Estes Park Historic Landmark

The Stanley Hotel: The Eerie Inspiration for The Shining

Estes Park, Colorado, United States

By the Wicked Cool Places editors · Published Wed, Mar 18, 2026 · Updated Fri, Aug 28, 2026

Why it’s cool

This grand 1909 estate is the real-world birthplace of literary horror, where a stay in room 217 sparked Stephen King’s imagination and birthed a ghost story for the ages.

Southwest Scenic

The white, red-roofed Stanley Hotel stands before sunlit, rocky mountain peaks in Estes Park, Colorado.

High in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, a grand Georgian structure overlooks Estes Park with a reputation that precedes its stunning views. While many grand hotels boast of famous guests, few can claim to have inspired a masterpiece of modern horror.

It was here, in the quiet corridors and specific atmosphere of room 217, that a night’s stay transformed into the foundation for Stephen King’s most famous ghost story. Another location tied to literary horror is the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site.

Why It Stands Out

Originally built by Freelan O. Stanley, the mind behind the Stanley Steamer, the hotel was intended as a mountain retreat for his recovery from tuberculosis.

Since its opening in 1909, the 138-room property has hosted world leaders and survivors of the Titanic, but its supernatural residents are the ones that draw the most attention. Paranormal enthusiasts claim that Stanley himself still frequents the lobby and billiard room, while the ghostly notes of a piano in the ballroom are attributed to his wife, Flora.

The hotel’s connection to pop culture is deeply ingrained. After staying here, Stephen King penned a tale of a clairvoyant boy and his father, though the famous 1980 film adaptation by Stanley Kubrick actually used a different location for its exterior shots.

Fans of literary history might also enjoy exploring The Last Bookstore. Dissatisfied with that version, King eventually returned to the Stanley to film a 1997 television remake.

Today, the hotel leans into its macabre fame by broadcasting the original R-rated film on a loop in every guest room, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the legend.

Before You Go

Located roughly an hour and a half from Denver, the hotel serves as a gateway to the neighboring Rocky Mountain National Park. If you plan to visit during the peak of the spooky season, be sure to book far in advance.

The hotel is a notable destination within the Southwest. The property hosts two major October celebrations: the annual Shining Ball and a Masquerade Party, both of which are considered among the most elaborate Halloween events in the country.

Questions worth answering

Which room should I book to see where the story began?

Room 217 is the exact spot where a single night's stay gave Stephen King his idea for a classic horror novel. We've seen plenty of grand estates, but this Georgian building in the Rockies has a specific atmosphere you won't find elsewhere.

Is it true the hotel owner still haunts the property?

Local lore suggests Freelan O. Stanley hasn't left the billiard room or lobby. You might also hear Flora Stanley playing the piano in the ballroom, according to those who track the supernatural.

Can we watch the movie while we're staying there?

Every guest room has the R-rated film playing on a continuous loop. It's a bit on the nose, but it helps you sink into the history of the 138-room property.

How do we get tickets for the October events?

You'll need to plan months ahead if you want to attend the Masquerade Party or the annual Shining Ball. These two celebrations are famous for being some of the most detailed Halloween parties in the country.

Visit Snapshot

Located about an hour and a half from Denver near Rocky Mountain National Park. For those interested in the famous Halloween events like the Shining Ball, early reservations are essential.

Location

Estes Park, Colorado

Know before you go

About an hour and a half drive from Denver, the Stanley Hotel is located within easy access of Rocky Mountain National Park. Book well ahead for a room during the hotel's special October events, two of the most elaborate Halloween parties in the country: the annual Shining Ball and Halloween Masquerade Party.

Editorial source

The Stanley Hotel

The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, is on the National Register of Historic Places and has hosted numerous celebrities since opening in 1909, but it remains most famous as the hotel where Stephen King stayed when he was inspired to pen The Shining , a classic 1977 horror novel about a recovering alcoholic father and his clairvoyant son. The Stanley, which many believe is legitimately haunted by benign spirits, embraces the association, playing the uncut R-rated version of the first film adaptation on a continuous 24-hour loop in all guest rooms.

Nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the Stanley offers panoramic views of what is now the Rocky Mountain National Park. The picturesque setting has helped to attract famous guests over the years, including Theodore Roosevelt, the Emperor of Japan, Titanic survivor Margaret Brown , and many others.

The 138-room Georgian hotel was constructed by Freelan O. Stanley of Stanley Steamer fame on top of 35 pristine acres after his doctor ordered him to spend time in the fresh air of Estes Park when he came down with tuberculosis.

He liked the area so much, he thought he'd stay. In fact, many who believe in the paranormal insist that Stanley can still be seen roaming the lobby and the Billiards room on some nights.

Several guests have also reported to have seen the keys of a piano in the hotel's ballroom moving by themselves. It is said that Stanley's wife, Flora, would entertain guests on the piano when she was still living.

When Stephen King visited the Stanley, he stayed in room 217. Early in the novel, the same room is referenced—the clairvoyant son, Danny, is told to avoid room 217—but in Stanley Kubrick's 1980 adaptation, the haunted room has been changed to 237 because owners of the Timberline Lodge , which served as a site for exterior shots, were afraid they would lose customers.

Although The Timberline is the hotel that fans most closely relate to The Shining , it was actually used in only a few establishing shots; all interior scenes were shot at Elstree Studios in England using a mock-up of the Timberline’s exteriors. King, as it turns out, ended up hating Kubrick’s film so much that he produced a 1997 remake filmed at The Stanley Hotel , the place that had inspired him to write The Shining in the first place.

The hotel was profiled on the Syfy television show Ghost Hunters . During the episode, hosts on the show claimed to have experienced paranormal activity during their visit.

People could be seen in the hallways and then hiding, children could be heard running and playing on the floors above them and cupboard doors unlocked and opened while one of the ghost hunters was staying the night in a guest room. Over the years, guests have reported experiencing similar phenomena.

More in Southwest

All Southwest places →

The Wave

Marble Canyon, Arizona

This rare geological site features Navajo Sandstone that has calcified into dizzying, fluid-like ribbons. With access limited to just 64 people daily, it offers a nearly solitary experience within a 190-million-year-old desert dreamscape.

Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

These stunningly preserved sandstone and adobe cities were carved directly into the canyon walls by the Pueblo people. The site features complex multi-story rooms and mysterious underground ceremonial chambers known as kivas.

Flamingo Habitat

Las Vegas, Nevada

This hidden 15-acre garden offers a serene break from the casino floor, housing a vibrant flock of Chilean flamingos alongside koi, turtles, and tropical birds in a lush landscape of waterfalls.