A distinguished hotel on Vancouver Island has earned a spot on a worldwide roster of the most haunted destinations.
As Halloween draws near, Conde Nast Traveller, a travel website, has curated a selection of 44 eerie hotels from around the globe, and the renowned Fairmont Empress in Victoria is among the featured destinations.
Nestled along Victoria’s inner harbour, the Fairmont Empress hotel has long been celebrated for its elegance, stunning views, and luxurious accommodations.
However, there’s more to this iconic hotel than meets the eye.
In a recent revelation that has sent shivers down the spines of visitors and paranormal enthusiasts alike, the Fairmont Empress has earned its place on Conde Nast Traveller’s list of the “44 Most Haunted Hotels in the World.”
With a history dating back to its grand opening in 1908, the Fairmont Empress has established itself as one of Canada’s oldest and most renowned hotels.
It’s a place where guests can savor award-winning spa treatments, indulge in afternoon tea, and immerse themselves in opulent surroundings. But, in addition to the luxurious amenities and breathtaking views, the Fairmont Empress has garnered fame for something much more eerie and enigmatic—a resident ghost.
The hotel’s specter is believed to be none other than its architect, Francis Rattenbury.
According to Conde Nast Traveller, Rattenbury’s ghost is rumored to haunt the hallways and rooms of the Fairmont Empress.
Rattenbury’s life story adds a touch of scandal to this eerie tale, making his presence all the more intriguing.
He left his wife for a younger woman and escaped to England, only to have his new wife engage in an affair with a 17-year-old chauffeur who ultimately bludgeoned Rattenbury to death.
It’s said that Rattenbury’s tormented spirit now roams the hotel, often appearing to guests dressed in period clothes and descending the lobby staircase.
See also: 32 eerily haunted places in Victoria for you to explore this October
While many visitors come to the Fairmont Empress in search of lavish experiences and captivating history, some may find themselves sharing their stay with an unexpected and spectral guest.
The tale of Francis Rattenbury’s ghost adds a unique layer of mystique to an already historic and fascinating destination.
During the 1960’s, a construction worker saw a shadowy figure swinging from the ceiling, it turned out another worker had hanged himself there a year earlier. The area in question was converted into luxury suites.
Guests have also reported an elderly woman knocking on doors and looking lost. She leads those helping her toward the elevator.
At one time the Empress, in order to generate income, rented its rooms to those looking for long-term accommodation, which often included the elderly. She is thought to have been one such long-term resident who died of old age and then haunted her room. That room, however, was demolished to make space for an elevator, leaving her lost in the hotel.
The Fairmont Empress wasn’t the sole Canadian representation on the list. Sharing the spotlight was the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta, another iconic Canadian haunt.
For those who didn’t know, Victoria is considered one of most haunted cities in British Columbia.
Almost every building in the downtown core has a ghost story.
Some say it’s a result of our Wild West beginnings during the Gold Rush, when the streets were full of fortune hunters, pleasure houses, saloons, public hangings, and opium dens – back when vice was around every corner.
If you’re wanting to know more, we’ve compiled some of the most famous active locations of paranormal activity in the city and you can read it here.
