Bigelow Hotel and Residences, Ogden, Utah (formerly Ben Lomond Hotel)
Surrounded by the natural beauty of Utah and noted for its Italian Renaissance Revival architecture, the Ben Lomond Hotel has a long history of spooky rumours, as well as legends of ghostly guests including a mother and son who decided to stay together long after death.
Legend tells that the hotel was used as a boarding house. During the Prohibition Era, a lot of people came together to make a tunnel which could be used for smuggling alcohol. It was not unusual to find prostitutes and other unscrupulous characters to go in and out of the hotel. One of the most popular ghosts associated with the hotel is that of a mother and son. One incident occurred in room 1102. A lady was spending her honeymoon and at the night of her wedding, she drowned in the tub. Guests who have checked in the room have reported several unusual events. Water in the tub runs by itself and they felt that they were being pushed by an unseen hand.
After his mother died, the bride’s son came to the hotel to collect his mother’s personal belongings. He stayed in the room just beside where his mother passed. He became severely depressed over what happened to his mother that he decided to take his own life. Guests have reported hearing someone talking in the room. Others have reported seeing an apparition.
The elevators in the Ben Lomond Hotel have been known to act in a very odd manner. They move on their own regularly, as spirits travel throughout the hotel in the dead of night. They tend to move randomly to different floors with no pattern. They’ve been checked by lift engineers on numerous occasions and no fault can ever be found.
History
The Ben Lomond Hotel was originally built in 1891, back then it was then known as the Reed Hotel. The hotel was completely reworked in 1927 in order to make it a fireproof hotel and meet safety regulations of the time. Eleven more stories were added to the hotel and it was renamed the Bigelow Hotel. Mariner S. Eccles purchased the hotel in 1933 and renamed it the Ben Lomond Hotel.
During the 1980s, the hotel was renovated and made into a 120-suite condo hotel. Today, the hotel still has its crystal chandeliers, decorative ceilings and marble floors. It has been listed on the National Historic Registries. The original building was designed by Hodgson & McClenehan. They also designed the Ogden High School, the Egyptian Theatre and the Forest service Building. The hotel’s style was inspired by the 15th and 16th century Italian architecture.
About
The Ben Lomond Hotel has 11 floors with 23 executive suites, 6 two-bedroom suites, 58 standard suites and 12 short stay suites with full kitchens. It also has event spaces for parties which can accommodate up to 300 guests. Business travellers will be happy to know that the hotel also has a business center and teleconference service.
Spacious suites are ideal for travellers on business, people on short visits or families visiting Ogden. Short stay condos with full kitchens are for people who want to experience the comforts of home while in Ogden. MacCools Public Restaurant and Bar is an Irish pub-style restaurant which not only serves sumptuous lunches and dinners but also offer HDTV sports and live Irish music. MacCool’s Lambs is the restaurant’s specialty.
The hotel also offers packages for bridal showers, weddings and receptions. There are rooms which can accommodate as much as 300 people or as little as 5. The Grand Ballroom has high decorative ceilings and crystal chandeliers which will make your wedding an unforgettable day. The hotel’s wedding packages include weddings consultations, as well as basic set-up and take-down of chairs and tables.
Features
- Free breakfast
- Wireless high speed internet connection
- Free local calls
- Free weekday newspaper
- Cable television
- Wet bar
- Iron and ironing board
- Business center
- Hair dryer
- Coffee maker
Things to Do
The Ben Lomond Hotel in Ogden is in the downtown area and within just walking distance to various bars, shops, restaurants and entertainment centers. It is very close to the Salomon Center, Union Station, Dinosaur Park, Eccles Conference Center, Perry’s Egyptian Theater, Golden Spike Event Center and Treehouse Museum.
During winter season, guests can choose and head to three ski resorts. The Layton Pott Planetarium serves more than 10,000 people a year on field trips, private showing and corporate events. They have original digital star shows for children, as well as adults. The Municipal Gardens is an open air plaza which has flowering beds, trees and picnic areas. The gardens host a variety of events throughout the year.
The El Monte Golf Course is a fun and fairly easy local nine hole course which golf enthusiasts would love.
Room Tariffs
- 1 king bed suites start at $125
- 2 queen bed suites start at $125
- 1 king bed and 1 queen bed suites start at $189