The Stanley Hotel: A Grand Stay with Ghostly Guests
If you’ve ever dreamed of staying somewhere beautiful, historic, and just a little bit haunted… then the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado should be at the top of your list. Perched in the mountains with postcard-perfect views of the Rockies, this grand old hotel has been welcoming (and apparently never saying goodbye to) guests since 1909.
It’s one of the most haunted hotels in America — a labyrinth of elegant hallways, creaky staircases, and rooms that seem to hum with energy. The Stanley isn’t the kind of haunted that makes you run screaming; it’s more of a whisper-in-the-halls, goosebumps-on-your-arm kind of place.
🕯️ A Brief History (and a Brush with The Shining)
The Stanley was built by Freelan Oscar Stanley — yes, the same Stanley behind the famous Stanley Steamer automobile. He and his wife, Flora Stanley, wanted to create a place of luxury and healing for travelers escaping the city. In 1909, it became one of the first all-electric hotels west of the Mississippi, glowing like a beacon in the wilderness.
But even grand hotels have their secrets…
By 1973, the hotel had seen better days. Its luster had faded, and only a handful of guests wandered its halls. One of them was a writer named Stephen King, who checked in with his wife on the hotel’s last open night of the season.
The story goes that the hotel was eerily empty. King reportedly got lost in the winding hallways, and as he roamed, the seed for his novel The Shining took root. A hotel that was alive with ghosts, memories, and things that go bump in the night — sound familiar?
🏨 Haunted Highlights
If you’re brave enough to visit, here are some of the stories that make The Stanley so famous (and so fun):
🎹 Flora’s Piano
Guests and staff alike report hearing the faint, graceful notes of piano music drifting from the ballroom — even when no one’s there. Legend says it’s Flora Stanley, still playing for her guests after her passing in 1939, when she suffered a stroke in the lobby. Some say she lingers near the front desk and lobby, watching over her beloved hotel.
👧 Children on the Fourth Floor
Between 2 and 4 AM, laughter and little footsteps are often heard on the fourth floor, where families used to stay back in the hotel’s early days. The sound of children playing tag — when the halls are empty — is enough to make you pull the covers just a little tighter.
🌒 The Employee Tunnels
Beneath the hotel lies a network of narrow tunnels, once used by staff to move unseen between areas. One employee reported walking through the tunnel and suddenly feeling like something was about to hit him in the face. Another, a café manager, said she was shoved on the shoulder so hard she slid down the hallway.
When coworkers ran to help, they swore they heard her scream — followed by deep, echoing laughter that came from nowhere.
🌲 The Stanley Experience Today
Today, The Stanley Hotel has embraced its spectral reputation with charm and grace. Guests can join daily ghost tours led by the concierge, who knows every story, every spirit, and every corner where history and mystery intertwine.
Despite its hauntings, there’s something beautifully alive about the place. The mountain air feels charged, the fireplaces warm, and the stories endless. Even if you don’t see a ghost, you’ll feel the presence of history all around you — and maybe, just maybe, a whisper from another time.
🧳 If You Go
Location: Estes Park, Colorado
Vibe: Elegant, eerie, and endlessly photogenic
Don’t Miss: The ghost tour, the lobby piano, and a stroll down the fourth-floor hallways (if you dare)
Tip: Bring a flashlight, a cozy sweater, and an open mind.
✨ Final Thoughts
The Stanley isn’t just haunted — it’s enchanted. It’s a love letter to old-world luxury and the mysteries that linger after the guests have gone home. Whether you’re a ghost-hunting parent, a spooky travel lover, or just a curious soul looking for adventure, The Stanley will welcome you warmly… and maybe keep you company through the night.
Would you stay overnight at The Stanley Hotel?
Tell me in the comments — and if you’ve had your own haunted hotel experience, I’d love to feature your story in a future post! 👻💌
