Hauntings at The Briars Resort and Spa
The Briars Resort and Spa in Georgina, Ontario is a beautiful, historic location at which to spend a lovely vacation, romantic getaway weekend, honeymoon, or a leisurely afternoon of savouring the wonder that this magnificent retreat has to offer. It is also a fabulous go-to destination if you wish to experience some unexplained phenomena or to perhaps see a ghost or two.
Throughout the years, we at the Georgina Paranormal Society have received various reports of unexplained activity from not only guests, but also from employees at The Briars. We are thrilled to publish a handful of these reports, and are always curious about and happy to receive more at any time! We hope you enjoy them, and please do feel free to contact us if you yourself have anything to share.
And if you are reading these reports while currently a guest at The Briars, sleep tight.
THE FRONT LOBBY
Guests throughout the years have experienced a feeling of being observed while reading, sitting, and enjoying the quiet time, or sharing a cocktail in the front lobby. One guest reported that she felt “embraced” by an unseen visitor while sitting on the banquette at the window. In the early 1990s, an employee reported that he often saw an elderly gentleman, dressed in an elaborate Victorian waistcoat, pacing in the lobby/foyer. As recently as 2014, a lovely lady dressed in a white gown has been seen sitting on the bench in front of the beautiful old keyboard instrument in the lobby. Feelings of peace, calm and serenity often are reported by guests in this beautiful space.
THE MAIN DINING ROOM
Place settings rearranged, napkins on the floor, cutlery moved “just so” – these are some of the unexplained things employees have reported as having taken place in the main dining room. One employee of the serving staff reported having heard a “lone ringing sound as if someone had tapped a glass with a piece of cutlery” in the dining room when no one was around in the late evening. Phantom diners, often in Victorian dress, are sometimes seen out of the corner of the eye by both diners and employees alike. Footfalls are sensed and heard in the dining room when no other visible person is there. One diner reported, in the 1980s, that her shoulder had been touched “numerous times” by an unseen hand during a Christmas dinner with her husband.
DRINKWATERS LOUNGE
In this lovely lounge, guests have experienced unexplained whiffs of rose and lavender perfume, and one employee reported a lone piano note played late in the evening when no one else was there. One guest, a local resident, reported being asked upon entry what he wanted to drink by a sweet elderly gentleman in a top hat, sporting a moustache. He turned briefly to place his coat on his chair – and when he turned back, the gentleman had simply vanished. He searched for him, and when a server arrived a few moments later, he asked him where the elderly man was. The server replied that there was no one employed there who wore a top hat, or who had a moustache. In 2016, a guest reported to the Georgina Paranormal Society that she observed a beautiful lady in a white Victorian gown who stopped at the window where she was sitting and waved. After waving back, the lady “evaporated into thin air!”
ROOM 217
For a very long time, both guests and employees have reported strange happenings in this room. A pronounced handprint on a freshly made bed, glasses and papers being moved around after returning to the locked room, as well as curtains billowing in an unseen breeze (with the windows closed) – these experiences and more have been described. An employee of The Briars was told that the housekeeping staff were very afraid to make up this room, citing unexplained phenomena and “creepy feelings”. It is also reported that the spectre of a woman is seen in Room 217. She is described as having long dark hair, wearing a white gown, and “smiling”. She disappears “into the air”, leaving a lovely scent of rosewater behind.
THE BILLIARD ROOM
While passing by this room on various occasions, guests and employees throughout the years have reported seeing a gentleman dressed in a beautiful black suit, looking at his pocket watch – perhaps waiting for someone. He never speaks, but stands in wait, only to disappear quickly into the ether. Feelings of watchful eyes are also reported in this room, and a whiff of cigar smoke is often experienced by guests who venture downstairs for a friendly game.
WOMEN'S CHANGEROOM/WASHROOM
The women’s washroom and change room in the basement (located very near the Billiard Room) is the site of numerous reports of never feeling quite alone. Guests have seen shadows out of the corner of their eyes, have experienced the stall doors rattle, and have heard the water taps turn off and on while no one is standing near them. The odd toilet flush has also been heard in the empty washroom, and cold spots, associated with ghostly activity, have been felt in the hallway leading to this location.
THE PEACOCK HOUSE
This lovely location is where many people have reported feeling a “rush” of energy pass by them, cold spots, and feelings of anxiety which quickly dissipate and are replaced by calm. Often, voices are heard which are not attributable to anyone specific, and occur when no one is there. These voices are primarily female, though a male “clearing his throat” is sometimes heard as well. Shadows seen “out of the corner of the eye” are also reported in this location.
THE COACH HOUSE
The sights and smells of phantom horses, old automobiles, and a phantom caretaker – all have been reported by both guests and employees for many years near the coach house. A light that seems to emanate from inside the large, closed doors has been seen by some employees who are leaving the main building after their late-night shifts are over. Guests have also reported hearing strange “banging noises” while walking by when no one is there, and there is apparently a distinct smell of Christmas tree pine at various times throughout the year which can be perceived by the senses while simply walking past. In 2002, one employee reported seeing a “large purple orb of light” directly in front of the carriage house in broad daylight.
THE BRIARS WATERFRONT
Phantom guests splashing in the water, a boat that seemingly disappears – these are only two of the stories shared to The Georgina Paranormal Society throughout the years. The familiar feeling of being watched along with the distinct sound of children laughing when no children are present are also some of the reported experiences at the waterfront. In 1998, an employee of The Briars contacted GPS Director Lynda Quirino (who was then the Assistant Director of The Toronto Ghosts and Hauntings Research Society) to tell her that he often felt that someone was walking alongside him whenever he went to any of the waterfront locations at The Briars – almost as if they were protecting him and keeping him safe from harm in any way.
STAIRWAYS/ALL LOCATIONS
Employees and guests have felt rushes of wind/energy on all stairways/stairwells at The Briars, as well as cold air surrounding them from time to time. Perhaps past visitors and employees are still rushing to their rooms and offices, not wanting to miss a moment of their tasks and events!
VARIOUS LOCATIONS
Guests and employees of The Briars often, to this day, report that they see ladies and gentlemen dressed in glorious and splendid outfits walking the grounds at all hours of the day and night. Some of them are described as “solid”, some as “wisps of light”, but all are perceived to be happy, graceful, and content, all of them disappearing into “nothingness” as they are being observed. There are often reports of laughter in the air when no one is there, and the feeling of being followed on the pathways and grounds of The Briars at all hours. Are these the lingering spirits of those who spent time there and who choose to remain in a location which was such a joy? The Georgina Paranormal Society feels that this is most certainly a possibility.
The Briars continues to be a wonderful location filled with ethereal glimpses into a magical and beautiful past. It is also an exciting location with such a splendid and extraordinary future! All of these experiences, while perhaps frightening or upsetting to some, are simply the past intermingling with the present day to let us know that what was still is, and that often the past pays the present a visit just to keep us on our toes! The Georgina Paranormal Society is positive that no harmful or malevolent spirits roam The Briars, but that residual energy of exciting days filled with laughter and love continue to permeate the buildings and the grounds of this magnificent, historic location.
Have you an experience to share? Please share it with us at any time. Thank you for reading, and we hope that you pay The Briars a visit to experience its glory and wonder for yourself. It truly is a beautiful place.
Lynda Quirino, Executive Director
The Georgina Paranormal Society
Throughout the years, we at the Georgina Paranormal Society have received various reports of unexplained activity from not only guests, but also from employees at The Briars. We are thrilled to publish a handful of these reports, and are always curious about and happy to receive more at any time! We hope you enjoy them, and please do feel free to contact us if you yourself have anything to share.
And if you are reading these reports while currently a guest at The Briars, sleep tight.
THE FRONT LOBBY
Guests throughout the years have experienced a feeling of being observed while reading, sitting, and enjoying the quiet time, or sharing a cocktail in the front lobby. One guest reported that she felt “embraced” by an unseen visitor while sitting on the banquette at the window. In the early 1990s, an employee reported that he often saw an elderly gentleman, dressed in an elaborate Victorian waistcoat, pacing in the lobby/foyer. As recently as 2014, a lovely lady dressed in a white gown has been seen sitting on the bench in front of the beautiful old keyboard instrument in the lobby. Feelings of peace, calm and serenity often are reported by guests in this beautiful space.
THE MAIN DINING ROOM
Place settings rearranged, napkins on the floor, cutlery moved “just so” – these are some of the unexplained things employees have reported as having taken place in the main dining room. One employee of the serving staff reported having heard a “lone ringing sound as if someone had tapped a glass with a piece of cutlery” in the dining room when no one was around in the late evening. Phantom diners, often in Victorian dress, are sometimes seen out of the corner of the eye by both diners and employees alike. Footfalls are sensed and heard in the dining room when no other visible person is there. One diner reported, in the 1980s, that her shoulder had been touched “numerous times” by an unseen hand during a Christmas dinner with her husband.
DRINKWATERS LOUNGE
In this lovely lounge, guests have experienced unexplained whiffs of rose and lavender perfume, and one employee reported a lone piano note played late in the evening when no one else was there. One guest, a local resident, reported being asked upon entry what he wanted to drink by a sweet elderly gentleman in a top hat, sporting a moustache. He turned briefly to place his coat on his chair – and when he turned back, the gentleman had simply vanished. He searched for him, and when a server arrived a few moments later, he asked him where the elderly man was. The server replied that there was no one employed there who wore a top hat, or who had a moustache. In 2016, a guest reported to the Georgina Paranormal Society that she observed a beautiful lady in a white Victorian gown who stopped at the window where she was sitting and waved. After waving back, the lady “evaporated into thin air!”
ROOM 217
For a very long time, both guests and employees have reported strange happenings in this room. A pronounced handprint on a freshly made bed, glasses and papers being moved around after returning to the locked room, as well as curtains billowing in an unseen breeze (with the windows closed) – these experiences and more have been described. An employee of The Briars was told that the housekeeping staff were very afraid to make up this room, citing unexplained phenomena and “creepy feelings”. It is also reported that the spectre of a woman is seen in Room 217. She is described as having long dark hair, wearing a white gown, and “smiling”. She disappears “into the air”, leaving a lovely scent of rosewater behind.
THE BILLIARD ROOM
While passing by this room on various occasions, guests and employees throughout the years have reported seeing a gentleman dressed in a beautiful black suit, looking at his pocket watch – perhaps waiting for someone. He never speaks, but stands in wait, only to disappear quickly into the ether. Feelings of watchful eyes are also reported in this room, and a whiff of cigar smoke is often experienced by guests who venture downstairs for a friendly game.
WOMEN'S CHANGEROOM/WASHROOM
The women’s washroom and change room in the basement (located very near the Billiard Room) is the site of numerous reports of never feeling quite alone. Guests have seen shadows out of the corner of their eyes, have experienced the stall doors rattle, and have heard the water taps turn off and on while no one is standing near them. The odd toilet flush has also been heard in the empty washroom, and cold spots, associated with ghostly activity, have been felt in the hallway leading to this location.
THE PEACOCK HOUSE
This lovely location is where many people have reported feeling a “rush” of energy pass by them, cold spots, and feelings of anxiety which quickly dissipate and are replaced by calm. Often, voices are heard which are not attributable to anyone specific, and occur when no one is there. These voices are primarily female, though a male “clearing his throat” is sometimes heard as well. Shadows seen “out of the corner of the eye” are also reported in this location.
THE COACH HOUSE
The sights and smells of phantom horses, old automobiles, and a phantom caretaker – all have been reported by both guests and employees for many years near the coach house. A light that seems to emanate from inside the large, closed doors has been seen by some employees who are leaving the main building after their late-night shifts are over. Guests have also reported hearing strange “banging noises” while walking by when no one is there, and there is apparently a distinct smell of Christmas tree pine at various times throughout the year which can be perceived by the senses while simply walking past. In 2002, one employee reported seeing a “large purple orb of light” directly in front of the carriage house in broad daylight.
THE BRIARS WATERFRONT
Phantom guests splashing in the water, a boat that seemingly disappears – these are only two of the stories shared to The Georgina Paranormal Society throughout the years. The familiar feeling of being watched along with the distinct sound of children laughing when no children are present are also some of the reported experiences at the waterfront. In 1998, an employee of The Briars contacted GPS Director Lynda Quirino (who was then the Assistant Director of The Toronto Ghosts and Hauntings Research Society) to tell her that he often felt that someone was walking alongside him whenever he went to any of the waterfront locations at The Briars – almost as if they were protecting him and keeping him safe from harm in any way.
STAIRWAYS/ALL LOCATIONS
Employees and guests have felt rushes of wind/energy on all stairways/stairwells at The Briars, as well as cold air surrounding them from time to time. Perhaps past visitors and employees are still rushing to their rooms and offices, not wanting to miss a moment of their tasks and events!
VARIOUS LOCATIONS
Guests and employees of The Briars often, to this day, report that they see ladies and gentlemen dressed in glorious and splendid outfits walking the grounds at all hours of the day and night. Some of them are described as “solid”, some as “wisps of light”, but all are perceived to be happy, graceful, and content, all of them disappearing into “nothingness” as they are being observed. There are often reports of laughter in the air when no one is there, and the feeling of being followed on the pathways and grounds of The Briars at all hours. Are these the lingering spirits of those who spent time there and who choose to remain in a location which was such a joy? The Georgina Paranormal Society feels that this is most certainly a possibility.
The Briars continues to be a wonderful location filled with ethereal glimpses into a magical and beautiful past. It is also an exciting location with such a splendid and extraordinary future! All of these experiences, while perhaps frightening or upsetting to some, are simply the past intermingling with the present day to let us know that what was still is, and that often the past pays the present a visit just to keep us on our toes! The Georgina Paranormal Society is positive that no harmful or malevolent spirits roam The Briars, but that residual energy of exciting days filled with laughter and love continue to permeate the buildings and the grounds of this magnificent, historic location.
Have you an experience to share? Please share it with us at any time. Thank you for reading, and we hope that you pay The Briars a visit to experience its glory and wonder for yourself. It truly is a beautiful place.
Lynda Quirino, Executive Director
The Georgina Paranormal Society