It’s that time of year again, when brave souls go in search of destinations that thrill and chill. For some family travelers, a haunted maze at a theme park might do, but for die-hard enthusiasts, something a little more realistic is in order. Enter Stanley Hotel, an iconic property in Estes Park, Colorado.
It comes as no surprise Stanley Hotel inspired Stephen King to write his horror classic The Shining. While the movie was actually filmed elsewhere, Stanley Hotel bears a strong resemblance to the iconic Overlook Hotel, with a stunning Rocky Mountain backdrop and immaculately manicured grounds. The 140-room hotel, in operation since 1909, has a long history of ghostly sightings and unexplained occurrences, earning the hotel a reputation as most haunted hotel in Colorado.
The hotel has been featured on several paranormal television shows; two rooms in particular, rooms 401 and 217, are believed by some to be actively haunted, but guests have reported numerous unexplainable occurrences throughout the hotel, such as doors slamming and children laughing.
The hotel is not shy about its haunted history or its connection to The Shining. In fact, it embraces it with one-hour tours of the haunted grounds. The Stanley Hotel Spirited Night Tour (offered for an additional $30) takes guests on a guided walking tour of the grounds at night to learn about the hotel’s haunted history. The Spirited Shining Tour (also an additional $30) combines the hotel’s haunted history with special touches from The Shining, including a replica of the bathroom from the film’s room 237 and one of the axes used by Jack Nicholson in the movie.
Whether you experience the paranormal firsthand during your stay or just enjoy the thrill of visiting one of the country’s most haunted hotels, a visit to Stanley Hotel is the perfect way to get into the Halloween mood.
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