Location: Estes Park, Colorado
Architectural Style: Colonial Revival
Built: 1908-1909

One of the most haunted places in America, the Stanley Hotel’s past is filled with interesting characters, remarkable coincidences and most importantly, all kinds of spooks. Read on as we delve into the fascinating history of this haunted hotel.

Beginnings
Nestled in the Rocky Mountains 1.5 hours northwest of Denver, Colorado, The Stanley Hotel was built near the turn of the last century by Freelan Oscar Stanley, inventor of the Stanley steam-powered automobile. In 1903, Stanley moved to Denver from Massachusetts on the advice of his physician, to combat the effects of tuberculosis. In love with the clean mountain air of nearby Estes Park but put off by the overly rustic surroundings, Stanley decided to create a resort that combined the health benefits of mountain living with the modern amenities he was used to in the Northeast.

Haunted Rooms
From the beginning, odd events were frequent at the hotel. As the years wore on, ghostly sightings became common throughout the eleven buildings of the hotel complex.

The Shining
Many people know about the Stanley Hotel by way of Stephen King’s landmark horror novel, The Shining. Stephen King spent the night at the Stanley on October 30, 1974, where he slept in the infamous room 217 and had a nightmare of his three-year-old son being chased through the hotel’s corridors by an unknown force. This nightmare image became the seed of The Shining and its famous Overlook Hotel.

Staying at the Stanley
The Stanley Hotel is still in operation today, and you can even stay in the hotel’s most haunted rooms—just be prepared for a long wait. Rooms with the most ghost activity are booked out months in advance, so it pays to plan ahead.