The Bessborough - Haunted Hotel in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

The Delta Hotels Bessborough, affectionately known as "The Bess" by locals, stands as a castle-like landmark in downtown Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Built by Canadian National Railway and designed by architects Archibald and Schofield, construction began in 1928 and was completed in 1932, though the hotel didn't open until December 10, 1935 due to the Great Depression. Named in honor of the 9th Earl of Bessborough, Governor General of Canada, this ten-story Châteauesque-styled building rises 58.5 meters tall and is considered one of Canada's grand railway hotels. Built with Canadian materials including Tyndall stone from Manitoba, brick from the Claybank Brick Plant, and tiles from Estevan, the hotel features Gothic Revival dormers, grotesques, turrets, and five acres of lush waterfront gardens along the South Saskatchewan River. The Bessborough harbors multiple spirits who have made this historic hotel their eternal home. The most famous ghost is the Man in the Gray Suit and Fedora, who haunts the ballroom floor. This friendly spirit appears late at night, greeting passersby with a polite "hello" and smile. He appears so lifelike that witnesses often don't realize they've encountered a ghost until they mention him to staff. His tragic backstory dates to when he was a hotel employee sent to quiet a noisy party. When he attempted to calm the disturbance, two drunken men overpowered him, lifted him over the railing, and dropped him seven to nine stories to his death. A large crack remains in the solid marble floor where he landed—a permanent reminder of his violent end. His spirit continues to walk the ballroom, going about his business with the same friendly demeanor he had in life. The third floor hosts one of the hotel's most disturbing hauntings—a disheveled woman with messy hair and torn clothing who appears small and exhausted. This tortured spirit remains quiet if guests stay silent and keep their distance, but if anyone makes noise or attempts to communicate with her, she rushes toward them screaming before vanishing into thin air. Her identity and the circumstances of her death remain unknown, but her aggressive response to interaction suggests a traumatic past. In the hotel's stairwell, the joyous sounds of children's laughter echo through the empty space. These ghostly children, believed to have died tragically in the Bessborough, remain unseen but are frequently heard playing and giggling. Guests report hearing their innocent laughter and the sounds of children at play, though no children are ever visible. They cause no harm and seem to exist in their own world, forever enjoying their eternal games in the stairwell. Beyond these three primary hauntings, staff have reported additional paranormal phenomena. One late-shift worker encountered a disembodied voice accompanied only by a pair of floating trousers walking through the hotel—legs visible but no upper body present. Guests staying at the hotel report overwhelming feelings of being watched in certain areas, particularly on the third floor and near the ballroom. Multiple TripAdvisor reviewers have documented their experiences, with one guest reporting being awakened repeatedly by the sounds of someone sobbing in the hallway, only to find it empty when investigated. When this guest mentioned the experience to staff, they were told matter-of-factly about the hotel's multiple spirits, including the man in the fedora. The Bessborough's haunted reputation has been featured on the podcast "History Goes Bump" and numerous paranormal websites. The hotel embraces its ghostly residents, with long-time staff familiar with the legends and willing to share stories with curious guests. The combination of its stunning castle-like architecture, position as a grand railway hotel, and multiple documented hauntings has made The Bessborough one of Saskatchewan's most famous haunted locations. With 225 guest rooms, a luxury spa, restaurants, and those legendary five acres of riverside gardens, the hotel offers visitors both historic elegance and the possibility of encountering spirits from nearly a century of Saskatchewan history.