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Formerly: The Banff Springs Hotel
Built:
1886- 1888
Designed by: Bruce Price
Type: Hotel
Reportedly haunted: Yes
Location: 405 Spray Avenue
City: Banff
State: Alberta
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esigned to evoke the look and feel of a Scottish castle, this hotel is known as one of the best in the world. It is prized for its service, amenities, and more importantly -- it's location. Banff is an enclave inside Canada's Banff National Park. Before you pack up the kids to start a new life in Banff's clean air and sparkling blue-green waters, you should know that the population of the city is capped at 10,000 by law; and only people who need to be there and their dependents, are allowed to take up residence. The hotel is one of several luxury hideaways constructed by the Canadian Pacific railroad as it carved a path across the wilderness. It was a pair of off-duty railroad workers who stumbled across the element that would make Banff famous: the hot springs. The hotel was built near one and its therapeutic mineral-infused heat attracted visitors to the hotel. Naturally, the only way to get there was via the Canadian Pacific Railroad since cars were banned in the park in its early years.
» It is said that a long deceased bellman named Sam is still helping guests with their luggage and giving them other assistance, especially on the ninth floor. When Sam's duties are concluded he vanishes.
» It is said that the ghost of a young bride inhabits the castle. According to legend, on her wedding day she was descending a staircase when a gust of wind from an open window moved her train, causing her to trip and fall to her death.
» Visitors say they still see a vision of a woman in a white wedding dress descending the staircase, or dancing in the ballroom.
» There are also reports of unexplained gusts of wind startling visitors on the staircase.
» The owner of this web site was once kicked out of this hotel. It is not surprising since at the time he was on what Australians would call a "walkabout" and hadn't eaten, bathed, or shaved in days and had virtually no money.
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