What happens when a luxurious mountain retreat becomes a paranormal icon? The haunted Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO, blends Rocky Mountain grandeur with decades of chilling ghost stories. Opened in 1909 by inventor Freelan Oscar Stanley, the Colonial Revival hotel attracted elite guests, including presidents and royalty. Today, it’s equally famous for its eerie encounters—ranging from spectral children laughing to pianos playing on their own. If you’re drawn to supernatural tales or historic beauty, the Stanley Hotel promises a memorable and possibly haunted stay.
Ghost Stories of the Haunted Stanley Hotel
The Stanley Hotel has become one of America’s most iconic haunted locations, with ghost stories echoing through its historic halls:
- Room 217: This room is infamous for paranormal activity. Guests report belongings moving and lights turning on by themselves. It’s also the room where Stephen King stayed in 1974, inspiring The Shining.
- The Fourth Floor: Once home to nannies and children, this level is alive with laughter, footsteps, and doors opening and closing with no visible cause.
- The Concert Hall: Staff and guests have seen a ghost named Paul, a former employee who enforces “quiet hours” by telling visitors to get out late at night.
- The Grand Staircase: Referred to as the “Vortex,” many have photographed unexplained light anomalies and felt cold spots while climbing the stairs.
Paranormal investigations and media have amplified the Stanley’s ghostly fame. Syfy’s Ghost Hunters filmed here in 2006, capturing unexplained piano music and footsteps. Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures documented intense activity in 2009, including eerie EMF spikes and spirit box responses. The hotel was also featured in Portals to Hell (2020), where the team reported dramatic energy shifts. Even YouTube channels like Sam and Colby and TFIL have explored the Stanley, sharing chilling footage of unexplained voices and motion-activated devices going off with no one nearby.
A Historic Legacy in Estes Park
F.O. Stanley, famous for the Stanley Steamer automobile, built the hotel as a tuberculosis retreat for himself and others drawn to Colorado’s dry climate. Completed in 1909, the Stanley offered luxury amid wilderness—electricity, telephones, and en suite bathrooms, all rare for the time. Despite its elegant exterior, the Stanley weathered decades of decline until a surge of interest following Stephen King’s stay and the release of The Shining (1980), though the film was not shot on-site. Since then, the hotel has embraced its haunted heritage with daily tours, events, and film screenings. Today, it stands as both a historic treasure and paranormal destination.
Visiting Tips for a Ghostly Adventure
Ready to explore the haunted Stanley Hotel? Here’s how to plan your visit:
Plan Your Visit: The hotel is open year-round with daytime history tours ($25+) and nighttime ghost tours ($30+). Overnight stays in haunted rooms can be reserved in advance. Visit stanleyhotel.com or call (970) 577-4000 for availability and pricing.
Details about hours, access, and events are accurate at the time of writing. Please check the location’s official website for the most up-to-date information before planning your visit.
Spooky Spots to Discover:
- Room 217: Famous for ghostly activity and its Stephen King connection.
- The Fourth Floor: Reports of laughter and footsteps from unseen children.
- Concert Hall: Ghosts like Paul are said to interact with visitors.
- The Vortex Staircase: A hotspot for paranormal photos and cold spots.
Dare to Explore the Haunted Stanley Hotel?
The Stanley Hotel offers more than scenic views and elegant lodging—it delivers spine-tingling experiences. Whether you’re a horror fan, a ghost hunter, or just curious about the paranormal, this historic estate invites you to walk the same halls where legends and spirits still linger.
