The Stanley Hotel – Larimer County, Estes Park, Colorado
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Sitting high in the Colorado Rockies like a sentinel watching over Estes Park, the Stanley Hotel is more than just a historic landmark — it is one of the most enduring and famously haunted buildings in America. With its grand colonial revival architecture, sweeping mountain views, and a guest list that once included royalty, U.S. presidents, and Hollywood elites, the Stanley was always meant to impress. But over time, its legacy has become entwined not just with luxury and history, but with the unexplained — and the unseen.
The hotel was the dream of Freelan Oscar Stanley, co-inventor of the Stanley Steamer automobile and a man of vision. In the early 1900s, he came to Estes Park seeking a cure for tuberculosis, hoping the mountain air would extend his life. It worked. So enchanted was he by the setting that he built the hotel as a health retreat and upscale destination for the East Coast elite. It opened in 1909 with electric lights, telephones in every room, and one of the first fleets of gasoline-powered vehicles in the country to ferry guests into the mountains.
But what began as a place of healing slowly took on a much darker reputation.
While the hotel’s global fame skyrocketed in the 1970s — thanks to Stephen King, who stayed in Room 217 and was inspired to write The Shining — its ghost stories go far beyond fiction. The Stanley is said to be haunted not just by its former residents, but by the energy of all those who have passed through its doors.
The most famous ghost is that of Elizabeth Wilson, the head housekeeper during the early years. In 1911, a gas leak in Room 217 caused a massive explosion while she was preparing the room for guests. The floor beneath her gave way, and she plummeted into the room below. Miraculously, she survived with only broken bones. Yet, her spirit is believed to have remained. Guests in Room 217 frequently report strange activity: lights turning on and off, luggage unpacked, clothing neatly folded, and a chilling but gentle presence hovering nearby. Couples who are unmarried often report a cold energy or strange feelings of disapproval, as if the spirit of Mrs. Wilson still upholds the old-fashioned values of her time.
The fourth floor is another hotspot of activity — and arguably the most active in the entire hotel. Originally used to house children, nannies, and servants, the area remains teeming with energy. Guests have reported hearing giggling, the sound of small feet running up and down the halls, doors opening and closing on their own, and even the ghostly image of a small boy peering around corners. Room 401, in particular, is well known for intense paranormal activity. Men staying there often report feeling watched, while women report feeling their hair being touched or even stroked.
Another notable room is Room 418, where guests and staff alike have heard unexplained footsteps and laughter — even when the room was unoccupied. Furniture has been found moved, and the impression of a body has been discovered on a freshly made bed. Hotel workers have confirmed that no one had entered the room.
The concert hall, built as a gift from Freelan to his wife Flora — an accomplished pianist — is said to be home to both of their spirits. Guests and employees have reported hearing the soft sound of piano music coming from the hall late at night, long after the building has been closed. Cold spots, phantom footsteps on the stage, and even the occasional sighting of a man in a formal suit (believed to be Mr. Stanley himself) are common. It’s said that Flora continues to play her beloved piano, while her husband walks the halls keeping a quiet watch over the estate.
One of the most fascinating features of the Stanley is the grand staircase, which paranormal investigators have dubbed “The Vortex.” This staircase is believed to be a spiritual gateway — a portal that allows spirits to move freely in and out of the hotel. Countless guests have reported feeling dizzy, light-headed, or even watched while climbing or descending the stairs. Some have captured misty shapes and orbs in photographs taken at just the right moment.
The basement of the hotel is also considered active, particularly near the rooms once used by maintenance and laundry staff. The energy here is heavy. Cold spots are frequent, and shadows have been seen darting between the laundry machines. Visitors have claimed to hear whispers, murmurs, and even growling — but when they turn around, they find no one behind them.
Psychic mediums and paranormal researchers have long called the Stanley Hotel a “thin place” — a location where the veil between worlds seems unnaturally light. It has been featured on countless television shows, including Ghost Hunters, Portals to Hell, and Destination Fear. Some teams have recorded audio and video evidence of conversations with unseen entities, while others have had their equipment inexplicably malfunction or go completely dead in the most active areas.
The hotel itself does not shy away from its haunted past. In fact, it leans into it. The Stanley now offers nightly ghost tours, paranormal investigations, and even Shining-themed events throughout the year. Guests can request to stay in one of the "active" rooms, and many leave with their own strange stories — photos of shadow figures, recordings of unexplained voices, or the memory of waking up in the middle of the night to the feeling of being watched.
Despite its many hauntings, the Stanley Hotel is not a place of malevolence. Those who have encountered its spirits often describe them as curious, residual, or protective — never hostile. It is as though the building remembers everyone who has passed through, and some simply choose to stay.
For those brave enough to walk its halls after dark, the Stanley Hotel offers a rare glimpse into the world of the unseen — a living testament to history, mystery, and the thin line between this world and the next.
Address:
333 E Wonderview Avenue
Estes Park, Colorado 80517
Phone: (970) 577-4000
The Stanley Hotel is open year-round and offers daytime history tours, nightly ghost tours, and overnight stays.
Haunted rooms are available by request. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.