The Stanley Hotel is the most famous building in Estes Park, and for many visitors it is the reason they come. The white Georgian hotel sits on a hill above town, with the Rockies behind it, and it carries two reputations: as a grand early-twentieth-century resort, and as the hotel that inspired Stephen King's novel The Shining. This guide explains the history, the tours and the practicalities.
The founder
Freelan Oscar Stanley, who made his fortune with the Stanley Steamer automobile, came to Estes Park in 1903 in poor health and recovered in the mountain air. He built a hotel in the valley that opened in 1909, designed to bring East Coast comfort to the Rockies. It had its own power, a fleet of steam-powered vehicles for guests and a concert hall, and it was run in partnership with his wife Flora, whose piano is a central part of the hotel's lore.
Stephen King's stay
In the autumn of 1974, Stephen King and his wife were among the last guests before the hotel closed for the winter. They stayed in room 217, ate in an almost empty dining room and walked quiet corridors. King has said the experience, including a dream about his son, gave him the idea for a novel about a family isolated in a haunted hotel. The Shining was published in 1977. Stanley Kubrick's 1980 film was shot elsewhere, using sets and a different location for exteriors, but the hotel hosted a later television miniseries, and the film is shown on a loop in guest rooms. A hedge maze was added in 2015 as a nod to the story.
The ghost stories
The hotel leans into its reputation. The best-known story concerns room 217 and Elizabeth Wilson, a housekeeper who was injured in a gas explosion in 1911 and who staff and guests say still tidies the room. Guests also report children's laughter and footsteps on the fourth floor, which was once servants' and children's quarters, and music from the concert hall. Whether you believe or not, the hotel's operators treat the stories as part of the heritage, and the guides tell them with theatrical flair.
The tours
The Stanley offers a range of tours that have included a daytime tour combining history and hauntings, an evening ghost tour that visits the fourth floor and other areas, and themed experiences. Formats, times and prices change, so check the hotel's website. Tours are open to non-guests, and they fill quickly in summer and around Halloween, so book ahead. Many visitors also enjoy a walk through the hedge maze, a visit to the gift shop and a drink at the whiskey bar.
Staying overnight
Staying at the hotel gives you the building after the tours leave, and the quiet corridors at night are what King experienced. Rooms 217 and 428 are the most requested and are reserved long in advance. If you cannot get a famous room, a room in the historic building is the next best thing. The hotel offers rooms with views of the mountains, and the whiskey bar and restaurant provide a place to unwind. Ask about parking, resort fees and any seasonal events when you book.
When to go
October is the peak season for ghost lore, with special events and high prices. Summer is busy with general tourists. Winter is the season King actually visited, and a stay then can feel remarkably atmospheric. Spring and late autumn are quieter and cheaper. Whenever you go, allow time to explore the grounds and the views.
Combine it with the rest of Estes Park
The hotel is a few minutes from downtown and the park entrance. A good plan is to spend the day in Rocky Mountain National Park, return in the late afternoon for a tour, and finish with dinner. In September and October, the elk rut puts bulls in the meadows near the hotel, and the bugling adds to the mood.
Tips
Wear comfortable shoes for the stairs and corridors, bring a camera but respect other guests, and ask questions on the tour. Children are welcome on many daytime tours, but the evening tours can be frightening for younger ones. Keep expectations balanced: the building is beautiful, the stories are fun, and the mountains are the real star.
