Two historic hotels share the name Grand Union Hotel, but they sit a continent apart—one still welcoming guests in Fort Benton, Montana, the other demolished in Saratoga Springs, New York, more than seven decades ago. This article compares their distinct histories, ownership, haunted reputation, and modern guest experience, drawing on official property records, archival sources, and traveler reviews. We begin with a quick-reference snapshot of verified facts, then answer the most common questions travelers ask when researching either property.

Last checked: 2026-08-01

Fort Benton location: Historic district in Fort Benton, Montana · Fort Benton year built: 1882 (per Wikipedia) · Fort Benton style: Three-story Italianate style · Fort Benton status: Oldest operating hotel in Montana · Saratoga location: Saratoga Springs, New York · Saratoga historic note: Known as the Grand Union Hotel, historically one of the largest hotels in the world

Grand Union Hotels at a Glance

1 Fort Benton – Opening Date

• The Grand Union Hotel in Fort Benton opened on November 2, 1882, during the steamboat era on the Upper Missouri River. (Grand Union Hotel History)

2 Saratoga – Early Beginning

• The Saratoga Grand Union began as a boarding house built by Gideon Putnam in 1802 and later became the world’s largest hotel. (New York State Archives)

3 Fort Benton – Haunted Reputation

• The Fort Benton property is frequently cited as haunted; it appears on FrightFind, and multiple ghost sightings have been reported. (Grand Union Hotel Official Site)

4 Saratoga – Closure & Demolition

• The Saratoga Grand Union ceased operations at the end of August 1952 and was demolished between 1952 and 1953. (The New York Times)

Key Facts: Grand Union Hotels

Label	Value
Fort Benton location	Historic district in Fort Benton, Montana
Fort Benton year built	1882 (opened November 2, 1882)
Fort Benton style	Three-story Italianate style, nicknamed “Waldorf of the West” (Historic Montana)
Fort Benton status	Oldest operating hotel in Montana
Saratoga location	Saratoga Springs, New York
Saratoga historic note	Originally a boarding house (1802); grew to ~850 bedrooms by 1864
Saratoga ownership	The Musser family (R.D. Musser III) owns the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, not the Saratoga Grand Union; the Saratoga property was sold to auctioneers George and Hyman Siegel for about $400,000 before demolition (Wikipedia)

Timeline: Two Grand Union Hotels

• 1802 – Gideon Putnam builds a boarding house in Saratoga Springs, the seed of what becomes the Grand Union Hotel.
• 1882 – Grand Union Hotel in Fort Benton opens on November 2; $50,000 construction plus $150,000 in furnishings.
• 1884 – Fort Benton hotel fails financially and is sold at sheriff’s sale in May.
• 1899 – Fort Benton hotel purchased for $10,000 after multiple owners (Montana Living).
• 1952 – Saratoga Grand Union closes at end of August; contents auctioned.
• 1952–53 – Saratoga hotel demolished; site becomes a supermarket.
• 1995 – James and Cheryl Gagnon purchase Fort Benton property.
• 1999 – Fort Benton reopens November 2, exactly 117 years after original opening.
• 2022 – Colette and Tony Longin become current owners of Fort Benton hotel.

Which Grand Union Hotel Should You Visit?

Comparison Table

Hotel	Location	Year Built	Haunted?	Ownership	Price Range	Dining / Menu
Grand Union Hotel (Fort Benton)	Fort Benton, Montana	1882	Yes – multiple ghost sightings, listed on FrightFind	Colette and Tony Longin (since June 2022)	Not specified in inputs; seasonal packages available	On-site dining with locally-inspired dishes; menu with prices reported in related searches
Grand Union Hotel (Saratoga Springs)	Saratoga Springs, New York	Started 1802; rebuilt later (now demolished)	Not applicable (demolished)	Historical ownership; last private owners: Siegel brothers	N/A	N/A – hotel no longer exists
The Grand Hotel (Mackinac Island) – alternative	Mackinac Island, Michigan	1887	Reputedly haunted, but not a focus	Musser family (R.D. Musser III, Chairman)	Premium – rates vary by season	Multiple dining venues; formal dress code

Pros and Cons of Each Historic Stay

Pricing and Dining at the Fort Benton Grand Union

Because the Saratoga property no longer exists, pricing information applies only to the Fort Benton location. Related searches for “hotel prices” and “menu with prices” indicate that rates vary by season and package. The hotel’s on-site restaurant serves dishes that draw on local Montana ingredients. One TripAdvisor reviewer described the dining as “excellent restaurant tied closely to the town’s history” (TripAdvisor user review).

Alternative: The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island

Travelers searching for “Grand Union Hotel” sometimes encounter confusion with the Grand Hotel on Michigan’s Mackinac Island, owned by the Musser family (R.D. Musser III, Chairman). That hotel is famous for its no-tipping policy (service charges included) and a formal dress code that prohibits jeans after 6 p.m. It remains a popular alternative for those seeking a grand historic stay, though it is a separate entity from either Grand Union Hotel.

Who owns the Grand Union Hotel?

Fort Benton property. The Grand Union Hotel in Fort Benton is privately owned. Since June 2022, Colette and Tony Longin of Great Falls have been the owners, as stated on the hotel’s official history page. They purchased the property from Jim and Cheryl Gagnon, who had restored and reopened it in 1999.

Saratoga property. The Grand Union Hotel in Saratoga Springs no longer exists. It was sold at auction in the early 1950s to auctioneers George and Hyman Siegel for approximately $400,000 ($300,000 for real estate, $100,000 for furnishings) and then demolished (Wikipedia). A common point of confusion: the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island is owned by the Musser family (R.D. Musser III, Chairman), not the Saratoga property.

Is the Grand Union Hotel in Fort Benton haunted?

Yes, the Fort Benton Grand Union is widely regarded as haunted. It appears on the FrightFind directory, and local lore describes multiple ghost sightings. One TripAdvisor reviewer noted “creepy but cool” vibes, though the hotel’s long history (over 140 years) naturally accumulates ghost stories. Common reported apparitions include a woman in period clothing and sounds of footsteps in empty hallways. The hotel’s website itself leans into the mystery, calling it part of the property’s charm.

When was the Grand Union Hotel built?

Fort Benton: The Grand Union Hotel in Fort Benton opened on November 2, 1882 (Grand Union Hotel History). Construction cost $50,000 for the building and another $150,000 for furnishings.

Saratoga Springs: The original structure dates to 1802, when Gideon Putnam opened a boarding house on the site. That evolved into a massive hotel that, by 1864, had about 850 bedrooms. The building was rebuilt and expanded several times before its demolition in 1952–53.

What is the history of the Grand Union Hotel in Fort Benton?

Built when Fort Benton was the “Gateway of the Northwest” – a steamboat crossroads for gold, fur, and trade – the Grand Union opened with a grand celebration attended by more than 300 guests, including prominent Montana figures.

But the completion of the Northern Pacific transcontinental railroad bypassed Fort Benton, and the hotel failed financially in early 1884. It was sold at a sheriff’s sale in May 1884. Over the following decades it passed through multiple owners, was purchased for just $10,000 in 1899, suffered through two world wars, the Great Depression, and Prohibition, and was eventually boarded up.

In 1995, native Montanans James and Cheryl Gagnon purchased the dilapidated building and undertook a multi-million-dollar restoration. They reopened the hotel on November 2, 1999 – exactly 117 years after its original opening. The property was acquired by the current owners, Colette and Tony Longin, in June 2022.

Can you wear jeans at the Grand Hotel?

This question often arises from confusion between the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island and the Grand Union Hotels. Grand Hotel (Mackinac Island): The Grand Hotel imposes a formal dress code after 6 p.m., requiring jackets for men and prohibiting jeans. Grand Union Hotel (Fort Benton): Jeans are perfectly acceptable – no formal dress code is enforced. The Fort Benton hotel operates a casual, welcoming atmosphere. For the Saratoga Grand Union, the question is moot as the hotel is gone.

Why is there no tipping at the Grand Hotel?

The no-tipping policy applies to the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, where a service charge is added to all bills. The Fort Benton Grand Union does not have a similar policy – tipping is at guest discretion. The Saratoga property’s historical tipping practices are not well documented, but typical 19th-century hotel etiquette applied.

Can non-guests visit the Grand Hotel?

Grand Hotel (Mackinac Island): Non-guests can visit the front porch for a daytime fee and can dine in the restaurants. Grand Union Hotel (Fort Benton): The hotel’s restaurant and bar are open to the public. Non-guests are welcome to explore the historic lobby and public areas. The Saratoga Grand Union, when operating, also welcomed the public to its dining and entertainment spaces. Today, the site is a supermarket, so no hotel access exists.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the #1 most haunted hotel in the world?

Based on FrightFind and other paranormal rankings, the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, is listed as the #1 most haunted hotel. The Grand Union Hotel in Fort Benton is a lesser-known haunted property.

Are there any famous ghost sightings at the Grand Union Hotel?

Local lore includes a woman in period attire, phantom footsteps, and cold spots. The hotel is listed on FrightFind, indicating multiple reported paranormal events.

Is the Grand Union Hotel in Fort Benton the oldest hotel in Montana?

Yes. The hotel’s official website describes it as “Montana’s oldest operating hotel,” a status confirmed by Historic Montana and other sources.

What is the dress code at the Grand Union Hotel?

The Fort Benton Grand Union has no formal dress code – casual attire, including jeans, is welcome. The Mackinac Island Grand Hotel enforces a formal dress code after 6 p.m.

Does the Grand Union Hotel have a restaurant?

Yes, the Fort Benton hotel has an on-site restaurant serving locally-inspired dishes. TripAdvisor reviews praise its food and historic ambiance (TripAdvisor).

Can I book the Grand Union Hotel online?

Yes, the Fort Benton property offers online booking through its official website, with a 2-night minimum on certain dates.

Sources

1. Grand Union Hotel (Fort Benton) – History page
2. Grand Union Hotel (Fort Benton) – Official site
3. Historic Montana – Grand Union Hotel
4. Montana Living – Fort Benton’s Grand Union Hotel
5. Wikipedia – Grand Union Hotel (Saratoga Springs, New York)
6. New York State Archives – Grand Union Hotel image
7. The New York Times – Nostalgic crowd fills ghost hotel (1952)
8. Gideon Putnam – History of Gideon Putnam and Grand Union Hotel
9. New York Almanack – Saratoga’s Grand Union Hotel
10. Adirondack Explorer – The Seligman Scandal
11. TripAdvisor – Grand Union Hotel Fort Benton
12. Yelp – Grand Union Hotel Fort Benton