T+L’s Hotel Review of The Stanley

The Stanley

• The Stanley has a haunted lore and theatrical flourish, but it also has four distinct lodges that allow guests to determine their proximity to supernatural hot spots.
• The hotel is the anchor of the Estes Park community and a top to-do for day visitors.
• The property is a true, full-service resort with its own distillery and whiskey bar, a wine bar, several restaurants, and a spa. 
• It is set near the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park in what is arguably one of the most beautiful mountain valleys in Colorado.

Perched above the mountain town of Estes Park, Colorado, The Stanley Hotel is one of the most storied hotels in the West. It was here, in Room 217, that Stephen King dreamed up “The Shining” during a solitary, snowbound stay.

The writer and his wife stayed here in 1974, and as it turned out, they were the only overnight guests as the hotel was closing for the season. “Wandering through its corridors, I thought that it seemed the perfect—maybe the archetypical—setting for a ghost story,” King wrote on his website. King’s one-night stay at The Stanley was punctuated by a vivid nightmare of his screaming son being chased down the hall by a fire hose.

“I woke up with a tremendous jerk, sweating all over, within an inch of falling out of bed. I got up, lit a cigarette, sat in a chair looking out the window at the Rockies, and by the time the cigarette was done, I had the bones of ‘The Shining’ firmly set in my mind,” King explained.

The lobby and reception at the hotel.

The Stanley Hotel

My time at The Stanley was nothing like King’s—with the exception of a chilling dream that still haunts me. I arrived on a grey, summer day, antsy and a little nervous. I had no idea what to expect from the hotel that both inspired “The Shining” and was investigated by the reality TV series Ghost Hunters. It didn’t occur to me—perhaps fortunately—that my visit would fall on a Friday the 13th.

As I drove up the hill, the hotel’s white, Colonial Revival-style facade and red roof emerged, stark against the rugged mountain backdrop. It looked less like a hotel and more like a remote estate: grand, imposing, and, yes, just a little eerie.

While The Stanley leans into its haunted reputation—there’s a year-long waitlist for Room 217 and ongoing ghost tours and seances—the hotel is more than a mecca for ghost hunters and fans of “The Shining.” The Stanley is a landmark hotel, located at the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s surrounded by nature, but also has all the modern comforts a guest could need—from restaurants and a whiskey bar to a spa and live entertainment.

“Stepping into The Stanley transports you back in time and opens your imagination to a bygone era,” says Wendy Lundy, the director of sales at The Stanley. “The hotel’s vintage decor and tales of ghostly encounters have earned it a reputation as one of America’s most haunted hotels.”

Here’s what it was like to stay in one of the most iconic—and unmistakably atmospheric—hotels in the West.

The Rooms

The Stanley may be most famous for its original, hallmark hotel, which opened in 1909, but it has three more properties: The Lodge, The Residences, and Aspire.

The Lodge at The Stanley Hotel has a similar, haunted vibe (after an evening tour, I think it felt even spookier than the original building). According to Lundy, The Lodge was originally “built specifically for unmarried guests” in 1910.

The Residences offer private, condo-like accommodations with multiple bedrooms, full kitchens, and living areas. They’re still on the hotel’s grounds but offer more privacy. One of the nicest residences, the Presidential Cottage, is only available upon request and is centrally located with gorgeous views of the mountains.

Meanwhile, I stayed at Aspire. It’s billed as a modern wellness retreat (read: not haunted) that also houses The Stanley’s spa, outdoor pool and Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, and a beautiful rooftop deck. Some of the suites here feature wraparound decks with views of the mountains and lakes in the distance.

Speaking of the views, Lundy explained that some of the best suites are in the original building and offer unobstructed sunrise or sunset views over the Rocky Mountains.

Food and Drink

Before I visited The Stanley, I had heard about its whisky bar, which has over 1,200 types of whisky from around the world. What I didn’t know was that it also has a private tasting vault where guests can try the hotel’s own spirits.

The dining offerings are led by Cascades, which is adjacent to the whisky bar and features classic American fare. There’s indoor and outdoor seating and a menu filled with Colorado-sourced meats, including a lamb dish, a meatloaf made with game, and local bison and elk steaks.

I also spent time on the deck of 217 Wine Bar, a modern lounge with historic charm, overlooking the hotel’s hedge maze.

I didn’t visit The Post Chicken & Beer, but it’s housed in the original 1909 carriage house and offers a menu of fried chicken, biscuits, and other tavern classics, including a selection of brews and cocktails.

Activities and Experiences 

The outdoor pool at The Aspire Hotel & Spa at The Stanley.

The Stanley Hotel

The Stanley offers guided tours as well as magic acts and seances. I booked The Shining Tour, during which I learned about Stephen King’s memorable stay. The tour included a visit to a replica of the film’s green bathroom, the restored 1909 Caretaker’s Cottage, and a glimpse at one of the axes used during the filming of “The Shining.”

Other standout activities include the Frozen Dead Guy Tour, an hour-long visit to a cryogenics museum holding the body of Bredo Morstol, who died in 1989 and was subsequently frozen—first on dry ice, then at a cryonics facility.

The hotel also hosts a rotating list of magicians from around the world who perform in a subterranean lounge that’s accessed via a secret bookcase door.

Beyond the paranormal, The Stanley is located 10 minutes from the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, which is known for its hiking, wildlife, and mountain views. Many visitors also come here to drive along the Trail Ridge Road, one of Colorado’s 13 America’s Byways and a designated All American Road. Just keep in mind that if you plan to visit the national park between late May and mid-October, you’ll need a timed entry permit.

Estes Park is known for Lake Estes and the 3.75-mile trail that runs along it, and the scenic Estes Park Aerial Tram.

The Spa

A treatment room at the Aspire spa.

The Stanley Hotel

Long before Stephen King turned The Stanley into a pilgrimage site for ghost hunters, the hotel was a place of healing. The man who built The Stanley, Freelan Oscar Stanley, the inventor behind the Stanley Steamer, arrived in Estes Park sick with tuberculosis and not long to live. His first summer in the mountains revived him, and he vowed to return every year, eventually building the hotel to cater to wealthy urbanites.

Today, healing treatments can be found at the spa at Aspire. Modern locker rooms lead to an indoor steam room and a sauna that’s backed by a heated outdoor pool and Jacuzzi set beneath a waterfall. There’s a stellar spa menu and private treatment rooms.

A fitness center and a rooftop patio round out the wellness experience at Aspire.

Family-friendly Offerings 

Young kids are welcome at The Stanley, but the ambiance and on-site entertainment are better suited for adults and older children. Children must be at least eight years old to join a tour and 12 years old to attend a magic show.

Families with younger children can swim, explore the lawn maze, hike, bike, or visit the national park.

Pets are not allowed at The Stanley.

Accessibility and Sustainability

There are ADA-compliant rooms in three of the four lodges: the original Stanley, The Lodge, and Aspire.

Location

Take in the views from the Aspire rooftop lounge.

The Stanley Hotel

The Stanley Hotel is located in Estes Park, a community of less than 6,000 people northwest of Denver. The hotel is about 1.5 hours from Denver International Airport (DIA) by car. Most out-of-state visitors fly into Denver and rent a car for their trip since much of Estes Park and the adjacent Rocky Mountain National Park is best explored via a private vehicle.

If you prefer not to drive, take the light rail from the airport and a bus from Denver’s Union Station to Estes Park (the drive is about two hours). Once you’re in town, you can hop on Estes Park’s free shuttle that runs from Memorial Day to mid-October. The shuttle connects downtown Estes Park and the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.

There is also a national park-operated shuttle that transports hikers from the Estes Park Visitor Center to trailheads within Rocky Mountain National Park.

Book Now

The Stanley Hotel does not have or participate in any loyalty programs.

Travelers who book a room at The Lodge at The Stanley get a $25 per-person credit to Brunch & Co, the hotel’s brunch and lunch restaurant. All Colorado residents receive 15 percent off their stay, although blackout dates apply. Check out the hotel’s website for the most current specials and offers.

Nightly rates at The Stanley Hotel start from $239.

Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.