With the passage of time a well as people, ghost stories have emerged about the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, which make this hotel and its historical mysteries a great tale to tell.
Join me as we visit the mysteries behind The Lost Room, Sam the Bellman, The Dancing Bride, and Room 873.
THE SECRET ROOM
A big error occurred from the contractor during the construction of the original wooden hotel. A room was built with no windows or doors. This fact wasn’t even shared with the hotel owner. Not until a fire in 1926 did they finally discover this room. Since, apparitions are often seen roaming the halls outside of this room.
ROOM 873
Reportedly the scene of a tragic murder of a family, its door has since been bricked up and made to look like the rest of the wall in the hallway. Apparitions, possibly the family members, have been reported being seen outside of this room.
THE BURNING BRIDE
As the stories suggest, a woman dressed in her wedding gown lost her life on the staircase. Candles had been placed on the staircase when the bride was walking. Her dress suddenly catches fire and in a panic she trips and falls down the stairs, dying from a broken neck. She is reported by the guests as being seen dressed in her wedding gown dancing in the ballroom. Some witnesses claim to see the flames from her dress as she dances. Others have reported seeing her on the staircase. The staff has reported hearing strange noises coming from the bridal suite when it is vacant.
THE BELLMAN
The most popular of these ghosts is Sam Macauley who was a bellman at the hotel in the 60’s and 70’s. There is not much known about how or where Sam Macouley died, but his ghost is said to haunt the hotel even to this day. He appears in his 1960’s uniform helping guests get into locked rooms, turn on the lights, or even help them with their luggage. The 9th floor is where he is witnessed the most. In an attempt to converse with Sam or tip him, he vanishes.
Apparitions of other ghosts have been reported as well, although less popular than the ones above.
Staff and guests have reported seeing a bartender who often informs the guests that they have had too much to drink and it’s best if they go to bed.
Even more spectacular is the apparition of a headless man playing the bagpipes!
The Banff Springs Hotel has been welcoming guests for over 125 years. It is known as The Castle of the Rockies. Many guest, famous and royal have walked its halls and if you plan to visit you may see guests of another kind still haunting its halls.
Thank you for touring the mysteries within the halls of the Banff Springs Hotel with Voices, past, present, and future.
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