employee who ended his life in the west tower. Guests also report seeing an elderly woman in pajamas wandering the halls, knocking on doors. When they attempt to help her, she leads them toward the elevator—only to disappear.
Canada’s haunted hotels offer an experience beyond the ordinary, making them the perfect destination for those who enjoy a good ghost story...or a real ghostly encounter!