Nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, soaring granite cliffsides and towering treetops dwarf The Stanley Hotel, a historic property in Estes Park, Colorado, that, despite its idyllic surroundings, is best-known for its ties to horror novelist Stephen King. Yup, you read that right. According to the author, a night spent at the high-elevation resort inspired him to pen “The Shining” after he and his wife checked in as the Stanley’s only guests in 1974 and he endured a terrifying nightmare of a possessed fire hose chasing his three-year-old son through the property’s haunted halls. “I woke up with a tremendous jerk, sweating all over, within an inch of falling out of bed,” King is quoted as saying. “I got up, lit a cigarette, sat in a chair looking out the window at the Rockies, and by the time the cigarette was done, I had the bones of the book firmly set in my mind.”
One book, two movies and one TV miniseries later, there’s no doubt “The Shining” has played a massive role in cementing the Stanley’s reputation as one of the scariest places you can spend the night in America. However, while many claim the property is indeed haunted, its actual history entails far fewer axe-wielding men and creepy twins than horror buffs might think. Instead, the Stanley was founded in 1909 by F.O. Stanley of Stanley Steamer fame, doubling as a place of healing as he suffered from tuberculosis and a summer home and hotel for his family and their guests. In its glory days, the Stanley was the rustic equivalent of the chic hotels wealthy folk were accustomed to on the east coast, wowing its guests with electric lighting, in-room bathrooms, phones and even uniformed staff available at their beck and call.
Sadly, Stanley died in 1940, and by the 1970s, The Stanley Hotel was a shell of its former self, attracting squatters and vandals as it fell into a state of disrepair. “It might have eventually succumbed to the wrecking ball, if not for a fortuitous visit by author Stephen King,” reads the property’s website. Fortunately, thanks to the hard work of various owners and the local historical society, the Stanley evaded this tragic fate and now, it stands proud in Estes Park, attracting lavish holiday makers and ghost hunters alike with its wide range of spooky tours, culinary experiences and luxurious spa treatments just footsteps from unbridled nature in all its glory.
The Vibe
Historic. As mentioned above, the Stanley dates to 1909 and the building still maintains much of its historic charm with dark woodwork, moody lighting and other intricate details like colorful patterned carpeting and ornate gold frames displaying artwork and mirrors. The hotel is home to one of the oldest elevators I’ve ever stepped foot in — an Otis elevator dating to 1909 — while the property’s massive outdoor patio was giving “old money” energy with its sizable columns and panoramic alpine views.
How I Felt
Excited. My husband and I were visiting the Stanley as part of a vacation to Colorado that happened to fall over my birthday. As lovers of all things strange and unusual, we were hoping our stay might present the opportunity for a little paranormal activity. Not to mention, as a horror fan, being able to say you spent the night at The Stanley Hotel is pretty cool.
The Digs
While the Stanley represented the height of luxury in 1909, the digs don’t quite live up to the hype in the 21st-century. We stayed in a “Classic Queen” room, and, while nothing fancy with just a bed, lamp, desk and TV, it got the job done. While I theorized the room was designed to stay true to its historic roots, the bathroom was more modern with a sliding glass shower door and ornate tile work that was quite pretty.
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The Agenda
Staying for just one night, it only made sense to include a ghost tour in our agenda, and The Stanley Hotel Night Tour was just the ticket. While we unfortunately did not capture any ghoulish activity on camera or experience it in person, we enjoyed hearing some of the stories behind why the property is believed to be one of the most haunted places in the U.S. The tour lasted about an hour, and we were offered a behind the scenes peek of parts of the hotel that would otherwise be closed to visitors including the concert hall and an underground tunnel.
The Eats
We didn’t eat on site, but the Stanley is home to a collection of bars and restaurants, one of the more popular of which is Cascades Restaurant — a spot serving classic American fare and featuring a full-sized whiskey bar and lounge. I did sneak a look inside 217 Wine Bar and thought the decor and space were beautiful, while The Vault intrigued us with its tucked away basement location and dark interior.
Why I Would Go Back
Each fall the Stanley plays host to a variety of Halloween-themed events and programming including balls, interactive experiences, ghost tours and more. Our guide on the night tour teased that the 2025 edition of these festivities will include a partnership with Blumhouse Productions which sounds nothing short of epic if you ask me. While I don’t know the next time I’ll be in Estes Park, I wouldn’t mind revisiting the Stanley in search of a few spirited friends in the future.
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