As fall in Ontario slips into its prime, as the air turns crisp and the trees are alight with vibrant foliage, there is no better time to book a relaxing getaway into the countryside to recharge and rejuvenate. And, because we know that your pumpkin spice soul is eager for spooky season to begin, we’ve got you covered with a Halloween twist. This October, book your relaxing YDH fall getaway at one of these fantastic retreats near Toronto… which, as it happens, are said to be a little bit haunted!
Guests love these destination retreats so much that some of them don’t want to leave—like, ever! Don’t be afraid, though. You’re not likely to be frightened, because reports of these spectral visits suggest they are generally benign, curious and even friendly. Come for a stay and see what ghostly sights you see. And if you do happen to run into a vacationer from beyond the grave, be sure to say “Hello!”
The Briars Resort and Spa
Jackson’s Point, the charming harbour located in picturesque Georgina, is home to the Briars Resort and Spa. Known worldwide for its stunning landscapes, historic ambience and unparalleled services and amenities, it is also known for a handful of spirits who roam its corridors. Like their living counterparts, these ghostly guests enjoy the tranquility of this gorgeous location so much that they have apparently chosen to spend eternity here.
If you’re a fan of Steven King’s horror novel The Shining, then you’ll be tickled to know that just like the Overlook Hotel, the Briars also has an infamous room 217. It is not unusual for thrill-seeking guests to request this room in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the white-gowned woman with long, dark-hair who lingers here. Though history does not recall her name, she is thought to be the spirit of a heartbroken woman who was jilted by her lover while staying here in the early 1900s. If you wish to provoke her, you can do so by bringing a companion who resembles her unworthy beau: a heavyset balding man with a beard. She will, on occasion, respond to the reminder of her pain with “disturbances.” But otherwise, she is a polite presence, who smiles when she chooses to show herself.
Room 217 is not the only haunted spot in this lovely heritage resort. Spend time in Drinkwaters Lounge, and you might just get a hint of unexplained rose and lavender perfume along with a lone piano note late at night (as one employee reported hearing). Perhaps you may be greeted by the sweet, elderly, moustached gentleman in a top hat who likes to look after visitors. One guest reported having been asked by this apparition, “What do you want to drink, sir?”
There is a chance that you may be treated to a ghostly visit by an elderly gentleman in a Victorian waistcoat who has been seen pacing the lobby. Or perhaps you might see the lady in the white dress who sits at the old piano. Walking past the dining room might offer you a glimpse of phantom diners dressed in Victorian clothing, and if you’re near the coach house, you may see the apparition of a long-ago caretaker. These phenomena and more have been reported multiple times, by different guests and employees. We don’t know for sure who these numerous ghosts are that haunt the Briars Resort and Spa. They are, however, thought of fondly by staff, so be sure to pay them the respect they are likely to show you.
The Millcroft Inn and Spa
The scenic town of Caledon is widely known as a relaxing getaway and golf destination, with stunning vistas, beautiful waterfalls and unspoiled rural countryside. It is exactly the kind of place you would expect to find a four-diamond resort that was once an 1800s knitting mill. Step onto the Millcroft Inn and Spa’s grounds and you’ll be greeted to rustic charm, spectacular views, and world-class amenities. The spirits who haunt the Millcroft’s halls certainly think so.
Staff members and guests alike have experienced odd occurrences which defy explanation. The ghostly churning of a waterwheel and rattle of machinery is something witnesses have reported hearing, even though no such wheels or machinery remain today.
There are two human spectres said to haunt the Millcroft Inn and Spa. In the mill, where the reception area, restaurant and lounge are located, there is said to be a wispy apparition of a beautiful woman with high-laced boots. In the Manor House (formerly a private residence and now the location of luxury guestrooms), there is a young girl who makes her presence known through inexplicable poltergeist activity. She is occasionally seen running down the halls at all hours and playing peek-a-boo from around corners, and is thought to be the ghost of a young girl who fell out of a window at an earlier time when this building was used as a school. And, on the grounds of the Millcroft, some have seen a gentleman spirit wandering the former mill. Could this be the former owner, Mr. Dod?
The George Stanley Inn
In the heart of downtown Port Perry is the historic George Stanley Inn. Formerly the Piano Inn and Café, the inn has received a rebrand in recent years, with the inn and the café becoming their own distinct personalities. Today, you can choose between one of five themed suites at the George Stanley, each uniquely designed to honor the history of the building.
Not much is known of the spirits who reside here, or even if any spirits linger at all. There have been several reports by guests of the sound of movement in rooms when there shouldn’t be any. Sometimes, shadowy figures will make their way into visitors’ photographs. And there have been several mediums over the years who have come to visit the George Stanley Inn (not on request by the owners, interestingly) who have claimed to pick up on energies, most particularly in the brick passageway that leads to the dining room. In fact, a handful of unconnected people have reported the feeling of being watched in this exact spot.
Owner Christy Stone-Curry has an idea of where the spirits might have come from. The building was erected in the late 1800s, and she knows from corresponding newspapers that there was a seamstress on the premises at one point. This was further verified when she and her husband renovated the buildings, and discovered old coins, sewing needles and spools of thread in the walls. They don’t know the seamstress’s name, but they have called her Blanche Dupont, and have dedicated one of the inn’s rooms to her.
One medium who came to have lunch, reported that there was a single widow-like lady who remains at the inn, and walks through the main dining room in the café to the back dining room where horses and carriages used to be held. If this lady is not Blanche Dupont herself, then she may be associated with the Estelle Olson Suite, which was once the studio of a photographer named James Leonard. He never married, and according to George Stanley lore, he made a deal with his housekeeper that if he looked after her while in his prime, she would return the favour and care for him in his final years. Could this widow-like figure be the housekeeper of James Leonard, looking after him and his precious studio from beyond the grave?
Of course, you may be skeptical of such stories, with not much known of the history of the George Stanley Inn with respect to who these ghosts might be. But let us give you some additional information which may support the reported hauntings. For those who don’t know the history of Port Perry, the main street burned down in November of 1883. Today, the basement of the George Stanley Inn still shows the original soot on the beams from the fire. Whether you’re curious about the possible spirits that still call this place their home, or you want a charming historic getaway close to Toronto, then the George Stanley Inn is just the place you are looking for. Either way, we are sure you’ll get a good night’s sleep… with someone watching over you while you dream, perhaps.
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