The Marlborough Hotel opened its doors on November 14, 1914. It was originally named The Olympia, and described as "The Miniature Hotel Deluxe of Canada", it was located, as it is today, at the very centre of Winnipeg. Over the next decade the hotel was expanded and in the now nine-storey structure was purchased by a group of Winnipeg businessmen and the hotel was re-christened The Marlborough, after England's great 18th century military leader, John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough.
As with many old and majestic structures the Marlborough has a few ghost stories attached to it. In September 2013 we received the following first hand account.
"We had just arrived at the Marlborough hotel in Winnipeg. Our room was on the 4th floor room XXX. I was just making myself comfortable and relaxing on the bed. When I could hear a piano playing. It sounded like classical music was playing from somewhere in the hotel. I asked if anyone with me if they could hear it but they said no. I heard it for a few minutes and then it went away. I found on one website that claimed an older woman would play a grand piano on the 5th floor and staff would use to go up to listen to her play. The lady lived on the 4th level. The piano has since been removed from the hotel."
Our thanks goes out to the witness for sharing this experience with us. We would love to hear your stories of the Marlborough Hotel Have seen something similar or can you add further information to this report, or have experienced something that you believe may be ghostly elsewhere in Canada? Please contact us at admin@psican.org or fill out our reporting form Your privacy will be protected and confidentiality is assured.
Please note we are in no way related to the hotel and general queries should be made directly to hotel staff through their website as linked to above. Historic information obtained through the hotel historical page.
The Marlborough Hotel and her ghostly lore has been the inspiration and setting of a wonderful fictitious novel by author Maureen Flynn. Please click here for the webmaster's review of Buckle My Shoe.
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