What's the Stanley Hotel?
Otherwise known as the "Overlook Hotel," this is the hotel from Stephen King's book (and later television miniseries) "The Shining!" Nestled in the scenic mountains of Estes Park, the Stanley is such a stately site! On the National Register of Historic Places, The Stanley Hotel offers old-world charm with modern luxury accommodations and spectacular mountain views. And, did I mention they're dog friendly??
Back in the 70's Stephen King and his family (wife and children) vacationed in Estes Park at none other than the Stanley. Since rugged Estes Park is one of the few snow-peaked mountainous regions with no ski slopes, its tourism pretty much closes completely for the winter. When King arrived with his family, it was nearing the end of the tourist season. Guests packed up and were leaving, but King and his family stayed so he could write. A hotel worker named Grady, who had already tallied the books for the year, told him, "Your money is no good here." (This is both a character and a famous line in the movie).
One night, King had a lucid dream his son was being chased through the hotel by a fire hose. King was quoted as saying: "I got up, lit a cigarette, sat in a chair looking out the window at the Rockies...and by the time the cigarette was done, I had the bones of the book firmly set in my mind.
One night, King had a lucid dream his son was being chased through the hotel by a fire hose. King was quoted as saying: "I got up, lit a cigarette, sat in a chair looking out the window at the Rockies...and by the time the cigarette was done, I had the bones of the book firmly set in my mind.
King was so inspired by his stay, he wrote not only "The Shining" but "Pet Cemetery" as there is a pet cemetery on the property. In the 1980's, Stanley Kubrick expressed an interest is bringing "The Shining" to the big screen. However, Kubrick was deathly afraid of planes and flying, especially into the Rocky Mountains. Therefore, the hotel at Estes Park is not the same hotel as depicted in Kubrick's "Shining" (another hotel in OREGON!). My first clue, before my tour began, was the much smaller hedge maze that Danny ran through. This upset Stephen King as he wanted the filming at the Stanley in Estes. Additionally, another thing Kubrick did that really pissed King off was hiring Jack Nicholson as the main character. King did not especially like Jack Nicholson at the time. But, could there have possibly been a better cast for lead male?
Fast forward...King finally does his own remake of his famous fictional novel in a TV mini series. In the remake, the story is brought back to the Stanley in Estes Park...and the flick features someone we recognize from Wings.
Some interesting facts about the Stanley:
Scenes from "Dumb and Dumber" were filmed at the Stanley. Jim Carey stayed in room 237 and reportedly left the room in the middle of the night. He refused to talk about what happened or even stay another night in another room.
One really famous room is room #217! A chamber maid named Elizabeth Wilson was lighting all the gas lamps in the rooms. Unknowingly, there was a gas leak in room #217. One flick of a match and the room was blown up and her body was was found on the story below, ALIVE with only a few broken bones!
The concert hall reportedly has a host of paranormal activity! On our tour, the tour guide kept playing ball with a ghost child. The ball kept rolling back to her. Magnets or slight of hand? Who knows!? But, Harry Houdini performed in this concert hall! In fact, his trap door used to pull off some famous illusions and disappearance acts is still installed on the stage floor!
The establishment has the reputation as "America's More Haunted Hotels." Guests often leave screaming and upset from the hotel in the middle of the night.
In summation:
If you're ever in the area, be sure to swing by and grab a whiskey sour at the bar! Ask for Grady! REDRUM!
One really famous room is room #217! A chamber maid named Elizabeth Wilson was lighting all the gas lamps in the rooms. Unknowingly, there was a gas leak in room #217. One flick of a match and the room was blown up and her body was was found on the story below, ALIVE with only a few broken bones!
The concert hall reportedly has a host of paranormal activity! On our tour, the tour guide kept playing ball with a ghost child. The ball kept rolling back to her. Magnets or slight of hand? Who knows!? But, Harry Houdini performed in this concert hall! In fact, his trap door used to pull off some famous illusions and disappearance acts is still installed on the stage floor!
The establishment has the reputation as "America's More Haunted Hotels." Guests often leave screaming and upset from the hotel in the middle of the night.
In summation:
If you're ever in the area, be sure to swing by and grab a whiskey sour at the bar! Ask for Grady! REDRUM!
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