About The Stanley Hotel
Nestled against the breathtaking backdrop of Rocky Mountain National Park, The Stanley Hotel stands as a grand symbol of turn-of-the-century American luxury. Opened in 1909 by Freelan Oscar Stanley (co-inventor of the Stanley Steamer automobile), this iconic 140-room hotel has welcomed US presidents, Hollywood stars, and travelers seeking mountain solitude for over a century.
Beyond its striking white facade and stately red roofs, the property offers a rich mix of modern comfort, fine dining, and supernatural intrigue. It gained pop-culture immortality after inspiring author Stephen King to write his legendary horror novel, The Shining, after a stay in Room 217.
Visitors today can indulge in craft whiskey at the Cascades Restaurant & Lounge, take guided historical or ghost tours, or simply relax on the expansive front porch overlooking Lake Estes and the Continental Divide.
History
The story of The Stanley Hotel begins with health and innovation. In 1903, F.O. Stanley was diagnosed with tuberculosis and advised by his physician to spend time in the fresh, dry air of the Colorado Rockies. Arriving in Estes Park, Stanley experienced a dramatic recovery in health and decided to transform the quiet valley into a world-class resort town.
Construction began in 1907 using local granite and timber. When completed in 1909, the hotel featured unprecedented luxuries for a mountain retreat, including electric lights, telephones, en-suite bathrooms, and a fleet of custom Stanley Steamer mountain buses to bring guests up from the railway station in Denver.
The hotel's dark pop-culture reputation emerged in late 1974 when author Stephen King and his wife Tabitha stayed as the only guests in Room 217 just before the hotel closed for the winter season. The eerie atmosphere inspired King's fictional Overlook Hotel.