Visit the Famous and Haunted Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado

You just never know what secrets are hiding behind the exterior of what appears to be a nice hotel, so you would probably never guess that the Stanley Hotel was once used for the horror movie, "The Shining" or for filming the last part of "Dumb and Dumber". The hotels popularity has drawn in many stars over the decades, whether it is to investigate the supernatural or just to get away from the stress of real people while relaxing in the comfort and beauty of the luxury hotel that offers a little more than just hospitality, you will easily find it at the Stanley Hotel.

Construction of the Stanley Hotel began in 1906 and officially opened in 1909. F. O. Stanley and his wife Flora built their family home in Estes Park, Colorado, then later built the hotel nearby. F.O. was extremely intelligent and constructed a hydroelectric plant within the mountains so that the hotel could be all electric. He later added the convenience of telephones to every room which was quite a luxury for that period of time. The Stanley was once used as a summer resort so heat was not necessary, but it was eventually installed in 1979. Prior to that time the hotel was heated from fireplaces located on the first floor.

It is thought that Mr. and Mrs. Stanley loved their hotel so much that they still live there today, not in the physical form, but rather in the form of friendly and annoying spirit forms. F.O. Stanley likes to play the piano in the music room late at night, and Flora is known to be highly visible at just about any time of the day or night. Her image is considered a high profile haunting as she is quite frequently spotted in the billiard room and in the lobby.

Rumors of the haunted Stanley Hotel inspired Steven King to write "The Shining" while he stayed in room 217, although it is reported that rooms 408, 418, and the entire fourth floor are actually the most active areas in the whole hotel. Guests who have stayed in room 408 have often reported hearing children playing or laughing loudly outside of their door, but when they went to investigate, there weren't any children in sight. Many guests of the Stanley Hotel also claim that they have left their room for a few seconds only to return and find the entire room in total disarray, and that hand prints of small children left on the mirrors are the only actual evidence that ghosts were there at all.

The fourth floor, which was once a servant's quarters stays active constantly, leaving staff running and scared for most of their shifts. A few brave workers have brought camera's to work and caught images on film as proof that something is actually going on within the perimeters of the hotel. One staff member photographed an image that appeared to be the spirit of a dog. Many other photos have picked up orbs and images of what is believed to be servants, and Mr. and Mrs. Stanley themselves. Many guests over time have reported that objects have flown across the room, and that the toilets flush, and faucets turn on by themselves. Most of these reports have come from the hotel dwellers staying in rooms 408 and 418.

With all of the rumors of the grand hotel being haunted, business has in no way slowed down. In fact it is often completely booked solid as guests are looking for a secluded romantic getaway, and they will find it here as The Stanley Hotel lies nestled among the foothills in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, 70 miles north of Denver, Colorado.

The hotel is a popular destination for weddings, receptions, fancy shindigs, parties, and get togethers. The hotel was built in the neoclassical Georgian style, with inspiration coming from the resorts of the eastern seaboard. The hotel and its surrounding land is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and haunted or not, it is simply breath taking.

The Stanley Hotel is located at: 333 Wonderview, P.O.Box 1767, Estes Park, Colorado 80517

Contact the friendly staff at: 970.586.3371, 800.976.1377

Guest Rooms and Rates: Standard rooms start at $119 and Suites start at $219. The ghosts are free.