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Spend a Ghostly Night at Colorado's Stanley Hotel: The Inspiration for Stephen King's Book 'The Shining'

Published by Jason Hussong, Writer

Country: United States

The Experience

The Stanley Hotel creaks and groans like a hotel built in the early 20th century would. But it isn’t always the crooked doors or the old floorboards that are responsible for this. The Stanley Hotel is one of the most haunted buildings in the world. Several ghosts, from old housekeepers to young children, still call this beautifully refurbished turn-of-the-century building home. And whether you like it or not, you could have an uninvited roommate while spending the night in this charming hotel.

Thousands check-in to the Stanley Hotel each year to spend a spooky, sometimes sleepless night. Stephen King, likely the most famous Stanley Hotel guest, was inspired to write his book, The Shining, in just one week after spending a night in the hotel. He stayed in the now infamous Room 217, known to be haunted by a housekeeper who was injured in a natural gas explosion while lighting some lamps. The explosion tore apart that section of the hotel.

Actor Jim Carrey also stayed in room 217 during the filming of Dumb and Dumber; but only briefly. He was so spooked that he fled the room and refused to stay in the Stanley Hotel any longer. He wouldn’t even stand in the hotel lobby when the movie was not filming. And to this day, he supposedly does not talk about his experience.

You don't have to be a famous author or actor to experience the paranormal side of the Stanley Hotel as the ghosts are equal opportunity haunters. Every day, guests have their own encounters—from ghostly orbs in photographs to actual contact. A great many people visit the Stanley Hotel each day just for such a photograph or experience.

Glowing orbs commonly manifest in photographs, people are touched, and strange occurrences (like doors shutting, things moving, and bags unpacking on their own) happen often enough to make visitors question exactly what is happening in the Stanley Hotel. It is all part of the Stanley Hotel’s rich history and the fantastic experience of staying at or touring such an historic building.

It is easy to think that the spooky side of the Stanley Hotel comes out only at night. That is why occasional ghost hunts are offered into the early hours of the morning. But, with such a haunted building as the Stanley Hotel, ghost and historical tours are offered daily, and spooky activity is just as easily enjoyed then as at night. However, to get the full paranormal experience of the Stanley Hotel, it is best to plan ahead and spend a couple of nights in one of their many rooms… if you dare.

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When to Go to Stanley Hotel Ghost Tour

Rooms can sell out quickly, so make your reservations well in advance, particularly if you want to stay in Room 217. If a tour is more your speed, they are offered several times daily year round, but reservations are highly recommend. Many tours, particularly during the peak summer tourist season, sell out in advance. So, without some foresight and planning, you could be left out in the cold. On the plus side, there's no bad time to visit the Stanley Hotel since the ghosts are always roaming the hallways!

Odds n' Ends

There are a variety of historical tours and ghost hunts offered. It is best to check ahead to see what interests you and your budget since the cost can vary by tour. The activities are largely inside and out of the elements, but it is wise to wear a comfortable pair of shoes due to a lot of walking.

More Experiences Nearby

Ride the Trail Ridge Road to the Top of the Colorado Rockies
The summer sun in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado offers some great opportunities for hiking and pristine mountain drives. One of the best driving experiences around happens to run right through and over the mountains in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Trail Ridge Road, also known as U.S. Highway 34, is a scenic drive with incredible views that make for an experience difficult to match. Running 48 miles (77 km) from Estes Park in the east to Grand Lake in the west, Trail Ridge Road traverses the roof of the Rockies as it hits a top elevation of 12,183 feet ...10 miles away.

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Books and DVDs

A Concise History of the Stanley Hotel
The Shining (Two-Disc Special Edition)
The Shining (book)

Elsewhere on the Web

Offical site of the Stanley Hotel

Media References

Stanley Hotel Colorado Hotel Online (magazine)
The Film Stage: Adaption of The Shining into a feature film starring Jack Nicholson (television)

Language Guides

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