Where Ghosts Check In… and Never Check Out
Introduction: A Beautiful Place with a Dark Secret
At first glance, the Stanley Hotel looks like a dream. Its grand white walls, red roof, and sweeping views of the Rocky Mountains make it feel like a luxury mountain escape. But for more than a century, the Stanley Hotel has been hiding a secret—a terrifying one. Behind the elegance lies one of the most haunted places in America. Some visitors come for the beauty. Others leave talking about ghosts, shadows, cold spots, and voices in the dark. And a few never come back at all.
Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, there’s no denying the Stanley Hotel has a story that pulls you in—and a presence that may follow you out.
History of the Stanley Hotel
The Stanley Hotel opened its doors in 1909. It was built by Freelan Oscar Stanley, the man who invented the Stanley Steamer automobile. He and his wife Flora came to Estes Park when he became sick with tuberculosis. The mountain air helped him feel better, and he fell in love with the place. Wanting to create a beautiful and relaxing resort, he built the hotel to attract wealthy travelers to the wilds of Colorado.
The hotel quickly became a popular spot. With grand staircases, shining chandeliers, and beautiful views, it looked like a place for joy and comfort. But even in those early days, staff and guests whispered about unexplained noises, flickering lights, and footsteps echoing in empty halls.
When F.O. Stanley died in 1940, people claimed to still see him walking the hallways. Some say he never left his beloved hotel.
The Stephen King Connection: The Birth of The Shining
In 1974, horror author Stephen King and his wife checked into the Stanley Hotel. It was the last night before the hotel closed for the winter, and they were the only guests. They stayed in Room 217.
That night, King had a nightmare. In the dream, his young son was running down the hallways of the hotel, chased by a fire hose that had come to life. He woke up terrified, lit a cigarette, and looked out the window. By the time he finished the cigarette, he had the full idea for his next novel—The Shining.
While the movie adaptation wasn’t filmed at the Stanley, the hotel inspired everything about the Overlook Hotel in King’s book. The setting, the isolation, the feeling that something terrible had happened there—it all came from one night at the Stanley.
Thanks to The Shining, the hotel became famous. But with the attention came something else: people began to speak more openly about the real hauntings.
Room 217: The Most Haunted Room
Room 217 isn’t just the most famous room—it’s the most feared. Long before Stephen King stayed there, something dark had already taken hold.
In 1911, a housekeeper named Elizabeth Wilson was lighting lanterns during a power outage. A gas leak caused an explosion that blew her through the floor. She survived, but people say she never truly left.
Guests in Room 217 report strange activity—lights turning on and off, suitcases unpacking themselves, and cold breezes drifting through sealed windows. Couples say they feel something in bed between them. Single men, especially, report being pushed out of the bed or feeling like they’re being watched by someone who isn’t there.
Even employees are nervous around the room. Many avoid cleaning it alone.
Haunted Halls: Where the Spirits Still Walk
It’s not just Room 217. The entire Stanley Hotel seems alive with ghostly energy.
4th Floor: Children Laughing in the Night
Guests staying on the fourth floor often report hearing children running and giggling late at night—but there are no kids staying nearby. Staff hear bouncing balls, footsteps, and knocks on doors, only to find no one there.
Room 401: The Watcher
This room was once the bellhop’s quarters. Visitors feel watched here. Some hear whispers or breathing when they’re alone. Others say they’ve been touched or hear footsteps pacing beside the bed.
Room 428: The Cowboy
Several guests have seen a ghostly cowboy standing at the end of the bed, silently watching. When they turn on the lights, he vanishes.
The Grand Staircase
Photos often show orbs or strange mists floating on the grand staircase. Tour guides sometimes capture ghostly faces or unexplained lights with guests.
Real Ghost Sightings and Paranormal Reports
The Stanley Hotel is a hotspot for ghost hunters and paranormal investigators. Groups from shows like Ghost Adventures, Buzzfeed Unsolved, Ghost Hunters, and Destination Fear have all visited—and left with chilling stories.
Common reports include:
Sudden cold spots
Voices calling out names
Items moving on their own
Full-body apparitions seen in mirrors
Doors locking and unlocking by themselves
Even skeptics leave scratching their heads. One security guard quit after seeing a woman in period clothing walk into a wall and disappear.
Pop Culture and Paranormal Fame
Since The Shining, the Stanley Hotel has become a legend in horror culture. It has inspired books, TV episodes, horror games, and even music videos.
In 2015, the hotel opened a Shining-themed hedge maze, just like the one from the movie. They also host regular horror film festivals and ghost storytelling nights. The Stanley has fully embraced its haunted reputation—and people can’t get enough.
Tours, Overnight Stays, and What to Expect
The Stanley offers multiple ghost tours:
Daytime History Tours share the building’s past and architecture
Night Spirit Tours dive deep into the ghost stories
Guided Ghost Hunts use real paranormal equipment
You can also stay overnight in one of the haunted rooms—but book early, as they fill up fast. The hotel also has a haunted concert hall, a creepy underground tunnel, and a haunted museum display in the basement.
Visitors say the hotel feels… off. Like someone’s always just out of sight. People report getting headaches, dizziness, or feeling cold, even when it’s warm outside.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Stanley Hotel really haunted?
Yes, many people have reported real paranormal activity at the Stanley Hotel, including ghost sightings, cold spots, whispers, and unexplained movements.
What is the most haunted room in the Stanley Hotel?
Room 217 is the most haunted and most famous, thanks to Stephen King and decades of ghost reports.
Can you stay overnight in the Stanley Hotel?
Yes! The Stanley is a fully functioning hotel with regular rooms and haunted rooms you can book (if you dare).
Has anyone died in the Stanley Hotel?
While there are no public records of guest deaths, many believe spirits of former staff and early visitors still roam the halls.
Was The Shining filmed at the Stanley Hotel?
No, the movie was not filmed there, but the hotel inspired Stephen King to write the book The Shining.
