The Friendly Ghosts Of The Stanley Hotel Inspired Stephen King's 'The Shining,' You Must Go Visit Next Time You're In Colorado
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

The Friendly Ghosts Of The Stanley Hotel Inspired Stephen King's 'The Shining,' You Must Go Visit Next Time You're In Colorado

The hotel inspired Stephen King's classic 1977 novel "The Shining."

1319
The Friendly Ghosts Of The Stanley Hotel Inspired Stephen King's 'The Shining,' You Must Go Visit Next Time You're In Colorado
@theshingingofficial

The Haunted Stanley Hotel located in Estes Park, Colorado, inspired Stephen King's novel "The Shining" when King stayed the night in one of the haunted rooms.


Built in 1907, with guests being able to start staying in 1909, the hotel has attracted visitors due to the Rocky Mountain's surrounding it and the haunted stories that come from the place.

The hotel has 420 plus rooms, ballrooms, dining and even an underground cave system. But, the most exciting events happen in hotspot paranormal locations throughout the hotel.

1. Room 217

Room 217 inspired King for his novel "The Shining" when his wife and he were the only overnight guests due to the place closing down for the season.

During the night he woke up due to a nightmare of his 3-year-old son being chased through the corridors and screaming.

The room is rumored to be haunted by Elizabeth Wilson. She was the hotel's head housekeeper but during a storm in 1911 she broke her ankles due to an explosion when she was lightening the lanterns in the room.

Guests report items being moved, their luggage being unpacked, lights being turned on and off and feelings of a cold force when unmarried guests hook up because Wilson is not a fan of it.

2. Concert Hall

A former worker known as Paul who used to enforce curfew died of a heart attack while en route to the hospital from the hotel.

People have heard faint "get out" if in the concert hall after hours, shushing, or flickering the flashlights of tour groups.

A construction worker even believes Paul was tough enough to nudge him to the door after feeling two arms pull him back when he was sanding the floor.

Also, the basement of the concert hall is said to be haunted by a 12-13-year-old girl named Lucy who was forced to leave due to construction beginning and froze to death since the night was below freezing.

A tour where people were told to take lots a picture even saw an apparition of a little girl wearing a pink dress who was not on their tour.

3. Room 418

Flickr user David shared an encounter with paranormal activity during his visit to the place.

Tour guides often feel as if a child is hugging them. David's tour guide even stiffened and shuddered during his tour and said she felt one of the children hugging her leg at the very moment.

The photo above was captured by David the moment the tour guide felt someone hugging her legs.

Besides the hugging from ghosts, furniture has also been moved without anyone being in the room and the children holding hands of tour guides.

4. More Haunted Rooms

Room 428 is haunted by a ghost cowboy who paces at the end of the bed. Female guests have also awakened to find the cowboy ghost leaning in for a kiss on the forehead and then disappearing.

In room 302 there have been reports of a male shadow walking near the walls and photos flying off the walls along with a small table levitating.

Guests who have stayed in room 407 have felt as if someone is trying to tuck them into bed, or covers being dragged back onto guests who kept kicking them off throughout the night. Others have also felt someone sit at the edge of the bed during the night only to find a slight indentation.

There have also been tons of pictures where people have thought to capture a ghost such as a picture capturing two figures on a staircase in a tour group.


Visitor Henry Yau even happened to catch a woman on the stairs late at night when staying over.

Compared to other haunted places, the ghosts at Stanley Hotel seem fairly nice and just enjoy freaking out the staff and guests a little.

Even though I might not be a fan of any sort of paranormal experiences, the Stanley Hotel would be at the top of my list to experience since I'd rather get hugged by a ghost than something trying to do something a lot worse.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

49570
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

31572
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

955176
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180394
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments