The Stanely Hotel

Now, everyone, I think has heard of the Overlook Hotel from Stephen King's book, "The Shining". Well, that creepy, haunted hotel is actually based on The Stanely Hotel, located in Estes Park, Colorado. Stephen King wrote "The Shining" after staying there, and experiencing one of the unusual events that have been reported over the course of the hotel's history.

After his doctor told him to seek out fresh mountain air to help ease his tuberculosis, F.O. Stanley moved to Estes Park in 1903. At the time, his doctor suggested he not expect to be alive within six months. A friend lent Stanley their cabin, and both him and his wife fell in love the surrounding territory. Since Stanley's health started to improve, the two build a home about a half mile away from the hotel's current location.

The hotel started to be built in 1906, and opened for business three years later. Guests such as John Philip Sousa, "The Unsinkable" Molly Brown (of Titanic survival fame), President Theodore Roosevel, and the Emperor and Empress of Japan all stayed there. As did Stephen King while writing his book, "The Shining".

Strange phenomena have been reported by guests and employees alike over the years. Even though the Stanley Hotel served as inspiration for the book, the spirits that dwell within the real hotel's walls aren't so malicious. It has been claimed that F.O. Stanley himself, and his wife, Flora, haunt the famous hotel... maybe their love of the scenery lasted beyond the grave? Stanley has been sighted mostly in the lobby area, Billiard Room, and the bar. Flora has been known to play the piano- which is the one that was at the hotel during the Stanley's moral lives. Both guests and employees have heard the piano music coming from the ballroom, and seen the keys moving. Others have stated that they've seen a woman sitting at the piano.

Within the hotel, there seems to be certain room that are more prone to paranormal activity than others. Room 418 seems to be a favorite "haunt" for ghostly children, with their sounds of laughter and playing being heard just outside the room's door. Complaints of children playing in the hallway late at night are common, as are indentations on the bed (as if someone were sitting or laying there), and unexplained noises inside the suite itself. Stephen King reported hearing a little boy calling for his nanny.

Another room known for being haunted is Room 407. The spirit in this room seems to enjoy turning the lights on and off. It's been reported that if you request that the lights be turned back off, the spirit will do so. As with other rooms, noises inside and outside have been reported to the managers. A face looking out the window has been seen, even when the room has been empty.

While it seems that most of the phenomena reported occurs on the fourth floor, the rest of the hotel has been known to echo with footsteps, and various apparitions sighted elsewhere.

Not only was the Stanley Hotel the inspiration for a spooky novel, but the TV series, "Ghost Hunters" did an investigation there. The Stanely Hotel is quite proud of it's haunted heritage, and holds "Ghost Tours" to celebrate it's place as one of America's Most Haunted Hotels.